Orlando in 3 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Even if you visit the city for only three days, you can still enjoy the best things to do in Orlando with a well-organised itinerary. You'll find theme parks that you'll love and that are ideal for family plans. Are you up for a full day?

In addition to these sites, you can visit centres and museums to learn about science and art in a fun way. In three days you will have just enough time to enjoy Universal Orlando Resort, attend an NBA game at Amway Center, WonderWorks Orlando, among other sites.

Orlando is a city primarily known for its incredible theme parks. When you travel you will realise how many activities these places have in store for you - you can easily spend a whole day in a park without getting bored! Although there are several parks in this city, this time I will talk about Universal Orlando Resort. You can end the day at an NBA game.

I recommend that you organise your transfer from Orlando airport to the hotel where you will be staying. This way you can start your itinerary as early as possible. Before leaving I recommend you have a good breakfast to face the day and have a great time.

Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Orlando Resort is an exciting destination that you will love to visit. This resort has many attractions for all ages and is an ideal choice for family time!

Keep in mind that Universal Orlando Resort is perhaps one of the most popular tourist destinations in Orlando and there are so many things to do here. Before you go, I recommend that you buy your tickets to Universal Orlando Resort in advance, especially if you are travelling in high season. You'll see that there are multiple options if you want to go several days in a row or just one. You can even stay inside the resort.

When you're there, one of the most popular attractions is Revenge of the Mummy. On this coaster you will enter the dark and mysterious world of the ancient pharaohs. Make your way to the Minion Mayhem for a 3D adventure with Gru, his daughters and, of course, the Minions.

If you're a Harry Potter fan, you can't miss The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Diagon Alley. Ride the amazing Escape from Gringotts roller coaster and take as many pictures as you can of the place.

Other highlights and probably adult favourites include Men in Black: Alien Attack and Springfield, U.S.A. At both sites you can relive the stories you've seen for years, fight aliens or sample Homer Simpson's favourite food and drink.

Visit the Revenge of the Mummy roller coaster and Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

To help you enjoy a full day at this park, I recommend starting with the Revenge of the Mummy roller coaster. This ride is definitely something to have on your itinerary, as it is an adrenaline-filled experience. You'll see plenty of movie references, pyrotechnics and amazing animatronics. Make sure you get there early as the queue is usually long.

If you didn't have breakfast before you left, you can eat at TODAY Cafe. After recharging your batteries and recovering from this incredible activity, the next stop will be one of the best things to do with kids in Orlando. This is Despicable Me Minion Mayhem.

You'll enter a special room with a big screen where Gru, his minions and his daughters will take you on a thrill ride. Just take a seat, get comfortable, hold on tight, and the fun begins! You'll really feel like you're travelling as the room offers fun 4D effects.

Enjoy The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Diagon Alley

If you are a fan of Harry Potter, his books and films, you will feel like your dreams come true when you enter this place. As soon as you enter Diagon Alley, you will see the Leaky Cauldron, Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes and a fire-breathing dragon. This site is located in the same park as Universal Orlando Resort, just a six-minute walk from Despicable Me Minion Mayhem.

The first attraction you can enjoy here is the multi-dimensional 3D adventure, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. Afterwards you can continue exploring this area but not before having a Butterbeer, frozen or chilled. Don't waste your time and enter the different buildings of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

By the end of the tour you will probably be hungry. Just outside Diagon Alley you will find the London Taxi Cart. There you can enjoy a relatively quick lunch before continuing to explore Universal's facilities.

Visit the Men in Black: Alien Attack and Springfield, U.S.A. attractions

Men in black is one of **Universal'**s most iconic movies, so you must go to this attraction where aliens will be waiting for you. You'll see classic animatronics all over the place, amazing decorations and much more.

After touring that area it's time to check out the home of The Simpsons. In Springfield, where you can hop on The Simpsons Ride and try a Duff beer at the Duff Brewery Beer Garden. Visit as many sites as you can and take the best pictures of this place.

Universal has many other attractions that you're sure to love, here I've outlined the most popular ones. You can arrange your itinerary to allow time to explore the rest of the attractions up to your preferred time.

Catch an NBA game at Amway Center

On the evening of your first day in Orlando, you can't miss the opportunity to catch a live NBA game. However, you should check the dates of the games before you go, as they don't happen every day. Please note that the ride to the Amway Center arena is approximately 40 minutes by public bus from the Universal Blvd and Hollywood Way stop. From there you will take the number 38 bus and then get off at Lynx Central Station. From there it is about a 15 minute walk to the arena.

To see the Orlando Magic at a basketball game you must go to the Amway Center arena. Remember to buy your tickets for an NBA game in advance so you can choose which area you want to be in. You can choose between Promenade A, Promenade B, Terrace A and Terrace B. Prices range from €20 to €40.

This is a good option if you are travelling to Orlando in October as there are pre-season games during this month. After the game you can dine at one of the nearby restaurants. One of them is Jernigan's Restaurant inside the stadium. You can also go to The District GastroBar.

Details of interest

• Location: Amway Center, 400 W Church St, Orlando, FL 32801, USA.
• Price: You can find tickets for these games from €20, although the price can vary depending on the area, season or even the teams playing.
• Schedule: Games are usually held in the evening and last around three hours.

For the second day in the city of Orlando I recommend you to get to know the art movement of the city by visiting the Orlando Museum of Art. You can also learn about the world of science at the Orlando Science Center. Everything will be fun with plans suitable for the whole family.

