Ultimate 5 Day Itinerary for Orlando

This post is my 5 day itinerary for Orlando.

As many of you may know, I have called Orlando my home for the last 13+ years. I have witnessed this beautiful city evolve from a Disney- only vacation spot to a bucket list destination. If you are planning your first trip to Orlando, I suggest dedicating at least 5 days for the trip and renting a car, especially if you want to explore more of the city, away from the theme parks. In this post, I am sharing a 5 day itinerary for Orlando, non-theme park version.

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THINGS TO KNOW- HOW DO I PLAN A 5 DAY ITINERARY FOR ORLANDO?

When is the best time visit Orlando?

Summers are extremely busy here and so is the holidays timeframe! If you are flexible with your dates, I say come between March to May and September to November, which is usually off-season, the weather is still hot and toasty, and hurricane season is coming to an end (yes, it is a thing here). Summers can get extremely hot and humid which makes it a lot harder to stay outdoors for too long.

Traveling during off season also means smaller crowds and potentially better deals at the hotels. Another reason I suggest traveling during off-season is because of the security lines at the Orlando International Airport (MCO). They can get reallyy long! I also recommend flying in and out of Orlando Sanford International Airport. It is a much smaller airport which makes it really convenient to get in and out of.

How to get around Orlando?

Unless you are planning on staying at a Disney or Universal property, you will need a car to get around town. A lot of visitors don’t realize that the city is pretty large geographically and is not a walkable city. Public transportation is not so popular and Ubers/taxis can get expensive. So plan accordingly.

Another travel tip, if you are planning on renting a car, I say book them in advance as that takes away the stress of trying to find last minute availability and decent pricing.

What to pack for a 5 day itinerary for Orlando?

Depending on the time of the year you decide to travel to Orlando, your clothing items can vary. While the weather is mostly warm and humid, there are a few weeks of colder months. Temperatures can drop to the 30s-40s during the winter months. Having said that, I do like to travel with some key pieces which are mentioned below.

• You can also checkout my Amazon storefront for some inspiration. Click here.
• A travel plug adapter for your electronics. Click here.
• Portable phone battery charger. Click here.
• Portable fan to keep cook in the blazing heat. Click here.
• A reliable rain poncho. Summers get plenty of rainfall and wind. An umbrella won’t cut it, especially during strong winds. Click here for the poncho.
• Makeup- mostly my essentials and whatever fits in this bag. I have it in brown. Click here.
• Skin care- travel size only, the Origins travel skincare set was perfect, I use most of their products at home too. Click here.
• Sunscreen- again travel size only, I like the Neutrogena stick version which works for face & body. Click here.
• Camera- I have the Canon EOS T7i, there is a great bundle deal on Amazon. Click here.
• Waterproof camera- under $50, loved it! The quality is pretty good for the price. Click here. I also purchased a wide angle lens. Click here.
• Tripod- solo traveler problems. Get something sturdy and lightweight, especially if you plan on taking pics when it is windy. Click here.
• Shoes- 2-3 sandals, a reliable pair of sneakers and some comfortable heels.
• Packing cubes- to keep things organized especially when you have limited space. Click here.
• Blister bandages because you never know how painful walking all day can be. Click here.
• Portable luggage scale because shopping is unavoidable in Italy. Click here.

You can also check out my post below with a detailed packing list for a 5 day itinerary to Orlando.

Where to stay in Orlando?

There are literally tons of options here! Orlando is a big tourist destination, so I can bet you there is a hotel for every budget. Again, if you are planning to stay near the theme parks, Disney, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, have lot of options on property. They offer shuttles that can take you to the theme parks, airport, etc. However, if you would like to stay elsewhere, then International drive has a lot of options to choose from. You can also read my blog post on how to choose the best hotel for your trip.

Disney has a ton of hotels and resorts on its property. A lot of visitors do tend to stay there so they can visit the parks easily. You’ll most likely need a car to leave the Disney properties. Four Seasons Orlando at Disney World is a top-notch, 5-star luxury resort that is one of my favorites. I am a big fan of the Four Seasons brand in general because you get exceptional service. Signia by Hilton Orlando is another one I like to recommend especially during the warmer months as it has a massive water park including a lazy river on property.

