Family Vacation GuideOrlando

This 110-acre wildlife reserve is filled with gators and fun attractions. Zipline over a gator-infested lake, even pose for a wrestling photo.

Home to dozens of shops, restaurants, Cirque du Soleil, and more, it's a nice way to spend an afternoon or evening. You get a taste of Disney without the price of park admission.

For younger kids, this roller coaster is a blast. You get to fly on a trusty winged beast and don't have to wait in line too long.

This is where you can stock up on robes, broomsticks and other Quidditch gear. Make sure to convert you money into wizard coin first.

Both parts of Harry Potter World are connected by this fun train ride that makes you feel like you're going back to Hogwarts for another year.

Yum...Fish and Chips with a refreshing mug of Butterbeer. Dine as the wizards do and try the pumpkin juice and Cornish Pasty.

As you might expect, it's all British food in Harry Potter World. So order a hearty helping of bangers and mash.

Come for breakfast, pastries, and unusual ice cream flavors.

Find the hidden meeting place of evil wizards who practice the Dark Arts. Keep your eyes peeled. It's not marked.

You've entered into another world, one where you can cast spells with your wand, eat magical treats, and say hello to a fire-breathing dragon.

It's where wizards and witches spend their disposable income. Shops and attractions line the street and Hogwarts Castle towers in the background.

The wand chooses you! You'll want to pick up a magic wand here to cast cool spells throughout the park.

From Pineapple Whip Soft-serve with Coconut Rum to a Chocolate Waffle with Espresso Mousse, it's one of the best places for a frozen treat in Animal Kingdom.

Enter the world of double pineapple bliss – the dole whip float. It's soft-serve pineapple in pineapple juice. If that's not enough, you always get the fresh-cut pineapple.

It's a little counter where you can pick up soft-serve, pineapple floats, and collectable souvenir tiki bowls.

Remember when formal soda parlors were a thing? Well maybe not, but here's how you can relive soda's golden era in a Coney Island like setting.

Coca Cola logos are in Hindi script and Bollywood posters line the wall. Cool down with a slushy, classic Coke or a the rum spiked Coconut Lychee Lemonade.

It's like dining in the middle of a rainforest. The food is classic American with burgers, steak, and club sandwiches.

If your daughter is ages 2-10, this meet and greet with Anna and Elsa may just make their vacation. Lines are long! So come early, late, or at lunch time.

Laugh and sing along with Anna and Elsa. You become part of the frozen experience in this amazing retelling.

Stop by the Vineland Ave outlets for huge savings on Disney merchandise. They have everything from Frozen to Mickey and Winnie the Pooh.

Stop by the I-Drive outlets for huge savings on Disney merchandise.

Stop by the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores for huge savings on Disney merchandise.

Stop by the the Theme Park Connection for huge savings on Disney merchandise.

The new Whole Foods is a great place to buy healthy, organic produce and products.

This small grocer sells meats, produce, beer/wine and other essentials like swimsuits.

Pick up all the groceries you need on vacation or a sandwich at the deli.

No matter what you forgot to bring on vacation, this Orlando Walmart has you covered.

During the holidays, the entire castle has so many lights that they look like frosting or glowing streams of (magic) water.

If robots drank margaritas, this is where they'd come. This hip, modern bar has huge, circular lounges with soft colored lights.

One of the park's most popular parades, Festival of Fantasy is a celebration of all the amazing characters that make Disney what it is.

You'll see a parade with Mickey as a Jedi Knight, tons of fans dressed as characters, and celebrity guests. It runs every weekend from mid-May to mid-June.

Every night, thousands of lights decorate Disney floats at this Magic Kingdom parade.

Every night, fireworks light up the sky over Cinderella's Castle, while "When You Wish Upon a Star" plays triumphantly in the background.

Pyrotechnics and music combine in a spectacular battle between good and evil.

Nightly fireworks erupt on the lake at Epcot and a laser light show mixes themes from the cultures of the world.

