Orlando & the theme parks: the back story

About Orlando & the theme parks: the back story

By the ULTIMATE Florida Editorial Team

Orlando means the theme parks: Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, with Epic Universe, its newest park. Beyond them are leafy Winter Park, a surprising cluster of MICHELIN-starred restaurants and, an hour east, Kennedy Space Center.

The parks

Walt Disney World has four theme parks and Universal Orlando has three. Give each park a full day.

Winter Park

Just north of Orlando, Winter Park has Park Avenue’s shops and restaurants, lakes and the SunRail station.

Sorekara in Orlando is one of only two two-star restaurants in Florida (MICHELIN Guide 2026).

Food

Sorekara holds two MICHELIN stars; Camille, Kadence, Victoria & Albert’s, Ômo by Jônt and Soseki hold one each.

Day trips

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and Canaveral National Seashore are about an hour east; Mount Dora is about 45 minutes north-west.

Our advice: build in a rest day by the pool between park days.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Orlando & the theme parks: the back story before you go.