This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy.

Look no further for the best all-encompassing, family-friendly Orlando itinerary!

Not only is Orlando, Florida home to the world’s most iconic theme park, Walt Disney World, but it also draws visitors to Universal Studios, Legoland, Sea World, and so much more!

In this article, you’ll learn all about what to see, how to get around, and how to plan the absolute best 6-Day Disney World itinerary when visiting Orlando with kids.

Having a thought-out plan before your arrival in Orlando will assure that your vacation expectations are met and that you’re able to see and do all of the things on your Orlando bucket list.

With this ultimate Orlando itinerary, you’ll be able to maneuver the crowds and have plenty of time to experience the best that an Orlando family vacation has to offer.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. For more info, see disclosure.

Orlando Itinerary; Walt Disney standing outside of Cinderella's Castle
Entry to the Magic Kingdom

Orlando Itinerary: Best Time to Visit

Orlando is located in the central part of the U.S. state of Florida.

The best time to visit Orlando is from March to May when temperatures average in the low 80s.

Another popular time to visit is between September and November when crowds and prices are more manageable, and when temperatures are in the mid-80s.

For those looking to visit Orlando during the summer months, Orlando offers the same great attractions, but with higher temperatures (90+ during the day) and humidity to deal with.

It is very important to learn how to stay cool in the Florida heat when visiting during these months.

Additional planning tip: The Orlando theme parks are most busy during the summer months and over holiday breaks when kids are off from school.

This ultimate guide to visiting Orlando provides a complete 6-day itinerary that includes theme parks and the best Orlando attractions!  Find out where to eat, sleep, and play on the best Orlando family vacation!

Orlando Itinerary Ideas

Due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, many of the Florida attractions you’ll read about have special health and safety measures in place. Likewise, some events may be temporarily suspended. Please check each attraction’s website for details before your travel.

Below you can find suggested Orlando vacation itinerary ideas from one to six days.

(Many people refer to this when planning an Orlando itinerary for 5 days, as that is a popular length of time to stay.)

The itinerary suggestions are based on our personal experiences and are filled with insider tips for visiting Orlando for the first time.

(Read here if you’re specifically looking for things to do in Orlando for adults!)

No two Orlando vacations will be exactly the same, however, so use these itinerary suggestions as a guide.

You’ll need to adjust your itinerary as needed to account for weather, where you stay, how much time you spend at each attraction, and the varying interests of your travel party.

Our recent Orlando itinerary was primarily a Walt Disney World vacation as well as includes some of the other most fun things to do in Orlando.

*All of our top recommended restaurants, landmarks, and attractions are bolded. Their physical locations fit into the flow of this itinerary. If you choose to substitute a restaurant or attraction in their place, be sure to adjust the timing of your itinerary accordingly.

Orlando Itinerary: Day 1

  • Arrival day!
  • Check-in to your Orlando accommodations and get settled in.
  • Afterward, head to Disney Springs for an evening of shopping and entertainment. Have dinner at the #1 rated restaurant by USA Today, The Boathouse.

Where We Stayed in Orlando

We did not hit up a theme park or do anything crazy upon our first day arriving in Orlando (I recommend this!).

Instead, we simply checked into our hotel, spent the afternoon by the pool, relaxed, and got a good night’s rest.

We felt that this was vital in order to be energized for the days ahead.

Our choice of accommodations was Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Lake Buena Vista, which far exceeded our expectations.

Orlando Itinerary:  Off Site Disney hotel pool
Holiday Inn Resort Lake Buena Vista – Pool area

Located a short distance from both Disney World (8 miles) and Universal Studios (9 miles), this resort is prime real estate for being central to all of the Orlando action.

Priced at less than $100/night, booking here was also one of the ways we traveled on a budget during this family vacation.

Find our detailed review and a recap of its family-friendly amenities on our dedicated post about Holiday Inn Resort Lake Buena Vista; our favorite off-site hotel near Disney!

Additional planning tip: A feature of IHG properties, kids eat free at Holiday Inn Resort Lake Buena Vista.

The presence of an on-site Applebees here means that with each paid adult meal, the kids get their own Applebees meal at no cost! This is incredibly convenient and cost-effective.

