Orlando is the right destination for vacations, whether for adults or children! The city in the state of Florida became world famous for being home to the largest amusement park in the world: the Walt Disney World Resort, which features the main characters that mark the childhood of any child (including mine): Mickey, Donald Duck, Goofy and other super fun characters.
But, after all, what to do in Orlando during a short trip of only 7 days? Read on and check how was my experience in the city and what sights you can't miss. Check it out!
Day 1: Start at Walt Disney World Resort!
It is impossible to go to Orlando and not visit the parks of the Walt Disney World Resort, also known as Disney World. And of course this should be the first outing, after all, traveling so far away has to start being worth it on the very first day.
In my experience, it was practically impossible to visit all the attractions in a single day. But if you arrive early enough, you can, yes, enjoy a lot. There are 4 different parks that make up the Walt Disney World Resort, they are:
- Disney's Animal Kingdom;
- Epcot;
- Magic Kingdom Park;
- Disney's Hollywood Studios.
You can choose one of these to visit per day, or you can opt for the Park Hopper and Park Hopper Plus tickets, as I did. With this type of ticket, you can go to several parks in the same day. Regardless of which one you decide on, they are all equally fantastic and will keep you enthralled, just as I was!
Day 2: Visit Universal Studios Park in Orlando!
Universal Studios Orlando is the second largest theme park in the city and features the characters from the Universal Studios complex. There you will come across well-known characters such as the Simpsons, Shrek, Minions, Transformers, and others who have made their mark on famous series and movies.
What attracts thousands of fans annually is the Harry Potter themed space, Diagonal Alley, which, surprisingly, was my favorite place in the park. One of the most interesting points about the place are the extreme toys and state-of-the-art simulators, all about major Hollywood movies. So, it is without a doubt, one of the most fun in Orlando!
Day 3: Don't miss SeaWorld Orlando!
There is nothing better than taking a dip or enjoying a pool during the hot days, right? That's why SeaWorld Orlando can't be left off this list. This is the most popular theme water park in town and is very successful since Florida's summer is very hot.
SeaWorld is a mix of water park and zoo, and there you will have the opportunity to enjoy the Manta, Mako, Kraken roller coasters and many others. In addition, there are several attractions to visit during your day there, such as the Empire of the Penguin and Wild Arctic.
Oh, and I couldn't leave out Shark Encounter, the most amazing attraction of all! Here you will be in a glass tube, where you can see sharks, eels, and several other sea animals. This was for sure one of the most memorable moments of my trip!
Day 4: Also visit Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park
Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park is one of the most fun and fantastic water parks in the world, and one of my favorites. The place is very famous for being entirely themed, as if it were a city at the North Pole, in other words, a park "in the snow".
It is located inside the Disney World complex, and there you will find many pools, slides, and attractions for all ages and tastes. It is worth visiting, because the proposal of the environment is completely different from any other theme park.
Day 5: Visit the Kennedy Space Center
If you are looking for an otherworldly attraction, the Kennedy Space Center should be on your travel schedule!
This attraction is a far cry from the Orlando theme parks, but should definitely be a must-see. It is located on the Florida coast, about 45 minutes by car from the city center.
The well-known "NASA Park" is like an interactive museum of sorts, where you can visit the original Apollo Saturn V rocket, the Rocket Garden which has several life-size replicas of various historical rockets, and much more.
To make your experience even more complete, you can also visit 11 wonderful restaurants in Orlando!
Day 6: Visit Legoland Florida!
This tip is especially for families with children! Legoland Florida is a theme park with several attractions and toys for the little ones. The cool thing about the place is the super colorful and fun visuals that draw the attention of everyone who goes there.
Throughout the park you will find many Lego sculptures, and this is one of my favorite parts of the park, because they are very detailed and well made.
Day 7: Take a walk in Florida's Blue Spring State Park
After several fun and exciting rides, it is also very important to take the time to do something quieter and rest before returning home. Therefore, the last place to visit during your trip to Orlando is Blue Spring State Park! It is about a 1 1/2 hour drive from the city, but well worth a visit.
This is a natural park that houses the crystal clear source of one of Florida's major rivers, the St. Johns River. There you can go boating, camping, hiking, and my favorite: scuba diving. If you like natural landscapes, you will surely love this place.
You must be asking yourself: can you really do all of this in 7 days? The answer is yes! But for that, you will need to rent a car in Orlando!
We hope you enjoyed the tips! I am sure you will fall in love with these places, just like I did. Keep following Happy Tours and see you next time!