• Home
  • Destinations
    • Canada
    • Caribbean
    • USA
  • Travel Tips
  • What to Pack
  • Theme Park Travel
    • Disney World
    • Universal Orlando
  • Disney Travel
    • Walt Disney World
    • Disney Cruise Line
    • Email
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Practical Tips for Traveling with Babies, Toddlers & Kids |

Kids On A Plane

  • About
  • Work With Us
  • Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

6 Tips for First Time Orlando Theme Park Visitors

Post last updated March 6, 2017

This post is sponsored by Bayer. To make sure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label.

Orlando theme parks – Walt Disney World and Universal Studios – have crowds every day of the year. For many families, March Break/Spring Break is prime time for a magical (and sunny) getaway with the kids.

With thousands of families heading to the theme park capital of the world over the next few weeks, good planning and a few insightful tips will help you make the most of your March Break/Spring Break theme park vacation.

6 Tips for First Time Orlando Theme Park Visitors - Kids On A Plane

If you are heading to Orlando for the very first time, here are 6 tips to ensure you have a relaxing and fun-filled vacation.

1. Learn How to Skip the Line Before You Leave Home

Using Disney’s FastPass+ system and Universal’s Express Passes, families can avoid long wait times for some of the most popular theme park attractions.

Disney’s FastPass+ comes with your park ticket or vacation package. This lets you bypass the line for up to three attractions per day. You can make these reservations online before leave home and head to the parks.

Universal offers two different types of Universal Express Passes (that you purchase on top of your regular admission ticket) which allow you to skip the line in the parks.

Universal Express Pass give one-skip-per-attraction to almost all rides and shows at Universal Studios Florida and the Islands of Adventure theme parks. The Universal Express Unlimited Pass gives you unlimited front-of-the-line access to almost all rides and shows at the two theme parks. You’ll have to decide if the extra cost is worth the convenience for you – especially during peak season like March Break.

6 Tips for First Time Orlando Theme Park Visitors

2. Get ready to do a lot of walking

Walt Disney World and Universal Studios are not your typical amusement parks. They are huge – Disney World is almost the same size as the city of San Francisco!

Disney World boasts 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, Disney Springs (a Disney-fied shopping, dining and entertainment area), golf courses, campgrounds and a resorts for every type of traveler and family size.

Universal Studios has 2 parks – Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, 5 on-site resorts, CityWalk (a shopping, dining and entertainment district just steps away from their parks) and a brand new water park opening May 2017.

Expect to do a ton of walking during your park days.

I was averaging 26K steps on my family’s most recent trip! Moms, I recommend skipping the sandals and flip flops and adding insoles to your flats or walking/running shoes. Dr. Scholls® For Her has several insole and cushioning options to fit different shoes.

I also recommend renting a stroller (either from the parks or a private rental company) for your little ones.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Universal Studios Florida - 6 Tips for the First Time Theme Park Visitor

3. Avoid long wait times and make use of the extra hours

Families staying at any of Universal’s on-site hotels or who have booked a vacation package at a participating off-site hotel, can visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the parks open to the general public in the morning. Avoid the crowds and make use of your extra hour if you can.

Same goes for Disney World resort hotel guests. Make use of your Extra Magic Hours (one hour earlier in the morning and up to 2 hours after regular closing time) if you want to avoid the crowds or experience the rides with lower wait times. You can learn more about Extra Magic Hours here.

4. Pack Your Own Water and Snacks

Both Disney and Universal allows water bottles, baby food (and formula/milk) and fruits and vegetables into the park. You’ll be doing a ton of walking so the water and snacks will come in handy and you’ll keep your food and beverage costs down.

5. Plan Some Non-Park Time

It’s difficult not to want to see and do everything. From theme parks, restaurants, shows and shopping, there’s no shortage of things to keep you busy in Orlando. However, try your best to squeeze in some downtime so the kids aren’t cranky and you’re not exhausted by the end of your vacation.

Enjoy the resort, spend time at the pool or plan half day park visits over several days instead of back-to-back full day park visits.

Tips for the First Time Orlando Theme Park Visitor

6. Don’t Forget the Sunscreen

For those of us still *enjoying* winter weather at home (sense the sarcasm?), it will be hot and sunny in Orlando. Coppertone’s ClearlySheer SPF 50 and Coppertone’s Kids Sunscreen Lotion SPF 60 are great options that provide broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection. The Kids Sunscreen is perfect for an Orlando theme park vacation because it retains SPF even after 80 minutes of activity in the water or sweating.

For those of you that have visited Disney World or Universal Studios before, what’s your tip for families visiting for the first time?

This post is sponsored by Bayer. To make sure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label.

Have You Read These?





About Cheryl - Kids On A Plane

Cheryl daydreams about exploring the world with her family often and will travel for good food, lattes and theme park rides that don't require her to go too high in the sky. She's afraid of heights!

Comments

  1. Faith says

    March 7, 2017 at 11:48 am

    Such a timely post! Our family is headed to Universal later this week for March Break! It’s our first time and the kids are really looking for it. I debated about the Express passes and initially we weren’t going to do it but I think we will have to splurge because of the all the families that will be in Orlando like you said. We already stocked up on sunscreen! Thanks so much for the tips Cheryl! I hope you and your kids have a fun spring break.

    • Cheryl says

      March 9, 2017 at 1:29 pm

      Glad I could help, Faith :). Enjoy your trip – it’s been a while since we’ve been to Universal. Good call on the Express Passes – I would probably opt for that as well for a trip during peak season. Enjoy the sunshine!

  2. Candace Glenney says

    March 26, 2017 at 2:57 pm

    Great tips! Thank you for sharing. There is definitely A LOT of walking.

  3. Quintus Shaw says

    March 27, 2017 at 11:36 pm

    We are going to Orlando Theme Park and just search online tips about this theme park. Really benefit a lot from your post. Thank you very much, Cheryl.

Looking for Something?

For You to Know: Posts on Kids On A Plane may contain affiliate links. This means that by clicking on or purchasing products we recommend through a link may help us earn a small commission, which helps keep this blog running. Thank you for your support! Read more here

Let’s Get Social

Image Map

Looking for something?

Travel Tips

Disney Resort Hotels for Large Families

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels for Large Families (5 to 12 People)

How to Travel with Toddlers while Potty Training

Visiting Disney World During a Pandemic with Kids: What to Expect & Travel Tips

Copyright © 2023 · Web Design by Fancy Girl Design Studio