Mickey and his friends have some serious dance moves. This afternoon dance party rolls down the track on Main Street USA.

In a romantic candlelit cellar, this French-Canadian restaurant serves gourmet steak and seafood.

A highly seasonal menu features simple, yet delicious dishes prepared from fresh California ingredients. It also offers a great view of Magic Kingdom fireworks.

Enjoy a delicious Hawaiian banquet with storytelling at dinner time and character brunches with Stitch.

Fireworks light up Cinderella's Castle, while you finish off the night with a dessert party over the lake in Tomorrowland.

It's "haute" cuisine, which is to say it's very fancy. This tasting menu only restaurant is $135 a pop and extremely delicious.

Equal to the thrill of taking off in a jet plane without a windshield, this riveting ride takes you from zero to 40 MPH in about two seconds.

You get to pick a song to listen to as you fly down 17 stories on the world's first non-inverting loop.

Drop down 185 feet and you'll feel weightless. Then you jolt upwards at the speed of a space shuttle.

Two rides in one, you can pick one of two dragons to race on intertwining loops. It's worth trying both, and with two coasters, the line goes faster.

Embark on a whirlwind adventure with Harry and his friends as you fly through the classrooms and halls of Hogwarts Castle.

This is how wizards use the ATM. Zoom through the underground vaults of Gringotts Bank in a multi-dimensional 3-D thrill ride.

What could possibly go wrong on a leisurely jungle cruise in Jurassic Park? Well, the raptors get loose, and now you have to escape by plunging down an 85-foot waterfall.

Fire lights up the ceiling and scarab beetles cover the walls. Then everything goes pitch black and you don't know whether to hold your breath or scream.

This classic log flume sends you flying over a 75-foot drop with a cool story beforehand that will have kids laughing.

You may be on the ground, but it sure feels like you're flying across the skyscrapers of Manhattan in this 3-D ride with stunning effects.

Right next to the Orlando Eye, this pirate-themed mini golf course is a fun daytime activity for when you're not exploring the parks.

This I-Drive attraction is an odd museum filled with all the unbelievable anomalies of the world like six-legged cows, vampires, and giants.

Kids get to learn about science, the fun way, by doing cool interactive experiments. The upside down building is quite a sight too.

This smaller theme park is home to classic, hard-hitting thrill rides. Ride the slingshot and fly 300 feet in the air.

This old-timey themed park and shopping mall has bumper cars, laser tag, an arcade, go carts, and haunted house, among stores and restaurants.

Tons of thrilling waterslides will keep you cool on a hot Orlando day. The park will close in Dec. 31, 2016 to make way for another, bigger one: Universal's Volcano Bay.

Stop for lunch or dinner on their gorgeous lakeside patio and admire the reflection of skyscrapers on the water.

Their calamari is amazing and the pan-fried Gator Tail Tenderloin is something you've gotta try. Sit outside by the lake or in their upscale, yet casual dining room.

It's a hipster's sports bar with creative burgers, big screen TVs, and an eclectic mix of graffiti art.

Twists on classic dishes include Smoked Salmon Flatbread, Herb Truffle Fries, and Cajun Lime Calamari. This spot is a downtown favorite.

The rustic wood and lamp-post lanterns make for an inviting atmosphere. Try the Smoked Black-Eyed Pea Tortellini or Hanger Steak with Molasses Glaze.

With something for all ages, they have 8 unique ropes courses and one zipline.

You fly across over a mile of cables on a course of 8 ziplines. Set up as dual racing zips, you can race your friends and family as you go.

It's rustic southern food, locally grown at the restaurant's own garden. Flavors are fresh, seasonal, and bold.

Artists paint, musicians play, and you eat, very well that is, at this Florida-inspired, tapas restaurant.

Chicago-style deep dish is a great way to satisfy your hunger after a day at the parks.

Chicago-style deep dish is a great way to satisfy your hunger after a day at the parks.

