Recommended Orlando Itineraries: Two, Four and Six-Day Tours

— -- Some travelers come to Orlando with an etched-in-stone game plan. Others are eager for ideas, so we're offering two-, four- and six-day itineraries that may help you organize a plan of attack for what can be a daunting travel destination.

Orlando in Two Days

If you only have two days in Orlando, most of you will spend them at the theme parks, so we're going to give you an itinerary that has one day at Disney and another at Universal. You also can ad lib, trading one or both for choices in the four- and six-day options that follow.

Day One: Epcot. This is Disney's most diverse theme park. It has something for virtually everyone. However, if you're traveling with youngsters or love animals you might opt for Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, respectively, as replacements.

Begin your day in Future World. Go straight to the Mission: Space, Soarin' and Test Track rides, getting a FASTPASS for each of them. These special tickets give you assigned time to return to each ride, letting you skip the long lines and enter a short queue to the boarding areas. If there is time before or between attractions, tour Innoventions and drool over current and future hi-tech appliances. Stop for lunch at the Sunshine Season Food Fair, a collection of quick-service eateries that will satisfy most any appetite, then visit "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience" if the line isn't too long.

Spend the rest of the afternoon in the World Showcase. Visit the China pavilion, where you can watch the Dragon Legend Acrobats and the 360-degree movie, Reflections of China. At the Japan pavilion, don't miss the Matsuriza drummers and consider looking for some special gifts at the Mitsukoshee department store. The American Theater show in the USA pavilion is guaranteed to give you patriotic chills, and a pastry at the France pavilion patisserie will satisfy your sweet tooth, but save room for dinner at the Rose & Crown Pub (United Kingdom pavilion) or Marrakesh (Moroccan pavilion). End the day at the spectacular Illuminations laser and fireworks show at World Showcase Lagoon.

More information: Walt Disney World

Day Two: Universal Studios Florida. Like Epcot, this theme park is somewhat diverse. If thrill rides charge your batteries, Islands of Adventure is a better choice.

At USF, most visitors travel to the right, so we're going to the left for a clockwise assault. Universal doesn't have a free answer to Disney's FASTPASS. Universal Express lets you cut your time in line if you're willing to pay $20-$50.99 extra depending on the day of week and time of year. This service is free for those staying at a Universal resort.

Begin at Shrek 4-D and Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast. While Revenge of the Mummy is on most folks' list, skip it in the morning, when lines can be longest. Instead, go to the Terminator 2: 3-D show, then have lunch at Richter's Burger Co. or International Food and Film Festival.

After lunch, head to Men in Black Alien Attack then—depending on the ages of any kids you have in tow—see Fear Factor Live or Jaws. Speaking of kids, they will love Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster and Curious George Goes to Town. In late afternoon, continue to Revenge of the Mummy and Twister Ride It Out, ending your visit with dinner at Finnegan's Bar & Grill or Mel's Drive-In.

More information: Universal Studios Florida

Orlando in Four Days

If you don't want to be a prisoner of the theme parks, consider trading at least one of the four parks below for Gatorland or Kennedy Space Center, which are under our Orlando in Six Days recommendation.

Day One: Magic Kingdom. Disney's original park is best for young children and adults who remain young at heart. It's also one of the most exhausting if you try to do it all in one day and one of the most annoying to enter. If you're coming by car, it can take 45 minutes or longer to get from the parking lot to the fun.

Skip the shops and storefronts on Main Street as you enter the park. If anything catches your fancy, you can visit on your way out. Go right to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or Splash Mountain, getting FASTPASS for the one you prefer. You can get FASTPASS for the other after your time for the first. Visit Hall of Presidents and—if the line isn't too long—Haunted Mansion while you're waiting for your FASTPASS times. Take a ride on the Magic Carpets of Aladdin if you have time before lunch, then eat at Columbia Harbour House (lighter fare) or Liberty Tree Tavern (pricier).

