Vacation Spotlight: Orlando, Florida

Even though most of my vacations revolve around hiking and outdoor adventures, Orlando is still one of my favorite places to go for nostalgia sake. Whenever I want to enjoy a bit of youthful fun, there is no better place to go to feel like a kid again. A combination of warm temps, wonderful theme parks, and awesome resorts make this a fun place to take some time off. I find that I almost never reach for my phone or computer beacuse I am having so much fun. And I get in so much exercise (averaging 25-30,000 steps per day), so probably more than I get on my national park vacations without even trying to purposely exercise.

Walt Disney World is a fun time for families making new memories and for adults trying to recapture their youth. The fun doesn’t stop at Disney as Universal parks are just as exciting, if not moreso (I find myself planning more visits to Universal and Islands). Add in fun themed restaurants, wonderful shows, shopping, recreation, and the options for entertainment are pretty much endless. Let’s not forget about all the wonderful things to do away from the coasters and motion simulator rides like beautiful preserves, airboat tours, and museums.

Whether you are 7 or 77, you are bound to have a fabulous time. You are never too old to visit these parks – my first trip was in my upper 20’s and I am sure my last will be decades from now.

The top theme parks

Below, I have highlighted the best theme parks to put on your bucket list. Walt Disney World includes 4 parks: the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. Many people are unaware that Universal Studios is a separate park. Although it is located in the same area, it is owned by NBC. Regardless, both parks are completely different and worth visiting at least once.

Both parks offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience that can’t be duplicated anywhere else in the world. I would say that Universal is better for thrill seekers and movie buffs due to the many coasters, simulation rides, and movie/TV themed experiences. Disney World is best for those taking a family vacation or anyone else who is a big fan of Mickey Mouse and classic Disney films.

Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios offers a fantastic selection of thrill rides and exciting live shows. Tower of Terror and Aerosmith’s Rock N’Roller coaster are 2 of my favorite rides in any Disney park. The newest park addition: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is sure to please fans. I recommend at least 2 days here to experience everything in the park. One day was just not enough time for us to explore it all.

Update: Unfortunately, the amazing Aerosmith coaster is going to be replaced by a Muppets themed coaster in 2026. Here’s your last chance to get on this amazing ride!

Top rides & experiences

• Fantasmic (Good vs evil battle in this nighttime show featuring lights, music, and pyrotechnics).
• Tower of Terror (Classic elevator ride which features lots of unexpected exciting drops).
• Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular (A fun live show based on Raiders where the audience gets to participate).
• Toy Story Mania (A fun 4D style arcade shooting game based on the movies).
• Rock N’Roller Coaster (Super fast dark inside coaster featuring the great tunes of Aerosmith).

Magic Kingdom

Based on my personal experience, you can’t visit Disney for the first time without at least 2 visits to the Magic Kingdom. All of your favorite movie classics are brought to life here via fun rides for the whole family. A lot of money and effort has been put into making each of these rides a magic experience and no matter how many times you visit the experience is just as enchanting. However, the real magic arrives nightly at the fabulous firework show and parade featuring all your beloved Disney characters.

My top recommended rides:

• The Haunted Mansion (I absolutely love the ghostly special effects on this one as you travel through the manor).
• Pirates of the Caribbean (Classic pirate ride with an elaborate set design. Jack Sparrow was added after the popular movies. I love the dark ambiance and set design).
• Peter Pan (It’s always been one of my favorite Disney movies, so I loved this nostalgic adventure).
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Low-key themed coaster with a lot of fun dips and turns).
• It’s A Small World (You will never get this catchy tune out of your head after riding this one!).

Epcot

Visiting Epcot’s World Showcase is like taking a trip around the world, minus the expensive airline tickets. The famous area features 11 pavilions, each representing a different country. In terms of rides, Soarin’ and Spaceship Earth are both very interesting. A lot of people like Mission Space, but I felt a bit claustrophobic and could not wait to get off this ride. What separates Epcot apart from the other theme parks is the combination of education and fun found in every ride and attraction.

Animal Kingdom

The highlight of this park is an entertaining safari ride where you will see over 30 animal species roaming free on the 100+ acre Harambe Wildlife Reserve. One of Disney’s best (and most expensive rides) is also located here. Expedition Everest, a unique Yeti themed roller coaster features fantastic animatronics, a great twist, and fantastic views of the park. It’s one of my favorite roller coasters out of all the theme parks. So exciting with a huge drop and even the queue is fun. Kali River Rapids is another must – it’s the perfect thrilling family whitewater raft ride to enjoy on those hot, humid summer days.

Universal Studios

I actually prefer Universal to Disney. The variety of movie themed, interactive, thrill, and water rides keep me coming back again and again. I really love the coasters, water rides, and nostalgic themed experiences. Even the queues for most rides are fabulous, especially the walk through Hogwarts castle for the Forbidden Journey ride. There are 2 parks here: Universal and Islands and both are equally impressive. Update:

The long awaited Epic Universe opened in May of 2025. A bit of a disappointment in my option – you can read my Epic park guide for more details of how I rate this park compared to the other 2.

Although you could attempt to squeeze in all your fun in a day, I would recommend purchasing at least a 2-3 day park-to-park pass. Islands of Adventure offers so many fantastic rides, however, you will be limited on time as the lines are long. Do yourself a favor and plan for at least one day at Universal Studios and one at Islands of Adventure.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter alone warrants a one day visit and you will need the park-to-park pass to access the wonderful Hogwarts Express train ride between parks.

You can read my first timer’s vacation guide for more ideas on how to organize your trip. I have included tips for organizing your day, money saving advice, info on the best rides, and a lot more.

Top rides & experiences at Universal

• Escape from Gringotts (Great queue through the wizarding bank and awesome 3D special effects)
• Diagon Alley (An A+ recreation of the movies. I love the fun interactive wand experiences and themed shops. Don’t forget to try a butterbeer!)
• Men in Black (super fun arcade game with fun special effects)
• E.T. (a classic that doesn’t get enough love)

Top rides and experiences at Islands

• Hogsmeade (A wonderful creation with so many wonderful shops and photo opps)
• Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure (Awesome coaster with so many unexpected surprises)
• Jurassic Park River Adventure (Fun throwback to the movie and a nice cool down on a hot day)
• The Incredible Hulk Coaster (Fast and fun with lots of inversions. One of the smoothest coasters.)
• The Forbidden Castle (Awesome walk through Hogwarts with an incredible attention to detail. I love the holograms and talking portraits and moving newspapers)
• The Hogwarts Castle Show (Amazing nightly show featuring a quidditch match and castle projections)

There is way too much to list here, so I recommend checking out my top rides guides. I have been to the parks so many times that I not know what rides to skip. You can also download Universal’s handy app so you can check for wait times throughout the day. Also, don’t forget about the fabulous shows. My first few visits I skipped them over completely as I was too obsessed with the new Harry Potter attractions. Check out my guide to the best shows for more details.