Orlando, the City Beautiful, started as a frontier town of cattle and citrus before becoming the world capital of theme parks in 1971. Today it’s a mix of magic and marshlands—where rocket launches shimmer on the horizon and glass-bottom kayaks glide over emerald springs.

Beyond Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, the metro teems with lakefront neighborhoods, indie coffee roasters, chef-driven restaurants, and museums devoted to Tiffany glass. Mornings might bring manatees, afternoons a roller coaster, and evenings tiki drinks or a speakeasy upstairs behind a puzzle door.

Practical tips: afternoon thunderstorms are common May–September; hurricane season runs June–November. Bring breathable clothing, refillable water bottles, and sunscreen. Driving is easiest, though rideshares are plentiful. Park reservations aren’t required for date-based Disney tickets in 2025; Universal Express Pass can be a major time-saver on peak days.

Orlando

Orlando’s draw is breadth: four Disney parks, two Universal parks (plus Volcano Bay), NASA’s legendary Kennedy Space Center, and a necklace of crystalline springs. Plan your days in clusters—parks, nature, neighborhoods—so you can savor meals, rest by the pool, and still catch fireworks.

Neighborhoods to note: Winter Park (museums, leafy avenues, boat tour), Mills 50 (Vietnamese eateries and inventive cocktails), Milk District (quirky cafes), and Ivanhoe Village (lakeside bars and vintage shops). ICON Park anchors International Drive with The Wheel, SEA LIFE Aquarium, and easy family dining.

How to get there: Fly into MCO (Orlando International). Search fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. From major U.S. hubs, roundtrip economy often runs ~$150–450 if booked 4–8 weeks out. Rideshare to Lake Buena Vista is ~25–35 minutes; rental cars average ~$35–70/day.

Where to stay (book with our partners):

• Search vacation rentals on VRBO Orlando and hotels on Hotels.com Orlando.
• Resort luxury near Disney: Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort (rooftop Capa steakhouse, lazy river) or Waldorf Astoria Orlando (golf, spa, private pool cabanas).
• Family favorites: Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites – Waterpark (suites, water slides) or Disney’s value resort with big-themed rooms: Disney’s Art of Animation.
• Budget on International Drive with pool, walkable dining: Rosen Inn International.

Days 1–3: Walt Disney World—Magic, nostalgia, and nights at Disney Springs

Dedicate two full days to the parks and a slower evening for shopping and dining. For shorter waits, consider Disney’s Lightning Lane Multi Pass/Single Pass (select in advance) and arrive for “rope drop.”

• Magic Kingdom: Classics like Haunted Mansion, TRON Lightcycle / Run, and fireworks over Cinderella Castle. Lunch on Main Street at Casey’s Corner (corn dogs, piano player) or Liberty Tree Tavern (New England–style platters).
• EPCOT: Space-themed Guardians of the Galaxy coaster, Soarin’, and a world food crawl—sample school bread in Norway, kakigori in Japan, and tacos at La Cantina de San Angel by the lagoon.
• Disney Springs evening: Sip at Wine Bar George (master sommelier-led list), share brisket at The Polite Pig, and grab a half-pound cookie at Gideon’s Bakehouse (expect a line; go early).
• Ticket option: Walt Disney World Orlando Resort Base Ticket (date-based entry; no park reservation needed in 2025 for these tickets).

  

Coffee & breakfast: Foxtail Coffee (multiple locations) for cold brew and guava pastries; Everglazed at Disney Springs for donuts. Lunch: Satu’li Canteen in Animal Kingdom (build-your-own bowls). Dinner: Capa (40th-floor steak at the Four Seasons) or Skipper Canteen (playful pan-Asian flavors) in Magic Kingdom.

Days 4–6: Universal Orlando + ICON Park—thrills, wizards, and sky-high views

Allocate two park days and one lighter day around International Drive. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, a Park-to-Park ticket lets you ride the Hogwarts Express between Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.

• Universal Studios Florida: Navigate the streets of New York, ride Revenge of the Mummy, and get Butterbeer ice cream at Florean Fortescue’s.
• Islands of Adventure: Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Jurassic World VelociCoaster, and water rides for a midday cool-down. Consider Universal Express on busy weekends.
• ICON Park day: The Wheel for sunset views, SEA LIFE Aquarium for the 360° tunnel, and dinner on I-Drive (Taverna Opa’s lively Greek nights or Yard House for a huge tap list).
• Ticket option: Universal Orlando Park-to-Park Tickets (access both parks in one day—ideal for Hogwarts Express).

  

Coffee & breakfast: Craft & Common (downtown) for lavender lattes; Voodoo Doughnut at CityWalk for quirky treats. Lunch: The Three Broomsticks (fish & chips) or Mythos (Mediterranean, consistently awarded). Dinner: Vivo Italian Kitchen at CityWalk for fresh pastas, or head to The Courtesy downtown for craft cocktails after.

Days 7–9: Springs, swamps, and space—nature and NASA day trips

Break from rides and meet Florida’s wild side. Early starts beat crowds and increase wildlife sightings.

