5 Days in Orlando with School-Age Kids
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Budget
$2,800
Mid-Range
$4,500
Luxury
$7,500
Best Months
Feb, Mar, Oct
Highlights
Day-by-Day Plan
Day 1: Magic Kingdom Adventure
Morning
Arrive early for rope drop at Magic Kingdom. Head straight to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in Fantasyland before the line builds — this is the park's most popular ride and waits regularly exceed 90 minutes by mid-morning. Follow it up with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Tiana's Bayou Adventure. Grab a mobile order breakfast at Pinocchio Village Haus near It's a Small World.
Afternoon
Hit Tomorrowland for Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, both huge hits with the 5-8 crowd. Grab lunch at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café — it has the best value counter-service meals in the park and a fun animatronic show. Cross over to Adventureland for Pirates of the Caribbean and the Jungle Cruise. Use the Genie+ Lightning Lane to skip lines on your must-do rides.
Evening
Stake out a spot on Main Street U.S.A. by 7:30 PM for the Happily Ever After fireworks spectacular at 9 PM. Grab dinner at The Crystal Palace for a character buffet with Winnie the Pooh and friends — book this 60 days in advance. If the kids still have energy, ride the Haunted Mansion with shorter evening wait times.
💡 Tip: Download the My Disney Experience app before your trip. Buy Genie+ ($25-35/person) to save hours in line. Bring refillable water bottles — there are free water stations throughout the park. Wear broken-in sneakers; you'll walk 20,000+ steps.
Day 2: Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure
Morning
Start at Universal's Islands of Adventure and head directly to The Wizarding World of Hogsmeade. Ride Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure first — it's consistently rated the best ride in Orlando and lines hit 120+ minutes by 10 AM. School-age kids will be mesmerized by the detail in Hogsmeade Village. Grab a Butterbeer (frozen is the best version) at the Three Broomsticks cart.
Afternoon
Take the Hogwarts Express to Universal Studios and explore Diagon Alley. Ride Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, then hit Transformers: The Ride-3D and Villain-Con Minion Blast. Eat lunch at Leaky Cauldron — the fish and chips and cottage pie are excellent and themed perfectly. For thrill-seekers, add Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.
Evening
Stay for the Cinematic Celebration nighttime lagoon show (seasonal). Alternatively, head to Universal CityWalk for dinner at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium — the milkshake challenge (towering shakes with whole slices of cake on top) will be the highlight of any kid's day. Browse the shops and let the kids pick one souvenir.
💡 Tip: The Universal Express Pass ($80-120/person) is worth every penny during busy seasons. Height requirement for Hagrid's is 48 inches. If your child is on the edge, have them measured at Guest Services first to avoid a disappointed meltdown in line. Park-to-park tickets are required for the Hogwarts Express.
Day 3: Kennedy Space Center & Space Coast
Morning
Drive 45 minutes east to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Arrive by 9 AM opening. Start with the bus tour to the Apollo/Saturn V Center — you'll see the massive Vehicle Assembly Building and actual launch pads. The Saturn V rocket hanging from the ceiling is 363 feet long and leaves kids speechless. Watch the Apollo 8 launch experience simulation.
Afternoon
Back at the main complex, do the Shuttle Launch Experience simulator — it replicates the G-forces and vibration of a real shuttle launch and kids 5+ absolutely love it. Visit the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit where the real orbiter is displayed with payload bay doors open. The Children's Play Dome has a smaller-scale launch simulator and a moon rock you can touch. Eat at the Orbit Café — it's the best food option on-site.
Evening
On the drive back to Orlando, stop at Playalinda Beach (part of Canaveral National Seashore) for a quick sunset beach visit if time allows. Otherwise, head to dinner at Boma — Flavors of Africa at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. The buffet features African-inspired dishes that adventurous eaters love, and the restaurant overlooks a savanna where giraffes roam at dusk. No park ticket required.
💡 Tip: Kennedy Space Center tickets are $57 for adults, $47 for kids 3-11. Check the launch schedule at kennedyspacecenter.com — if a SpaceX or NASA launch coincides with your visit, it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Bring binoculars. The bus tour takes about 90 minutes and has no restrooms, so go before boarding.
