Orlando Planning & Tips

The Art of Smart Timing
Orlando welcomes 48 million visitors a year, and at times, the crowds can get downright uncomfortable. If your schedule is flexible, it's best to avoid peak travel periods. Generally, these times include holidays and the summer months -- in other words, any time schools are out of session.

If you're headed to the theme parks, the least expensive times to travel to Orlando are early May, late August, the first two weeks of December and January and the entire month of September. If your kids aren't in school yet, a great time to visit is early December, when the crowds are light and the theme parks are decked out in holiday splendor. At that time, you can enjoy clear views of special shows like The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios and gain access to ticketed early-season events like Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park.

To beat the theme-park crowds and experience attractions to the fullest, arrive early -- before the gates open for the day -- and take advantage of free, pay-for-play and resort-guest amenities like Child Swap (also known as Rider Switch and Baby Swap), early and late entry hours and front-of-the-line privileges that are available with FASTPASS (Walt Disney World Resort), Express Pass and Express Plus Pass (Universal Orlando Resorts) and Quick Queue Pass (SeaWorld Orlando).

Finally, retreating to a comfortable accommodation to rest and recharge can go a long way toward preserving the family peace.

Getting There and Around
Nearly 50 percent of leisure travelers who are non-Florida residents arrive in Orlando by air. Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the major airport, servicing 32 scheduled airlines and 92 cities worldwide. For first-time visitors, the journey by monorail from the gate area to the main terminal is the first of many Orlando thrill rides.

From the airport, guests of Walt Disney World Resort have the option of using Disney's Magical Express, a free airport-to-resort shuttle service. If you're staying elsewhere, visiting other Orlando attractions, have more than one small child or just want the freedom of not being a slave to resort transportation schedules, consider renting a car. Other forms of transportation (Mears shuttles, Towncar services and taxis) are expensive and, at times, painfully slow. With a car, it's much easier to move the mountain of gear that's often a necessity when traveling with kids.

If car rental isn't in your vacation budget, select your accommodations carefully. Not all hotels provide shuttle service to area theme parks, and some that do charge hefty fees. If you do rent a car (or drive your own), bringing along a GPS will save you time and gas. Use the money saved for theme park parking, which runs about $12 per day.

When visiting Orlando with small children, the decision of how to get around on foot is just as important as how to get around by car or bus. If you're taking kids younger than 3 to the theme parks, it's best to bring your own lightweight, reclining stroller with a sunshade (make sure it's easily collapsible), or rent one in Orlando. Orlando Stroller Rentals, a popular provider, will deliver to your accommodation, as will All About Kids, a firm which also rents baby equipment.

Off the Radar
The latest way to explore Central Florida's natural side is from a treetop perch! Two new aerial obstacle courses give families a glimpse of some of Central Florida's finest treasures -- and none of them are animated. For kids 3 and older who are at least 36" tall, Zoom Air Adventure Park at the Central Florida Zoo is sized to fit, while the new junior version of the Adventure Course at Grande Lakes Orlando's Resort promises a perch for younger guests, too.

For an entertaining view of local history and a sweet taste of central Florida, head to Showcase of Citrus Fruit in Clermont. At the working cattle ranch and citrus farm, you can pick and ship citrus fruit, dangle a line in an old-fashioned fishing hole and even take a monster-truck ecotour.

Visitor's Bureau
Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitor's Bureau
Kissimmee Convention and Visitors Bureau

For more information, planning and tips you may also want to see our Disney Family Vacations section.