Orlando family trip planning checklist

Step 1: Pick your dates (weather and crowds)

Orlando is warm all year, but summer is hot, humid and stormy. These are long-term averages (1991–2020) at Orlando International Airport:

Our favorite windows: late January to early March, and November outside Thanksgiving week. They're comfortable for walking all day. Summer works if you plan for pool time in the afternoon and expect a short thunderstorm most days. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, so add travel insurance if you go then. School holidays (late December, spring break and summer) are the busiest and most expensive.

• Choose dates that avoid your school district's spring break if you can.
• Plan at least one rest day for every two or three park days.
• Check park hours for your exact dates before you book.

Step 2: Choose your parks (don't try to do everything)

Orlando has more theme parks than any family can do in one trip. Pick by your kids' ages and what they love:

• Universal Orlando Resort now has four parks. Universal Epic Universe, the newest, opened on May 22, 2025. Great for older kids, teens and fans of big-screen worlds.
• SeaWorld Orlando has marine animals plus serious roller coasters.
• LEGOLAND Florida in Winter Haven is about 55 miles from Orlando, roughly an hour's drive. It's ideal for kids aged about 2 to 12.
• Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is about 50 miles east of Orlando. It's a brilliant day out for curious kids of any age.
• The big resort parks in the Lake Buena Vista area, plus water parks for hot days.

Three to five park days is plenty for most families. More than that and everyone is exhausted by day four.

Step 3: Choose where to stay

• Stay close to the parks you'll use most. A short ride matters more than a fancy lobby when you're carrying a sleeping toddler back at 9 p.m.
• Check what an on-site hotel adds. Some on-site hotels include early park entry or other perks. Compare that against the cheaper hotels nearby.
• Consider a vacation home or suite for bigger families. A kitchen and a separate bedroom for the kids make a big difference.
• Pool matters. A good hotel pool is your afternoon plan on hot days.

Step 4: Flights, IDs and getting around

• Fly into Orlando International Airport (MCO). It has the most flight options. Brightline, the train to South Florida, has its Orlando station at the airport next to Terminal C, which is handy if you're adding a few beach days in Miami.
• Adults need a REAL ID or passport to fly. Since May 7, 2025, TSA no longer accepts state licenses that aren't REAL ID compliant. TSA doesn't require children under 18 to show ID on flights within the US, though airlines can have their own rules. An adult with no acceptable ID has to pay a $45 TSA ConfirmID fee.
• Decide on a car. You can manage without one if you stay on-site and only visit those parks. For LEGOLAND, Kennedy Space Center or the beach, rent one.
• Car seats. Bring your own or reserve them with the rental company.

Step 5: Tickets and reservations (60–90 days out)

• Buy park tickets ahead online. Prices usually vary by date, and multi-day tickets cost less per day.
• Look at skip-the-line options for your busiest days. For short visits, they can be worth more than an extra park day.
• Reserve character meals and popular restaurants as soon as booking opens.
• Download each park's official app before you go for wait times, maps and mobile food ordering.

Step 6: The week before

• Check the 10-day forecast and pack for both sun and rain.
• Break in walking shoes. Families often walk 15,000+ steps a day in the parks.
• Plan a rough schedule for each day: the top three rides first, then a break at the hotel.
• Set a meeting spot and put your phone number on a wristband or card for young kids.

Park-day packing list

• Sunscreen, hats and sunglasses
• Refillable water bottles
• Ponchos (cheaper from home than in the park)
• A portable phone charger
• Snacks for little kids
• A stroller for under-5s, even if they "never use one" at home
• A change of clothes and a zip bag for wet things

Want it done for you?

Orlando is the trip where good planning shows most: the right hotel, the right days in the right parks, and tickets bought before prices go up. Tell us your dates, your kids' ages and your budget, and we'll send you a day-by-day plan with clear prices.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month for an Orlando family trip?

Late January to early March and November (outside Thanksgiving) have comfortable highs in the 70s to low 80s°F and less rain than summer.

How many days do you need in Orlando with kids?

Five to seven days usually works well: three to five park days plus rest or pool days in between.

Do kids need ID to fly to Orlando?

TSA doesn't require children under 18 to show ID on flights within the US, though it's worth checking your airline's own rules. Adults need a REAL ID or passport.

Sources

Facts checked on October 19, 2026. Hours, dates and prices change, so confirm before you book. Prices are estimates as of that date.

1. Orlando climate, 1991–2020 normals at Orlando International Airport (NOAA data, via Wikipedia)
2. Atlantic hurricane season, June 1 – November 30 (NOAA)
3. Universal Epic Universe opened May 22, 2025 (Wikipedia)
4. LEGOLAND Florida location and distance from Orlando (legoland.com)
5. Kennedy Space Center travel info: about 50 miles east of Orlando (kennedyspacecenter.com)
6. Brightline Orlando Station at Orlando International Airport (gobrightline.com)
7. REAL ID enforcement since May 7, 2025; ID rules for children (TSA)

Photo credits

• Orlando Eola2: DoctorDotDJ / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0