As the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in 2021, over 59.3 million people visited Orlando, making it one of the most visited places in Florida. In particular, Orlando has been a major attraction for people traveling with their families. This is primarily because the city is home to some of the world’s best and most popular amusement parks.
It’s also one of those rare places with something to offer everyone, regardless of age. If you’re on the fence about going to Orlando for your family vacation, you should take the leap now! Here’s everything you need to plan the perfect family vacation in this glorious city.
List Places to Visit
Before coming to Orlando, list all the major places you want to visit while you’re in the city. Here are some places that you should consider checking out.
Amusement Parks
Your trip to Orlando will be incomplete without going to its magnificent theme parks. Here are some of the best theme parks in the city that should be on your list:
- Disney World (Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Avatar World, Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, Hollywood Studios, etc.)
- Parks in Florida Center (Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal’s Island, Universal’s Studio, and Fun Spot America)
- LEGOLAND Florida Resort
- SeaWorld
- ICON Park
- Discovery Cove
Must-Visit Places
Here are some landmarks and places you must visit while you’re in Orlando:
- Corpus Christi Church
- Disney’s Boardwalk
- The Howey Mansion
- Pioneer Village
- Kraft Azalea Garden
- Berlin Wall Segment
- Phillips House
Shopping
If you want to go shopping while you’re in the city, here are some places you must visit:
- The Mall at Millenia
- Magic Mall
- WonderWorks
- Colonial Plaza
- Lee Vista Promenade
- Fashion Square Plaza
- Florida Mall
- East Orlando Shopping Center
Consider Flying into TPA
Many tourists coming to Orlando prefer flying into Tampa International Airport (TPA) instead of Orlando International Airport (MCO) and commuting to Orlando by road. There are many benefits of flying into TPA, but here are the most prominent benefits you can enjoy.
It’s Cost-Effective
The total cost of flying to a destination is typically a function of these three factors:
- The place you’re flying from and what your destination is.
- Your choice of airline
- The day of the week
When planning the trip, you should keep these factors in mind. If chosen correctly, landing in Tampa can help you save $100-$1000 compared to the cost of going directly to Orlando. You’ll be saving this amount on every ticket, so the savings really add up if you’re traveling in a big group. Of course, in some cases, the tickets to both airports may cost the same so it comes down to your personal preference.
TPA is Smaller than MCO and Much Easier to Navigate
When you’re traveling with kids, you should try to avoid landing in big airports. MCO is the biggest airport in Florida, with an area of nearly 13,000 acres. On the other hand, TPA is much smaller, with a covered area of 3,300 acres. This is why families coming to Orlando prefer landing in TPA because it’s less exhausting to navigate this airport, and there’s less chance of kids getting lost.
Fewer Passengers come to TPA
In 2021, over 40 million passengers came to MCO, while merely 8.8 million came to TPA. This vast difference between the number of passengers at both airports shows that TPA is generally less busy and much less crowded than MCO. This makes the travel experience much smoother at TPA and the arrival and departure processes are more streamlined there.
Make Advance Bookings
When traveling with your family, you should always make all the bookings in advance to avoid running into last-minute hassle. Here are some essential bookings that you should make while planning your trip.
- Make all the hotel bookings well in advance, especially if you plan to go to Orlando during peak season.
- Buy all the theme park tickets beforehand to avoid standing in long queues and have a well-planned itinerary.
- Get all your car rentals in order so you can commute seamlessly in the city.
- Book a shuttle service in advance to take you from TPA to MCO, so you and your family don’t have to make last-minute arrangements.
Are you looking for a reliable and reputable shuttle service to commute between the two airports? When flying into TPA or MCO, you can easily book TPA Shuttles LLC’s convenient airport shuttle service in Tampa to take you to Orlando or back.
As a shuttle service, we’re known for providing prompt and helpful customer service to our clients. Our shuttles go from MCO to TPA and TPA to MCO 16 times a day, throughout the week and every day of the year! You can book the ride for a flat rate of $50 per seat, regardless of age. Our rates stay the same throughout the year, even during peak season.
Get in touch with us now to learn more about our Orlando and Tampa airport Transportation services and travel policy and book a seat today.
