Family Trip To Florida: Our First Big Orlando Adventure (Summer 2019)

Back in June 2019 we decided it was time for our first big family trip to Florida. It was me, my wife Louise and our two boys, Alex who was 4 and Jack who was 20 months. We knew this would be a great year to go as Jack was still under 2, so we did not have to pay for a seat for him on the plane and he was free in all the theme parks. We settled on a 10‑night stay and packed in as much as we could.

We flew with British Airways from London and had an excellent experience both ways. The service was great and we even landed early, which is always a bonus. On the way home we had a bassinet seat for Jack, which meant we did not have to have him on our knees the entire time and could get a little bit of rest ourselves.

We hired a car with Avis and that worked really well for us as a family. Louise drove and, once she got used to it being an automatic, she found it very straightforward. The car seats provided were excellent and the Avis team fitted them for us, which was one less thing to worry about after a long flight.

Where We Stayed: Floridays Resort, International Drive

For this trip we chose Floridays Resort on International Drive and it turned out to be a brilliant base. It is a condo‑style hotel so you get plenty of space and home comforts, which made all the difference with a little one and a preschooler.

The beds were huge and really comfy, and the en‑suite bathroom even had a jacuzzi bath which felt like such a treat at the end of a hot park day. The condo had everything we needed: a fitted kitchen, washer and dryer, and a good‑sized living area. Location‑wise it was ideal: around 2 miles to SeaWorld, 6 miles to Disney, 6 miles to Universal and about 11 miles from the airport. There was also a really handy room service menu that we ended up using a lot on those nights when we were too tired to go out.

The weather in June was hot and wet. Temperatures regularly hit over 30 degrees and it almost always rained in the afternoon, usually a short, sharp thunderstorm that cleared in time for the evening.

Disney Days With Little Ones

Our first park had to be Magic Kingdom. Watching Alex’s face when he saw the castle for the first time pretty much made the whole holiday for us. He is tall for his age, so even at 4 he was able to go on Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which he loved. Despite being under 2, there was still plenty for Jack to enjoy and lots of rides we could all do together as a family.

Next up was Epcot. It has more to offer families than people often think. The aquarium section was a lifesaver when the afternoon storms rolled in. Both boys love fish so we spent ages in there. This is also where we did our first proper character meet and greet. The boys were a bit unsure at first, but as the trip went on they definitely warmed up to the characters.

Animal Kingdom was the park Alex was most excited about because of his love of dinosaurs. It was our first time there too. The big draw for many people is Pandora and the Flight of Passage ride, but as Alex was not tall enough for that we did not feel any pressure to rush there with the crowds. Instead, we spent lots of time in Dinoland U.S.A. and he even braved DINOSAUR and absolutely loved it, which is pretty impressive for a 4‑year‑old.

Hollywood Studios was next. We were unlucky with the weather that day and I think the boys were ready for a bit more downtime, so we only stayed for half a day. We did go to Toy Story Land, which has plenty of family‑friendly rides and more chances to see characters. The real standout though was the Disney Junior Dance Party. It was one of the highlights of the whole trip. It is very interactive, perfect for little ones and, being indoors, ideal for either rainy spells or when you just need a break from the heat.

Universal, Islands Of Adventure & Harry Potter

We spent a couple of days at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Alex was very excited about the dinosaur‑themed rides like Jurassic Park and Pteranodon Flyers. The big reason for going though was The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It was new since our previous adult‑only visit and, with Louise being a big Harry Potter fan, we could not wait to see it.

It absolutely lived up to the hype. From the Hogwarts Express to Diagon Alley, everything is so well themed and detailed. You really do feel like you have stepped into the films.

SeaWorld & A Cooler Break From The Rides

We included a visit to SeaWorld but, because of the boys’ ages at the time, this day was much more about the sea life than the rides. We watched the Shamu show, which was incredible to see in person, and spent time looking at all the different marine animals. We did do the Empire of the Penguin ride, which ends with seeing the penguins in a chilled environment that feels like their natural climate, which was quite a contrast to the Florida heat outside.

Disney Springs & Favourite Places To Eat

No Orlando trip for us is complete without time at Disney Springs and its restaurants. T‑REX quickly became a favourite. It is an absolute must for kids, whether they are dinosaur‑obsessed or not. The theming is brilliant and there is so much going on that it keeps little ones happily entertained while you eat. Gluten‑free options were available too and the chef came to the table to chat through requirements, which we really appreciated.

We also loved Blaze Pizza for something a bit more relaxed. The pizzas were excellent and again, there were gluten‑free options, which made it an easy go‑to.

Looking Back (And Going Back Again)

That first family trip to Florida was everything we hoped it would be. If anything, our only regret was not staying for the full two weeks. We left already talking about when we could return.

At the time, we rebooked for 2021 with the thought that Jack, then 3, would be able to do more and Alex, at 6, would be tall enough for almost all the rides in the Disney parks. Since then we have been back again, which I will share in a separate blog so you can see how our Florida holidays have changed as the boys have grown.

If you are thinking about your own first family trip to Orlando, especially with little ones, I hope this gives you a feel for what is possible and how magical it can be.