Find out the absolute best things to do in Orlando by reading our 6-day Orlando Itinerary and Top 13 Things to do in Orlando!  Your Orlando bucket list will be complete when using our helpful guide to Orlando, FL!  #Orlandoitinerary #bestthingstodoinOrlando#thingstodoinOrlando#Orlandofamilyvacation
Disney Springs

Disney Springs

No family vacation in Orlando would be complete without a stroll around the reinvented Disney Springs!

Disney Springs is a themed retail, dining, and entertainment center inspired by Florida’s charming waterfront towns. Four distinct neighborhoods―The Landing, Marketplace, West Side, and Town Center—are built around bubbling ponds and springs.

Highlights here include Amphicar tours (a cross between a car and a boat), helium balloon rides, world-class shopping, and the biggest Star Wars memorabilia retailer known to man.

Additional planning tip: If you’re looking for some fun date night ideas (without the kids!) while you’re in Orlando, here are some fun things to do in Orlando for adults.

Top US Travel Blog Travel With A Plan's Orlando Itinerary
Magic Kingdom treats!

Orlando Itinerary: Day 2

  • Start off your Orlando itinerary at none other than, Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!
  • Grab coffee and donuts at Main Street Bakery as you head into the park.
  • Once inside, you’ll realize there is so much to do and it is hard to pull yourself away. For this reason, plan to enjoy both lunch and dinner at one of the many Magic Kingdom restaurants on-site.

Magic Kingdom

Our trip to Orlando was primarily a Disney-themed visit with the intention of visiting 3 of the 4 Disney parks.

Ultimately, with this being our first time taking the kids to Orlando or any of the Disney parks, we undoubtedly had to start off with a visit to Magic Kingdom.

Knowing that we wanted to jam-pack as much as possible into our time there, we arrived first thing in the morning and executed our 1-day Magic Kingdom itinerary.

After an absolutely amazing day, we returned to our hotel for a night swim and a Disney movie by the pool before falling fast asleep.

Additional planning tip: Maximize your time at Magic Kingdom during your Orlando itinerary by utilizing our exclusive Disney Fastpass secrets to best structure your day!

Top US Travel Blog Travel With A Plan's Orlando Itinerary
Epcot gardens

Orlando Itinerary: Day 3

  • Spend the entire day touring Epcot.
  • Enjoy dining at one of the many delicious restaurants at Epcot (there are literally so many to choose from!).

Epcot

Next up on our 6-day Orlando itinerary was to spend an entire day at Epcot.

We knew we were in for a real treat when visiting here, for Epcot is home to both rides and attractions, as well as the World Showcase.

Needless to say, we loved it here!

And once again, after making the most of our 1-day itinerary at Epcot, we left feeling happy and blessed – with a tummy full of pizza from world-famous Via Napoli!

Don’t forget to stay for the new Epcot Forever fireworks display that replaced 20-year park staple IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.

The best thing about Epcot Forever is that it can be viewed anywhere within Epcot that offers a clear view of the World Showcase Lagoon

Top US Travel Blog Travel With A Plan's Orlando Itinerary
Daytona Beach

Orlando Itinerary: Day 4

  • Take a break from the theme parks and head to the beach. Daytona Beach that is! You’re in Florida, after all!
  • Afterward, head back to Orlando and take a stroll around the Disney Boardwalk.
  • Eat at the ESPN Sports Club or another nostalgic restaurant on the Boardwalk.

Daytona Beach

On the first of our Disney non-park days when visiting Orlando, we chose to spend the day at the beach.

Daytona Beach is located a convenient 73 miles from Orlando and provides so many amazing opportunities for family fun!

Though there is so much to see and do directly in Orlando, I could not go without dipping my toes into the ocean while visiting the beautiful state of Florida.

We have so many memories from the Daytona Beach family fun that we experienced during our 6-day Orlando itinerary!

Additional planning tip: Day 4 could be spent venturing 65 miles to Cocoa Beach instead. Pair it with a visit to the nearby Kennedy Space Center.

ESPN Sports Club

We spent the evening of day 4 walking around the Disney Boardwalk.

