Orlando Itinerary

[Willemgorman1]

Hi everyone, i’m planning a one week trip to Orlando in summer 2026. I need some help for an itinerary. So far i think i’m only going for 1 week, however would 2 weeks be better? If we went for 2 weeks, we would also do the disney parks as-well. However for one week, we’ve decided on universal parks, sea world, and busch gardens. Could anyone help with a 1 week itinerary for those parks, and also a possible 2 weeks itinerary including disney parks. Thanks everyone.

 

[Matt N]

There are many questions to ask.

When exactly in summer are you thinking of going? The middle of June can differ quite drastically from late August, as American school holidays are different from ours and often end by the middle of August.

Are you only doing the theme parks, or are the water parks on your radar as well? If the former, 1 week should be fine for just Universal, SeaWorld and Busch, but you might be pushing it if you fancy doing one or more of the water parks at Universal, SeaWorld or Busch. Universal has Volcano Bay, SeaWorld has Aquatica, and Busch has Adventure Island.

If I were to offer one personal recommendation, I would probably do Universal during the weekdays and SeaWorld and Busch on weekends regardless of when you go. SeaWorld and Busch are generally quieter and have lower queues (Busch maybe less so than SeaWorld).

 

[AT86]

Don’t underestimate the impact the very hot and very humid weather will have at that time of year -it’s tiring!

If you can make 10 days work to give you some downtime in between the parks that would be my preference.

 

[Osaka12]

Without trying to sound unhelpful, make sure your wallet is full... It is now extremely expensive if your choosing to stay onsite.

A week is plenty of time if your at one resort. Just make sure you get a night flight home and sleep and you'll be fine. But as said above 10/14 days is preferable. I also recommend the lowes sapphire falls resort as a good balance. It feels premium and the location is wonderful. I also contacted the resort direct and I have to say they looked after us well. (Sorry I'm not going to give away the room number we had, but it was (for a geek at least)) absolutely stunning! The view was awesome. Also if your facing the right way you may even see a rocket launch!

I'm currently costing up a trip for may 2026 too! One week in universal and one week in Disney and for 2 ppl in the Portafino and Caribbean resorts including flights (premium cabin) and it's around 13k for a couple. Pretty expensive. We like to nip in and out of parks, use all the hotel facilities etc. Depends what kind of holiday you value tbh. That's my experience anyway. Hope it helps .

 

[Benjsh]

As people have said above, it totally depends on your group and what you want to achieve whilst there.

Our family Itinerary for August 2025 is:

- 2 weeks
- 12 parks days (11 Theme Park days + 1 Water Park)
- 1 rest day at midway point to give our feet a rest.


However we're already planning a return in 2027 for just 1 week. This will be a Universal dedicated trip though where we won't visit any of the other parks.

 

[Willemgorman1]

There are many questions to ask.

When exactly in summer are you thinking of going? The middle of June can differ quite drastically from late August, as American school holidays are different from ours and often end by the middle of August.

Are you only doing the theme parks, or are the water parks on your radar as well? If the former, 1 week should be fine for just Universal, SeaWorld and Busch, but you might be pushing it if you fancy doing one or more of the water parks at Universal, SeaWorld or Busch. Universal has Volcano Bay, SeaWorld has Aquatica, and Busch has Adventure Island.

If I were to offer one personal recommendation, I would probably do Universal during the weekdays and SeaWorld and Busch on weekends regardless of when you go. SeaWorld and Busch are generally quieter and have lower queues (Busch maybe less so than SeaWorld).

Thanks for the info, the only waterpark we plan to do is volcano Bay.

 

[Willemgorman1]

Thanks for all the info everyone , after seeing some helpful comments, i’m going to discuss with the group i’m going with about having 10 days or 2 weeks.

 

[Themeparksandy1981]

Have u thought of doing it DIY we only just doing Disney and staying 14 nights at Port Orleans Riverside with tickets and the Free Quick Service and Dinning plan for 3 adults as your classed as a adult over 10 and 1 child £6020. Just got to wait to September to book my flights.

 

[Smiley]

A week is fine for Universal, need 2 weeks to do Disney as well (we get great 2 week ticket deals in the UK). Not even Disney/Universal in 10 days IMHO - but with 10 days can do NASA and other stuff. If you stay on site at Universal you can get free unlimited FP (at least at some) but the hotels aren't cheap. Nothing is cheap, and you can burn through $$$ very quickly so as said earlier "get saving".

If you don't mind a drive then spend a day at Busch Gardens - and visit Tampa or Clearwater for dinner.

 

[Maelstrom]

If doing universal over say two days staying 1 night at a hotel with express would be worth it. You only get free past pass at the three oldest hotels - hard rock, portifino bay and royal pacific.- the express does not include epic and they have said it won’t do either in the future. Universal would like the perk to end but they don’t operate the hotels (lowes do) and the deal they signed when the hotels was built they would include Express which they currently can’t get out of. It’s why newer hotels including similar level premium hotels including Helios don’t include it, which is also why it’s cheaper to stay at Helios than the three that Inc express.

9 nights for me at Aventura this August has cost me £998, the cheapest with express included was around £2700+.

While I am do 9 nights now universal and 9 nights at Disney (last trip wa similar but extra 2 nights at Disney then). However 14 nights is equally enough. In 2018 did 5 nights at universal and 9 at Disney. With epic I would prob do 6-7 at universal and rest at Disney. I have in the past also done Seaworld and Busch. Now epic has opened not doing those this year and purchased an additional epic ticket instead.