Last updated: June 7, 2026
Orlando is always popular, but lately it feels like everyone is planning an Orlando trip and it makes perfect sense.
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Between new theme park openings, major ride updates, food festivals, direct flights into Orlando International Airport, and the Brightline train connecting Orlando with South Florida, Central Florida is having a big travel moment.
I’ve always thought Orlando is one of those destinations that can be whatever you want it to be. Yes, it can be a full Disney World vacation. It can also be a theme park thrill trip, a foodie weekend, a couples’ getaway, a family vacation, or even the starting point for a bigger Florida road trip.
And lately, there are even more reasons people are adding Orlando back to their travel destination list.
- Orlando Has Big “New Theme Park Energy” Right Now
- Disney World Has New Ride Energy Pull, Too
- Orlando Is Not Just a Theme Park Trip Anymore
- Food and Festivals Make Orlando an Easy Trip Destination Pick
- Orlando Is Easy to Fly Into From Almost Anywhere
- Brightline Makes Orlando Easier to Pair With Other Florida Destinations
- Orlando Is a Great Starting Point for a Florida Road Trip
- How to Plan Your Orlando Trip Without Getting Overwhelmed
- Sample Orlando Trip Itinerary Ideas
- Final Thoughts: Why Orlando Is on so Many Trip Itineraries Recently
- FAQs About Why Orlando is a Top Trip Destination Trend
Orlando Has Big “New Theme Park Energy” Right Now
The biggest reason Orlando is getting so much attention is Universal Epic Universe, which officially opened last May, as Universal Orlando Resort’s newest theme park. The park includes five immersive worlds, including Celestial Park, Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe.
That’s a huge deal for Orlando because it gives you a completely new park to plan around, not just a new ride or show. For many people, that alone is enough reason to make this the summer they finally book the trip.
And even if you’re usually more of a Disney traveler, Epic Universe adds a whole new layer to Orlando planning. It makes the city feel fresh again, especially for visitors who have already done the classic Disney and Universal parks before.
If you’re planning a mostly Disney-focused trip, you may also like our guide to a magical Adult Disney Trip!
Disney World Has New Ride Energy Pull, Too
Walt Disney World is also giving new reasons to plan a summer trip. EPCOT’s Soarin’ Across America just opened to great reviews as part of Disney’s America-themed celebration, and the re-theming of Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is here.
Those updates are especially fun because they give repeat Disney fans like us something new to look forward to. Sometimes that is all it takes to turn a “maybe next year” Disney trip into a “let’s go this summer” trip.
EPCOT also continues to be a huge foodie travel draw. The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival runs from March through June and the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival runs from August 27 through November 21. See our guide on what’s new at the Food and Wine Festival!
That means if you visit at the beginning or end of summer you can easily plan around a festival, which is one of my favorite ways to make a Disney day feel more grown-up and relaxed.
Orlando Is Not Just a Theme Park Trip Anymore
One of the reasons Orlando keeps growing as a travel destination is that it is not just one kind of trip.
Of course, the theme parks are the main draw for many trips. However, Orlando also has great restaurants, rooftop bars, resort pools, live music, shopping, lakefront neighborhoods, and easy day trips.
That makes it easier to plan a trip that feels balanced. You can do a theme park day, then take a slower day with cocktails, dinner, and maybe a free outdoor activity. We have a guide to lots of free activities in Orlando to help you plan!
That mix is especially appealing in the summer because Orlando can be hot. I always think the best Orlando trips include some built-in downtime. A pool afternoon, a long lunch, finding the best craft cocktails, or an evening activity can make the trip feel much less exhausting.
📌A great way to add a few activities outside of the big theme parks in Orlando is to get the Orlando City Pass with 5 attractions!
Food and Festivals Make Orlando an Easy Trip Destination Pick
Orlando is also a great choice for fellow foodie travelers who like to plan around food. Between Disney Springs, EPCOT festivals, Universal CityWalk, resort restaurants, and local Orlando dining spots, you can build a whole trip around where you want to eat.