After lunch, watch Mickey's PhilharMagic show and then ride The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and, if you believe you can tolerate the notoriously brain-saturating song, It's a Small World. Young ones love The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm and the character meet and greets at Mickey's Toontown Fair. Older kids and adults will prefer a ride on Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. Have dinner at Tony's Town Square or The Plaza, then catch the Wishes fireworks display at Cinderella Castle.

Day Two: SeaWorld. Since, it's a water park, this Anheuser-Busch attraction offers a nice break from the usual rides and shows found in Orlando.

Start your fun with at Blue Horizons, a show in which dolphins, birds and stunt men and women strut their stuff on and above ground. Next, visit Dolphin Cove and the Manatee Rescue area before testing your nerve on Journey to Atlantis—which is arguably one of the most thrilling water flumes in central Florida. While we're on the subject of courage, consider tackling Kraken, a floorless roller coaster that's one of our Top Ten thrill rides in Orlando, then have a bite at Sharks Underwater Grill.

Begin the second half of the day with a quick visit to the Penguin Encounter, then enjoy the corny-but-fun show, Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island. Take the gentle journey through Shark Encounter, where you glide along a Plexiglass tunnel while toothy sharks swim around you. There are two other don't-miss shows. Odyssea is a Cirque du Soleil-inspired unconventional circus and Believe is Shamu's main event. For dinner, head for the Makahiki Luau Dinner and Show or the Shamu Rocks Dinner Buffet.

More information: SeaWorld

Day Three: Islands of Adventure. Seuss Landing and Toon Lagoon have fun for young kids and passive adults, but the other islands at this Universal Orlando's newer park are better known for thrill rides.

Open the day at The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, a nifty 3-D simulator, then it's time for a gut check: Do you have the courage to tackle the Incredible Hulk Coaster and Doctor Doom's Fearfall? If you do, and survive, you'll have no problem on Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls, a speedy flume ride. By now, it's time for lunch and you're in the right neighborhood to try Wimpy's (burgers) or the more diverse Comic Strip Café (Oriental, Italian, American and Mexican fast food).

With a full stomach, you'll have plenty of gas to sail aboard Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges, a shake and bake raft ride. Then get your fanny lifted out of the seat on a steeper flume, Jurassic Park River Adventure, ending that with a tour of Jurassic Park Discovery Center, where you can watch a robotic raptor hatch in the "lab." Daring-doers can head to Dueling Dragons, another terrifying coaster, next. Escape artists can skip it and head for Seuss Landing and tamer rides like The Cat in the Hat and One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. Mythos or The Enchanted Oak Tavern are the best options for end-of-the-day meals.

Day Four: Disney's Animal Kingdom. Disney's newest theme park is the best animal encounter in Orlando and arguably the second best in the state (behind Busch Gardens Tampa).

Resist the urge to ogle the Tree of Life and It's Tough to be a Bug, the show inside, this early in the day. Instead, walk as close as you can at warp speed to Kilimanjaro Safaris, where cooler mornings are the best time of day to see lions, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, zebras and other animals. It's also your best chance not to have to take FASTPASS on this ride. On the way out, take the Pangani Forest trail where, if you're lucky, you'll get to see lowland gorillas among other creatures. Forget Rafiki's Planet Watch, it's pretty stagnant, and head to Expedition Everest, where you can grab a FASTPASS, then take the Kali River Rapids raft ride while waiting for your FASTPASS time slot. After you meet the Yeti at the top of Everest, have lunch at Flame Tree Barbecue.

Then it's just a short walk to marvel at the Tree of Life and laugh at the special effects in the 3-D show, It's Tough to be a Bug. The rest of the afternoon can be filled in Dinoland U.S.A., where you can check out the Dinosaur, Triceratop Spin and Primeval Whirl rides. Rainforest Café, which has entrances inside and outside the park, is a good dinner choice.

