Planning a family trip to Orlando, Florida and Walt Disney World with kids ranging from toddlers to teens? Well, I’ve got you covered! Keep reading for a comprehensive 5-day itinerary that balances fun for all ages, from theme parks to water parks and much more. This worked out perfectly for my family’s recent Spring Break trip and was the best blend of magic, memories, and manageable chaos lol. We tackled Disney, explored local attractions, and made sure every member of the family, big and small, had something to look forward to each day. Here are all the details:

ORLANDO NOTES at the top of my list FOR LARGE FAMILIES

Magic Kingdom is worth the trip! Period. It truly lives up to the hype and was the highlight for all our kids. From character shows and bubble wands to roller coasters and fireworks, it has something for everyone. This was our bigs’ (ages 11 and 13) third time visiting, and the twins’ (age 3) first time. At first, I thought 3 would be too young, but it was honestly perfect. Everyone had a great time! Disney is truly a well-oiled machine and the greatest place on Earth. It’s worth the trip and the price.

Disney Springs is a must-visit. It’s perfect for a leisurely day full of shopping, food, and kid-friendly fun. This was our 3rd time visiting Disney Springs within the past 8 years, and it’s so much to do there. Even if you go here just for dining, it’s worth the visit.

Orlando offers a wide range of accommodations. I recommend staying at a resort or hotel with space and amenities that can accommodate a larger family. A few that I considered were: Gaylord Palms (stayed here many years ago and loved it, and apparently it’s been recently renovated), Conrad Orlando, Orange Lake Resort, and The Grove Resort (where we ultimately stayed). See below for the pros and cons on where we stayed.

Car rental makes getting around easier, especially when juggling car seats and strollers. It was 7 of us, so we rented a mini van to ensure everyone’s comfort. Although many hotels offer shuttles to Disney, if you want to move around on your own time and explore multiple places, then renting a truck or van is the way to go.

FAMILY TRAVEL TIPS FOR A SMOOTH START

Now, again, it was 7 of us traveling — my family of 6 along with my mom (if you have the benefit of helpful grandparents, I highly recommend asking them to tag along for an extra set of hands with the kids). Given that this was the twins’ first flight, I had a bit of anxiety leading up to the trip, but we planned and packed thoughtfully, so ultimately, I knew we would be fine. The following were tips I’d rinse and repeat for future trips:

We brought our own stroller and checked it at the gate. It made navigating the airport with the twins so much easier. If you opt not to go this route, another option is kids’ luggage with an attached seat, like this or this, or renting a stroller in Orlando.
Everyone had a carry-on that we checked for free at the gate (except for a couple of essentials we kept onboard). We could have checked bags initially to avoid carrying them through security, especially since we didn’t have a connection. However, we opted for carry-ons to reduce waiting times after deboarding and to avoid the risk of something important for the twins getting checked instead of carried on.
In our toddlers’ carry-on bags: juice boxes, snacks, refillable cups, toilet seat covers, wipes, sanitizer, change of clothes, tablets, and headphones. These were all travel game-changers for our first-time flyers.
We booked an early flight (6:45 AM)—the twins slept for most of it! Would definitely do this again. We were also able to pre-board, which made getting settled easy.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL + THE GROVE RESORT & WATER PARK

Once we landed, we picked up our rental car and stopped for brunch before checking in early at The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando. That early check-in was clutch, as we were able to unpack and then hit the water park by the afternoon.

Why We Chose The Grove Resort:

Spacious 3-bedroom condo with 2 bathrooms—perfect for our group of 7
Full kitchen and in-room washer/dryer
Onsite restaurants, snack shop, coffee bar, fitness center, activity center for kids
Best of all: an amazing water park!

Pros:

Space for large families
Large dining room table
Onsite water park with splash areas and pools for all ages
In-room laundry
Free parking

Cons:

Confusing layout. We got lost more than once!
The room was clean and functional, but not as modern as expected. More timeshare-style than luxury.

Afternoon Activity:

We hit the water park around 3 PM. The splash area was perfect for toddlers, and the pools had both shallow and deep ends for everyone to enjoy. The bigs especially loved this.
The restaurant at the water park served great poolside food (burgers, wings, wraps) and strong margaritas!
Ended the day with showers, takeout dinner, and a family movie night in the room.

DAY 2: DISNEY SPRINGS

We kept things low-key on Day 2 and headed to Disney Springs for food and fun. We spent a full day here (12:30 PM–7:30 PM).

