Three Orlando days without a theme park ticket, and nobody notices.
South Orlando on day one (Gatorland's shows and splash park, then Crayola Experience in the same mall as lunch), Winter Park and downtown on day two (the 10 a.m. Scenic Boat Tour, Leu Gardens, the Science Center, swan boats at Lake Eola), and the Space Coast on day three (Kennedy Space Center, rock shrimp in Titusville, a free beach with showers, sunset dinner on the sand). Add a fourth day at Wekiwa Springs if you have it.
A trip planned with you, not for you.
This is a read-only preview of Rosie's builder. Switch between list, map, and calendar to explore the trip. In your own, every stop is yours to move, swap, or rebuild.
Each day, told as a story
Every day has one anchor and one soft landing: a splash pad, a swan boat, a beach with showers.
Gatorland outdoors all morning, Crayola indoors all afternoon.
Boat tour, gardens, Science Center, swan boat: many short stops, ten minutes apart.
Kennedy Space Center from opening, then the beach and a sunset dinner before the drive back.
Best for your kid's age
Family Score rates each venue 0–100 based on age-appropriateness, safety, and fun factor.
If your youngest is 0–3
Gatorland
Splash park, petting zoo, and a train ride pitched exactly at 2 to 4.
Lake Eola swan boats
A swan boat on a lap and a playground built for ages 2 to 5.
Harry P. Leu Gardens
Fairy houses and shaded paved paths at a toddler's pace.
If your youngest is 4–8
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Rockets, the bus tour, and Planet Play when legs give out.
Crayola Experience Orlando
Twenty-six hands-on stations and a jungle gym, all indoors.
Orlando Science Center
KidsTown for the little ones, four floors for the rest.
If your youngest is 9–12
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Atlantis, the launch simulator, and Chat with an Astronaut.
Gatorland
Zip line over the gators and the off-road swamp ride.
Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour
Canals under the road bridges from an open pontoon.
What it costs
A typical 3-day non-Disney trip for a family of 4
Estimated total
$1,300 - $1,900
ex. lodging · family of 4 · 3 days
Hotel (Drury Plaza, 3 nights, breakfast and Kickback included)
$450-$700
Attractions (Gatorland, Crayola, boat tour, Leu, Science Center, KSC + parking, swan boat)
$700-$780
Restaurants (2 hotel breakfasts free)
$350-$450
Rental car + gas + parking
$150-$250
Buy Gatorland and Crayola online ($3 off per ticket at each) and go to Leu Gardens on a first Monday, when admission is free.
Drury's 5:30 Kickback is free hot food and drinks every night; make it dinner on day one and cut the food line by $50.
Skip Kennedy Space Center's add-ons; the bus tour and Planet Play are already in the $77/$67 ticket.
Five things we wish we'd known
Reserve Wekiwa Springs day use (60 days out) if you add day four; Blue Spring needs a reservation for every visitor. Kennedy Space Center does not, but check its seasonal closing time.
Downtown from Lake Buena Vista is 25 minutes without traffic and 50 with it. Leave before 8 a.m. on day two and day three.
Strollers work everywhere except the beach (bring a wagon) and Crayola bans stroller wagons. Ron Jon and SEA LIFE are the rain backups on the coast and I-Drive.
Reviewers report the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour is cash only at the window; bring $60 in bills and be at the dock 15 minutes before the 10 a.m. departure.
Gatorland's splash park and the outdoor showers at Lori Wilson Park mean swimsuits and a change of clothes on days one and three.
Make this your Orlando trip in about 8 minutes.
Swap stops, change dates, add your own picks. Rosie keeps the rhythm intact.