Pancakes are the size of your dinner plate, which makes it easy for more than one kid to split an order. You can even grab breakfast to-go on your way to the parks.

Great sushi, bento boxes with teriyaki, and huge noodle bowls make this pan-Asian kitchen a great spot for exciting food with the family.

Gather for great food, local art vendors, and family activities in this quaint historic town near Orlando.

Recognized as one of the best free art events in the country, you can walk the streets of beautiful Winter Park and see (and buy!) hundreds of works by local artists.

The rides, cotton candy, and petting zoo may seem puny next to the huge attractions at Disney and Universal. But they offer an interesting, local-centric change of pace.

You can buy crafts by local artisans and fresh produce in a shaded grove by Lake Eola.

Head south to downtown Kissimmee for their summer farmers market, held every Tuesday.

This place is a little kid's dream. Giant dinosaur statues and a huge octopus surround the tables. It's very popular so make reservations early.

Get the Big Big Pig if you're appetite can handle it or a number of delicious sandwich baskets. The ribs fall off the bone at this family-friendly BBQ joint.

Enjoy pastas, soups, fresh baked goods, and healthy salads at this family-style Italian restaurant.

When you're really hungry, there are few joys like a hot sandwich with gooey melted cheese.

While you're in Florida, you might want to try some of the state's delicious Cuban food.

It's a picture perfect street out of early-1900's America, and the perfect gateway to the rest of Magic Kingdom.

As you pass through the tunnel under Cinderella's castle you enter a medieval village out of fairytale, home to Pinocchio, Belle, and Snow White.

It's like something out of a sci-fi comic from the 1920's and 1930's. Alien palm trees made of metal line the streets in front of the howling halls of Space Mountain.

Drum beats, jungles, and tropical rivers put you in a land of pirates and daring adventurers.

If Disney had settled the wild west, this is what it would look like. It's home to a raucous Hillbilly bear show and the thrilling Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Step back into 1776, in this majestic recreation of colonial USA. Check out the Liberty Bell, take a riverboat ride, and meet all 43 US Presidents.

Fly through the canyons of the American Southwest on a roller coaster ride.

This 8-minute ride takes you through pirate battles and the adventures of Jack Sparrow. It's great for all ages, but really young kids might get scared.

Restless ghosts party in the halls of this haunted mansion. It's a delightfully scary ride for all ages. Kids will even love playing with the cooky attractions in the line.

It's one of the best attractions with the shortest wait. You venture inside a Disney movie, and wind hits you as fall, water splashes you, and you even get a whiff of perfume in Aladdin.

This coaster dips and dives, howling through the darkness of space. It's magical, futuristic, and very popular. So be sure to reserve your fastpass+ ahead of time.

You control the spin and blasters on Buzz Lightyear's spaceship. Aim for the evil Emperor Zurg and score points. You may just get the high score.

You spin around in oversized tea cups in this Alice in Wonderland themed ride.

It starts as a calm river ride with animatronic animals, and ends with a huge drop down a waterfall. Sit up front if you want to get wet.

The roller coaster car swings around turns and takes you into the workplace of the 7 Dwarfs. Make sure to reserve fastpass+ for this popular ride.

Grab burgers, fries, and taco salads at this counter service restaurant in Frontierland.

Disney's newest restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. They serve delicious French food in the banquet hall of Sebastian's (the Beast's) castle.

Disney's manliest restaurant features giant pork shanks, BBQ, and burly cinnamon rolls. They also have a kid version of beer called LeFou's Brew.

Hearty Reubens, sandwiches, and burgers make up the menu at this old-fashioned American restaurant in Main Street USA.

It's the Italian restaurant where the Lady and the Trap ate from the same plate. They serve pasta, pizza, and Italian classics.

Sit down for a family-style Thanksgiving feast, any time of year. Enjoy New England food too in an elegant dining hall from the time of our founding fathers.

