US · city
Orlando, FL
United States
Disney World, Universal Studios, family vacation HQ — points stretch furthest here
Oct-Apr ideal (65-78°F). Summer hot/humid (90°F+) with daily afternoon thunderstorms. Hurricane risk Jun-Nov. Christmas/spring break peak crowds.
When to visit
Award flights from the US
Economy
Chase Ultimate Rewards
via Southwest Rapid Rewards
+ $30 taxes
Chase UR → Southwest LGA-MCO
JetBlue TrueBlue
+ $20 taxes
JetBlue JFK-MCO direct
Business / First
American AAdvantage
+ $20 taxes
AA business JFK-MCO (limited)
Cash equivalent: economy ~$250 · business ~$900 roundtrip from NYC
Award hotels
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
Hyatt
Cat 5 — Disney-area family resort with pools.
Hyatt Regency Orlando
Hyatt
Cat 4 — Convention Center, Universal adjacent.
Hyatt House Across from Universal
Hyatt
Cat 4 — extended-stay near Universal.
Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
Marriott Bonvoy
In-park location; Marriott points access to Disney.
What to see & do
Walt Disney World
4 theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom) + 2 water parks. Multi-day affair.
Universal Studios Orlando
2 parks (Universal Studios + Islands of Adventure) — Harry Potter, Marvel. Allow 2-3 days.
Epcot World Showcase
11-country pavilions with food + drinks. Best with Drink Around the World pin.
Kennedy Space Center
1-hour east on Atlantic — rocket launch pads, shuttle Atlantis, astronaut training.
Disney Springs
Free-to-enter dining + shopping district. Boathouse, Morimoto, Wine Bar George.
Gatorland
Old-school FL roadside attraction — alligators, zipline, jumparoo show. Less polished than parks.
Monthly weather
Best cards for this trip
Open Sapphire Preferred + World of Hyatt. Hyatt Regency Orlando (Cat 4, 20K/night) — covered for full week by combined bonuses + flight.
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