Two Magical Weeks in Orlando

How Can You Spend Two Weeks Just in the Parks?
One of the questions I hear all the time is “How on earth do you spend two weeks just in theme parks?” The scale of Disney and Universal takes most people by surprise. Between them, Disney and Universal now comprise ten parks. Walt Disney World has 4 theme parks and 2 water parks, whilst Universal Orlando has 3 theme parks and 1 water park.

Walt Disney World alone is around the size of Manchester. Distances are big, and each park has enough shows, rides, dining and hidden corners to fill multiple days, especially if you want some downtime too. With that in mind, two weeks does not feel excessive at all. In fact, you can easily leave with plenty still on the 'next time' list.

Our Split Stay: 9 Nights at Disney, 5 Nights at Universal
We decided to split our two weeks between Disney and Universal so we could properly immerse ourselves in each. For our Disney stay, we chose to spend 9-nights at one of their moderate resorts, Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter. The resort has a charming New Orleans theme, with cobbled‑style pathways, wrought‑iron balconies and a pretty, relaxed feel. Its more compact size than some hotels, which meant it never felt chaotic or overwhelming. This is a big plus as after long days in the parks as it was a relief not to have a huge walk from the bus stop back to our room. One of our favourite perks of the hotel was the gentle boat ride along the river to Disney Springs in the evenings, which gave us easy access to shops, restaurants and entertainment. We relied on Disney’s transport throughout and it worked really well for us. The buses took us to the parks and back without having to think about parking or driving after long days.

We booked when an offer including FREE Dining & Drinks was available. This made a huge difference to both value and experience. Our package gave us daily credits for table service meals, quick service meals and snacks within the parks and resorts, saving over a thousand pounds compared with paying out of pocket. It meant we could enjoy things that might otherwise feel like a splurge, such as memorable character dining experiences at no extra cost, and these became some of our favourite memories from the trip.

Whether you are a Star Wars fan, adore classic Disney characters like Mickey, Donald and Goofy, love Toy Story, or want to lose yourself in Pandora – The World of Avatar, with shows like The Lion King and the spectacular nightly fireworks, Disney really does offer something for everyone.

For Universal, we moved across to Universal’s Aventura Hotel for 5 nights. Aventura has a modern, sleek feel with great views from the higher floors and a relaxed atmosphere that suited us perfectly. I chose this hotel as it is within walking distance of Volcano Bay, which is ideal if you want to make the most of Orlando’s no. 1 water park. Being able to stroll back to the hotel after a day enjoying the slides was very handy.

Epic Universe: Universal’s Newest Park
One of the real highlights of our Universal stay was visiting Epic Universe, which opened in 2025. The level of detail everywhere is incredible, from the music and soundscapes to the food and interactive elements. It feels like a park built for the modern theme‑park guest, being cinematic, interactive and incredibly immersive. It has some of the most impressive theming we have experienced, with distinct lands that each feel like stepping into a different world.

• Super Nintendo World is bright, playful and full of energetic fun. If you have gamers in the family, this is pure joy.
• How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk is beautifully done, with a sense of adventure and discovery that really appeals to children and tweens.
• Dark Universe is a more atmospheric, moody setting that brings classic monsters and stories to life in a very immersive way.
• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic expands on the Wizarding World experiences at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure with incredible detail that fans of the books and films will absolutely adore.

Making the Most of Your Time: Lightning Lanes & Express Passes
With so much to see and do, using the right tools to manage queues made all the difference for us. At Walt Disney World, we used their Individual Lightning Lanes to reduce waiting times for key attractions. With a bit of planning, this helped us fit more into each day without spending hours in line. One key perk of staying on site in a Disney hotel is that these can be booked 7 days ahead of arrival.

At Universal, we made use of Express Passes. Again, this was invaluable on busier days and meant we could ride every ride at least once without sacrificing half the day to queues. These systems are not just ‘nice to have’. In peak months like August, they really do transform the rhythm of your days and allow you to make the most of your precious time.

Orlando in August: What It Really Feels Like
Let’s talk about the weather. August in Orlando is hot and humid. You feel it the moment you step outside! We averaged around 19,000 steps a day, so you really do feel the heat as you’re walking between rides, lands and parks. Afternoon showers are almost a daily ritual at that time of year. The sky darkens, the heavens open, and for 20–30 minutes the air cools and everything feels refreshed. Having lightweight ponchos and a sense of humour at getting drenched is essential but, far from being a nuisance, we welcomed the showers.

After 2-weeks in Orlando, we came home with sore feet, full hearts and memories that I know will stay with all of us for a very long time.

Ready to start planning your own magical Orlando holiday? Contact me and I will create a personalised itinerary so you can make the very most of your time in the parks. Call 0203 432 4720, or email rebecca.berzins@mytc.com.