The Largest Planning Resource For UK Visitors To Orlando
Orlando Planning Guide
Welcome to Orlando Planning Guide, the premier resource for UK holidaymakers visiting the enchanting city of Orlando.
With nearly 3 decades of experience covering all that Orlando has to offer and a travel trade background, I am passionate about making your trip as enjoyable and seamless as possible.
Here at orlandoplanningguide.com, you will find everything you need to plan your perfect getaway. Jump into the explore section to discover the parks and their attractions, or head to the planning section when you’re ready to start organising your magical journey.
Utilise tools like my crowd calendars, attraction refurbishment calendars, minimum height guides, and printable lists to ensure you plan smarter, not harder.
While many prefer to take charge of their own itineraries, I understand that some may appreciate additional assistance; therefore, I provide personalised consultations as well as comprehensive trip planning, allowing you to choose the level of guidance that suits you best.
EXPLORE
Every Theme Park And Water Park
Explore Orlando’s Theme Parks
Every Park
Unlike many other websites, I don’t focus on just Disney World or Universal Orlando. If it’s happening in or around Orlando, you’ll find it here.
In addition to Disney and Universal, I cover what’s happening at Seaworld, Busch Gardens and Legoland Florida, plus many other attractions outside the main parks.
You’ll find dedicated guides for every theme park and water park in Orlando, including Epic Universe, plus an expanding set of guides covering popular attractions such as Kennedy Space Center and Gatorland.
Walt Disney World
Welcome to the “Happiest Place On Earth”!.
Now, before you look at that enormous acreage and faint, only half of it is actually developed and that includes all theme parks, water parks, back of house, plus hotels and other entertainment.
Theme Parks
Water Parks
Acres In Size
Universal Orlando
The once young upstart is now a serious contender to Disney World’s crown.
Aggressive expansion and upgrades over recent years have turned Universal Orlando into a destination in its own right, now boasting 3 theme parks and a world-class water park.
Theme Parks
Water Parks
Acres In Size
United Parks
United Parks operates Seaworld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa in Florida, along with Discovery Cove and its Aquatica water park.
Seaworld has been through a period of rapid expansion and now boasts the most coasters in any single park in Orlando, while Busch Gardens holds that title for the south western USA.
Theme Parks
Water Parks
Acres In Size
Legoland Florida Resort
Now the second largest Legoland Florida park worldwide, and boasting a stunning location and over 50 rides, shows and attractions.
Legoland Florida is also home to a small water park, onsite hotels and the world’s first standalone Peppa Pig theme park.
Theme Parks
Water Parks
Acres In Size
PLAN
Everything You Need To Plan Your Perfect Trip
Plan In Your Own Way On Your Own Time
Planning Advice & Tools
Planning your first Orlando holiday should be a blend of excitement and ease. With countless attractions and unique experiences, it’s essential to find a planning style that suits you.
Use my resources to plan smarter, not harder, through interactive tools, guides and downloads. Use my seasoned insights, gathered from over 30 visits since the late 1990s, to empower your journey, helping you navigate every choice with confidence.
Embrace your personalised planning adventure and craft the holiday you’ve always dreamed of.
Plan In Your Own Way On Your Own Time
To Help You Plan Smarter
My Orlando Attraction Selector tool is great for first-time visitors who are still getting used to everything Orlando has to offer.
My Orlando budget spreadsheet helps you compare the true cost of staying offsite versus onsite by making sure you factor in unforeseen costs, so there are no surprises once you arrive.
Tick lists and park guides let you plan at your own pace and build excitement as a family.
If there is something you feel you need but can’t find, please get in touch. I may already have it or can build it so everyone can benefit.
Practical Advice
Everything you need to book a trip yourself is in the planning section. You’ll find dedicated guides on getting around (with or without a car), UK-specific ticket offers, queue upgrades, accessibility guides, crowd calendars and minimum ride height restrictions, plus much more.
Many of my guides have free downloads to help you plan at your own pace and schedule. Look out for park-specific downloads on each park’s overview page.
Accessibility
Not every disability is visible, and not every accommodation will be practical. My dedicated disability guides help you to understand what each park offers, including limitations and how to apply before you arrive.
Ironically, park operators don’t make this information readily accessible. My accessibility guides have all the information you need, including accessibility downloads and information on how to apply, in one place to save endless scrolling, searching and asking awkward questions on social media.
If you would like more information or want to clarify anything please connect with me through Messenger and I would be happy to help.