You can see the candy makers making fudge, taffy, and brittle behind the counter. It's an old-fashioned candy shoppe on Main Street USA

This tiki hut serves frozen slushies, juice, and cookies, perfect for a hot day in Magic Kingdom.

Even in the future, the classic sundae reigns supreme. Stop by for a cold ice cream or soda float in Tomorrowland.

This beautiful glass atrium is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and host to daily meet and greets.

Inside Cinderella's Castle, this royal banquet hall has food fit for a princess with a refined palate. Make sure to reserve far ahead of time!

Hidden in Pinocchio Village Haus restaurant is a secret fairy wish book where you can write down your wildest wishes. The Blue Fairy checks it regularly ;)

In the big tree in liberty square you can find 13 lanterns representing the 13 colonies. Come by in the evening and watch them glow.

It's hard not to get a tear at this touching ceremony. Every day at 5 pm, the marching band plays and a random guest is presented with the flag.

Steeped in old-school Southern charm and elegance, this luxury Victorian, offers picture perfect views of the lake.

One of the most magical ways to travel is on the smooth, futuristic cars of Disney's monorail system.

One of the most magical ways to travel is on the smooth, futuristic cars of Disney's monorail system.

Disney's monorail connects three resorts: Contemporary, Polynesian Village, and the Grand Floridian to Epcot and Magic Kingdom.

Disney's monorail connects three resorts: Contemporary, Polynesian Village, and the Grand Floridian to Epcot and Magic Kingdom.

Disney's monorail connects three resorts: Contemporary, Polynesian Village, and the Grand Floridian to Epcot and Magic Kingdom.

The hub of Disney transit, this is where you'll park your car if you're going to Magic Kingdom.

You can travel by ferry to Hollywood Studios from three resorts: Swan & Dolphin Resort, Disney's Boardwalk Resort, and Disney's Yacht Club Resort.

You can travel by ferry to Epcot from three resorts: Swan & Dolphin Resort, Disney's Boardwalk Resort, and Disney's Yacht Club Resort.

Board here if you're staying at Swan & Dolphin Resort and take a ferry to either Epcot of Hollywood Studios.

Board here if you're staying at Disney's Boardwalk Resort and take a ferry to either Epcot of Hollywood Studios.

Board here if you're staying at Disney's Yacht Club Resort and take a ferry to either Epcot of Hollywood Studios.

If the monorail looks too crowded, this is a great way to make it from the parking lot to Magic Kingdom

Board here if you're staying at Polynesian Resort for the ferry to Magic Kingdom.

Board here if you're staying at the Grand Floridian Resort for the ferry to Magic Kingdom.

You can travel by ferry to Magic Kingdom from five resorts: Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, and Contemporary Resort.

Board here if you're staying at Disney's Wilderness Lodge for the ferry to Magic Kingdom.

Board here if you're staying at Disney's Contemporary Resort for the ferry to Magic Kingdom.

Styled after a Polynesian Village, this fun resort has a Hawaiian vibe with great restaurants and the lively Trader Sam's Grotto.

Two properties, including Bay Lake Tower, make up this modernist palace. It has a huge indoor courtyard with the monorail running through it.

See amazing human achievements and the beauty of the natural world. Future World is the gateway to Epcot.

Walk around the world, as you explore 11 countries through their food, culture, and the people who live there.

Take a realistic aerial tour over California from the beaches of LA to the stunning Yosemite Valley.

Design your own virtual vehicle and then compare it as you ride next to it.

You're part of a mission to Mars. You get to experience blastoff, the weightlessness of space, and participating in the mission.

It's in almost every photo of Epcot. This 16-story futuristic globe is home to a ride that takes you past breakthroughs in technology.

You start in a rainforest and take a boat past prairies, deserts, and exotic greenhouses.

Probably the best way to energize tired kids on a hot day is this holy combination of Disney Characters and air-conditioning.

Ellen DeGeneres and Bill Nye "The Science Guy" teach kids about energy from solar and atomic power to prehistoric volcanoes.

