Orlando rose from cattle ranches and citrus groves to become the “Theme Park Capital of the World” after Walt Disney announced his Florida project in 1965. Today, it’s a playground of imagination set amid more than 100 lakes, live oak hammocks, and wild springs. You’ll find world-class museums, performing arts, and pro sports to balance the roller coasters.

Beyond Cinderella Castle and Hogwarts, Orlando dazzles with airboat rides through the headwaters of the Everglades, clear-kayak eco tours, and the nearby Kennedy Space Center. Neighborhoods like Winter Park, Mills 50, and the Milk District brim with indie coffee, craft cocktails, and destination dining—from bao buns and Laotian street food to Michelin-starred tasting menus.

Practical notes: Orlando International Airport (MCO) anchors air travel; winter is mild, summers are hot with afternoon thunderstorms (hurricane season runs June–November). Hydrate, wear sunscreen, and build in pool breaks. Dining ranges from food halls and food trucks to Michelin-starred Knife & Spoon and Soseki; reservations are wise in peak seasons and on weekends.

Orlando

Orlando is equal parts fairy-tale and frontier—pirouetting between cutting-edge rides, historic lakeside towns, and freshwater oases where manatees graze. Base yourself near the parks for convenience or in Winter Park/Mills 50 for a local vibe.

• Top sights: Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Kennedy Space Center, Lake Eola Park, Harry P. Leu Gardens, Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour, Orlando Science Center.
• Local flavor: Mills 50’s Asian eateries (King Bao, Sticky Rice), Winter Park’s Park Avenue (Prato, The Ravenous Pig), craft cocktails at Mathers Social Gathering or The Courtesy.
• Fun facts: Orlando hosts the NBA’s Orlando Magic at the Kia Center and MLS’s Orlando City SC at INTER&CO Stadium; swans have patrolled Lake Eola since the 1920s.

Getting there: Fly into MCO; nonstop flights from NYC ~2.5 hours, Chicago ~2.5 hours, Dallas ~2.7 hours, LAX ~5 hours (fares often $120–$450 round-trip depending on season). Search deals on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights.

Where to stay: For resorts near the parks, consider Waldorf Astoria Orlando (golf, lazy river), Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort (rooftop steakhouse Capa), family-favorite Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (themed suites), budget-savvy Rosen Inn International on I-Drive, or splash-happy Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites – Waterpark.

Prefer a condo or house? Browse VRBO Orlando or compare hotels on Hotels.com Orlando.

Day 1: Arrival, Settle In, Disney Springs Evening

Afternoon: Arrive at MCO and check in. Shake off the flight with a specialty latte at Craft & Common downtown (try the rose-cardamom latte) or Foxtail Coffee on I-Drive. If you’re with kids, hit the pool for an hour.

Evening: Head to Disney Springs for a gentle first night. Dinner at The Polite Pig (modern BBQ—get the orange-blossom honey wings and sweet potato tots) or Wine Bar George (share the skirt steak and house-made meatballs; superb by-the-glass program). Dessert at Gideon’s Bakehouse—split a half-pound cookie; join the virtual queue on arrival. Nightcap at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar or The Edison’s industrial-luxe lounge, then early to bed.

Day 2: Walt Disney World Day (Magic Kingdom or EPCOT)

Morning: Rope-drop strategy pays off. If Magic Kingdom, beeline for TRON Lightcycle / Run and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train; if EPCOT, join the virtual queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and start in World Discovery. Breakfast on the go: a Cheshire Cat Tail (chocolate pastry) at Magic Kingdom or a ham-and-cheese croissant from Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie in the France pavilion.

Afternoon: Break for a sit-down lunch. Magic Kingdom: Skipper Canteen (playful, spice-forward menu—try the “Hardy Har Char” siu pork). EPCOT: Regal Eagle Smokehouse (Texas toast brisket sandwich) or spice it up at Spice Road Table overlooking World Showcase Lagoon. Build in a shaded hour or return to your resort for a swim during peak heat.

Evening: Return for nighttime spectaculars. Magic Kingdom’s fireworks over the castle remain goosebump-worthy; EPCOT’s night show pairs fountains and pyro with globe-spanning music. Post-show eats: Casey’s Corner corn dog nuggets (MK) or a late gelato at Gelateria Toscana (EPCOT). If adults-only, celebrate at Enchanted Rose lounge (Grand Floridian) with a French 75 before rideshare back.

Day 3: Airboat Adventure and Old Florida Eats

Morning: Drive 30–40 minutes to the headwaters of the Everglades for an airboat ride (wild gators, herons, and wide-open marsh). Book the One-Hour Airboat Ride Near Orlando for a thrilling skim across the grasslands.

Afternoon: Lunch in Historic Downtown Kissimmee: try Big John’s Rockin’ BBQ (smoked turkey and fried okra) or Matador (tapas—patatas bravas and albóndigas). If you’d like an animal add-on, browse for a couple of hours at the nearby Wild Florida Gator Park (no link needed) or stroll the lakefront and spot sandhill cranes.