Orlando in Six Days

Six days means a much more leisurely and selective pace. You might choose one or more of the multi-day passes to Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando, especially if you're staying on property. They give you the option of spending part of the day in a park, going back to your room for a midday rest, then returning for the evening. Our six-day itinerary isn't for everyone, so consider trading those that lack wow power for you for some of the choices from the two- and four-day itineraries.

Day One: Disney's Hollywood Studios. The former Disney-MGM Studios has changed its name, but you'll mostly find the same fun attractions with a few small tweaks.

Your trip down Tinsel Town's memory lane starts by getting FASTPASS for the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and Star Tours. While you wait for your assigned times to return, see Muppet Vision 3-D and, if time permits, Sounds Dangerous with Drew Carey. Make sure to take in the action at the Lights, Motors, Action! Stunt Show, then refuel at Studios Catering Co. Flatbread Grill.

After lunch, if you have the stomach get FASTPASS for Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster (Voyage of the Little Mermaid, The Great Movie Ride and Disney's Hollywood Studios Backlot Tour are alternates for those not up to thrills and chills). Fill the FASTPASS void by watching Beauty and the Beast—Live on Stage. For dinner, the Hollywood Brown Derby is good if expensive choice. Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater is less expensive and servers really get into the act. Make sure to end your day at Fantasmic! It's an entertaining laser, light and fireworks show.

Day Two: Islands of Adventure. See our recommendations under Orlando in Four Days.

Day Three: Gatorland. At 60, this reptile world is a survivor, an excellent window back to yesterday's Florida attractions and one of Orlando's best half-day parks, meaning you can sleep in, find the fun and return to your base camp without burning the candle at both ends. On a six-day visit, that's important! And there are no crowds—so you can do this attraction on your schedule. But there are some must-see things.

This is a natural habitat zoo, meaning the animals can't get out but thanks to a very good conservation policy they have free range in many areas. The park handout tells you what shows happen at specific hours. Don't miss the Jumparoo, where trainers use meat to get alligators and a crocodile or two to jump two-thirds of a body length out of the water for grub. Another favorite is the old-fashioned Gator Wrestling show, where a wrangler flips one of the modern dinosaurs onto its back and for a few moments gives it some nap time. The breeding marsh is a dandy place to see gators in a near wild state and the front pond, especially during the spring mating season, offers a glimpse of the bull alligators' water dance, a ritual where they rise to the surface and exhale, causing their back plates (called scutes) to ripple the water.

More information: Gatorland

At the hunger hour, try Miss Pearl's, which has burgers, hot dogs and, our favorite, a nice range of gator meat (the ribs are as sweet and moist as can be). Dinner tonight? Call it a wild card. Find something from the list of dining options in our Orlando City Guide.

Day Four: Epcot. Consider the suggested game plan under Orlando in Two Days.

Day Five: Universal Studios Florida. See the itinerary under Orlando in Two Days.

Day Six: Kennedy Space Center. Even if you don't have a car, you can spend most of a day at this out-of-this-world theme park by hitching a ride through a company like Mears Transportation (800-759-5219), which charges about $35 roundtrip per person. The day trip (Monday, Wednesday and Fridays only) includes five or six hours at KSC, which is plenty.

Once you land, head for the Shuttle Launch Experience, a simulator that will give you a good idea of what it's like to go on a real mission. Then visit the Rocket Garden, where you'll be introduced to vintage space vehicles. Make sure to spend a few minutes at the Astronaut Memorial, a moving tribute to those fliers who lost their lives. The Astronaut Hall of Fame and Kennedy Space Center Tour (the Apollo/Saturn V Center, observation gantry and more) are included in your admission. IMAX movies about the International Space Station and the moon also are included in the gate price. Lunch with an Astronaut is a neat experience, but it's pricey (about $40 for adults, $30 for kids). If that's not in your budget, you can grab some fuel at Mila's or Orbit. Most days, you still can meet a real space man or woman at Astronaut Encounter.

More information: Shuttle Launch Experience