How to plan a trip to Orlando?

Whether you plan a trip to Disney World or you want to visit Orlando, at Passporter we want to help you with all the preparations, that’s why we have written this post where we give you many tips according to our own experiences. Join us in this post and start organizing your trip to Orlando!

Do you already know what time of year you’ll be traveling, where you’ll be staying, or how to get there? If the answer is no, don’t worry because we are here to answer these questions and many others. In addition, we have prepared numerous travel tips that will help you during your stay, so that you only have to worry about what really matters, having a good time 😉

1. Prepare the necessary documentation to travel to Orlando

Before traveling to Orlando, you will need to prepare the following documentation that will be requested before boarding the plane and upon arrival in the country

• Biometric Passport: It is essential that all travelers regardless of age possess a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months at the time of entering the country. This passport must be equipped with machine-readable technology.
• ESTA Entry Permit: This permit is required for visits of up to 90 days for tourism purposes and is applied for online through the official website of the U.S. Embassy. It’s advisable to apply at least 72 hours prior to travel. The ESTA authorization lasts for two years once granted, and the processing fee is 14 euros.
• Visa: for stays exceeding 90 days or for purposes other than tourism or business, it will be necessary to apply for a specific visa. Travelers coming from Spain must apply in person at the U.S. Embassy located in Madrid.
• Return ticket: it is necessary to have a return ticket to ensure that you will leave the country. In case you don’t know what day you will return, there are agencies that will buy it and then cancel it and refund your money.

In the United States, before granting you permission to enter the country, they check whether you have dual citizenship or have previously been to any of the countries that are banned, such as Cuba, Iraq, Iran or Syria. In the case of having traveled to these countries, it’s possible that they may put you some impediment to travel or request to have an interview with you at the embassy.

If you wish to drive during your stay you will need to apply for an international driving permit, which is valid for one year in most countries around the world. The fee is 11€.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

2. Choose the date to plan your trip to Orlando

The date to visit Orlando will depend on your interests, availability and whether you want to go to Disney World or one of the other parks. Although any time of year can be optimal for planning a trip to Orlando, the best time is between March and May. During this period, the weather is more pleasant, with moderate temperatures and lower humidity compared to summer. It is also a lower tourist season compared to the summer months.

Another recommended time is autumn, especially from late September through November. The weather is still warm and the crowds thin out after the peak summer season, which can also make hotel and flight prices more affordable.

Now, if you want to visit Disney World, we strongly recommend avoiding certain times of the year if you don’t want to spend hours waiting in line. In summer, between June and August both children and adults have vacations and the park is crowded. The same happens at Christmas, Easter and holidays in the United States.

3. Find out how to get to and around Orlando

If you are traveling from Europe, the gateway is the Orlando International Airport. There are no direct flights from Spain, so you will have to make a stopover in another European or U.S. city. Another option is to fly to Miami airport, which is a 3-hour drive away and there are direct flights.

If from the airport you are going to go to your accommodation within one of the theme parks, you won’t have to worry about transportation as the hotel itself provides free shuttle buses for its guests.

If, on the other hand, your hotel is outside the parks, you can take a rental car, cab ($50 – $60) or bus ($4). The ride takes approximately 1h.

We remind you that if you travel with the Passporter App you can buy and manage your airline tickets directly through the App with Skyscanner. It’s an efficient way to have all your documents located.

4. Compare and find accommodation with Passporter

In Orlando you’ll find several areas to stay in at a variety of prices. If the reason for your trip is to visit the theme parks, you have two options:

• Stay within the theme park grounds: although there are several categories, prices within the grounds tend to be higher. The good thing is that you’ll have free parking or shuttle bus service from the airport, you’ll be able to get into the park before anyone else, and you’ll be able to make reservations at restaurants well in advance.
• Stay off-site: the main advantage is the cheaper price. But think that in the end you will spend the same on transportation to get there or on parking.

If you’re traveling to Orlando city, you can stay in Downtown if you’re looking for a livelier atmosphere or South Eola, close to downtown but quieter. On the Passporter App you can compare and book your accommodations through Booking, and read the opinions of other travelers.