The Disney Boardwalk is home to several gorgeous Disney-themed resorts, shops, and restaurants.

And yes, you are walking on a real wooden boardwalk, complete with street performers and views of a gorgeous lake.

To appease the sports fanatics in my family we enjoyed dinner at ESPN Sports Club.

Additional planning tip: A visit to Disney’s Boardwalk allows you to scope out several of the higher-end Disney Resorts. The awesome scenery and nautical vibe made this evening one of the highlights of our Orlando itinerary.

I would totally recommend a visit here!

Orlando Itinerary: Animal Kingdom
Entry to Animal Kingdom

Orlando Itinerary: Day 5

  • Enjoy an awesome day at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom!
  • Grab coffee and pastries at Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery as you make your way in.
  • Pack a picnic lunch in your Disney day bag!
  • In keeping with the animal-theme, enjoy dinner at the gigantic Rainforest Cafe located on-site.

Animal Kingdom

Little did we know that day 5 would end up being our favorite day at our now favorite theme park, Animal Kingdom.

The combination of animals, rides, shows, and attractions brings this place to life while making you feel right at home!

The overall vibe at Animal Kingdom is laid back, yet bustling with plenty of activity.

The safari-themed landscape is welcoming, yet rustic. Simply put, we wouldn’t change our 1-day Animal Kingdom itinerary for the world!

Rainforest Cafe

To stick with the animal theme, we stayed on-site and had dinner at Rainforest Cafe.

If you haven’t been to a Rainforest Cafe before, prepare yourself to be wow-ed!

Dancing gorillas, simulated rain showers, and the famous Volcano dessert make this the perfect experience to add yet another couple hours of joy into your day.

Universal Studios, Orlando
Entry to Universal Studios

Orlando Itinerary: Day 6

  • Enjoy loads of other family-friendly activities located in Orlando.
  • If you’re up for more theme park fun, visit Universal Orlando Resort! Hit up either Universal Studios or Universal’s Islands of Adventure (the #1 theme park in the world!).
  • Don’t forget to end your trip by attending a world-famous Disney dining show, the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue.

Orlando Activities

There are literally so many attractions in Orlando that it is impossible to see and do them all in one visit.

This is very important to understand when planning your Orlando itinerary for 5 days if there are a lot of attractions that you’re looking to do.

In other words, spend day 6 doing various other activities to make your Orlando, Florida family vacation a memorable one.

For us, we visited off-site souvenir shops, went miniature golfing, and visited Gatorland (to see the ‘Florida gators’ of course!).

Other popular non-theme park ideas include Boggy Creek Airboat Rides, Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park, Revolution Off-Road, and Discovery Cove.

Looking for a cool down? Consider some water park fun at either Disney’s Blizzard Beach or Universal’s Volcano Bay.

Last, you can opt for additional theme park options such as Legoland, Seaworld, and our favorites (with links to a full itinerary!) Universal Studios, or Islands of Adventure.

Orlando CityPass

Hands-down, if you plan on doing a lot of various activities while in Orlando, check out the Orlando CityPASS.

You’ll save up to 50% at the top Orlando attractions listed above by purchasing the Orlando CityPASS here

Orlando Itinerary:  Stage performance and dancers
The stage production at Hoop Dee Doo

Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue

*Temporarily unavailable. Check the Disney website for updates.

We ended our 6-day Disney World itinerary by attending a highly rated, incredibly popular Disney dining show.

The Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue is Disney’s longest-running dinner theater show and continues to impress sold-out crowds on a daily basis.

Attending a dining event on a non-park day was fabulous as we did not have to rush through a park and/or worry about making our reservation time. We just got to simply show up, and enjoy!

We loved our time at the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue so much that we wrote an entire blog post about it!

*Pack like a pro for your upcoming Orlando family vacation! Click the following image to get your FREE family vacation packing list that is both customizable and printable!

Orlando packing list

Orlando Vacation: Getting There

Here are my recommended travel resources to plan your Orlando itinerary whether it be arriving by airplane, personal vehicle, or RV.

