Student Travel Pro’s

Teacher’s Travel Guide to Orlando

Orlando, Florida

Diving into the Numbers

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Orlando ranked 3rd as the preferred in-country destination for student groups after Washington D.C. and New York in 2023. – SYTA

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Around 30% of student group travel in Orlando is focused on educational experiences, including STEM programs, arts and culture, and history tours.

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Orlando hosts more than 300,000 student groups annually. We’re in good company! – Visit Orlando

Introduction

Orlando for Student Groups

Learning comes to play in Orlando, Florida, a creative community brimming with unrivaled immersive experiences perfect for student groups. Combined with spectacular theme parks, diverse history and a family-friendly environment, Orlando is the perfect solution for dynamic, one-of-a-kind field trips. Plus, it’s easy to align your Orlando student field trip with any curriculum because “The City Beautiful” covers the gamut of opportunities promoting curiosity, passion and excitement in all ages and stages of education.

Orlando is a city that believes in learning by doing. Student groups can embark on thrilling field trip journeys through Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Orlando Science Center, and Kennedy Space Center, where they can engage in unique STEM experiences. At Disney World, experience hands-on opportunities to discover cultural celebrations like Mardi Gras in a way that only Disney can recreate. 

This vibrant city encourages students to explore and uncover new lessons in fulfilling ways. Ecotours offer learning adventures outdoors, while ICON Park provides a plethora of wonders to marvel at, including SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium. New family-friendly resorts, along with more award-winning Michelin Star restaurants, complete the field trip package.

Educational Itineraries & Field Trips

We understand that planning a school trip is challenging, especially when catering to different age groups and educational goals. To help streamline your planning process, we have created three sample itineraries tailored to various age groups and subject areas. These itineraries provide a balanced mix of educational experiences and fun activities, ensuring a memorable and enriching trip for your students. 

Exploring STEM in Orlando: A 3-Day Itinerary for Middle School Students

4-Day Itinerary for High School Performance Groups in Orlando

DISNEY in Orlando: A Three-Day Itinerary for High School Students

Orlando Field Trips

Orlando offers a wide variety of enriching experiences perfect for student groups. From immersive science museums to hands-on history tours and outdoor adventures, our curated list of top field trip locations is designed to inspire learning and curiosity. Each destination is selected for its educational value, safety, and ability to engage students in interactive learning outside the classroom. Browse the profiles below to find the perfect spot for your next student adventure!

Search Our Field Trip Database

 

“Our trip to Orlando was absolutely unforgettable. The educational programs at Walt Disney World’s Youth Education Series were hands-on and engaging. My students loved learning about physics through roller coasters! The hotels were incredibly accommodating, and the entire process of organizing the trip was seamless thanks to the helpful staff at both Disney and our hotel. Orlando truly understands how to cater to student groups, and I can’t wait to bring another group next year.”

Karen, 5th Grade Teacher from Pennsylvania

“Bringing our students to the Kennedy Space Center was one of the highlights of the year. The STEM programs are phenomenal, and my students were able to interact with real NASA engineers and even meet an astronaut! Watching them apply what they learned in class to real-world scenarios was inspiring. Orlando is the perfect blend of fun and education for a school trip, and I highly recommend it to any educator looking to inspire their students.”

David, High School STEM Coordinator from Texas

“Orlando is more than just theme parks! We took our students to the Orlando Science Center and the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts, where they participated in enriching cultural programs. The city offers a balance of educational experiences and leisure activities, so the students not only learned a lot but also had an absolute blast. It was well worth the trip, and I’m already planning for next year!”

Emily, History Teacher from New York

Focus On

Culture

The Orlando community celebrates diversity and the arts every day of the year. From the colorful celebrations of Hispanic and Latin heritage during Festival Calle Orange in October to the captivating displays of African art and traditions at the Orlando Museum of Art, every corner of the city is a canvas for cross-cultural appreciation and exchange.

Student groups can experience the magic of Broadway at Dr. Phillip’s Center for the Performing Arts, as well as breathtaking performances at the Orlando Ballet. They can even star in their own theatrics at venues like SeaWorld and Walt Disney World. Disney provides hands-on opportunities to discover cultural celebrations like Mardi Gras in a way that only Disney can recreate.

Focus On

Language

Language immersion opportunities await students at Epcot’s World Showcase, featuring 11 different country pavilions, each staffed by beloved cast members from those nations speaking the native languages.

