Roller-coasters, magical experiences, lots of walking, people in costume, feeling like a child, having lots of fun. That’s Orlando.
In a nutshell:
You have Disney and Universal. Disney has 5 parks you can go to: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and Blizzard Beach. Universal has 3 parks you can visit: Universal Studios, Universal’s Islands Of Adventure, and Wet ‘n Wild. The tour offers transportation and entrance to the parks.
Before delving into the details we’d like you to keep this in mind:
Miami and Orlando are about 4 hours apart, and just as with Key West, when you buy these one-day tours, you end up spending as much time on the road as you spend in the actual tour/activity.
This is what will happen:
- The bus to Orlando will pick you up around 6am from your hotel. The ride that would take any car no more than 4 hours get to Orlando will take your bus around 5.5 hours because it will make stops to pick up passengers along the way.
- You’ll arrive to Orlando at 11/11:30am, not to the park you’ve chosen but to a terminal that’s about 10 to 20 minutes away (depending on which park you’re going to)
- At this terminal they will divide the passengers into groups according to the park they are going to and put them in minivans. This process may take 15 to 20 minutes.
- Then, you’ll be taken to the park. You should expect to make it there by 12pm.
- Entering any of the parks takes a bit of time. You must make it to the gate where there will be a small line and security will check your bags.
- In conclusion, you will be enjoying your day at the park at around 12:30pm.
- By 6:30/7pm you will be required to be back at the pick up point outside the park to be taken back to Miami.
Why does this matter? Because you might be thinking you’ll be spending a full day at a park but you are not. Also, most Disney parks have impressive fireworks at closing time. You won’t be able to see them.
What to do?
- If going and returning the same day is the only choice you have: DO IT anyways. It’s still worth it.
- If you have a car or can rent one, drive there. You’ll save precious time. Go there early, buy your tickets at the entrance, and make the most of your day.
- If you can afford to spend the night in Orlando, do it. That way you can spend more time at the park(s). Tour companies offer the option to spend more days and go to more parks. See what packages they have available.
All this being said, a good reason to chose the bus transportation to Orlando is the price. At around $80 round trip (park admission not included) you can’t beat the deal. If you go in your own car you’ll spend just that on gas and tolls. Plus, you’ll have to pay for parking at the parks (another $20 per day) So, if you’re just going to the park and don’t plan on going anywhere else, this could be a good idea for you.
More details:
- Pick up and drop off at your hotel: typically around 6am (you’ll get there right before noon) You’ll be back around 11pm.
- Duration of the tour: traveling time is around 5 hours each way. You’ll have about 6 hours to spend at the park.
- You spend the day in 1 park (no option to see multiples parks the same day)
- When you buy the tour for more than one day, breakfast and transportation from the hotel to the parks and back will be included.
Average prices:
- Transportation only: $80 – roundtrip
- 1 park – 1 day (same day return): $155
- 2 parks – 1 night: $299
- 3 parks – 2 nights: $409
- 4 parks – 3 nights: $509
- 5 parks – 4 nights: $609
- 6 parks – 5 nights: $719
- 7 parks – 6 nights: $809
Prices are per person and based on double occupancy (if you travel alone, it will be a little more) These prices include round trip transportation Miami-Orlando-Miami, transportation to and from the parks each day, tickets to the parks, hotel accommodations, and breakfast. Children often pay less.