From whizzing around on loop-de-loop ‘coasters to wandering tree-lined boulevards and taking your golf clubs for a spin, you can do it all in Orlando.
Oh, Orlando! That sun-kissed slice of Florida, USA. If you've never been, buckle up, because you're in for a ride. Three of the world's biggest theme park resorts, more restaurants than you could eat your way through in a year, and enough sunshine to make your suncream work overtime.
Orlando holidays are built for families chasing magic, couples after a theme-park-and-pool combo, and groups who want every evening to feel like an event. If you're ready to pack your bags, stick with us. We'll tickle your holiday tastebuds and have you booking a ticket quicker than a Florida gator can snap its jaws!
Highlights of your holidays in Orlando 2026 / 2027
Theme Park Capital The big three are all here: Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld. Between them, more rides, shows and characters than you could cover in a month.
Year-Round Sunshine Orlando averages over 230 days of sunshine a year. Pack the sun cream whatever month you go.
Kennedy Space Center Real rockets, the Space Shuttle Atlantis, astronaut encounters and launch viewing. Under an hour from Orlando and worth every minute of the drive.
International Drive Orlando's main strip for restaurants, outlet shopping, Icon Park and attractions that are not owned by a mouse. Hotel prices here are seriously competitive too.
Beyond the Parks Harry P. Leu Gardens, Lake Eola Park, airboat tours, hot air balloon rides and outlet malls. There is plenty to fill non-park days without spending a fortune.
Atlantic Beaches Cocoa Beach and New Smyrna Beach are under an hour east. Sand, surf and space launches on one coastline.
What are the best beaches in Orlando?
Orlando isn't all rides and roller coasters, though. Take a break from the adrenaline rush and soak up some sun on Orlando's sublime beaches. A short trip eastward and you'll be digging your toes into the sand in no time.
Cocoa Beach – Surf's up! Ride the waves or relax under the sun
New Smyrna Beach – Nature, tranquillity, and an endless stretch of sand
Daytona Beach - cars and sand, what a mix!
Canaveral National Seashore - nature at its best
Good to Know
☀️ Weather Orlando is warm year-round, from 21°C in January to 33°C in the peak of summer. Over 230 days of sunshine a year and the afternoon summer showers pass quickly.
💰 Money A sit-down lunch runs £12-15 / €14-17, a beer is £5-6 / €6-7 and theme park tickets start from around £85 / €100 per day (multi-day passes bring the per-day price right down).
🎢 Fun Fact Walt Disney World covers roughly 25,000 acres, making it almost twice the size of Manhattan. It has its own fire department, power generation and even its own postcode.
Orlando is perfect for you if...
You have been promising the kids a Disney holiday for years and you're finally gonna do it (and do it right)
You are the kind of couple who would rather do rollercoasters and rooftop bars than lie on a sunlounger all day
You like your holidays big, loud, and a little bit over the top – Orlando doesn't do subtle and that is exactly the point
You want a destination where the sunshine is almost guaranteed, the food is enormous, and there is zero chance of anyone getting bored - there are enough theme parks to easily keep you busy all week
Where to Stay
International Drive is the main tourist corridor and the best base if you want everything on your doorstep. Hotels, restaurants, outlet shopping, attractions like Icon Park and iFLY, and shuttle routes to all three major theme parks run from here. It is where most of Orlando's non-Disney entertainment sits and the hotel prices are competitive.
Kissimmee is the quieter option just south of Disney, with lower hotel rates and a more laid-back feel. You are 10 minutes from the Disney parks, and the area has its own charm with Old Town's retro shopping strip, lakefront dining and airboat launches into the Everglades headwaters. A solid base for families and couples who want somewhere calmer to come back to at the end of the day.
🏨 Hotels
Orlando's hotel scene is built around the three big theme park resorts (Disney, Universal and SeaWorld) plus the independently run strip along International Drive and the quieter pockets around Celebration and Lake Buena Vista. Whether you want to wake up on Disney property or save the budget for park tickets and eat out every night, there is something here that fits.
👨👩👧👦 What are the best family hotels in Orlando?
Disney's Art of Animation is a three-star on Disney property themed around Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid. The family suites sleep up to six, the Big Blue Pool is one of the best on the resort, and complimentary shuttle buses run to all four Disney parks. Consistently well reviewed and the theming makes it feel like an event before you even reach a park gate.
Disney's All Star Movies Resort is a three-star on the Walt Disney World Resort with larger-than-life movie character statues, colourful pools and complimentary park shuttles. The rooms are straightforward but clean and the location on Disney property means you are in the thick of it from day one. One of the best-value Disney hotels going.