That is one of the reasons I think Orlando works so well for adults. You do not have to be in the parks from open to close to have a good trip. You can plan one or two park days, then use the rest of the trip for food, cocktails, pool time, and exploring.
EPCOT’s festivals are a major part of why foodies love Orlando. The Flower & Garden Festival brings outdoor kitchens and garden displays in spring into early summer, while Food & Wine starts in late August and runs into fall.
Universal also has seasonal events throughout the year, including Mardi Gras earlier in the year and other seasonal celebrations that add food, entertainment, and extra reasons to visit. Even SeaWorld gets in on the food festival action and Icon Park has a great Oktoberfest!
For those who have already done Disney World or Universal, adding SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, water parks, or a slower resort day can make Orlando feel like a totally different trip.
Check the Orlando calendar of events for other festivals or happenings that may help your trip planning.
Orlando Is Easy to Fly Into From Almost Anywhere
Another reason Orlando is such a popular destination lately is simple: it is easy to get there.
Orlando International Airport has nonstop service to more than 170 destinations, which makes it one of the easiest vacation airports to work with.
That matters a lot for easy travel. Families want fewer connections. Couples want quick long weekends. Groups want flights that work for people coming from different cities.
Orlando is one of those places where you can often find multiple flight options, which makes it easier to compare prices, arrival times, and airline choices.
For travelers like us in New Orleans, the Southeast, the Midwest, the Northeast, and beyond, Orlando is often one of the easier trips to book without complicated logistics.
🌟Don’t forget great travel insurance plans to protect your Orlando trip investment! Compare Travelex and Generali for the best coverage/prices!
Brightline Makes Orlando Easier to Pair With Other Florida Destinations
Another big reason Orlando is more appealing now is Brightline.
Brightline trains connect Orlando with South Florida, including Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach. The ride between Orlando and Miami is listed at about 3 hours and 30 minutes, while Orlando to West Palm Beach is about 2 hours.
That opens up more Florida itinerary possibilities.
You could fly into Orlando, spend a few days doing theme parks, then take Brightline to Miami for beaches, food, and nightlife. Or you could do the reverse and start in South Florida before ending with a few fun days in Orlando depending on which flight cost is cheapest. If you start in Miami, we have a complete South Beach itinerary and guide too!
It also makes Orlando feel less like a stand-alone trip and more like the center of a bigger Florida vacation.
Orlando Is a Great Starting Point for a Florida Road Trip
Orlando’s central location is another reason it works so well for summer travel.
You can use it as a base for theme parks, but you can also turn it into a bigger Florida road trip. Daytona Beach is an easy add-on for beach time. St. Augustine works beautifully for history, charm, and a completely different feel from the theme parks. And if you love lighthouses, Florida has plenty of coastal lighthouse stops worth building into a longer itinerary. (Also, see our Daytona Beach guide and St. Augustine weekend trip guide)
That is one of my favorite things about Orlando. It does not have to be the whole trip. It can be the fun, high-energy part of a larger Florida vacation.
How to Plan Your Orlando Trip Without Getting Overwhelmed
The trick with Orlando is not trying to do everything.
There is always another park, another restaurant, another show, another ride, and another “must-do” experience. That can make planning feel overwhelming fast.
For an Orlando trip, I would choose the main reason you are going first. Is it Epic Universe? Disney World? Food and cocktails? A family trip? A couples’ getaway? A Florida road trip?
Once you know the main reason, build the rest of the itinerary around that.
For example:
- If Epic Universe is the main reason, plan your Universal days first and leave room for a slower pool or CityWalk evening.
- If Disney is the main reason, choose the parks that matter most and add a rest day between your busiest days.
- If food is the main reason, plan around Disney Springs, EPCOT, resort dining, and a few local Orlando restaurants.
