Orlando 3-day itinerary

Arrive at Universal's Islands of Adventure before the gates open. Sprint to Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. It regularly hits 120+ minute waits by mid-morning. Then explore Hogsmeade village: buy a wand at Ollivanders ($55, interactive), drink frozen Butterbeer ($8.99), and ride the Forbidden Journey inside Hogwarts Castle. Take the Hogwarts Express to Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida (requires 2-Park ticket) for Escape from Gringotts.

Hit the big rides: Velocicoaster is a masterpiece of coaster engineering (four inversions over a lagoon), the Incredible Hulk Coaster launches you from 0–40 mph, and Revenge of the Mummy is a dark ride with fire effects. Use the Universal app for real-time wait times. Single rider lines cut waits by 50–70%. Lunch at Mythos Restaurant in Islands of Adventure, themed like a cave, where the Mediterranean menu ($16–24) is among the best in any theme park.

Universal CityWalk is free to enter after the parks close, a neon-lit strip of restaurants, bars, and entertainment. Toothsome Chocolate Emporium serves enormous milkshakes ($16). The Groove is a multi-level dance club (no cover most nights). Bob Marley's A Tribute to Freedom has live reggae and Caribbean food. For something calmer, Red Coconut Club has craft cocktails ($12–16) on a retro rooftop terrace overlooking CityWalk.

Drive 45 minutes north to Blue Spring State Park ($6 per vehicle). From November through March, hundreds of manatees gather in the crystal-clear 72°F spring water, and you can see them from the boardwalk just feet away. Outside manatee season, swim in the spring run where the water is impossibly blue and a constant 72°F year-round. Rent a kayak ($20/2hrs) to paddle the St. Johns River. Arrive before 10am. The park fills to capacity on weekends.

Head to Winter Park, Orlando's upscale village neighbourhood. Park Avenue is lined with independent boutiques, cafes, and galleries. Take the Scenic Boat Tour ($16, 1 hour) through a chain of lakes and canals past mansions and subtropical gardens, one of Central Florida's hidden gems. The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art ($8) has the world's largest collection of Tiffany glass. Lunch at The Ravenous Pig on Orange Avenue, a James Beard-nominated gastropub ($16–26).

Head to the Mills 50 neighbourhood, Orlando's Vietnamese district and creative hub. Colonial Drive between Mills and Bumby is packed with incredible pho restaurants, banh mi shops, and bubble tea spots. Pho 88 is the local legend ($12–14 for large pho). Then walk south to the Milk District on Robinson Street for Orlando's best bar scene: Sportstown for cheap beer ($3 PBR), The Nook for vinyl DJ nights, or Stardust Video & Coffee for weird films and espresso.

Start with breakfast at Se7en Bites in the Milk District, a Southern bakery with biscuit sandwiches ($10–12) and sticky buns that draw lines down the block. Then head to ICON Park on International Drive and ride the Orlando Eye observation wheel ($28) for panoramic views of the parks and city. The SEA LIFE Aquarium ($28) and Madame Tussauds ($30) are at the base if you want a combo ticket deal ($44 for all three).

Disney Springs is free to enter, no park ticket required. It's a massive outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complex with Disney theming throughout. Browse the World of Disney store (the largest Disney merchandise shop on earth), watch a movie at the AMC Dine-In Theatre, or try the Void VR experience ($34). Lunch at The Polite Pig, a Disney Springs original with smoked meats and craft cocktails ($14–22). The Boathouse has amphicar rides on the lake ($125 for 20 min).

Head to downtown Orlando for a final evening. Walk the mile-long path around Lake Eola. The fountain light show runs every evening and the swan pedal boats ($15/30min) are a peaceful way to end the trip. Dinner at Hunger Street Tacos on Church Street for Merida-style cochinita pibil tacos ($4.50 each) or The Stubborn Mule for creative gastropub fare ($16–24). Walk Church Street's bar district for a farewell drink at Hanson's Shoe Repair, a speakeasy above a shoe shop.