Are you thinking about visiting Orlando, Florida? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Orlando worth visiting?
This city is a good place to visit for seven days. We first visited Orlando in our childhood and again several times as parents. During our time here, we fell in love with its iconic amusement parks and impressive attention to detail, particularly at Disney World. Orlando is the theme park capital of the United States. It's the home of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and countless other lesser known parks. This is an iconic destination for families who come to experience the magic and wonder of a Disney vacation. There are many resorts to choose from as well, both on and off the Disney grounds.
Downtown Orlando, Florida
Reasons to Visit Orlando
Resorts
Disney World is famous for its many iconic resorts. Some of the most popular are the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Port Orleans Resort, and the Grand Floridian Resort. There are also many resorts that aren't affiliated with the major theme parks. These tend to be more affordable, but transportation options to and from the park are limited. You'll also miss out on the perks that come with staying at a theme park resort.
Food
There are a diversity of restaurants on the Disney grounds and nearby. You'll also find many restaurants at Universal CityWalk and Disney Springs. Food can be expensive, and the quality can vary dramatically. Many people enjoy going to dinner shows as well. Restaurants can be challenging also, as reservations must be made months in advance.
Shopping
Shopping is a dream for any Disney enthusiast. There are countless malls and shops, both on and off the Disney grounds, that sell all of the Disney paraphernalia. Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk are the most famous areas. During the evenings, these areas can be very crowded, but during the day they're less popular as most people are at the theme parks.
Theatre Productions
The city has a number of local theaters that are fun to explore. As home to Disney World and Universal Studios, there are also a number of shows available that are affiliated with the parks.
Nightlife
If you need a break from the kids, you'll find some of the best nightlife around Orlando at Disney Springs, Wall Street Plaza and Universal CityWalk.
Is Orlando worth visiting in the Summer?
The high season for travel in Orlando is the summer, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This is an extremely popular destination, and in the high season it's busier than usual as this is when most people are able to travel. Expect large crowds of tourists, longer lines, and higher prices for hotels. On the other hand, you'll find that everything is open and you'll have a wide array of activities, things to do, and places to eat. Summer break is a peak time at Disney World so you can expect prices to be high, crowds to be big, and weather to be hot.
The weather in Orlando is fairly warm during summer, and stays around 28°C (82°F). But it can get as warm as 33°C (91°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.
During this season it's fun to experience the resorts and the nightlife.
Summer Weather in Orlando
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 28°C (82°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) |
| August | 28°C (82°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| September | 27°C (81°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
Is Orlando worth visiting in the Autumn?
The weather in Orlando is fairly warm during autumn, and stays around 24°C (75°F). But it can get as warm as 29°C (84°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Orlando, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. As a very touristy destination, even in the shoulder season you'll see plenty of tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found at this time of year.
This is a great time of year to .
Autumn Weather in Orlando
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 24°C (75°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| November | 20°C (68°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| December | 17°C (62°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Is Orlando worth visiting in the Winter?
Winter is the low season for travel in Orlando. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the low season you'll still see plenty of other travelers when you visit, but less than other times of the year. Good deals are to be found on hotels and tours because it's not the best time of year to visit. January is a particularly good time to visit Disney World because this is when crowds tend to be at their least and temperatures are pleasant.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during winter with average temperatures around 15°C (59°F).
You'll find plenty to do during winter, as you'll be able to spend an evening at the theatre, taste delicious cuisine, and dance the night away.
Winter Weather in Orlando
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 15°C (59°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| February | 16°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| March | 19°C (67°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
Is Orlando worth visiting in the Spring?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Orlando. As a very touristy destination, even in the shoulder season you'll see plenty of tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found at this time of year.
The warm weather in spring is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 22°C (72°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 28°C (83°F).
During this season it's fun to experience shopping and the nightlife scene.
Spring Weather in Orlando
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 22°C (72°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| June | 27°C (81°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Orlando
Lots of Tourists
Orlando sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.
Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Orlando might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Orlando here or see if Orlando is expensive here.
Related
What is Orlando most famous for?
Orlando is most famous for being the home of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and many other theme parks and family-friendly activities. People visit this impressive city for its great resorts. It is also known for its great food and shopping. And many visitors also come to this city for its theatre productions and nightlife. It is often described as family-friendly, entertaining, and active.
What is the most famous sight in Orlando?
The most popular sight in Orlando is Disney World, Universal Studios, and the city's many amusement parks. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Orlando on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Disney World, Universal Studios, and the city's many amusement parks and other attractions here.
How touristy is Orlando? Is it a popular city to visit?
Orlando is a very touristy city that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Private 2-Hour Day Sailing Experience: $69
- Experience Wild Florida Nature Up Close on All Electric Trike: $44
- Orlando Manatee and Olde Florida History Adventure Tour: $65
- West Orange Trail 10 Mile Private Bike Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $20
- Private Helicopter Day Tour Orlando Parks (31miles or 48miles): $128
- Orlando Paintball Experience: $25
- Paddle and Brew Adventure at Tavares in Florida: $90
- Winter Park Paddle Board Adventure: $59
How long should I spend in Orlando?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Orlando is seven days. Since Orlando has a variety of activities such as resorts, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Orlando?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Orlando?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Orlando?.
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