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Orlando event weekends: what to do between sessions

Theme park capital: Disney World, Universal and SeaWorld, plus springs and the Space Coast. Home of the cheer and dance worlds and huge youth sports events.

Events we cover in Orlando

13 Nov 2026*EDC Orlando
Orlando, United StatesFestival 16 Nov 2026*IAAPA Expo
Orlando, United StatesTrade show 7 Jan 2027*Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
Orlando, United StatesMarathon 26 Jan 2027*PGA Show
Orlando, United StatesTrade show 25 Feb 2027*Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
Orlando, United StatesMarathon 22 Apr 2027*The Cheerleading Worlds
Orlando, United StatesYouth tournament 22 Apr 2027*The Dance Worlds
Orlando, United StatesYouth tournament 7 May 2027*UCF Commencement
Orlando, United StatesGraduation 25 Jun 2027*AAU Girls Junior National Volleyball Championships
Orlando, United StatesYouth tournament

Arriving

Orlando International (MCO) is 20 to 30 minutes from the parks; Brightline trains run to Miami.

Where to stay

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Kissimmee	Cheaper hotels and vacation homes.
Mid-range	International Drive	Restaurants and shuttles to the parks.
Splurge	Disney and Universal resort hotels	Early park entry.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Hampton Inn Orlando near Universal
Mid-range: Universal's Endless Summer Resort
Splurge: Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World

Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Tours

Full day · Family

Magic Kingdom ticket

The classic Disney park.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Universal Epic Universe

Universal's newest park.

See times and prices

Full day · Family · Indoor

Kennedy Space Center

Rockets and launch pads, 1 hour east.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Airboat ride with alligators

Lakes and wetlands.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Springs kayak tour

Clear springs with manatees in winter.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Gatorland

Old Florida attraction.

See times and prices

Evening · Family · Nightlife

Dinner show

Medieval Times or Pirates.

See times and prices

Where to eat

ICON Park restaurants International Drive
Disney Springs Restaurant district
East End Market Local food hall

With kids

Theme parks.
SEA LIFE and ICON Park.

Rainy-day backups

Orlando Science Center.
Crayola Experience.

Free things to do

Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk.
Lake Eola Park.

Getting around

You need a car or rideshare outside Disney's own buses. ESPN Wide World of Sports is inside Disney property.