From Roller Coasters to Water Slides, These are the Best Theme Parks in Florida
Best Educational Parks
1. Epcot
Another Disney-owned Florida theme park, Epcot is perfect for families who want their kids to learn something while on vacation. The park is split into 11 separate areas or countries, with entertainment, rides, shopping and dining experiences specific to that destination.
Kids can meet the characters from “Frozen,” learn about sustainability, and even take an interactive ride through the five senses and explore their imaginations. Epcot is also perfect for adult foodies because it offers cuisine from nine different countries; there’s even a special food and wine festival in the fall.
2. Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is basically an interactive safari park suitable for all ages. School-aged children in particular will enjoy the slow rides and animal encounters, which make it more like a fancy zoo than a theme park.
Families can learn all about animals, particularly those from the African savanna. Dinosaurs are also a big draw here at DinoLand where kids can play archaeologist and pose with a replica of the largest T. rex skeleton ever found.
Starting at the end of May 2017, you can also enjoy the magic of “Avatar” in the Pandora-themed area, which will feature rides and entertainment based on the movie.
These Oceania cruises will take you to some of the most stunning locations in the region, from Fiji to Bora Bora to Tasmania to Oolala Island.
3. Jungle Island
Miami-based zoological theme park, Jungle Island, offers animal exhibits, shows, and even one-on-one VIP interactions with lemurs and sloths. The park features the only trained cassowary (a 5-foot-tall bird) in the world along with a 900-pound liger (a cross between a tiger and lion) named Hercules.
Daily programs teach guests about endangered and rare species around the world and the park even hosts a small on-site petting zoo. Jungle Island is also an environmentally sustainable theme park that has its own onsite beach available only to ticket holders.