• Rock Springs (Apopka): Paddle glass-bottom kayaks through jasmine-clear water under arching cypress. Expect turtles, fish, and spring-fed calm. Book the guided small-group tour:
  Rock Springs 2-Hour Glass Bottom Guided Kayak Eco Tour.

  

  Drive ~40 minutes, ~$65–90 per person.
• Airboats on the headwaters of the Everglades: Skim through sawgrass and spot gators, herons, and purple gallinules. Choose an hour-long ride near Kissimmee:
  One-Hour Airboat Ride Near Orlando.

  

  Drive ~35 minutes; bring sunglasses and a strap for hats.
• Kennedy Space Center (Cape Canaveral): Stand beneath the Saturn V, touch a Moon rock, and ride the Shuttle Launch Experience. If you prefer not to drive, take this guided day trip with transport:
  Kennedy Space Center with Transport from Orlando and Kissimmee.

  

  It’s ~1 hour each way; allow a full day.

Picnic provisions: East End Market in Audubon Park (Gideon’s original stall, Farm & Haus bowls), or Buttermilk Bakery in Winter Park (seasonal pastries). Dinner after day trips: The Ravenous Pig (gastropub staples, charcuterie) or Domu (house-made ramen and kimchi butter wings) in Audubon Park.

Days 10–12: Orlando like a local—Winter Park, museums, gardens, and indie eats

Slow the pace. Wander museums, browse boutiques, take a scenic boat tour, and sample Orlando’s rising culinary scene.

• Winter Park: The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum holds the world’s most comprehensive Tiffany collection, including the dazzling chapel interior from the 1893 World’s Fair. Drift past historic homes on the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour among moss-draped oaks.
• Harry P. Leu Gardens: 50 acres of roses, camellias, and towering camphor trees minutes from downtown. Ideal for a late afternoon golden-hour stroll.
• Mills 50 and Ivanhoe Village: Hop between Black Bean Deli (Cuban sandwiches), Hawkers (Asian street food), and The Strand (new American plates). For cocktails, try Mathers Social Gathering (genteel library vibe) or The Robinson Room (coffee by day, spritzes by night).

Coffee & breakfast: Lineage Coffee Roasting (Winter Park) for single-origin pour-overs; Se7en Bites (Milk District) for biscuit sandwiches and their famed salted caramel pecan pie. Lunch: Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa (smoked meats with Latin-Asian twists). Dinner: Kadence (omakase, reservation essential) or Knife & Spoon at The Ritz-Carlton (steak and coastal seafood).

Days 13–14: Pool days, shopping, golf, and grand finales

Ease into your final weekend. Split time between your resort pool and light adventures—mini golf at Fantasia Gardens, a round at Waldorf Astoria Golf Club, or outlet shopping (Vineland).

• ICON Park encore: If you skipped it earlier, visit SEA LIFE’s 360° tunnel and Madame Tussauds, then ride The Wheel at sunset.
• Final-night show: Consider Cirque du Soleil’s Drawn to Life at Disney Springs or a rollicking Polynesian-style luau dinner experience in Orlando—both family crowd-pleasers.

Brunch: The Boathouse (Disney Springs; lakeside seafood and amphicar photops) or Luke’s Kitchen & Bar in Maitland (oysters, wood-grilled mains). Farewell dinner: Capa (Spanish steaks on the rooftop), The Polite Pig (easy, tasty BBQ), or Kabooki Sushi (omakase counter and inventive rolls).

Getting around: A car gives maximum flexibility for springs and the Space Coast. Budget ~$20–35/day for parking at resorts and parks. Rideshares work well between I-Drive, Universal, and Disney Springs. SunRail is limited for visitors; LYNX buses connect I-Drive but can be slow.

Optional add-ons if you have time or a cruise: If you’re cruising from Port Canaveral, private shuttles and rideshares run 55–70 minutes; schedule extra buffer on embarkation day. Nature lovers can add a manatee-focused paddle at Blue Spring (winter months) or a drive-thru safari at Wild Florida, then their Gator Park.

At-a-glance budget notes

• Theme park tickets: Disney 1-day ~$119–169; Universal Park-to-Park ~$179–234 (seasonal). Express/Lightning Lane extras vary by date and popularity.
• Day trips: Kennedy Space Center admission from ~$75 adult; guided transport tours higher. Springs kayaking ~$65–90. Airboat rides ~$35–60 for 30–60 minutes.
• Meals: Coffee/breakfast $8–18; casual lunch $15–25; dinner $25–60+ (fine dining higher). Tipping 18–20% is customary.

Quick-book picks (4 curated experiences)

• Walt Disney World Orlando Resort Base Ticket

  

• Universal Orlando Park-to-Park Tickets

  

• Kennedy Space Center with Transport from Orlando and Kissimmee

  

• Rock Springs 2-Hour Glass Bottom Guided Kayak Eco Tour

  

Two weeks in Orlando lets you do it all: Disney enchantment, Universal thrills, manatee-blue springs, and NASA’s greatest hits—plus coffee crawls, chef-driven dinners, and sunset sky views. Mix high-energy park days with restful local explorations, and you’ll head home refreshed, well-fed, and full of stories.