Easy Day Trips from Orlando for Families: LEGOLAND Florida & Busch Gardens Tampa

If you're staying near Disney for a week or more, you don't have to spend every day in the big parks. Two of the best family day trips from Orlando are LEGOLAND Florida in Winter Haven, about an hour from Windsor Cay Resort, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, roughly 90 minutes away. Both make easy single-day outings that give the kids (and the grown-ups) a change of pace.

LEGOLAND Florida: best for younger kids

LEGOLAND Florida Resort in Winter Haven is built for families with children roughly ages 2 to 12, with rides, build zones, a water park, and shows themed around everyone's favorite bricks. It's about 45 miles, roughly an hour's drive, from the Clermont/Four Corners area, which makes it a comfortable there-and-back day.

Tip: Save LEGOLAND for a day when the Disney parks are busiest. You'll trade the crowds for shorter lines and a more relaxed pace that suits little ones.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: thrill rides and a safari

For families with older kids and teens, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay combines world-class roller coasters with a genuine African-themed animal park. You can ride a coaster in the morning and see giraffes and elephants in the afternoon. It's about 84 miles (around an hour and a half) from Orlando, so it's still very doable as a day trip.

Tip: Leave early and plan a full day. With the drive each way, an early start lets you ride the headliners before the lines build.

How to make day trips easy from a vacation home

This is where staying in a vacation home really pays off on a longer trip. A full kitchen means you can feed everyone a real breakfast before you hit the road (and pack snacks for the car instead of buying them at the park), and a larger home with extra bedrooms keeps multi-family groups comfortable when you get back. Best of all, your private screened pool is waiting for an evening swim after a long day out.

More to explore nearby

LEGOLAND and Busch Gardens are just the start. See the rest of what's within easy reach in our Things to Do guide, all anchored around Windsor Cay's location about 8 miles from Walt Disney World.

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Ready to plan a longer Orlando stay? Check current availability at Windsor Cay Resort and give your family room to explore beyond the parks.