- If you want a Florida road trip, use Orlando as the middle of the itinerary and add Daytona Beach, St. Augustine, or Miami before or after.
- That keeps the trip fun instead of turning it into a theme park marathon.
Sample Orlando Trip Itinerary Ideas
For a quick Orlando weekend, I would keep it simple. Choose one major park day, one food or resort day, and one flexible day.
A sample trip could look like:
- Day 1: Arrive, check in, dinner, and cocktails
- Day 2: Disney, Universal, or Epic Universe
- Day 3: Pool time, Disney Springs, CityWalk, or free Orlando activities
- Day 4: Brunch and fly home
This works well if you can get a direct flight and do not want to take a full week off.
A 5-Day Orlando Theme Park Trip
For a classic theme park trip, five days gives you more breathing room.
- Day 1: Arrive and have a low-key evening
- Day 2: Disney park day
- Day 3: Universal or Epic Universe
- Day 4: Rest day, pool, cocktails, Disney Springs, or free activities
- Day 5: Second park day or fly home
This is a good balance if you want theme park fun without completely wearing yourself out.
A 7-Day Orlando and Florida Trip
If you have a full week, Orlando can become part of a larger Florida itinerary.
You could do:
- 3 nights in Orlando
- 2 nights in Daytona Beach or St. Augustine
- 2 nights in Miami or another South Florida stop
With Brightline and easy road trip options, this kind of trip is more realistic than it used to be.
📌A few things that make Orlando trips so much easier.
We keep our favorite travel gear and hotel-room extras in our Amazon storefront so they’re easy to grab before a trip.
See our Travel Makes Me Happy hotel travel favorites here:
Final Thoughts: Why Orlando Is on so Many Trip Itineraries Recently
Orlando is a popular trip destination trend because it checks a lot of boxes at once.
There are new attractions with major theme park updates. Food Festivals are everywhere. There are easy direct flights. Easy Brightline train access is now available to South Florida. There are also plenty of ways to turn an Orlando trip into a bigger Florida vacation.
For families, it is an easy vacation win. If your trip is for couples and adults, it can be a fun food, cocktail, and theme park getaway. For Florida road trippers, it is a perfect central stop.
So yes, it really does feel like everyone is planning Orlando trips recently, and with everything new and easier to access, we completely understand why. Is Orlando on your upcoming trip list?
FAQs About Why Orlando is a Top Trip Destination Trend
Orlando is popular recently because of new attractions, major theme park updates, seasonal events, direct flights into Orlando International Airport, and Brightline train access between Orlando and South Florida.
Yes. Universal Epic Universe officially opened at Universal Orlando Resort last May. It includes five immersive worlds, including Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Ministry of Magic.
Walt Disney World has several summer updates, including Soarin’ Across America at EPCOT and Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Yes. Orlando can be a great adult trip, especially if you enjoy food, cocktails, festivals, resort pools, live entertainment, and theme parks at a slower pace.
You can visit Orlando without a car if you stay near Disney, Universal, or another major resort area and use rideshare, hotel transportation, or theme park transportation. Brightline also makes it easier to connect Orlando with South Florida, but you may still want a car for beach day trips or a wider Florida road trip.
Daytona Beach, St. Augustine, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and the Florida Keys can all pair well with Orlando depending on how much time you have and whether you want beaches, history, nightlife, or a longer road trip.
Author’s Note: We’ve visited Orlando so many times over the years for Disney trips, theme park days, food stops, and quick Florida getaways. What makes Orlando so interesting right now is that it feels fresh again with Epic Universe, new rides and experiences at the major parks, more food-focused reasons to visit, and easier transportation options like Brightline connecting Orlando with South Florida. We hope our experiences help you see why Orlando is such a popular summer trip right now, whether you’re planning a full theme park vacation, an adults-only getaway, or adding Orlando to a bigger Florida road trip. 🎢
