This Orlando travel guide covers what you need to know before you travel to Orlando: getting from the airport, choosing between Disney and Universal, picking a hotel area, whether a city pass is worth it, and filling days beyond the theme parks. Most families stay 5 to 7 days; adults on a short Orlando travel break can do a lot in 3 or 4.
Orlando at a glance
| Best time to visit | Late January–February, early May, and September–early November |
| How long to stay | 5 to 7 days for families, 3 to 4 for adults |
| Airport | Orlando International (MCO), about 25–35 minutes from Disney World |
| Theme parks | 4 Disney parks, 3 Universal parks including Epic Universe, SeaWorld |
| Getting around | Rental car, rideshare, hotel shuttles and Disney’s own buses |
| Weather | Mild winters; hot, humid summers with afternoon storms |
Getting from Orlando airport (MCO) to Disney and Universal
Disney’s free airport bus ended in 2022, so every option now costs money. The drive to Disney takes about 25 to 35 minutes, and Universal is a little closer.
| Option | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Mears Connect shuttle | About $17 per adult 1 way, $34.60 round trip | Disney hotel guests without a car |
| Uber or Lyft | About $35–50 per car | Families of 3 or more, faster than the shuttle |
| Rental car | Daily rate plus hotel and park parking | Staying off-site or planning trips beyond the parks |
If you’re staying at a Disney hotel and only visiting Disney parks, you can skip the rental car: Disney runs free buses, boats, the monorail and the Skyliner gondola between its hotels and parks.
Getting around Orlando
Orlando is spread out, and the parks are miles apart. Pick based on your plan:
- Disney only: Disney’s free transport between hotels and parks is enough
- Disney and Universal: rideshare between them, or a rental car
- Theme parks plus the coast or the springs: rent a car, since day trips are much easier
Where to stay in Orlando
| Area | Best for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Disney World area | Disney-focused families | Free Disney transport, early park entry for Disney hotel guests |
| Universal area | Universal and Epic Universe | Walk or shuttle to the parks; some hotels include Express passes |
| International Drive | Mixed trips, lower prices | Central between both resorts, lots of restaurants, cheaper hotels |
| Kissimmee | Families on a budget | Vacation homes with pools, close to Disney, but you’ll need a car |
Orlando theme parks at a glance
| Resort | Parks | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Walt Disney World | Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, plus 2 water parks | Young kids, classic rides, shows and fireworks |
| Universal Orlando | Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe, plus Volcano Bay water park | Teens and adults, big thrill rides, Harry Potter areas |
| SeaWorld Orlando | SeaWorld | Roller coasters and marine animals |
Epic Universe, Universal’s newest park, opened in May 2025. In 2026, 1-day tickets cost $139 to $199 depending on the date, and Universal’s 3- to 5-day tickets now include Epic Universe on every day.
Things to do in Orlando besides theme parks
- Kennedy Space Center: rockets, a Space Shuttle and launch viewing, about 1 hour east
- Manatees at Blue Spring State Park: hundreds gather in the warm spring water in winter
- Winter Park: a leafy town with a scenic boat tour through its lakes and canals
- Disney Springs: shops, restaurants and live music, free to enter
- Gatorland: an old-school Florida park with alligators and a zip line
- The beaches: Cocoa Beach is about 1 hour away
Is an Orlando city pass worth it?
The Orlando city passes are sold by Go City in 3 versions, and none of them include Disney World or Universal:
| Pass | 2026 adult price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Explorer Pass | From $89 | 3 to 5 attractions from a list of about 15, used within 30 days |
| Essentials Pass | $139 | Kennedy Space Center or LEGOLAND Florida, plus 2 smaller attractions |
| All-Inclusive Pass | From $239 for 2 days | As many of the 30-plus included attractions as you can fit in 2, 3 or 5 days |
A pass is worth it only if you plan to visit Kennedy Space Center, LEGOLAND, Gatorland or the attractions around International Drive. Price your exact plan on each attraction’s own website before you buy, because the savings can be small.
Orlando for adults
Adults on their own tend to love Universal’s thrill rides and Epic Universe, EPCOT’s food and drink festivals, nightlife at Universal CityWalk and Disney Springs, and quieter days in Winter Park or at the springs.
Best time to travel to Orlando, Florida
| Time of year | Crowds | Weather |
|---|---|---|
| Late January–February | Lower | Mild and dry |
| March–April (spring break) | Very high | Warm |
| Early May | Lower | Warm, before summer storms |
| June–August | High | Hot, humid, daily afternoon storms |
| September–early November | Lowest | Warm; hurricane season, so get travel insurance |
| Thanksgiving to New Year’s | High, highest Christmas week | Mild |
Planning a holiday trip? See our guide to Disney World at Christmas.
Is it safe to travel to Orlando?
Yes. The tourist areas, the parks, Disney Springs, International Drive and the big resort hotels are comfortable with normal awareness. The main risks for visitors are the weather and car break-ins:
- Drink water all day, wear sunscreen and take a midday break in summer
- Summer afternoon thunderstorms bring lightning; go indoors when you hear thunder
- Don’t leave bags visible in a parked rental car
- Hurricane season runs from June to November, so book refundable rooms and get travel insurance for trips in late summer and fall
What a trip to Orlando costs
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Airport shuttle to Disney | About $17 per adult 1 way |
| Rideshare from MCO | About $35–50 per car |
| Epic Universe 1-day ticket | $139–$199 in 2026, depending on the date |
| Disney and Universal tickets | Vary by date; cheapest in slow seasons |
| Free things | Disney Springs, Universal CityWalk, the resort hotels |
Ticket prices change by date, so check the official Disney and Universal calendars before you book. For ways to cut the rest of the bill, see our budget travel tips.
Final takeaway
Use this Orlando travel guide in order: pick Disney, Universal or both, book a hotel in that area, set up airport transport, then add Kennedy Space Center or the springs if you have an extra day.
Sources: Mears Connect 2026 prices · Epic Universe 2026 ticket prices · Epic Universe on multi-day tickets