Attractions
10 world-class theme parks and 4 water parks, not to mention all the outside activities; where do you even begin if it’s your first time?
I have created downloadable lists of attractions in every park to help you plan smarter, not harder. I have also built an attraction selector covering every major theme park in Florida, so you can narrow down options by location, height, thrill level and more.
Attraction Refurbishments
Nothing is more deflating that turning up for your favourite attraction you’ve been looking forward to and finding it’s closed for refurbishemnt.
Refurbishments are part and parcel of any Orlando holiday but my Refurbishment Calendar is constantly updated so you know before you go and can manage expectations.
INFO
All The Information You Need At Your Fingertips
PRACTICAL
Practical Tools That help You Plan Smarter, Not Harder
Orlando Attraction Selector
Unique in the UK! This custom-built tool allows you to narrow down your attraction choices by location, minimum height, ride intensity, queue setting (important for those all too often afternoon storms) and more. It also works for every park in one place. No more changing tabs to compare!
Crowd Calendars
A month-by-month overview of predicted crowds for every theme park in and around Orlando. Find out the busiest and quietest times to visit, national holidays and park-specific events. Download a year overview in PDF or image formats for free for every park.
Refurbishments
Refurbishment schedules should be part of your planning, but finding them isn’t always easy and usually involves multiple websites and searches. My refurbishment calendar has all the attraction and hotel refurbishments for every park in one place, in a handy calendar or list view.
Minimum Height Guides
Orlando theme parks are a dream destination for many children, but safety is always the top priority. I list the minimum height requirements for all attractions in all parks to save you searching. Minimum height requirements are also part of my attraction tick lists, also available as free downloads.
Downloads
Some people love a spreadsheet, and that’s great, but for others, you can’t beat a sheet of paper in front of you. I have park guides, minimum height requirements, attraction tick lists, accessibility guides and more, all available on the park overview pages to kick start your planning.
INSIDER GUIDE
The Essential Disney World Companion For First-Time Visitors
Park Overviews
Every park has a brief overview including the layout, attractions and restaurants in each area along with some handy information that has served me well over many visits. You can also download an up-to-date official park map.
Attraction Tick Lists
Handy printable tick lists for every attraction in every park, grouped alphabetically by area for easy planning, including a minimum height guide and an at-a-glance overview for each attraction.
Characters & Character Dining
Printable lists of all the characters in every park, including times and where to find them. Character dining locations include clickable links to live menus with prices.
Every Restaurant & Snack Cart
My printable lists of all restaurants and snack carts in every park, grouped by area, have clickable menu links so you can plan before you arrive. You'll also find at-a-glance information like Dining Plan, price guides and mobile ordering.
After over 100 hours of work, my Disney World Insider’s Guide 2026 is available to purchase with a very special discount and launch offer.
Grab my 2026 Insider’s Guide to Disney World with a massive 50% off, PLUS get a COMPLIMENTARY copy of my travel activity booklet packed with activities for all ages to keep you occupied 50,000 feet over the Atlantic!
Both books will also receive updates throughout the year, so you can purchase now, safe in the knowledge that the guide won’t be out of date before you leave, unlike traditional guidebooks.
More planning tools are underway for the guide, and I already have some new brainteasers ready to go for the puzzle activity book.
NEWS
Bitesize Orlando – My Monthly News Round Up
SUPPORT
Industry Level Knowledge When You Need It, How You Need It!
Got A Question?
Are you puzzled by a conundrum or perplexed by options? Has Disney’s Dining Plan got your head in a spin, or do you not know your Hogwarts from your Batuu?
Whatever your question is, connect with me through Messenger and get an authoritative answer so you can get back to the important stuff.
Planning Conversation
Your planning is going swimmingly until you hit the rocks. Something small and trivial can derail plans faster than visiting a water park on a rainy day. You could just be staring at a blank page, wondering where to start and need a little direction.
Join me for a 30-minute conversation, voice or video, to answer all the conundrums and see if you’re on the right track. Find out where your plans could come apart before it’s too late to do anything about it.
Full Itinerary Planning
Don’t have the time to plan it all yourself, or don’t know where to start? Hand the heavy lifting over to someone who has been there countless times and knows how the parks operate.
If you’ve already booked, I can work an itinerary into your dates. If you’ve yet to book and don’t know where to begin, I can also offer guidance on price, tickets, crowds, weather and more.