Universal Studios Orlando is another great location to stay near for those planning to visit the Universal Studios theme parks. I personally think this area is more accessible than the Disney since it is not as large. Lowes Portofino Bay Hotel is one of the best hotels in the area! Inspired by the beautiful city of Portofino, Italy, the 5-star resort offers early access to the Universal theme parks for its guests and so much more!

I-Drive also known as International Drive is considered the heart of Orlando’s tourism. This 11 miles road is considered “walkable” as you can find a lot of restaurants, cafes, bars, and other attractions near each other. The theme parks are a short drive from I-Drive and there are several hotels located here. Hence, I recommend it as an option to spend your 5 day itinerary to Orlando. Avanti Palms Resort Orlando is a great budget and family friendly resort on I-drive.

What to do with 5 days in Orlando?

As I mentioned above, dedicate at least 5 days for a trip to Orlando as there is lot to do and experience. While you can certainly plan an entire trip around the theme parks, which there are several of them, I recommend exploring the other parts of Orlando. Having said that, here are some of my Orlando bucket list items:

1. Zipline over gators at Gatorland. Click here.
2. Go on a wildlife kayak adventure. Click here. Florida is known for its unique wildlife which includes gators, turtles, birds, etc. A guided tour is the safest option for me as I am not bold enough to go on my own in the wildlife.
3. Ride the Orlando eye wheel. Click here.
4. Go on a helicopter ride for a bird’s eye view of the city. Click here.
5. Swim with dolphins at Discovery Cove. Click here.

STEAL MY 5 DAY ITINERARY FOR ORLANDO

DAY I

Okay, let’s begin our trip here in Orlando! First things first, we want to fuel our bodies with some food as we have a long, adventurous day ahead of us, however, we do not want to overdo it because we are going zip lining today. For breakfast, I started off with a local favorite, Keke’s breakfast. They have several locations all over town, so feel free to stop by the nearest location. Click here to find the closest location to you.

Next we headed to our first adventure. If you are the daring type, then Orlando Tree trek Adventure Park is where you want to go which is an adventure filled with zip lining and rope courses and you can swing like Tarzan. Click here to purchase your ticket.

Now, if you don’t really see yourself swinging on trees, then you can go for the other option like me, Gatorland. It is a 110-acre wildlife preserve and theme park where you get to see a bunch of gators (possibly hold one too) and a variety of other wildlife. In addition to live gator feeding shows, you can zipline and learn about the diverse Florida wildlife. I enjoyed my first time ziplining at Gatorland, it was a lot of fun! Definitely worth a visit. Click here for more information.

Generally, you won’t spend an entire day at the above 2 parks, I’d say less than half a day, which means it gives you plenty of time in the evening to do some more activities. I suggest heading to Disney Springs for the remainder of the day, which is Disney’s shopping, dining, and entertainment complex. There is no entrance fees charged. There are about 100+shops, 65 dining options, and 25+ entertainment options. If you are looking to dine in one of the restaurant there, I highly suggest making a reservation ahead of time because the waits are extremely long. I love going to Disney Springs for all the dessert options such as Gideon’s Bakehouse and Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew. For dinner, I recommend Jaleo by Jose Andres. Click here for more information about Disney Springs.

Today’s agenda –>> Adventure

• Breakfast @Keke’s breakfast cafe
• Zipline @Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park or visit Gatorland
• Walk around Disney Springs
• Dinner @Jaleo by Jose Andres
• Dessert @Gideon’s Bakehouse

DAY 2

We are going to get a workout in today! So let’s make sure we start our day with a good meal. I love a good breakfast, especially at Argos Family Diner. Quality, home cooked meal every single time! Click here for directions.

Wekiwa Springs State Park is a crowd favorite. Locals love spending the hot summer days here enjoying various water activities such as swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and much more. The park opens at 8 AM and has a limited capacity, so I highly recommend getting there early. Click here for fees and other information.

Head to Santiago’s Bodega for a late lunch and cool off from your outdoors activities. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon off, either schedule a massage at Four Seasons Orlando spa or simply take a nap because we are going to party tonight and continue our 5 day itinerary for Orlando!

Universal’s City Walk offers several dining options, something for everyone in your family. American, Italian, Japanese, or seafood, no matter what you are in the mood for, City Walk most likely has something to offer to you. BigFire and Antojitos authentic Mexican food are some of the crowd favorites. Once you are done with your dinner, you can enjoy the rest of the evening strolling around and check out the shops or head to one of the clubs for some late-night entertainment. Keep in mind, there is no entry fees to City Walk, you just have to pay for parking.

