Orlando · Florida
Expect massive crowds, long lines for popular rides, and a full day of walking in the Florida heat and humidity. The parks are well-run but exhausting; even with decent planning you'll spend hours queuing unless you buy extras like express passes. It's a high-energy, high-stimulation experience with great rides and shows, but it can feel like a marathon rather than a vacation. Summer is brutally hot and wet; the best time to go is January through early March when crowds and prices are lower and the weather is more tolerable.
Expect to pay around $120–$180 per day for a single park ticket, or $160–$250+ if you want multiple parks in one day. Multi-day tickets drop the per-day cost but still add up fast, especially once you add parking, food, and any express or lightning lane options. One honest tip: if it's your first visit, pick just one or two parks instead of trying to do everything; Universal's two parks or Disney's Magic Kingdom are usually the strongest choices. Skip the add-on hopper tickets unless you have at least four full days; the time lost traveling between sites usually isn't worth it.