Top tips for planning a family holiday to Orlando

For many families, visiting Orlando is a once-in-a-lifetime experience; therefore, it’s important that you properly plan your trip to get the most out of it. Not only will careful organisation ensure you have a truly magical trip but it will also help you to get the best deals.

In this guide, we take a look at some top tips for planning your family holiday in Orlando, from arranging your flights and travel arrangements to choosing the best parks and activities.

Start by booking your flights and accommodation

Aim to book your flights months in advance as this will enable you to secure the best deals. While most UK airports will fly direct to Orlando during peak season, only a few have flights operating year-round – these include Manchester, London Gatwick, and London Heathrow.

As Orlando is such a popular travel destination, there are plenty of options to host your family. If this will be your first time visiting, you may consider staying in the heart of the main tourist district, International Drive. 

In close proximity to SeaWorld and Universal Orlando, it is a highly convenient location and has plenty of other attractions and restaurants to guarantee your family is well-catered for. Alternatively, if you’d prefer something further out, there are plenty of holiday homes and apartments that are great for longer stays.

Organise your travel arrangements ahead of time

With organising the holiday and planning your itinerary done, it’s now time to figure out how you’re going to make it to Orlando. Considering how to reach the airport is often left until the last minute but is highly important.

Depending on the time you fly, you may be able to utilise public transport to get to the airport. If, however, you depart in the early hours of the morning or late at night, you will likely need to find another option. In these instances, you can book a taxi – just make sure to do this as soon as possible to ensure availability.

You can also drive to the airport, which is particularly beneficial for larger families. If you choose to fly from Manchester, then opt for Manchester t2 parking since most major airlines, such as Tui and Aer Lingus, operate here. 

Alternatively, if you fly from London Heathrow, you’ll be situated in Terminal 3 for Virgin Atlantic or Terminal 5 for British Airways. The same airlines typically operate from the South Terminal at London Gatwick.

Choose what to include in your itinerary

The list of activities and attractions in Orlando is quite impressive – so much so that it’s practically impossible to do everything in the short time that you’re there. Before booking tickets for various theme parks, first decide what it is that your family want to do most.

For younger children, Walt Disney World is a must. The huge amusement park is every child’s ultimate dream, allowing them to walk through iconic locations and meet characters from their favourite films, including Disney princesses and Mickey Mouse himself.

Another great attraction is Universal Orlando Resort, a massive park containing working film sets and various thrilling rides. Regardless of the age of your children, there is something for everyone to enjoy here, from an indoor simulated experience dedicated to the Simpsons series to a high-speed rollercoaster based on the Jurassic Park franchise.

When your kids will get hungry during your Orlando adventure, consider stopping at the World’s Largest Entertainment McDonald’s, also known as Epic McD. This isn’t your typical McDonald’s—it’s a mammoth 19,000-square-foot, three-story playland complete with over 100 arcade games and a 22-foot PlayPlace. Apart from the classic Big Mac, this unique McDonald’s also offers the McPizza, a beloved item that’s been discontinued elsewhere, and an array of 50 other unusual items like pastas and Belgian waffles.

Address:
6875 Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, Florida
United States

UnusualPlaces Field Notes

Access

Visit Orlando offers multilingual planning resources and free individual consultations. The greater resort region has separate airport, hotel shuttle, local bus, SunRail and Brightline connections; routes do not serve every resort gate. Confirm the selected park’s transport and accessibility details before booking.

Admission

No general admission applies to the Orlando region. Theme parks, water parks, attractions and events sell separate tickets, which may be date- and park-specific; free public-area activities do not replace park tickets. Check official operators for current child pricing, reservation requirements and cancellation terms.

Time needed

Visit Orlando’s free planners help build itineraries for a few hours, half a day or a full day. A family holiday spanning multiple theme parks generally needs multiple days; visit one major park per day as a planning rule of thumb, and leave time for transfers/rest. This is not a fixed operator requirement.

Best season

Parks operate year-round, but heat, thunderstorms, seasonal festivals, school holidays and crowd levels affect comfort and queues. Review the specific park’s calendar and weather advisories before selecting dates.

Opening hours

There are no region-wide hours. Each theme park publishes a date-specific operating calendar, and hours can change; check the official calendar for the booked date. Visit Orlando’s planning staff are available Monday–Friday 09:00–18:00 and Saturday 09:00–15:00 ET, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Facts checked

2026-09-29

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