What We Did:

Lunch at T-Rex Cafe: A dino-themed restaurant that’s great for families (though the twins were scared at first!).
Shopping galore: Zara, Coach, World of Disney, and more. The highlight? Me, my mom, and my oldest daughter all got Coach bags!
Rode the Amphicar: A car that drives on water—such a fun experience.
Bowling at Splitsville: A great indoor activity for all ages. They had bowling aides for the twins, and the rest of us had too much fun trying to get spares and strikes.
Ended the day with ice cream and very happy kids.

DAY 3: MAGIC KINGDOM

We didn’t rush in the morning. Our goal was to enjoy the park, not wear ourselves out. We arrived around noon and stayed until the fireworks show at 9 PM. This timing was perfect, and I’d absolutely do it this way again.

Why It’s Worth It:

The parades, character shows, and fireworks are magical for all ages
Rides for toddlers: Dumbo, It’s a Small World, Carousel, Teacups, Magic Carpets of Aladdin, and more
Rides for tweens/teens: Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and more
The princess makeovers at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique are the cutest! We didn’t do it this time, but we did for my daughter’s 4th birthday, and she loved it.
Great snacks and takeaways: Bubble wands (pricey but worth it for hours of fun for the twins), tasty popcorn, and a funnel cake that Mickey hgifted us near the castle!
Lunch at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn: My Southwest Caesar salad was amazing, and I got to enjoy it during the parade.

Pro Tips:

Go in March or April for comfortable weather. We’ve done June before, and the heat was overwhelming. April was hot but bearable.
Wear comfortable walking shoes! I can’t stress this one enough. I highly recommend a pair that you’ve walked long distance in before. Unfortunately, I wore a pair I had only walked short distance in before, and it turns out they were the wrong pair to wear. I was in so much pain, on top of the pain I already deal with from a condition I have. Even with the best walking shoes, buffer in time for ‘breaks’; whether it’s enjoying a cold treat, sitting down for lunch or riding rides like It’s a Small World that are leisurely, seated and indoors.
Download the My Disney Experience mobile app to check ride wait times, for contactless dining experiences, and to access other helpful info. Also, grab a paper Disney map.
The lightning lane passes (skip the line option) isn’t a bad idea if your kids have must-do rides. We didn’t use it this time, but we have in the past, and it was worth it.
Scope out your spot for the parade and fireworks show early to secure a good view before they restrict access.
Enjoy time as one big family, but also divide and conquer with multiple-aged kids. It allows everyone to enjoy age-appropriate attractions.
Our stroller came in handy for the twins nap time, so again, bring your own or rent a stroller if you have little kids.

DAY 4: SPLIT DAY (BIGS + LITTLES)

We split up on this day. My husband took the big kids to Universal’s Islands of Adventure, while I stayed back at the resort with the twins and my mom for a toddler-focused pool day.

Why This Works:

Tweens/teens got exciting rides and time with dad
Toddlers got water play, pool toys, and lunch in our cabana at the resort’s water partk
Everyone got what they needed, and it gave the trip a perfect balance.

DAY 5: DEZERLAND BEFORE HEADING HOME

Our flight wasn’t until 8 PM so we had time to squeeze in one last stop — Dezerland Park. It’s an indoor family entertainment center with something for all ages.

We loved:

Go-karts
Arcade games
Bowling
Trampoline park
A huge car museum (perfect for car lovers)
Something for every age group, and it was all under one roof
Food court for a quick lunch before heading to the airport

This was the perfect way to end the trip, since we couldn’t get a late checkout. It burned off that last bit of kid energy and gave us a low-stress way to enjoy our final day.

Flight Home: While the twins didn’t sleep this time, they were well-behaved with their tablets and snacks.

This trip was a full mix of magic, memories, and a few meltdowns (we’re still a real family after all). But it showed us that traveling with four kids, including toddlers, can be joyful, manageable, and full of fun when you plan with flexibility and balance. Whether you’re planning for a summer vacation, fall break, or a spontaneous family getaway, this 5-day guide is packed with ideas to keep kids of all ages entertained. From Disney days to water park fun and unexpected gems like bowling and go-karts, we found something for everyone. Hope this helps for your family’s Orlando trip! Drop any questions or more tips to the comments.

Keep glowing,

Shalyce

Orlando Family Vacation Guide: 5-Day Itinerary for Toddlers to Teens and Disney World Fun