One Week in Orlando: The Perfect Family-Friendly Itinerary for Kids and Parents

By Jessica Alvarez

Read Time: 13 mins.

Introduction

Are you considering visiting Orlando but feeling overwhelmed by how to fit it all in seven days? Don’t worry—I get it. Orlando is packed with so much fun. It’s like trying to fit a giant Mickey balloon into your suitcase but trust me; you can do it.

As an Orlando mom who’s tried it all, I’ve crafted this perfect 7-day itinerary with the right mix of big theme parks, splashy water fun, and local spots your kids will love. You’ll have a blast, and your kids will discuss this trip for years.

Before you jump into all the fun, be sure to check out my guides:

The Perfect 7-Day Itinerary For Orlando By A Local Mom

Before diving in, let me offer you a little suggestion: arrive a day early if you can. Trust me, trying to hit the parks right after landing, especially with kids, can be exhausting.

7-day itinerary for Orlando

Of course, Mickey is everyone’s first visit, and so it must be yours. At arrival, book your hotel, or I should say in advance.

With many of the best hotels in Orlando for kids, I highly suggest staying in Lake Buena Vista—Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, which is close to Walt Disney World Resort and centrally located near all the attractions I’ll cover in this guide. Again, book in advance to avoid chaos, take a rest, and pack up for the next day early in the morning for Magic Kingdom.

Day 1: Magic Kingdom + Disney Springs

Start your 7-day Orlando itinerary with a Disney classic—Magic Kingdom. It is hands down the best park among all those Disney four parks to kick off your family-friendly Orlando vacation.

As you walk through the gates, you’ll be greeted by Cinderella Castle, the perfect spot for that family photo. Trust me, you’ll want your cameras ready because those early morning shots are the best – especially with fewer people in the background.

Next, have a delightful breakfast of Mickey waffles, eggs, bacon, fruit, and pastries at Cinderella’s Royal Table. It’s a character dining where you will meet princesses like Cinderella, Ariel, and Belle. After that, dive into the park’s magic – the six themed lands. Here’s my family’s rundown of can’t-miss rides across the different lands:

By lunchtime, take a breather at The Plaza Restaurant. My kids are big fans of their turkey club sandwiches. After your meal, catch the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade or meet some characters throughout the park.

To cap off your day, watch the fireworks at Cinderella Castle. If you prefer to wind down elsewhere, head over for outdoor activities at Disney Springs. Here, you will find fantastic food, such as The Boathouse for fresh seafood or Homecomin’ for that classic Southern taste, entertainment, and shopping stores such as LEGO Store and World of Disney for those last-minute souvenirs.

Pro Tip: Use Disney’s Genie+ or Lightning Lane to save time on your favorite rides and make sure everyone stays happy.

If you want to visit another Disney World park, check my Basic Guide to Disney World to learn which parks offer what.

Day 2: ICON Park + Andretti Indoor Karting

After the excitement of Magic Kingdom, take it a bit slower on Day 2, but not too slow. Set your second day in Orlando for seven days of travel at ICON Park, home of The Wheel – a massive 400-foot observation ride. It’s an easy way to start the day and gives you a fantastic city view.

Once you’ve taken in the view, explore these ICON Park attractions:

The good news is that ICON Park will hardly take 4-5 hours. For the rest of your day, shift gears and head over to Andretti Indoor Karting & Games, which is just 5-7 minutes’ drive away.

This is the spot for the best high-speed kart racing to thrill kids and adults. After racing, you can bowl, play video games, or hit the laser tag arena. Plus, their on-site restaurants are perfect for grabbing a meal after all the excitement. Try the gourmet burgers or their fun cauliflower wings – too good.

Pro Tip: If you’ve got older kids, consider grabbing an arcade card so they can explore all the games while you relax with a bite to eat.

Access Full Guides Here → Andretti and ICON Park.

Day 3: Water Fun at Aquatica

Aquatica is a must if you’re in Orlando with kids, especially when it’s hot out (which is almost always). It’s one of the best water parks in the city, offering a mix of thrill rides and chill attractions.

The best two rides you must try, based on my recommendations, are adrenaline-pumping Ihu’s Breakaway Falls for adults and Turi’s Kid Cove, which is great for younger kids with smaller slides and fountains. Apart from this, other must-do rides are:

With so much fun in the water, hunger is for sure. One of the best dining places is Waterstone Grill, which offers kid-friendly meals like chicken tenders or mac and cheese apart from the basics. Finally, have a treat at Motu’s Beach Bar and catch the sunset to round off your day. It’s one of those things to do in Orlando with kids they’ll talk about long after the trip ends.

Pro Tip: Pack water shoes – they’re a lifesaver on hot, slippery paths. And don’t forget your sunscreen.

Access the Full Aquatica Guide Here!

Day 4: Kennedy Space Center + Shopping at Florida Mall

For Day 4, you’ve got two great options: Kennedy Space Center for an educational adventure and Florida Mall for some retail therapy.

Start your day at the Kennedy Space Center to check out attractions like:

  • Rocket Garden: a full of giant rockets that make for excellent photo ops.
  • Astronaut Encounter: where you can meet a real NASA astronaut and dive into some hands-on exhibits about space missions.
  • The Shuttle Launch Experience: a hit with kids, showing them the excitement and history behind the space shuttle program.