Hosted by Coca Cola, this showcase has dozens of sodas, which you can sample for free. Make sure to try the delicious soda called Beverly.

It's a fun little boat ride with the three caballeros. You explore Mexico through animation, superimposed over live-action clips of Acapulco, Chichen Itza, and Mexico City.

It's an animatronic tribute to the big personalities of American history from Mark Twain to Ben Franklin.

Bruce the Shark, Nemo, and friends swim through the coral reef of an actual aquarium.

Gather round the main stage on summer nights for this family-friendly concert series.

Storytellers from around the world describe their holiday customs and stories.

When you're hungry in Future World on a hot day this is the spot. There's lots of seating, the crowds are smaller, and the A/C is on full blast.

Grab a quick and satisfying meal of fish and chips, and wash it down with a refreshing British beer or soda. They have some tasty shortbread cookies too.

It's a taste of Southern Italian cooking with authentic Neapolitan pizza, baked in a wood-fired oven, and handmade pastas.

Dine on fresh fish in a stylish restaurant with an aquarium in the middle. Watch sharks, turtles, and even scuba divers while you eat.

Sit outside at long tables for authentic German sausage and a stein, filled to the brim with crisp German beer.

An experience beyond the food, you get to watch Japanese chefs prepare your meal, how you like it, at your table.

Murals of the Italian countryside and crystal chandeliers help to set the mood in this old-world Italian restaurant.

Caramel treats of every kind imaginable line the glass displays of this German bakery and candy store.

It's a little stand outside the China pavilion where you can pick up a refreshing iced tea – cooling, caffeinating, and hydrating you for the journey to come.

This storybook dining hall resembles the inside of a medieval castle. Five different princesses, and the delightful Mary Poppins come by to meet the little ones.

The whole dining hall rotates slowly as you eat, showing you a different scene from nature. Meet Chip 'n Dale and animal friends as you dine.

If you take the ferry here from one of three Disney resorts, you can sneak through the less-crowded, back door to Epcot.

In this quirky ceremony that takes place entirely in Japanese, you get to select an oyster and have it opened for you to reveal a pearl, which is yours to keep.

Tucked in the back of United Kingdom in World Showcase is a real life hedge maze. It's a great little activity, shaded from the sun.

If you took all the water in the biggest tank at Big Blue World, you'd have enough to fill the 16-story Spaceship Earth.

As you're leaving Epcot through Spaceship Earth, you can see the sidewalk twinkling and fireflies in the trees.

It's based on a famous Italian fountain in Rome that has served as the backdrop in many films.

It's acoustically perfect! If you stand in the center, you can hear yourself talking, as clearly as a recording.

Try to snag a seat near the large glass windows and you can watch people boarding It's a Small World. This charming restaurant serves flatbreads, sandwiches, and salads.

Along the water, this Animal Kingdom restaurant serves a delicious half-smoked chicken and St. Louis-style BBQ ribs.

It's light, refreshing, and tasty all at the same time, perfect for a hot day. They serve hummus wraps, shawarma, and a large selection of vegetarian options.

It's all about BBQ chicken and pork here. With indoor and outdoor seating, this Hollywood Studios restaurant is also a great spot to get giant turkey legs.

You'd expect to find a bakery this good on the streets of Paris. Their open faced sandwiches and pesto chicken are also quite satisfying.

Docked on the manmade Echo Lake, you're in the center of everything. They're known for their mac 'n cheese, pulled pork, and Buffalo chicken.

Try the decadent fried fish sandwich and lobster roll, or the healthy grilled salmon with couscous and steamed broccoli.

The best place to cool down and recharge in Epcot. Grab a sushi snack, or a beer, sake, or plum wine, and the legendary Kakigori shave ice.

A place for health conscious Hollywood types, they serve salads with salmon, couscous, quinoa, and arugula. They also have hot dogs and burgers just in case.

