Orlando family holidays

 Affectionately known as the ‘Theme Park Capital of the World’, Orlando does exactly what it says on the tin. With over a dozen individual theme parks to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to rides and entertainment.

You’ll find some of the best theme parks in Orlando – and indeed the world – within Walt Disney World Resort® and Universal Orlando Resort. Ride white-knuckle rollercoasters at Universal’s Islands of Adventure or head to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ to see fire-breathing dragons, zoom along magical rides and wander through Hogsmeade.

Take the kids on safari in Disney’s Magic Kingdom, or marvel at the iconic pastel-coloured Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom. Alternatively, if you’re a group of waterbabies, make tracks for Universal’s Volcano Bay for thrilling waterslides, lazy rivers and more. Each day has the potential to be completely different, as your family discovers these amazing parks – so remember to pack your imagination and sense of wonder. 

When you think of Orlando you, naturally, picture a giant magical castle and a certain mouse. But this city has so much more to offer. So, when you’ve finished screaming on rollercoasters and chatting with various characters, why not explore the rest of the city?

You could admire the sweeping views from the 120-metre observation wheel at ICON Park, or enjoy a boat tour around the fragrant greenery of Winter Park. For a great view of Orlando’s skyline, take a paddleboat out on to Lake Eola – the city’s largest lake – and bob about in the sunshine. International Drive is also peppered with family-friendly attractions, ranging from bowling and mini-golf, to enormous shopping malls. 

If you’re hiring a car, why not head north and take the kids to Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens? Or drive an hour east to NASA’s incredible Kennedy Space Center, where little ones will be in awe of the rockets and exhibitions. And no family holiday to Orlando would be complete without some beach time. The City Beautiful isn’t on the coast, but there are several stunning beaches just an hour’s drive away. You could take a family surfing lesson on Cocoa Beach, or spend a day on the powdery sands, gentle rides and arcade games at Daytona Beach.

Orlando is absolutely packed with exciting places to eat. Whether you want to enjoy some food and arcade games with the kids, or simply feast on classic cuisine after a busy day in the theme parks, Orlando has got it covered. You can grab a burger and milkshake in a retro American diner, or cool off with a chilled snack at one of Orlando’s fabulous ice-cream parlours.

The city is also home to several themed restaurants that the whole family will love. Kids and adults alike can munch on sweet treats at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium, while dinosaur fans will love eating at the T-Rex Restaurant. Orlando is also famous for its dinner shows. With everything from murder mysteries to medieval jousting to pirate adventures, you’re bound to find one which will keep your family entertained. 

Family holidays to Orlando are best planned for spring, when temperatures generally hover in the mid-to-high twenties and the humidity is reasonably low. March to May is the best time to go – perfect timing for families with school-aged kids, as you can travel during the Easter holidays or May half term. Alternatively, October half term is a great time to visit. The weather remains warm at this time of year, and children of all ages will love seeing Orlando’s fantastic Halloween celebrations, both in the city and across the theme parks.

You can, of course, plan your Orlando family holiday for summer, but you’ll find that the weather will be very hot and humid – not ideal if you’re travelling with very young children. And, as it’s much busier at this time of year, you can expect to queue longer for top attractions. Thunderstorms and even tornados can also affect the city from late August to early September.