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-organized itinerary. In this city you will find theme parks that you will love and that are ideal for family plans. Are you up for a full day in them?

In addition to these sites, you can visit centers and museums to learn about science and art in a very 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 realize how many activities these places have 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 organize your transfer from the Orlando airport to the hotel where you will be staying. This way you can start your itinerary as soon as possible. Before leaving I recommend you to 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, it is an ideal option to spend time with your family!

Keep in mind that Universal Orlando Resort is perhaps one of the most frequented tourist destinations in Orlando and there are many things you can do here. Before you go I recommend that you buy your tickets to Universal Orlando Resort in advance, especially if you are traveling in high season. You will 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 are 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. Follow 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 this place.

Other highlights that are probably adult favorites are Men in Black: Alien Attack and Springfield, U.S.A. At both places you can relive the stories you've seen for years, fight aliens or sample Homer Simpson's favorite foods and drinks.

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

To help you enjoy a full day at this park, I recommend starting with the Revenge of the Mummy roller coaster. This attraction is definitely something you must have on your itinerary, as it is an adrenaline-filled experience. You will see lots of movie references, pyrotechnics and amazing animatronics. Try to arrive early as the line is usually long.

If you didn't have breakfast before leaving, 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 will enter a special room with a big screen where Gru, his minions and his daughters will take you on a thrill ride. All you have to do is take a seat, get comfortable, hold on tight, and the fun begins! You'll really feel like you're traveling 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 movies, you will feel 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 at this location 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 cold. Don't waste time and enter the different buildings of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

At the end you will surely 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 attractions of Men in Black: Alien Attack and Springfield, U.S.A

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 will see the classic animatronics all over the place, amazing decorations and much more.

After touring that area it will be time to visit 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 will surely love, here I have summarized the most popular ones. You can arrange your itinerary to give you time to explore the rest of the attractions until the time of your choice.

Catch an NBA game at Amway Center

During the evening of your first day in Orlando, you can't miss the opportunity to see a live NBA game. However, you should check the dates of the games before you go, as they are not held daily. 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 you will have to walk about 15 minutes 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 select between Promenade A, Promenade B, Terrace A and Terrace B. The price varies between 20 € and 40 €.

This is a good option if you travel to Orlando in October, since in this month there are preseason games. 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, United States.
• Price: you can find tickets for these games from 20 €, although their value may vary depending on the area, season or even the teams facing each other.
• Schedule: games are usually held at night and last about 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 going to ICON Park. There you will find multiple attractions that will give you the adrenaline rush you need on your vacation. Before going out to enjoy the day I recommend you to have breakfast at your hotel or at a place near 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'll find contemporary, modern and ancient art. Many of the artists who have created the pieces you will see here are local and some are international.

When you enter you can stroll through the permanent or temporary exhibition area. I recommend taking one of the guided tours offered by the museum so you can learn much 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 it 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.

Details of interest

• Location: Orlando Museum of Art, 2416 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803, USA
• Price: about $20. For children under four years of age, admission is free.
• Hours: Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm. On Saturdays and Sundays the hours are from 12 noon to 4 pm.

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

If you like science and all the topics related to it, 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 programs and even 3D movie screenings. All of the topics covered at this center are related to technology, science, mathematics and engineering. You can also enjoy the planetarium and learn a little astronomy.

Details of interest

• Location: Orlando Science Center, 777 E Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803, USA
• Price: about $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 you should 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. No doubt you will spend the afternoon trying these attractions and many more.

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

Details of interest

• 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.
• Hours: from 12:00 noon to 10:00 pm.

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

An alternative plan for this 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 is located near ICON Park, so if you stay here the night before you will 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 did not have breakfast before leaving, you can eat at one of the restaurants located inside the facilities. Many of the attractions here are related to the world of science, so in addition to having fun, you will learn.

Details of interest

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

Live an aquatic adventure at Sea World Orlando

Although you can visit Orlando 's best beaches from Orlando, you don't have to take a 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 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 of travel, you will get off at the SeaWorld Orlando 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, U.S.A.
• Price: between $20 and $100.
• Hours: from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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

Alternative plan: visit the Kennedy Space Center

You have the option to spend the whole day and night at Sea World Orlando, but if you don't feel like it, I recommend you to go to the Kennedy Space Center. Keep in mind that this place closes at six in the evening. To get there from WonderWorks Orlando you must take a cab and travel for at least half an hour.

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

Details of interest

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

To get around Orlando I recommend you to have different applications on your phone to order a cab in case you need to get to places very fast. However, in this city you can use the SunRail train system. You have to buy a card that you can recharge for about 2 €.

You can also use the Lynx buses and buy a full day pass for 5 € or so. A trip has an average cost of 2 €.