Planning an Orlando Family Vacation? Start Here.
From choosing where to stay to getting around Orlando and finding things to do, use this guide to compare the major pieces of your trip before you book.
Flying into Orlando International Airport (MCO) is only the beginning. Whether your family is headed to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, or spending several days exploring Central Florida, your hotel location and transportation plan can have a major effect on the trip.
Rather than choosing the first deal you see, compare the location, transportation, attractions and overall convenience that fit your family.
Where to Stay in Orlando With Your Family
Walt Disney World Area
A practical choice for families planning to spend most of their vacation at Disney. Compare resort transportation, dining access and the time required to reach other Orlando attractions.
Universal & International Drive
A strong base for Universal Orlando, restaurants and many additional attractions. International Drive offers a broad range of hotel styles and budgets.
Lake Buena Vista
Popular with families who want to remain close to the Disney area while comparing both resort and independent hotel options.
Near Orlando International Airport
Worth considering for late arrivals, early departures or short stays when airport convenience matters more than being beside a theme park.
Things to Do in Orlando
Orlando is much more than a single theme-park destination. Families can build a trip around the major parks or mix them with smaller attractions and Central Florida day trips.
Theme Parks
Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld are the major names. Ticket prices, park hours and attraction availability change, so check the attraction directly before making plans.
Beyond the Parks
Consider ICON Park, Kennedy Space Center day trips, airboat experiences and other Central Florida activities when your family wants a break from full theme-park days.
Compare Orlando Tours & Activities →
A Practical 3-Day Orlando Family Itinerary
Orlando is easier when you plan each day around one area instead of crisscrossing the city. Use this as a starting point and adjust it around the attractions your family cares about most.
Day 1: Your Main Theme Park
Give your highest-priority park a full day rather than trying to combine multiple major parks. Build in time for meals, breaks and the trip back to your hotel.
Day 2: International Drive & ICON Park
Make this a lighter day. Explore International Drive and ICON Park, then stay in the area for dinner. Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips is a convenient fast-casual option right at ICON Park.
Day 3: Choose Your Orlando
Pick another major park, take a Kennedy Space Center day trip, or spend time exploring local Orlando neighborhoods and food spots away from the theme-park corridor.
Have More Time?
Add a pool or resort day between long attraction days. Families often enjoy Orlando more when every day is not scheduled from morning until night.
Where to Eat in Orlando: Tourist Favorites & Local Finds
Orlando has much more to eat than theme-park food. We like the idea of mixing a few fun vacation stops with places that give you a taste of the local dining scene. These are ideas to research for your trip, not paid restaurant placements.
Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips — ICON Park
A fun, casual stop when your itinerary already brings you to International Drive or ICON Park. The menu centers on British-style fish and chips, with chicken and shrimp options as well.
East End Market — Audubon Park
A good choice when you want to see a more local side of Orlando. This neighborhood market brings multiple independent food businesses and makers together, making it useful when everyone in the family wants something different.
The Ravenous Pig — Winter Park
A chef-driven gastropub and brewery for travelers willing to venture beyond the main tourist corridor. It can work especially well for a nicer dinner or a stop while exploring Winter Park.
Explore Mills 50 & Orlando’s Neighborhood Food Scene
For travelers who want something beyond the familiar vacation-area restaurants, Orlando’s neighborhoods are worth exploring. Mills 50 has one of the city’s strongest concentrations of MICHELIN-recognized restaurants plus Vietnamese and other Asian dining. Consider spots such as Bánh Mì Boy, Black Rooster Taqueria or Sticky Rice, depending on what your family is in the mood for.
Getting Around Orlando
Rental Car
A rental car can provide the most flexibility for families visiting multiple resorts, attractions or destinations beyond the theme-park areas.
Airport Transfer
A prearranged transfer can be convenient when you prefer not to drive after arriving at MCO.
Rideshare or Taxi
Useful for travelers who need transportation only occasionally. Compare the likely number of trips against the cost of keeping a rental car.
Hotel & Resort Transportation
Some Orlando hotels and resorts provide transportation to selected attractions. Confirm routes, schedules and reservation requirements directly with the property.
Flying Into or Out of MCO?
If you are driving to Orlando International Airport before your trip, our dedicated MCO guide compares official airport parking and off-site choices and explains long-term parking and shuttle considerations.
View the MCO Airport Parking Guide →
For an early departure or late arrival, compare our hotels near MCO with airport shuttle guide. You can also browse our Travel Resources for hotels, rental cars, airport transfers, tours and mobile-data options.
Orlando Family Travel Tips
Plan around your highest-priority attractions. Families trying to do everything can spend too much vacation time moving between different parts of Orlando.
Compare hotel location against transportation costs. A hotel that looks inexpensive may not be the best overall value if it creates significant daily transportation expenses.
Leave room in the schedule. Theme-park days can be long, especially with younger children. A pool afternoon or lighter day can make the rest of the trip more enjoyable.
Check current information before booking. Theme-park policies, hotel transportation, operating hours and prices change frequently.
International Travel & eSIM
Visitors traveling internationally can compare eSIM options before arriving in the United States so they can have mobile data without immediately searching for a local SIM card.
Plan Your Orlando Trip
Use the resources that fit your trip rather than booking everything from one provider.
HotelsThings to DoRental CarsAirport TransfersInternational eSIMMCO Parking
Explore Orlando Tours and Attractions
Browse sightseeing tours, attraction tickets and activities for Orlando directly on GetYourGuide.
Affiliate disclosure: Park & Fly Worldwide may earn a commission when you book through certain links on this page, at no additional cost to you. We provide travel information and comparison resources; bookings and services are provided by third parties.