You'll find all the usual burgers, fries, and chicken strips, but the gem here is the Cantaloupe and Cucumber Salad, maybe one of the best things on a hot day.

Wraps and sandwiches, including their famous Brisket Sandwich and Spicy Chipotle Chicken Sandwich, is what you might imagine actors would nosh on between scenes.

People line up here for breakfast in Hollywood Studios. They've got pastries, bagels, and fruit in the morning, and sandwiches and sushi for lunch.

This isn't your county fair's funnel cake, it's a high-class funnel cake experience. If you go for funnel cake anywhere at Disney World, come here.

They have your regular burger and fries, but the real star of the show here is their perfectly cooked rotisserie chicken and healthy Greek salad.

Probably the best sandwich in Magic Kingdom, this restaurant serves hand-carved pork, turkey, and brisket that's been slow-roasted for hours.

Out in Adventureland, this is the spot to go when you need a simple, yet satisfying burrito, taco, or quesadilla.

This Magic Kingdom restaurant specializes in waffle fries. They've got BBQ Pork Waffle Fries, BLT Waffle Fries, and even Tex-Mex Waffle Fries.

This may just be your first stop in Magic Kingdom and for one reason: coffee. So grab a cup of Starbucks and greet the day.

You might not think that the Ham, Prosciutto, and Cheese Waffle Sandwich would be good. But it is! They also have classic chicken and waffles and plenty of sweet choices too.

Kids will love the concept of the breakfast pizza, which comes topped with eggs, bacon, and cheese. Open for lunch and dinner too, it's pizza any time!

With a variety of different Asian cuisine, this Animal Kingdom Restaurant serves many types of rice and noodle bowls.

You'll get stares of longing as you walk around with one of these family-sized cinnamon rolls.

It could be your first stop of the day or a well-deserved pick me up in the afternoon.

They're known for their French dip sandwich and one with sausage and peppers. There's also a nice selection of sandwiches, flatbreads, and salads.

Their tacos are actually pretty darn good, and you can't beat the lakeside view in the shade.

The winners here are the pretzels drizzled in icing and some seriously tasty Norwegian pastries. Their smoked salmon sandwich is quite delicious too.

This is your spot for sesame chicken, spring rolls, and other sweet and sour comforts. On cold winter days, the Beef Noodle Soup really hits the spot.

There's no shame in settling for a hot dog when you're in Germany. They've got brats, franks, currywurst, and lots of German beer.

It's not your typical burger and fries. It's New York strip steak, Louisiana shrimp and rice, and those famous Maryland crab cakes.

They've got teriyaki, udon noodles and the always tasty Chicken Cutlet Curry. It's a great intro to Japanese food, hot and raw.

It's the Hollywood of the 1930s, back when camera bulbs exploded with flash, and the red carpet looked gray on the silver screen.

Walk behind the scenes to see how stunts are made and sets are created. Be sure to say hi to Gertie the Dinosaur and stop by Star Wars alley.

It's home to Broadway quality shows and the pyrotechnic, Fantasmic!. You'll find shops dedicated to Disney Villians and the hair-raising Tower of Terror.

You'll think you're walking past the skyscrapers of New York and hills of San Francisco. Artfully designed sets make these city rise above you.

It may be a small corner of the park, but it packs a punch. Ride the fun Toy Story Midway Mania, a fun game for the whole family.

In Walt Disney: One Man's Dream, you walk through an interactive gallery with artifacts from Disney's history. It's an emotional tribute to the life of the man who started it all.

You can learn how to draw Disney characters and watch how single frames come together to create a movie.

Fly through a Star Wars battle in a 3D moving theater that makes you feel like you're zipping around the Deathstar. You may just make the Kessel run in 12 parsecs.

You compete with family and friends in five different shooting games, as you take aim at moving targets with a shot at the high score.

Hop aboard Steven Tyler's limo and ride through the freeways of Los Angeles with the music of Aerosmith on the radio. It's a roller coaster race to the concert.