Today’s agenda —>> Workout + party

• Breakfast @Argos Family Diner
• Spend the day outdoors by visiting a spring- Wekiwa Springs, Rock Springs or Blue Spring
• Lunch @Santiago’s Bodega
• Massage @Four Seasons Orlando spa
• Stroll around Universal’s City Walk + dinner +party

DAY 3

On today’s agenda, we are going to start our day slowly. We will explore one of the many unique towns of Central Florida has to offer, we are heading to Mount Dora. Located about 30 mins from Orlando, Mount Dora is known for it’s antique shops and annual festivals.

You can also take the Mount Dora trolley for an hour long historic tour of the town, snap a pic with Old Joe, the 15- foot alligator statue, or admire the historical buildings such as the 1893 Donnelly House. For brunch, I highly recommend Pisces Rising.

For the evening, we are heading to enjoy one of the many activities International Drive Orlando has to offer. In addition to shopping at the outlets located on I-drive, you can ride the big wheel at ICON park, visit Madame Tussauds wax museum, visit Fun Spot America theme park, Wonderworks Orlando and so much more! You can easily spend an entire day here.

This 11 miles long road has a ton of restaurants to choose from, so rest assured, you won’t be hungry for too long. If you are in the mood for some Tex-Mex, check out Uncle Julio’s restaurant, get the chocolate pinata dessert!

Today’s agenda –>> Explore a local town

• Brunch in Mount Dora
• Explore Mount Dora
• Evening @International drive + Icon Park + Madame Tussauds
• Dinner @Uncle Julio’s Mexican restaurant

DAY 4

You didn’t think I was going to forget a visit to one of Florida’s finest beach in this 5 day itinerary for Orlando, did you? Florida has some world class beaches along it’s coastline, each one has something unique to offer and I truly love spending my weekends at a beach.

Orlando is centrally located in the state of Florida, the closest beach is a 45 mins drive, Cocoa Beach. However, there are several other amazing beaches all within driving distance. My absolute favorite is Siesta Key, also named as one of the best beach in the U.S.! You can also checkout Clearwater beach, New Smyrna, Daytona beach, and a ton of other beaches. Another option is to take a day trip to the oldest city in the U.S., St. Augustine. It was founded by Spanish explorers in 1565! You can check out my blog post here for more about St. Augustine.

You will find many options for dinner around the area. Now, just in case you do decide to come back early and still have some energy for more fun, then I recommend watching some improv comedy at SAKS located in downtown Orlando. Click here for show timings.

Today’s agenda –>> Beach day

• Breakfast @Starbucks
• Beach day or day trip to St. Augustine
• Watch improv comedy show at SAKS

DAY 5

Last day of our trip and we still have lots more to do on our 5 day itinerary for Orlando! So if you are in the mood for another day trip, a visit to the Kennedy Space Center is definitely worth your time. Click here for the tickets. Keep in mind, it is about an hour away from Orlando. Also, Farm & Haus is a great breakfast option.

Option B, is to stay in Orlando and enjoy some nature in Leu Gardens and then the Museum of Illusions. Once we are done here, the city of Winter Park is a great way to spend the rest of your day. You can either just stroll around the streets with a gelato in your hand, take a Winter Park scenic boat tour or shop at one of the unique stores. End your trip with some amazing dinner at either Eddie V’s Prime Seafood restaurant (fine dining) or one of the many restaurants in Winter Park.

Today’s agenda –>> Explore Orlando

• Breakfast @Farm & Haus
• Leu Gardens/drive to Kennedy Space Center
• Museum of Illusions
• Explore Winter Park
• Dinner @ Eddie V’s Prime Seafood

CONCLUSION- 5 DAY ITINERARY FOR ORLANDO

A trip to the beautiful city of Orlando is guaranteed to be filled with life long memories. While you can spend less or more than 5 days, I discovered a 5 day trip is a sweet spot. Visiting the theme parks is a lot of fun but if you have already experienced them then I suggest you go back to Orlando to explore more. Orlando definitely offers something for people of all ages. I hope you plan your visit soon!

Allow me to create your next custom vacation to Orlando. Check it out here!