Need help to plan a Miami-Orlando Trip

Question

Hello,

We are planning to make a trip between April 26 and May 10 with my wife and 5-years-old son with a flight to Miami. This is the first time in Florida, there too many things to do and I need some advice to make my plan. I will also rent a car from the airport.

We have 13 full days, I think to stay 6 days at Miami and 7 days at Orlando. We want to reserve 2 days for shopping. Roughly, my plan is like that;

1) Stay the first 6 days at Miami, visit beaches, Miami zoo. First question here, can we visit Key West in one day, or should we stay 1 night over there?

2) We want to make a short cruise tour, what can be the best option? I saw some tours at Fort Lauderdale. I also thought to get the ferry to Bahamas, but I read some comments that it is hard with a kid. What do you think about it?

3) At Orlando, we want to reserve five days to theme parks. We are planning to visit Disney World for three days, sea world one day. One last day may be Legoland or Universal studios. At Disney World; which one is better - Animal kingdom or Disney's Hollywood studios? Are there any other option that we can visit?

Thanks in advance,

Fikret

Answer

Hello Fikret,

Planning a 13-day trip in Florida with a 5-year-old is exciting, and your rough plan is quite reasonable. Here’s a detailed approach for your Miami-Orlando trip, addressing your questions and adding suggestions.

1) Miami & Key West:

Visiting Key West in one day from Miami is technically possible (about 3.5-4 hours each way) but it will be very long, especially with a young child. You would have limited time to explore the island. For a more relaxed experience, staying one night in Key West is recommended. This allows you to:

Visit the Southernmost Point, Mallory Square, and Duval Street without rushing.
Catch a sunset, which is one of the highlights of Key West.
Avoid fatigue from driving 7-8 hours in a single day.

If you prefer one day, start early (around 6 AM) and plan 2-3 main stops, but be prepared for a long day and limited activities.

2) Cruise Options:

For a short cruise with a 5-year-old, Fort Lauderdale and Miami offer family-friendly day cruises:

Fort Lauderdale Jungle Queen Riverboat: 1.5-2 hour sightseeing tour along the Intracoastal Waterway, including mansions and wildlife.
Miami Biscayne Bay sightseeing cruises: 1-2 hour trips past Star Island and downtown Miami.
Private small-boat tours: shorter and more flexible schedules, often family-friendly.

Regarding the Bahamas ferry: it's generally not recommended with a young child for a short trip, as it can be a 3-hour ride each way, plus customs and immigration processing. Day trips are long, tiring, and the schedule is tight.

3) Orlando Theme Parks:

Your 5-day plan is doable:

Disney World (3 days): MK (Magic Kingdom), EPCOT, and either Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios. With a 5-year-old, Magic Kingdom is a must. Between Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios:

Animal Kingdom: Best for nature-themed attractions (Pandora – World of Avatar, Kilimanjaro Safari). Suitable for younger kids.
Hollywood Studios: Focuses on Star Wars, Toy Story, and thrill rides. Some rides may have height restrictions for a 5-year-old.

SeaWorld: 1 day is sufficient to enjoy shows, aquariums, and kid-friendly rides.
Last day options:

Legoland Florida: Perfect for a 5-year-old, interactive rides, LEGO-themed attractions.
Universal Studios: Could be considered if your child enjoys Minions, Despicable Me, and kid-friendly rides, but some attractions have height restrictions.

4) Shopping:

Miami: Dolphin Mall or Sawgrass Mills for outlet and department stores.
Orlando: Disney Springs, Universal CityWalk, and Orlando Premium Outlets for souvenirs and shopping breaks between parks.

Additional Tips:

Rent a comfortable car with ample space for luggage and a car seat.
Book theme park tickets and dining reservations in advance.
Consider splitting Miami stay: 4 days in Miami proper, 1-2 nights in Key West if you choose to go overnight.
Pack sunscreen, hats, and water bottles, as Florida sun can be strong in late April–May.
Use early park entry or Genie+/Lightning Lane options to minimize wait times at Disney/Universal.

With this plan, you get a balanced mix of beaches, kid-friendly attractions, sightseeing, and shopping, while avoiding overly rushed days.

Enjoy your trip!