CoCo Key Hotel and Water Resort is a three-star on International Drive with its own waterpark included in the room rate. Close to Universal Studios, the outlet malls and I-Drive restaurants, the on-site waterpark keeps the kids happy on non-park days without spending anything extra.
💑 What are the best hotels in Orlando for couples?
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort is a four-star at Universal Orlando Resort with a Caribbean-inspired pool, waterfall feature, rum bar and an easy walk to Universal CityWalk. Strong guest reviews and the Universal Express pass benefit that comes with a stay here is worth its weight in gold on busy days.
Delta Hotels Orlando Celebration is a four-star in Celebration, the picture-perfect lakeside town next to Walt Disney World. Quieter than the I-Drive strip with a pool, fitness centre and Disney parks a short drive away. Good for couples who want a calmer base without losing the location.
Doubletree by Hilton Orlando Theme Park Resort is a four-star near the attractions with a large pool area, hot tub and on-site dining. The warm cookie at check-in is a proper Doubletree signature and the shuttle service to the parks takes the hassle out of driving.
✨ What are the best luxury hotels in Orlando?
Waldorf Astoria Orlando is a five-star in the Bonnet Creek area next to Walt Disney World with a championship golf course, full-service spa and rooftop pool. The rooms are a serious step up from the theme park hotels and the service is exactly what you would expect from the Waldorf name. Consistently top-rated.
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is a five-star and the flagship Disney hotel, modelled on a Victorian beach resort with a full spa, fine dining at Victoria and Albert's, and monorail access straight into Magic Kingdom. If you are doing Disney and want to do it properly, this is the one.
Universal's Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is a five-star recreation of the Italian Riviera village right inside the Universal resort, with three pools, a full-service spa, waterfront dining and complimentary Universal Express Unlimited. The theming is gorgeous and the Express pass alone saves hours of queuing.
Cheap holidays to Orlando
It might be surprising, but Orlando is genuinely one of the most affordable long-haul destinations for UK and Ireland families, and the trick is timing. The cheapest months to fly are mid-January to mid-February and September to early December (excluding half-term weeks) – if you can travel at these times you can save hundreds per person compared to summer and Easter peaks (and the parks are quieter too - double bonus).
Staying on International Drive rather than inside the Disney or Universal resort gates cuts your hotel cost significantly without sacrificing convenience. Most I-Drive hotels run free shuttles to the parks, and you are walking distance from restaurants, shops, and attractions that cost a fraction of in-park prices. Eating breakfast at your hotel and having big meals outside the parks whever possible instead of buying theme park food is another easy saving – park meals will add up quickly.
Finally, if you want to bag a bargain, book as early as you can. Orlando package holidays booked six to nine months ahead consistently come in cheaper than last-minute equivalents, especially for summer and school holiday dates. Keep an eye on the shoulder weeks either side of school breaks – even shifting your dates by a few days can drop the price noticeably. And remember that if you book early with us, you can also just put a low deposit down now and pay the rest of it off in instalments.
Orlando Holidays 2026/2027 - Travel Guide
👨👩👧👦 What are the best things to do on an Orlando family holiday?
Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World is the one the kids have been dreaming about. Cinderella Castle, Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean and the fireworks show that genuinely makes grown adults well up (no judgement).
Universal's Islands of Adventure is home to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Walking through Hogsmeade village is something else entirely, and Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is consistently rated one of the best rides on earth.
Kennedy Space Center is under an hour's drive east and worth every minute. The Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, real launch pads, astronaut encounters and the chance to see an actual rocket launch if your timing is right.
SeaWorld Orlando combines marine life encounters with proper roller coasters. Mako, Kraken and Manta are top-tier coasters and the penguin and dolphin experiences keep the younger ones engaged for hours.
LEGOLAND Florida is in Winter Haven, about 45 minutes south. Built specifically for 2-12 year olds and less overwhelming than the big three parks. The water park next door is a bonus.
Gatorland is the old-school Florida attraction where you can zip-line over a crocodile pond, hold a baby gator and watch the jumping show (which is exactly as mad as it sounds).
💑 What are the best things to do for couples on an Orlando holiday?
Epcot's World Showcase lets you eat and drink your way around 11 different countries in a single afternoon. A glass of wine in the France pavilion followed by tequila in Mexico is a proper date.
Disney Springs is the go-to for evening dining, waterfront bars and live music without needing a park ticket. Wine Bar George and The Boathouse are both worth booking.
A hot air balloon ride over Kissimmee at sunrise is one of the best things you can do in Orlando that does not involve a theme park. Quiet, stunning and completely different from the rest of the trip.