Evening: Dine in Celebration, the New Urbanism town built by Disney. Columbia Restaurant (since 1905) serves Cuban-Spanish classics—order the Original “1905” Salad and ropa vieja. Post-dinner gelato at Le Macaron, then a sunset walk around Lake Rianhard. Nightcap back in Orlando at The Guesthouse (bright, tropical cocktails) or speakeasy-style Mathers Social Gathering.

Day 4: Kennedy Space Center Day Trip

Morning: It’s rocket day. Join the guided transfer so you can relax en route and maximize your time: Kennedy Space Center with Transport from Orlando and Kissimmee. Expect an early pickup and about a 1–1.25-hour ride to Cape Canaveral.

Afternoon: Tour the Apollo/Saturn V Center, strap into the Shuttle Launch Experience, and stand nose-to-nose with Atlantis. Don’t miss the astronaut chat or the SpaceX/Artemis exhibits for a look at the future. Lunch at Orbit Cafe or Moon Rock Cafe on-site.

Evening: Return to Orlando and treat yourself in Winter Park. Options: The Ravenous Pig (house charcuterie, Gruyère biscuits, seasonal fish), Prato (campanelle with Calabrian chiles; wood-fired pizzas), or Soseki (Michelin-star omakase; book well ahead). Finish with The Courtesy (craft cocktails) or a sweet stop at The Glass Knife.

Day 5: Universal Orlando—Two Parks, One Magical Train

Morning: Fuel up with a maple-bacon Voodoo Doll doughnut at Voodoo Doughnut in CityWalk before rope drop. If you want to ride the Hogwarts Express between parks, secure a Park-to-Park ticket in advance via Universal Orlando Park to Park Tickets - USA / Canada Residents.

Afternoon: Start at Universal’s Islands of Adventure (Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, VelociCoaster), then ride the Hogwarts Express to Universal Studios Florida for Diagon Alley’s Escape from Gringotts. Lunch at The Three Broomsticks (smoked turkey leg) or The Leaky Cauldron (Toad in the Hole). Hydrate and pace yourself between headliners.

Evening: Linger in CityWalk: dinner at Antojitos (tableside guacamole, molcajete) or The Cowfish (sushi-burger “burgushi”). Catch karaoke with a live band at Rising Star or stroll the neon-lit waterfront with a scoop from Cold Stone before returning to the hotel.

Day 6: Crystal-Clear Springs + Winter Park Stroll

Morning: Drive ~40 minutes to Rock Springs Run for a bucket-list paddle. Join the Rock Springs 2-Hour Glass Bottom Guided Kayak Eco Tour to glide over sapphire water and spot turtles, gar, and wading birds beneath your clear hull.

Afternoon: Head to Winter Park for lunch: Black Bean Deli (Cuban sandwiches, croquetas), Bosphorous (lavash “balloon bread” with mixed grill), or Prato for a late pasta. Stroll Park Avenue’s boutiques and, time permitting, hop the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour to learn the lake chain’s history and see waterfront mansions.

Evening: Explore Mills 50’s indie dining: King Bao (roasted pork belly and panko chicken baos), Sticky Rice (Laotian comfort—khao soi and crispy rice salad), or Pizza Bruno (Neapolitan pies; order the Honey Hot). Finish with cocktails at The Sunroom or tiki vibes at Permanent Vacation.

Day 7: Gardens, Lake Eola, and Departure

Morning: Brunch at Se7en Bites in the Milk District (buttermilk fried chicken biscuit, salted caramel pecan pie slice) or The Stubborn Mule (short rib hash). Wander Harry P. Leu Gardens’ camellias and rose garden, or if it’s Sunday, browse the Lake Eola Farmers Market and rent a swan boat for skyline photos.

Afternoon: Quick bites before the airport: Beefy King (retro Orlando roast beef sandwiches since 1968; open weekdays) or King Bao’s bao boxes for the road. Aim for MCO 2 hours before departure. Check flight options or last-minute changes on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: Fly home with a camera roll full of castle skylines, marsh sunsets, rocket boosters, and spring-fed blues—proof that Orlando’s magic extends far beyond the parks.

Local transport tips: Rideshares are plentiful; many resorts run shuttles to Disney/Universal. International Drive’s I-Ride Trolley connects attractions on a budget. Parking at major parks runs ~$30–$38 per day; consider mid-day hotel breaks to beat the heat.

Optional Add-Ons (If You Have Extra Time)

ICON Park’s 400-foot wheel for sunset views, the Orlando Science Center for families, or a performance at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Sports fans can catch the Orlando Magic at the Kia Center or Orlando City SC at INTER&CO Stadium in season.

One more activity to consider if swapping a day: a Florida wildlife drive. Or slot in SEA LIFE Aquarium at ICON Park if the weather turns.

Trip Summary: In seven days you’ll ride world-famous coasters, skim the Everglades on an airboat, paddle glassy springs, and stand beneath a Saturn V rocket—balanced with local eats, gardens, lakes, and neighborhoods. Orlando rewards curiosity: follow the fun from parks to palms to the stars.