Orlando is the most family-focused destination in America for a reason, and with Ben, Claire and the kids visiting over Christmas for the first time, the timing couldn’t be better. Here’s our researched pick of the best ten, with real prices, official links, and a special note on the holiday season itself.
We’ve been to Orlando several times before as a family, but almost always for Disney and Disney alone. We’d never really explored what else the city has to offer beyond the parks, and we’ve never done Disney at Christmas either. Both of those things are changing on this trip, so in the run-up to going, we’ve been researching properly, what’s actually worth doing beyond Disney, and what makes a Christmas visit different. Here’s what we found.
Unlike Vegas, Orlando doesn’t need much convincing as a family destination, it’s built around it. The challenge here isn’t finding things to do, it’s narrowing down where to spend limited days and dollars. Here’s our top ten, why each earns its place, and what it’ll cost.
1. Walt Disney World Resort
Four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom), each with its own character, plus water parks and Disney Springs.
Why it works for families: it’s built for exactly this, every ride, show and experience is designed around family memories, and there’s something for every age. Price: single-day, single-park tickets range from around $119 to $209 for ages 10+, slightly less for children 3-9, depending on the park and date (Disney uses date-based dynamic pricing). Multi-day tickets bring the per-day cost down significantly. Our tip: we always book through attractiontickets.com, we’ve consistently found it offers the best prices. It’s also worth going longer than you think, the more days you add, the cheaper the per-day rate gets, and we’ve found a 14-day pass usually works out as better value than it first appears if you’re spending any real length of time in the area. Book: disneyworld.disney.go.com
A special note for a Christmas visit
Disney World’s 2026 holiday season runs 13 November through 6 January, right across your visit. Every park gets decorated, and Magic Kingdom hosts Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, a separately-ticketed after-hours event on select nights from 8 November to 22 December, with snow on Main Street, a holiday parade, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, and complimentary cookies and hot cocoa included. Well worth booking ahead if you want the full Christmas-at-Disney experience, tickets and exact nights are confirmed on Disney’s official event page. Details: disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/magic-kingdom/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party
2. Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, the new Epic Universe, and Volcano Bay water park, including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Why it works for families: brilliant for slightly older kids and anyone who loves the film and book worlds it’s built around, with properly immersive theming throughout. Price: single-day tickets from around $80 (Volcano Bay) to $139 (Epic Universe), $124 for Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure individually. Book: universalorlando.com
3. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
About an hour from Orlando, 70+ acres of space history, real rocket hardware, astronaut encounters, and simulator experiences.
Why it works for families: educational without ever feeling like a school trip, and meeting a real astronaut is the kind of thing kids remember for years. Price: single-day admission typically runs in the $75-85 range for adults, somewhat less for children, check the official site for current date-based pricing. Book: kennedyspacecenter.com
4. WonderWorks Orlando
An upside-down building on International Drive housing over 100 hands-on exhibits, science, illusions, a ropes course, and a 4D motion theatre.
Why it works for families: genuinely interactive rather than look-but-don’t-touch, and the building itself is a novelty kids love before you’ve even gone inside. Price: all-access pass typically around $35-40 per person. Book: wonderworksonline.com/orlando
5. LEGOLAND Florida Resort
Rides, shows and attractions built entirely around LEGO, including the new Galacticoaster, LEGOLAND’s first indoor coaster, where kids design their own spacecraft before riding.
Why it works for families: specifically aimed at younger children, gentler than the bigger parks, and the LEGO building activities give kids something hands-on beyond just rides. Price: tickets from around $66-95, with combo options including the on-site water park. Book: legoland.com/florida
6. Fun Spot America
A locally-owned amusement park on International Drive, go-karts, rides, and an arcade, without the theme-park scale or price tag.
Why it works for families: genuinely good value, no ticket required to enter, you just pay for what you ride, and the go-karts in particular are a hit across a wide age range. Price: entry is free; ride wristbands typically run $38-55, individual attractions priced separately. Book: fun-spot.com
7. ICON Park
A free-to-enter entertainment district featuring The Wheel (a 400-foot observation wheel), plus paid attractions like Madame Tussauds and an escape room complex alongside it.
Why it works for families: low-pressure, walkable, and you only pay for what you actually want to do, a good option for an evening that doesn’t require a full day’s commitment. Price: free to enter; The Wheel from around $30, other attractions individually priced. Book: iconparkorlando.com
8. Crayola Experience
An interactive, hands-on attraction inside The Florida Mall, art-making, a make-your-own-crayon line, and creative play areas.
Why it works for families: ideal for younger children (best suited to under-7s for a full visit), indoors, and a good rainy-day or rest-day option. Price: check the official site for current admission pricing, typically in line with other family indoor attractions in the area. Book: crayolaexperience.com/orlando
9. Orlando Science Center
Four floors of hands-on labs, a planetarium, and a working dinosaur dig, a genuine, well-regarded science museum rather than a theme park add-on.
Why it works for families: a strong rest-day option away from the parks, educational and hands-on without feeling like homework. Price: check the official site for current admission pricing. Book: osc.org
10. Disney Springs
Disney’s free-to-enter shopping, dining and entertainment district, no park ticket required, with seasonal touches like the Christmas Tree Stroll during your visit window.
Why it works for families: a relaxed, no-pressure Disney experience without theme park prices, especially nice in the evening with the seasonal decorations up. Price: free to enter (dining, shopping and specific experiences priced individually). Book: disneyspringsorlando.com
A few practical tips
Multi-day tickets bring the per-day cost down substantially at both Disney and Universal, worth pricing out before buying single days if you’re there more than two or three days. Disney’s pricing is date-based, so shifting a visit day by a few days can sometimes make a real difference. And don’t overlook the free options, Disney Springs and ICON Park both let you enjoy real Orlando atmosphere without a park ticket attached.
What else is possible when a city built entirely around family fun happens to be exactly where you’re headed for Christmas?
FAQ
Is it worth visiting Disney World specifically at Christmas? Very much so if you can, the seasonal decorations, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and the general atmosphere across all four parks make it a noticeably different experience from visiting at other times of year.
What’s the most budget-friendly major attraction in Orlando? Fun Spot America offers a genuine amusement park experience for a fraction of the big park prices, and both ICON Park and Disney Springs are free to enter.
How many days do you need for Disney World alone? It depends on how many parks you want to properly cover, but most families find 4-5 days lets them see each park without feeling rushed.
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