Orlando works when park days include recovery. Decide which park matters most, budget the full ticket and transport cost, and keep a pool day.
Parent tip: Check park calendars, heights, reservation systems, transport and lightning procedures directly with operators.
Disney's classic theme park, centred on Cinderella Castle, with rides, parades and character meetings across themed lands. It needs a full day and a lot of walking, so plan breaks and a few must-do rides.
Universal's second Orlando park, with eight lands including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade, Jurassic Park with the VelociCoaster, Marvel Super Hero Island and Seuss Landing for younger children. Headline coasters have height limits, so check rides per child.
NASA's visitor complex on Florida's Space Coast: see Space Shuttle Atlantis and the Shuttle Launch Experience, the Apollo/Saturn V Center on the bus tour behind the gates, Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex and the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. It is outside the Orlando theme-park area and needs a full day.
Four floors of hands-on exhibits and films make a strong indoor recovery day for science-loving families. Check the date: normally closed Wednesdays, with school-break exceptions.
A park day combining wildlife themes and rides for families drawn to animals.
Disney's second big park, in four areas: World Celebration around Spaceship Earth, World Discovery with Test Track and the Guardians of the Galaxy coaster, World Nature with Soarin', Nemo and Turtle Talk with Crush, and the World Showcase lagoon of 11 country pavilions with Frozen Ever After and Remy's Ratatouille Adventure. The evening ends with the Luminous fireworks over the lagoon.
Movie worlds and rides make a high-energy day for kids who want thrills.
A long-running Florida wildlife park in Kissimmee with alligators and crocodiles, animal shows and exhibits repeated several times a day, and a zip line over the alligator pools. A half-day animal outing without a full theme-park day.
Full-day combination of marine-life experiences, presentations, coasters, and Sesame Street Land for preschoolers. Thrill rides have their own height and access rules.
Water park with beaches, pools and slides at different thrill levels. Individual slide height restrictions and seasonal schedules affect what each family member can enjoy.