An airboat tour through the Everglades headwaters gets you into proper Florida wilderness (alligators included, safety also included). Tours run from Kissimmee and take a couple of hours.
Universal CityWalk after dark has a completely different energy to the parks. Live music, cocktail bars, a cinema and restaurants without the queue times.
🎉 What are the top things to do for groups on an Orlando holiday?
Universal CityWalk is where groups end up after the parks close. Live music at Hard Rock Cafe, cocktails at the rooftop bars and enough restaurants to keep everyone happy without having to agree on one place.
Icon Park on International Drive has the Orlando Eye observation wheel, Madame Tussauds, SEA LIFE Aquarium and escape rooms all in one spot. Easy to spend a full evening here.
Andretti Indoor Karting and Games has go-karts, bowling, laser tag and an arcade under one roof. Competitive, loud and exactly the sort of place where someone ends up buying a round they did not plan on.
Topgolf Orlando is a driving range crossed with a bar. You do not need to be any good at golf. The food is decent, the bays are social and it works for groups who want something active without committing to a full day.
Volcano Bay at Universal is the water park that looks like it belongs on a volcanic island. The Krakatau Aqua Coaster is the headline, but the wave pool, lazy river and cabana rentals make it work for a full group day out.
Here are some other destinations you might be interested in...
Popular Orlando hotels
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With its warm days all year, a last-minute summer holiday to Orlando may seem like a great idea! However, you’ll get the most reliable sunshine in the winter months, as the city gets frequent rainfall and high humidity between June and September.
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FAQs
How long does it take to fly to Orlando?
How long does it take to fly to Orlando?
Flights from the UK mainland to Orlando take around 9 hours.
What’s the time difference between the UK and Orlando?
What’s the time difference between the UK and Orlando?
Orlando is in the Eastern Standard Time zone, which is 5 hours behind the UK.
What currency do they use in Orlando?
What currency do they use in Orlando?
Orlando uses the official currency of America which is the US Dollar (USD).
What language do they speak in Orlando?
What language do they speak in Orlando?
The official language in Orlando is American English, though you will find lots of Spanish speakers too.
Is Orlando good for a family holiday?
Is Orlando good for a family holiday?
Orlando is one of the best family holiday destinations in the world, no question. Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld are all built with families in mind, and the hotels, restaurants and attractions outside the parks cater for kids at every turn. The resort hotels run kids' clubs, character dining and complimentary park shuttles, and International Drive has enough non-park entertainment (mini golf, go-karts, arcades, water parks) to fill a fortnight without repeating anything.
When is the best time to visit Orlando?
When is the best time to visit Orlando?
Orlando works year-round. Winter is dry, sunny and comfortable with fewer crowds. Spring and autumn hit the balance between warm weather and manageable queue times. Summer is the hottest and busiest, but it is also when the water parks, evening events and extended park hours come into their own. School holiday periods (Easter, summer, half terms) are the busiest for UK & Ireland families, so travelling outside those windows gets you shorter queues and better hotel rates.
Can I book an all-inclusive holiday to Orlando?
Can I book an all-inclusive holiday to Orlando?
Orlando hotels are generally room-only or bed-and-breakfast rather than all-inclusive, which is different from beach resort destinations. The good news is that eating and drinking in Orlando is varied and good value, especially along International Drive and in the Celebration area. Theme park dining plans (available at Disney and Universal) are worth looking at if you want to pre-pay for meals and snacks inside the parks. Outside the parks, chain restaurants, food trucks and local spots keep costs down easily.
How do I keep an Orlando holiday cheap and still have a brilliant time?
How do I keep an Orlando holiday cheap and still have a brilliant time?
Stay on International Drive or in Kissimmee rather than on Disney property, the hotels are significantly cheaper and you are still only 15 minutes from the parks. Buy park tickets in advance online rather than at the gate, and look at multi-day passes which bring the per-day cost right down. Eat breakfast at the hotel, lunch at the parks (sharing portions is the move), and dinner at the I-Drive restaurants where a proper meal costs a fraction of what you would pay inside the parks. Free entertainment like Lake Eola Park, the Harry P. Leu Gardens and Florida's Atlantic beaches fills non-park days without spending a thing.
Do Orlando package holidays include theme park tickets?
Do Orlando package holidays include theme park tickets?
Orlando package holidays on On the Beach include flights and hotel, but theme park tickets are booked separately. This means you can mix and match parks, choose the number of days that suit your trip, and take advantage of multi-day ticket discounts direct from Disney, Universal, or SeaWorld.
Buying your park tickets separately also means you are not locked into visiting a specific park on a specific day, giving you flexibility to plan around the weather and queue times.