Day 4: Gatorland & ICON Park
Morning
Head to Gatorland, Orlando's original attraction since 1949. The Screamin' Gator Zip Line sends riders over pools of alligators and crocodiles — school-age kids (minimum 38 inches and 45 lbs) go wild for this. Watch the Gator Wrestlin' Show and the Gator Jumparoo where massive gators leap out of the water for chicken. Walk the free-flight aviary where parakeets land on your arms if you hold seed sticks ($3).
Afternoon
Drive 20 minutes to ICON Park on International Drive. Ride The Wheel, Orlando's 400-foot observation wheel with panoramic views — each climate-controlled capsule fits a family comfortably and the ride takes about 22 minutes. Next door, visit SEA LIFE Aquarium for the 360-degree ocean tunnel and touch pools. Grab lunch at Shake Shack on I-Drive or walk to Uncle Julio's for Tex-Mex with excellent kid portions.
Evening
Stay on I-Drive for Andretti Indoor Karting & Games. School-age kids can ride junior go-karts, try the ropes course, and play in the massive arcade. For dinner, drive to The Boathouse at Disney Springs (no park ticket needed) — the kids will love the amphicars (1960s cars that drive into the water and cruise as boats) while you enjoy excellent steak and seafood.
💡 Tip: Gatorland admission is $35 adults / $25 kids; zip line is $70 extra. It's a refreshing change of pace from mega-theme-parks — smaller, less crowded, and genuinely educational. ICON Park has a combo ticket for The Wheel + SEA LIFE + Madame Tussauds for $50. I-Drive has heavy traffic; use Uber or Lyft to avoid parking hassles.
Day 5: EPCOT & Departure
Morning
Rope drop at EPCOT and head to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind immediately — this reverse-launch indoor coaster is the park's hottest ride (minimum height 42 inches). Follow it with Test Track in Future World where kids design their own virtual car and then ride it through performance tests at up to 65 mph. The Seas with Nemo & Friends is worth a walk-through for the massive saltwater aquarium.
Afternoon
Explore World Showcase — this is where EPCOT shines for school-age kids. In Mexico, ride the Gran Fiesta Tour boat ride. In Japan, pick up candy at the Mitsukoshi store. In Norway, ride Frozen Ever After (use Lightning Lane). The Kidcot Fun Stops at each pavilion give kids a free activity card and stamps — it turns World Showcase into a passport-collecting adventure. Lunch at La Cantina de San Angel in Mexico for tacos by the waterfront, or Katsura Grill in Japan for teriyaki.
Evening
If your flight isn't until evening, catch the Luminous The Symphony of Us nighttime show across World Showcase Lagoon. For a special last-meal splurge, book Le Cellier Steakhouse in the Canada pavilion — the cheddar cheese soup and pretzel bread are legendary. Head to MCO airport, a 25-minute drive from EPCOT.
💡 Tip: EPCOT is the best Disney park for school-age kids who are curious learners — it sparks interests in science, culture, and design. World Showcase doesn't open until 11 AM, so hit Future World rides first. Mobile ordering is essential for counter-service restaurants; you'll wait 30+ minutes otherwise during peak lunch hours.
Packing List
- ✓ comfortable walking shoes (broken in)
- ✓ rain ponchos (Florida afternoon storms)
- ✓ portable phone charger (park apps drain battery)
- ✓ refillable water bottles
- ✓ sunscreen SPF 50+
- ✓ autograph book and thick marker for characters
- ✓ lightweight backpack with snacks
- ✓ cooling towels for hot days
- ✓ ear protection for fireworks/loud rides
- ✓ waterproof phone case
Safety Notes
Florida sun is intense — reapply sunscreen every 2 hours and hydrate constantly. Set a meeting spot at each park in case anyone gets separated. Take a photo of your kids each morning so you can describe their outfit to staff if needed. Most rides post height requirements online — measure your child beforehand to avoid disappointment. Lightning and thunderstorms roll in most summer afternoons; seek shelter in indoor rides or restaurants when you hear thunder.
Full Destination Guide
The undisputed theme park capital of the world, Orlando offers families more kid-friendly attractions per square mile than anywhere else on Earth.
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