Take a stroll down International Drive and visit neighborhoods including Little Brazil, Little Saigon, and Chinatown for a deep dive into native languages and ethnic food, art, and traditions.

Focus On

History

Orlando’s allure extends far beyond its cultural mélange. It also serves as a gateway to unraveling the threads of America’s storied past. The Orange County Regional History Center invites students to delve into 12,000 years of Central Florida’s unique history, unveiling tales of pioneering settlers, Native American heritage, and the region’s pivotal role in shaping the nation’s narrative. Students can also time travel at the Wells’Built Museum of African American History and Culture for segregation-era history, Fort Christmas Historical Park to learn about 19th-century pioneer life, and other historic sites and monuments.

Take a stroll down International Drive and visit neighborhoods including Little Brazil, Little Saigon, and Chinatown for a deep dive into native languages and ethnic food, art, and traditions.

Focus On

STEM

Beyond the neon lights and thrilling roller coasters, Orlando stands as a veritable playground of scientific discovery. At the Orlando Science Center, hands-on exhibits and interactive workshops unlock the secrets of physics, chemistry and biology, igniting a passion for STEM disciplines that will undoubtedly shape the innovators of tomorrow.

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex transports student stargazers to the final frontier for an out-of-this-world experience, igniting their dreams of space exploration. WonderWorks captivates students with scientific discovery zones focusing on weather, engineering, space, art and more.

Focus On

The Arts

The Museum of Illusions offers students a unique perspective through fascinating optical illusions. Over 50 exhibits teach groups about the brain science behind the illusions.

Younger groups will be inspired during a Crayola Experience, where colors and creativity combine for a one-of-a-kind trip. A visit to the Orlando Museum of Art is paramount for most school groups following an art curriculum itinerary. The impressive permanent collection, along with awe-inspiring exhibits, creates a vivid world for students to explore.

Orlando

Events & Festivals

Orlando’s events provide unique opportunities to enhance the educational experience of your student trip. From science-focused showcases to environmental conservation festivals, you can create an itinerary that entertains and educates, making the most of what Orlando has to offer. Below are a few key events that can serve as focal points for planning your trip.

Orlando Science Center Spark STEM Fest (formerly Otronicon)

This event, dedicated to science and technology, offers interactive STEM experiences for students, such as hands-on exhibits, workshops, and engaging presentations.

Zora Neale Hurston Festival

A cultural and historical celebration that honors the renowned author, with exhibitions, activities, discussions, and experiences that highlight African-American history, art, and culture.

IMMERSE Arts Festival

An interactive arts festival that transforms the streets of downtown Orlando into a vibrant, open-air gallery. Featuring student-friendly activities, immersive performances, and thought-provoking installations.

Maker Faire Orlando

A STEAM event that combines creativity, innovation, and hands-on learning. Students can explore a world of possibilities through interactive exhibits and also allows student inventors to showcase their work.

Funding & Assistance

Florida offers a wide range of funding and assistance opportunities to help make student travel and field trips more accessible. Whether you’re looking for grants, scholarships, or fundraising ideas, there are many options available to ease the financial burden for schools and families. In this section, we list a few of the various programs and resources designed to support educational trips.

Florida Education Foundation Field Trip Grants>

Provides financial assistance for field trips that support educational goals.
(850) 245-0505
info@floridaeducationfoundation.org
325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399

The Florida Humanities Council Field Trip Grants

Funds field trips that enhance students’ understanding of Florida’s history and culture.
(850) 844-8492
info@floridahumanities.org
500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399

Target Field Trip Grants

Offers funding to help cover the cost of field trips for K-12 students.
(612) 304-6073
targetfieldtripgrants@target.com
1000 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403

Disney Grants for Education

Supports field trips related to the arts and sciences.
(407) 566-2300
disneydonations@disney.com
1375 E Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

National Geographic Society Field Trip Grants

Provides grants to support educational field trips with a focus on geography and
science.
(202) 857-7000
grants@ngs.org
1145 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036

Florida State Parks Foundation, Inc. Grants and Funding

Supports school field trip groups to help cover the costs associated with educational
visits to Florida's state parks.
1 (813) 586-0681
grants@floridastateparksfoundation.org
1700 North Monroe Street, Suite 11 #200
Tallahassee Florida 32303

Explore Orlando in More Detail

Planning a student group trip to Orlando can be exciting, but it requires thoughtful organization. Our blog section is here to help teachers every step of the way by offering in-depth guides, expert tips, and inspiring ideas.