5. Plan the activities you want to do in Orlando

In Orlando, the most famous points of interest and the ones that receive the most tourism throughout the year are the theme parks. However, these parks are not just an enclosure with attractions, but they are real fun cities with hotels, restaurants and a wide range of entertainment. These are the main theme parks:

• Walt Disney World Resort: is the world’s most famous vacation destination. It has four theme parks — Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom — plus water parks, shopping and entertainment at Disney Springs. The price will depend on whether or not you stay on the grounds. Hotel prices start at $99 a night (up to $500), and entrance fees range from $50 to $160 depending on how many days you’ll be in the park.
• Universal Orlando Resort: offers two incredible theme parks: Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, where you can experience thrilling rides and visit the magical world of Harry Potter. Lodging rates are around $150 per night and ticket prices start at $116 per day.
• SeaWorld Orlando: is a marine theme park and zoo with roller coasters, animal exhibits and live shows, focusing on marine life. Tickets start from $60.
• LEGOland Florida Resort: ideal for families with young children, it offers more than 50 rides, shows and a water park, all built around the LEGO theme. The price starts at $93.

In Orlando you can also visit other points of interest such as Discovery Cove, an exclusive resort that allows you to swim with dolphins, Orlando Science Center, a science museum and planetarium, ICON Park or Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. We tell you much more in this post: What to see and do in Orlando.

6. Where and what to eat in Orlando

Orlando’s cuisine is as diverse as its population and is influenced by a mix of cultures, including Caribbean, Latin, Asian and Southern American. Both in the city and at the theme parks you’ll find a wide range of offerings to suit all tastes.

These are some of the most typical dishes of the area:

• Burgers with fries: Orlando is an ideal destination for burger lovers, offering everything from famous chains to more gourmet options with unique toppings like blue cheese or caramelized onions.
• Crabs: available at numerous seafood restaurants, they are typically cooked with butter, garlic and spices, and can be enjoyed alone or with spicy butter sauce.
• Cuban Sandwich: this hot sandwich, which includes ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard among crusty bread, reflects the strong Cuban influence in the city.
• Key Lime Pie: a not-too-sweet but refreshing dessert made with lime juice, condensed milk and egg yolks, served with a cookie base and whipped cream, ideal for Orlando’s weather.

At the theme parks you can also eat at fast food restaurants from $15, street stalls from $6/8 or tablecloth restaurants for around $50/60. Being an enclosed venue the prices are usually high.

7. Plan a trip with friends to Orlando

Traveling with friends to Orlando and its theme parks is a unique opportunity to experience unforgettable adventures and create memories that will last a lifetime. We know that sometimes organizing with friends can be a challenge, so we encourage you to use the Passporter App to help you create a travel plan together and share the experience through photos and comments with other travelers and your loved ones.

With Passporter you can all do your bit and help organize your vacation without any conflicts or logistical problems. Everyone will be able to add to the itinerary their preferences and find the best option to visit the destination. Group travel: The best way to travel with your group of friends.

8. Tips for planning a trip to Orlando

• The currency of the United States is the dollar.
• We recommend that you take out cash or pay with an international card during your stay. Avoid exchanging money at the airport or exchange houses where the cost may be higher.
• Investigate safe areas and neighborhoods to stay in.
• There is a 6 to 9 hour time difference between the United States and Spain.
• Remember that in the United States measurements are in miles, gallons and pounds.
• Yes, Orlando’s water is potable.
• Pack appropriate clothing for the weather, especially if you’re traveling in winter.
• Book flights and accommodations in advance for better prices.
• Find out about events or festivals during your visit.
• Be covered for medical emergencies: travel insured. Choose a good travel insurance, such as for example the one provided by Mondo.
• Sign up for Passporter and discover our Orlando travel itinerary. Using passporter to plan trips is free and helps you get inspiration from other travelers 🙂

9. How to prepare what to see on your trip to Orlando

Download the Passporter App and discover all of its possibilities.

• Get inspired by other travelers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
• Organize your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or typology (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
• Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and information of the trip.
• Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
• Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
• Book your flights, accommodations, transfers and activities through a single app.
• Save all your documents in the app to always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documentation…
• Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip
• Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travelers with your experience. In addition, you can share your experience on how to plan your trip to Orlando.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post. How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

10. Frequently asked questions about a trip to Orlando