Congratulations – you’re planning your first trip to Orlando, Florida! A trip to Orlando is an incredible experience for the entire family and a chance to make some unforgettable memories with your nearest and dearest.

As with any holiday, there’s a lot to think about – how to get there, where to stay, and what to do once you arrive – but the planning is all part of the fun! And to give you a helping hand, we’ve put together this guide for first-time visitors to Orlando to let you know what to expect. You’ll be a Florida expert in no time!

Read on to find out everything you need to know to enjoy the perfect holiday in Orlando. 

Orlando hotels

With over 400 accommodation options in Orlando, there’s no shortage of places to stay. There’s everything you could wish for, from basic chain hotels to self-catering villas and incredible themed resorts.

If you’re planning to spend most of your holiday exploring the epic theme parks and water parks, then we recommend staying on-site at either Walt Disney World Resort or Universal Orlando Resort.

Staying on-site gives you lots of great benefits, including complimentary shuttle services, early entrance to the theme parks*, and fantastic facilities like swimming pools and restaurants.

Walt Disney World Resort hotels

If you’re a huge fan of Disney (and let’s face it, who isn’t?), and/or you’re planning to spend a lot of time at the Disney Parks, then the Walt Disney World Resort hotels are a good choice for you.

All of the hotels have immersive Disney theming, offer complimentary travel to the Disney Parks, and additional activities and entertainment.

Walt Disney World Resort hotels are split into four categories:

There are over 25 options for accommodation at Walt Disney World Resort, so these categories can help you to narrow down your choice.

We’ve put together a complete guide to Walt Disney World Resort hotels to help you decide where to stay.

Universal Orlando Resort hotels

If you know you’re going to be spending a lot of your holiday at the Universal Orlando Resort theme parks and water park, then a Universal hotel is a fantastic option for you. There are 11 different hotels on-site here, offering a range of incredible benefits, including early park admission*, complimentary transport, and merchandise delivery, so you don’t have to carry your shopping around with you all day.

Universal Orlando Resort hotels are also helpfully split down by category:

Just like our Disney guide, we’ve also put together some more information about all of the Universal Orlando Resort hotels.

Other hotels

Of course, you don’t necessarily need to stay on-site at Walt Disney World Resort or Universal Orlando Resort (although we would highly recommend it!). If you are planning an Orlando holiday on a budget, you may wish to look at hotels elsewhere. Some options for places to stay include:

• International Drive
• Lake Buena Vista
• Kissimmee

What to pack for your trip to Orlando

Now that the initial planning stages are out of the way, it’s time to get the cases out! Here are a few things that you should bring with you:

• Shorts and t-shirts
• Sun cream
• Sunhat or cap
• Trainers, closed sandals, or good walking shoes
• Umbrella, waterproof coat, or poncho
• Reusable water bottle
• Solar power bank

We’ve got some more tips for packing for your Orlando holiday here.

Top tip: You can buy just about everything you can think of in Orlando, from the shops at Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World Resort plus the various malls in the area. If you want to do a lot of shopping during your trip, we recommend bringing an empty suitcase with you!

Things to do in Orlando

If you love adventurous holidays with plenty to do, then you won’t be disappointed in Orlando. There are the theme parks, water parks, a space centre, animal encounters, plus lots of options for outdoor exploration.

Orlando theme parks

Of course, the main reason you’re probably planning to visit Orlando is to tick off some of the amazing theme parks that call this area home. There’s something for everyone here, from child-friendly theme parks to ones filled with adrenaline-pumping rides. Big kids and little kids alike will love the parks!

Here’s a little bit about all the theme parks so you can decide which ones to add to your itinerary.

Top tips for your first visit to Orlando:

• Bring waterproofs: Although it’s known as the Sunshine State, Orlando has a tropical climate, and it can see heavy rain showers, especially between May and October when temperatures are at their highest
• Factor in some downtime: Although there’s so much to do during your Orlando trip, don’t forget to schedule some time into your itinerary for relaxing. There’s a lot of walking around and long days, so you might need a rest. After all, it is a holiday!
• Prioritise your “must-dos”: You can’t possibly see everything there is to see in Orlando during a two-week trip, so it makes sense to narrow the attractions down into a “must-do” list. This will help you to decide how best to spend your time. Try not to put pressure on yourself or worry too much about missing out –  you can’t do everything, and if you enjoyed it, you can always book another trip!
• Book your theme park tickets in advance: Book your theme park tickets before you travel to Orlando. This will save you time during your trip, as you won’t need to visit the ticket office at each park. You’ll also get the best deal when you book in advance and it’s good for budgeting, as you won’t need as much spending money during your holiday
• Multi-day and combo tickets are better value: Combination tickets are the best way to ensure that you can visit all of the parks you want to at the best available price

Now that you’re all clued up on Orlando, it’s time to get booking! Get your Orlando attraction tickets now.