Use the Skyscanner app to search hundreds of airlines, car rentals, and travel agencies to find unbeatable prices. Don’t forget to do a whole month’s search and to set flight alerts to keep you on top of securing a great deal:

Though most people arrive in Orlando by air (via the local Orlando International Airport), road-tripping to Orlando is also an extremely popular means of transportation to this vacation hub.

We decided to take on the road and travel 24 hours by mini-van from our home state of Minnesota to the city of Orlando.

Having gone into our adventure with a really good attitude, we loved experiencing this epic family road trip with one another.

Additional planning tip: We have compiled our essential tips for planning a family road trip and how to create road trip goodie bags to help inspire you to consider a long-haul family road trip!

How to Get Around

Orlando is definitely not a walkable city, instead, it was planned as a car-friendly city.

The easiest way to get around Orlando is by car, which is why I highly recommend renting one when visiting there.

If not, check to see if your hotel/resort has complimentary transportation to Orlando attractions.

Likewise, look into rideshare services like Uber and Lyft as they are fabulous options for travelers who don’t want the expense or liability of a rental car.

Using Uber Orlando or Lyft Orlando can make getting around the theme parks easy, especially when you don’t want to rely on sporadic shuttle buses.

Where to Stay in Orlando

Where to stay when visiting Orlando may be one of the most complicated choices of your family vacation.

There are literally SO MANY places to stay in and around Orlando whether it be at high-end Disney-themed resorts, local hotels, or vacation rental condos, homes, and townhomes.

Your final selection will be based on price, availability, and on how far you’re willing to travel to the theme parks.

The most popular places to stay in Orlando include Hyatt Regency Orlando, JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes, Caribe Royale Orlando, and finally, Walt Disney World Dolphin.

For current deals and further inspiration on where to stay in Orlando, browse and book here:

Booking.com

Have you been to Orlando before? What was your favorite place or attraction that you visited? I’d love for you to comment below!

Jen

If you enjoyed our 6-Day Orlando Itinerary, check out our Related Posts:

Disney World Touring Plans:

Disney World Ride & FastPass+ Tips:

Disney World Planning Tips:

Disney World Cost:

*Before leaving, be sure to check our Travel Resources Page to find exclusive travel discounts and to book hotels, rental cars, and guided tours.*

"If you like it, Pin it!" quote
With so many things to to in Orlando, it helps to travel there with a plan!  Get our FREE 6-day Orlando vacation itinerary that includes theme parks, beaches, fun restaurants, and area attractions.  Don't miss this Orlando guide!  #Orlando #Florida #familytravel #Familyvacationitinerary #thingstodoinOrlando #Disney #UniversalStudios #DaytonaBeach
Click here for the perfect Orlando Itinerary for families from Top US Family Travel Blog, Travel With A Plan!  #Orlando #Florida #familytravel
Click here for the perfect Orlando Itinerary for families from Top US Family Travel Blog, Travel With A Plan!  #Orlando #Florida #familytravel
Click here for the perfect Orlando Itinerary for families from Top US Family Travel Blog, Travel With A Plan!  #Orlando #Florida #familytravel

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

10 Comments

  1. I would really love to take my boys to Disney World someday. We took them to Disneyland Paris a few years ago, but I have fond memories of the one in Florida. It would be nice to go with my boys! 🙂

    Thanks for sharing!

    1. You’re welcome! Disneyland Paris would be a fabulous experience! Let me know if you ever make it to Disney World in Orlando 🙂

  2. This is a great itinerary for 6 days in Orlando! I’ve been wanting to do the Hoop Dee Doo Review. Definitely saving for our next visit!!

    1. Yes, the Hoop Dee Doo was a highlight! I enjoyed getting to tour around the Wilderness Resort just as much as the show itself. So much to explore on the Disney property!

  3. What a fun-filled itinerary! I haven’t been to Orlando in well over 15 years. I remember that Universal Studios theme park was my favorite back then. I love the beach day suggestions on this itinerary – I didn’t realize that they were so close.

    1. Orlando is definitely a family-fun packed destination! You definitely have to be ready for the crowds, however 🙂

    1. I’m glad that you like it! Magic Kingdom was a hit…this year we are going to Universal Studios for more of the ‘thrill’ rides.