With just these three, you will need something to level up your energy. For lunch, visit the Orbit Café for pizza treats. Afterward, hop on the bus to the Apollo/Saturn V Center to see the incredible Saturn V rocket and learn about the moon landing.

If you wish to dive deeper, stop at the Heroes and Legends exhibit to explore the inspiring stories of the astronauts or head to the Florida Shopping Mall for a shopping spree.

Among Orlando’s best shopping malls, Florida Mall is my favorite. It is filled with kid-friendly spots like the Crayola Experience and SEA LIFE Aquarium, plus all the top retailers like Zara, Nordstrom, and more.

Pro Tip: If you head to Kennedy Space Center, try to catch a rocket launch from the Banana Creek Viewing Area. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the whole family.

Access the Full Kennedy Space Center Attractions HERE!

Day 5: Universal Studios + CityWalk

Universal Studios Orlando is my favorite. My family always leaves me with unforgettable memories. To kick things off, my guide, Things to Know about Universal will be super helpful. Yet here’s a quick suggestion on how to spend your fifth day of Orlando’s 7-day travel plan:

Arrive at 8:00 AM and head to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley. Take a wild 3D adventure through the vaults of Gringotts Bank at Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. Next, wander through Diagon Alley, grab a butterbeer, and don’t miss the interactive wand experience at Ollivanders.

To know more about Wizarding World, check my guide →, The Ultimate Things to Do at Harry World Orlando.

At midday, hop on the Hogwarts Express to get to Hogsmeade. Here’s what not to miss:

Apart from these Universal Studios offer many best rides, click here to learn about them.

By the afternoon, head back to Diagon Alley via the Hogwarts Express for more exploring and grab lunch at The Leaky Cauldron – the fish and chips are my go-to.

After all, conclude your day with CityWalk’s best restaurants, like Sushiburger or The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium. Enjoy the atmosphere and treat kids with ice cream at Orlando’s best ice cream spot, Cold Stone Creamery, before saying bye to Universal.

Pro Tip: Arrive early to Universal and use their Express Pass if possible. It’ll help you avoid those long lines, especially on popular rides.

Day 6: LEGOLAND (Theme Park Only)

LEGOLAND Theme Park is exclusively for little ones. There is SO much to do. It has 50+ indoor attractions, and hence, it’s not possible to list all of them here. If you want to know them all, visit my complete guide to Legoland, where you can find everything from 1 to 50 and the 60th attraction of Lego World.

Here’s a list of a few rides and attractions you can do at Legoland:

  • LEGO Kingdoms: for a mix of fun roller coasters and medieval adventures.
  • Dragon Ride: for a gentle ride.
  • LEGO Ninjago World: where the kids can use their ninja moves to fight virtual enemies using hand motions.
  • Pirate’s Island: A water play area with a pirate-themed splash zone.
  • Imagination Zone: Kids can build their creations or play with LEGO bricks.
  • Miniland USA: where you’ll find incredible LEGO replicas of landmarks nationwide.
  • LEGO City: where kids can become firefighters, pilots, or police officers in one of the interactive experiences.
  • LEGO Store: for Lego shopping and snapping a family picture with your favorite LEGO figures.

Besides this, there are also seasonal events, good food options, interactive play zones, and shows that rotate throughout the year. It’s a fantastic park for younger kids who love LEGO and hands-on experiences.

Pro Tip: If your kids are into building, be sure to check out the LEGO Factory Tour and the LEGO Building Competition. It’s a great way to unleash your family’s creativity and keep them engaged.

Day 7: Gatorland

For your final day, take it a bit easier with a visit to Gatorland, the Alligator Capital of the World. It’s not your typical Orlando attraction, but it’s a ton of fun and a great way to see alligators up close. Here’s what you can do:

Access → Full Gatorland Details HERE!

That’s with gator land. It’s a hilarious and exciting way to wrap up your 7-Days Orlando journey.

Concluding 7-Day Itinerary for Orlando

As someone who’s called Orlando home for over 25 years, I can honestly say there’s no place like it for a family vacation. This city has so much to offer, from Disney’s magic to Universal’s thrills and all the hidden gems in between. I hope this itinerary helps you create unforgettable memories with your family, just like it has for mine. Enjoy every moment, and don’t forget to soak in the magic – it goes by so fast!

FAQs

1. What’s the best time to visit Orlando?

The best time to visit is during fall (September-November) or spring (March-May) for pleasant weather and shorter lines. Avoid peak summer due to heat and crowds.

2. How do I skip long lines at theme parks?

Use Disney Genie+ or Universal Express Pass to skip lines on popular rides. Booking early for dining and attractions can also help.

3. Should I rent a car in Orlando?

Renting a car offers flexibility if you’re visiting multiple parks. Alternatively, you can use ride-shares or park shuttles if you’re staying near the parks.

4. How can I save money on tickets?

Purchase tickets online in advance, look for multi-day passes and consider bundles that include multiple parks or attractions for better deals.

5. Are Orlando’s water parks suitable for young kids?

Absolutely! Water parks like Aquatica and LEGOLAND Water Park have dedicated splash zones, shallow pools, and family-friendly slides perfect for young kids.

Jessica Alvarez

Jessica Alvarez

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