Orlando
4 Days in Orlando: My November Itinerary
Orlando was exactly what I expected in some ways and way more exhausting than I expected in others lol.
This trip was really about the big-ticket experiences: Disney World, Universal Studios, and the Orlando StarFlyer.
If you are doing Orlando for the first time, four days gives you enough time to hit the major theme park experiences without feeling like every single hour is scheduled.
Trip Snapshot
Where: Orlando, Florida
When we went: November
Length: 4 days
Trip style: Theme parks + attractions
Best for: Disney, Universal, thrill rides, family trips, and big-ticket experiences
Good to know: Theme park days are long, so build in more downtime than you think you need
Day 1: Disney World
Disney World
Dedicate the full day to Disney.
This is not the kind of place I would try to “squeeze in” around other plans.
Pick the park that matters most to you and build the whole day around it.
If this is your first Disney trip, I would make sure you give yourself time for:
The big rides
Character moments
Food
Parades or nighttime entertainment
Just walking around and taking everything in
Stay for the Nighttime Show
If your park has fireworks or a nighttime show, stay for it.
It is one of those things that feels way more special once you are actually there.
💡 SHANE’S TIP
Do not underestimate how much walking you are going to do.
Wear shoes you trust with your life lol.
And if there are rides you absolutely care about, check the current Disney ride reservation and line-skipping options before your trip instead of trying to figure everything out after you arrive.
Day 2: Universal Studios
Universal Studios
Make Universal its own full day too.
The energy here feels completely different from Disney, which is part of what makes doing both worth it.
This is where I would focus more on rides, themed lands, and the bigger thrill attractions.
Give Yourself Time to Wander
Do not make the whole day about rushing from ride to ride.
A lot of Universal is about the environments and themed areas too, so leave room to actually enjoy them.
Dinner Near Universal
After a long park day, keep dinner easy.
This is not the night I would schedule something across town.
Eat nearby and call it a day.
Day 3: Slow Morning + Orlando StarFlyer
After two theme park days, I would not jump straight into another marathon.
Take the Morning Slow
Sleep in.
Grab brunch.
Spend some time at the hotel or pool.
Your feet will probably appreciate the break.
Orlando StarFlyer
Then do the Orlando StarFlyer.
This is one of those experiences that looks manageable from the ground until you are actually way up there swinging over Orlando.
If you like heights and thrill rides, this is absolutely worth adding.
If you do not like heights, just know this one is going to test that relationship lol.
Explore ICON Park Area
Since you are already in the area, spend some time around ICON Park afterward.
Grab food, walk around, and make the day feel lighter than the park days.
Day 4: Pick Your Favorite Park or Add Another Orlando Experience
This is the flexible day.
You could:
Go back to Disney
Go back to Universal
Visit another Disney park
Spend more time at Universal
Add a water park
Explore Disney Springs
Spend time at CityWalk
Keep it relaxed and shop/eat
If there was something you missed earlier in the trip, this is the day to fix it.
If You Have Extra Time
If I were stretching the trip or adding more variety, I’d consider:
Disney Springs
Universal CityWalk
ICON Park
Kennedy Space Center day trip
Airboat tour
Gatorland
Water park day
Another Disney park
These are extras I’d consider rather than things I personally did on this trip.
What I’d Prioritize
If I only had four days again, these would stay:
Disney World
Universal Studios
Orlando StarFlyer
One slower day
Enough downtime that the trip does not feel like a theme park endurance test
💡 SHANE’S TIP
Orlando is one of those trips where people try to do too much because there is always another park or attraction.
Pick the experiences you actually care about and build around those.
You will enjoy the trip a lot more if every day does not feel like a race.
The Bottom Line
Orlando was definitely a trip built around big experiences.
Disney gave us the classic theme park magic.
Universal gave us more thrill rides and immersive worlds.
And the StarFlyer gave me one of those “why did I agree to this?” moments that somehow becomes one of the things you remember most lol.
Four days felt like enough time to get the Orlando experience without completely wearing ourselves out.
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