7 days in Orlando

To discover what Orlando truly has to offer, we’d recommend spending longer than a week in the Sunshine State. However, if you’re on a whistle-stop tour of the US and only have seven days in Orlando, we believe this itinerary is the perfect way to spend a week exploring. The ages of those in your party will determine which parks are best suited; many rides will have height restrictions; however, there will be something for all at each park!

A seven-day holiday in Orlando will require a lot of planning and research beforehand so you can make the most of the time you have in one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. We hope our seven-day itinerary will be the perfect first step to planning a trip of a lifetime!

Day 1 – Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Depending on whether you’ve just had a long flight will determine what you do on your first day. If you’re eager to get stuck into the fun that Orlando has to offer, we suggest starting your trip at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as you can spend the day wandering around the park, discovering the animals and even jump on a ride or two!

There’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy at the biggest animal-themed park in the world, which is divided into seven lands; Pandora – The World of Avatar, Oasis, Discovery Island, Africa, Rafiki’s Planet Watch, Asia and DinoLand U.S.A.

After discovering the 250 species of animals, why not enjoy a show? Our suggestion would be the Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo – The Musical. Shows usually take place every hour, but they do get busy, so we advise planning your day once you arrive at the park!

Animal Kingdom, like all parks, has an incredible selection of restaurants and kiosks, from Asian to American and African to Italian there is something for all taste buds. There are fast food outlets such as Isle of Java, Pizzafari and Safari Bar as well as table service restaurants like Tusker House and Yak & Yeti™ Restaurant.

Day 2 – Disney’s Magic Kingdom

A trip to Orlando wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Disney’s Magic Kingdom, from the iconic Cinderella Castle to the vibrant parades and spectacular fireworks display, it’s a park we wouldn’t advise missing! The park is split into six themed lands; Adventureland, Fantasyland, Liberty Square, Main Street USA, Tomorrowland and Frontierland.

Bask in the spirit of magic and don’t miss the parade. Winding its way through the park the parade is a 12-minute spectacular. Catch a glimpse of the Disney characters, dance along to the music and be wowed by the fire-breathing dragon! It only takes place once a day, usually at 3pm; however, the time is subject to change as well as being dependent on the weather, so be sure to check the entertainment schedule or the times guide at the park.

After enjoying the rides and meeting a number of characters, we’d propose heading for a meal at one of the unique restaurants, such as Be Our Guest, The Diamond Horseshoe or Cinderella’s Royal Table (we propose booking a table when you get to the park to avoid the wait!). Before finishing your day watch the castle come to life with the incredible light and fireworks show.

Day 3 – Gatorland

Two days fun at the parks will require a more relaxed day; we’re advocates of mixing in chilled days alongside action-packed days, even on a seven-day stay. Gatorland is less jam-packed than the main theme parks making it the perfect relaxed day attraction. With live animal shows and exhibits, it’s a fun-filled day out for the whole family. If you want to explore all that you can do at one of the oldest attractions in Florida, you can read more here.

To end your chilled day in Orlando, we’d recommend heading for a meal, whether it’s a vegan-friendly eatery or a traditional American feast! There is an abundance of great restaurants in Orlando, whichever cuisine you desire! Favourites of ours include; Texas Roadhouse, Joe’s Crab Shack and Kobe Japanese Steakhouse.

Day 4 – Universal Studios

After a more relaxed day, it’s time to get back to the hustle and bustle of the parks! Universal Studios is another we’d put forward to be on your itinerary for a seven-day stay, it’s not only a theme park, but it’s also a working studio! The park is split into eight areas; Production Central, Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Woody Woodpeckers KidZone, Springfield: Home of the Simpsons, World Expo and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.

A quick rest stop will be needed after wandering and with burgers, sushi, tacos and pizza all being present in Universal Studios, there are plenty of options. Our favourites are Krusty Burger and Mel’s Drive-In, but there is something for every taste bud going!

After enjoying the thrilling rides, there are some unbelievable shows to enjoy. From Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show to Fear Factor Live, catching one of the shows is a must on your visit.

To finish your day, head to CityWalk for a range of delicious eateries! Our favourites include The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen and Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom; you can make a reservation online if you’ve decided where you’d like to eat in advance.

Day 5 – The Florida Mall

After the fun-filled day at Universal Studios, you’re bound to need another relaxed day! Head to Florida’s largest shopping centre; it’s not just a mall - it’s got plenty of stuff to do for kids too. Our previous blog goes into more detail about what you can do while there, from shopping to attractions and plenty of options for food!

To end what will be a fantastic day, head back to your beautiful villa and make the most of the outdoor kitchen and stunning setting by lighting up the barbecue and indulging in a feast shared with your loved ones. If your villa doesn’t already have a barbecue but you’re keen to sizzle some steaks or smoke some veg, you can hire a barbecue for the evening or duration of your stay!

Day 6 – Universal’s Volcano Bay or Universal’s Islands of Adventure

On day six, head to either Universal’s Volcano Bay or Islands of Adventure. If you’re a fan of water parks, then Volcano Bay is the perfect park for you. If you aren’t a fan of getting soaked, then Islands of Adventure is your next destination!

Volcano Bay is split into four areas; The Volcano, River Village, Rainforest Village and Wave Village. If your kids are younger, they’ll enjoy Wave Village where you can soak up the sun while they splash around in the wave pool. If you’ve got tweens or are an adventure seeker yourself, the rides in Rainforest Village are sure to give you the time of your lives!

If you’re a fan of superheroes, films, books and cartoon characters, then Islands of Adventure is a great choice. Split into seven areas; Jurassic Park, The Wizarding World of Happy Potter - Hogsmeade, Skull Island: Reign of Kong, Toon Lagoon, Marvel Super Hero Island, The Lost Continent and Seuss Landing. You can experience what it’s like to be a wizard at Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and witness superheroes come up against their arch enemies.

If you’re craving some English cuisine, head to the Three Broomsticks for lunch (which is located inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter), where you can expect bangers and mash, fish and chips and a Sunday roast!

To end your final theme park day, why not catch a dinner show? There are plenty of thrilling shows to enjoy outside of the parks; Pirate’s Dinner Adventure, Capone’s Dinner & Show and Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show just to name a few!

Day 7 – Final Day

Whether it’s your last day before you jet back to the UK or you’re heading off to discover another state in the USA, we advise making the most of your villa! Take the morning to unwind by the pool, reminisce on your favourite memories of the trip or even plan your next adventure to Orlando!

After your relaxed morning, the perfect place to spend your last afternoon is at Disney Springs. Pick up any last-minute gifts, enjoy the NBA Experience (which opens in August 2019!) or catch a live show and grab a bite to eat.

We hope this blog has given you an idea of what you can do in Orlando with seven days. This is just an example itinerary, giving you inspiration on how you might like to spend your time there. Do some research into the attractions you’d like to visit and make it your own! We offer a variety of park tickets, you can browse the range of attraction tickets here. If you need any further advice, don’t hesitate to give us a call, we’re more than happy to help.

If you’re looking for the perfect Orlando villa holiday, then you’ve come to the right place! We’ve got a range of villas in a number of communities that are quintessential for a trip to the Sunshine State, get in touch today and your dream holiday can become a reality.