To end the afternoon and continue the evening I recommend you to go to ICON Park. There you will find multiple attractions that will give you the adrenaline rush you need on your holiday. Before going out to enjoy the day I recommend you to have breakfast at your hotel or somewhere close to it.

Visit the Orlando Museum of Art

Start your day with a visit to the Orlando Museum of Art, where you can see a very diverse collection of art. You will find contemporary, modern and ancient art. Many of the artists who have created the pieces you'll see here are local and some are international.

When you enter you can wander through the permanent or temporary exhibition area. I recommend taking one of the guided tours offered by the museum so you can learn a lot more about this place.

Although I usually recommend eating at or near your hotel, if you don't have time for breakfast, you can do so before or after entering the museum. One of the closest restaurants to this site is Equilibre Healthy Food with tables outside to enjoy the day.

Interesting details

• Location: Orlando Museum of Art, 2416 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803, US
• Price: around €20. Children under the age of four are admitted free of charge.
• Hours: Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm. On Saturdays and Sundays the opening hours are from 12 noon to 4pm.

Make the most of your time and visit the Orlando Science Center

If you love science and all science related topics, you must pay a visit to the Orlando Science Center. You can reach this tourist destination in less than a two-minute walk from the Orlando Museum of Art.

At the Orlando Science Center you can enjoy a variety of exhibits, interactive demonstrations, educational programmes and even 3D film screenings. All of the topics covered at the centre are related to technology, science, mathematics and engineering. You can also enjoy the planetarium and learn about astronomy.

Details of interest

• Location: Orlando Science Center, 777 E Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803, US
• Price: around 20 €.
• Hours: Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm. Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ICON Park Orlando

ICON Park Orlando is located one hour from the Orlando Science Center. To get there as quickly as possible, walk to the Princeton St and Camden Rd stop and take the 125 bus to Lynx Central Station. There you will take bus 34 to 13 - Brickhouse Tavern.

When you get to this area you can have lunch at one of the nearby restaurants such as Olive Garden Italian Restaurant or Havana Bistro Cafe & Bar inside the ICON Park facilities.

Inside this attraction you can enjoy The Wheel, Madame Tussauds Museum, Sea Life Aquarium, among others. You are sure to spend the afternoon trying out these attractions and many more.

ICON Park Orlando closes at 11pm, so you will be able to enjoy all the facilities until late at night. For dinner I recommend you to go to one of the many restaurants and bars inside the park such as iCafe de Paris or Tin Roof.

Interesting details

• Location: ICON Orlando 360, 8375 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, United States.
• Price: between €20 and €100 depending on the attractions and the number of people, as some tickets are per family.
• Opening hours: from 12 noon to 10pm.

On your third and last day in Orlando you will still have time to explore other amazing parks: WonderWorks and Sea World. At one you can learn about science and go on fun rides. At the other you'll be out in the sun cooling off in water exhibits and interacting with marine animals.

An alternative plan for the day is to visit the Kennedy Space Center and learn all about astronauts and space.

Start the day at WonderWorks Orlando

WonderWorks Orlando is the ideal place to start your last day in Orlando. It's located near ICON Park, so if you stay here the night before, you'll be able to get there faster. This place has more than 100 attractions that you can enjoy.

From nine in the morning you can start touring this park. If you didn't have breakfast before leaving, you can eat in one of the restaurants located inside the park. Many of the attractions here are related to the world of science, so as well as having fun, you will also learn.

Details of interest

• Location: 9067 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, United States.
• Price: around €30.
• Hours: 9 am to 10 pm. Hours may vary.

Experience a water adventure at Sea World Orlando

Although you can visit Orlando 's best beaches from Orlando, you don't have to make the long trip to enjoy a day in the sun and cool off in the fresh water. Visit SeaWorld Orlando and spend an afternoon at this fun-filled theme park.

To get to SeaWorld Orlando from ICON Park, go to the G9 - La Quinta Inn & Suites bus stop and board the Green Line bus. After approximately 10 minutes, you will get off at the SeaWorld Orlando bus stop. As soon as you arrive at this park you should start enjoying the marine life exhibits and the different water attractions.

Ride the Mako, Manta and Ice Breaker roller coasters, take boat rides and enjoy the interactive water rides. You can have fun in this park until late at night. For dinner I recommend the Seafire Grill, ideal if you like to eat chicken.

Details of interest

• Location: 7007 Sea World Dr, Orlando, FL 32821, USA
• Price: between 20 € and 100 €.
• Hours: 9am to 9pm.

Traveller Tip
Don't forget to bring towels for this adventure and your trusty sunscreen.

Alternative plan: see the Kennedy Space Center

You have the option of spending the whole day and night at Sea World Orlando, but if you don't fancy that plan, I recommend going to the Kennedy Space Center. Keep in mind that this place closes at 6pm. To get there from WonderWorks Orlando you must take a taxi and travel for at least half an hour.

You can enjoy interactive exhibits, rockets, visit amazing sites such as the Launch Control Centre, Launch Pad 39A and the Vehicle Assembly Building. On occasion you may even get to see guest astronauts.

Interesting details

• Location: Kennedy Space Center Store, 9339 Jeff Fuqua Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827, USA.
• Price: between 50 € and 80 €.
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

To get around Orlando I recommend you to have different applications on your phone to order a taxi in case you need to get to places very quickly. However, in this city you can use the SunRail train system. You have to buy a card which you can top up for around €2.

You can also use the Lynx buses and buy a full day pass for around €5 or so. A journey costs on average €2.