Ever since the 1971 opening of Walt Disney World, Florida has been the go-to place for theme parks in the United States. There are now over 13 different theme parks in Orlando alone, half of which are owned by Disney.
While there are Disney World tips that can help take your vacation to the next level, it’s pretty hard to have rotten time at a theme park. The first step, though, is choosing from the long list…
While Disney and Universal’s parks feature their respective licensed characters, there are also roller coaster-heavy theme parks, water parks, and even educational parks. No matter what you or your family’s tastes are, there’s a theme park in Florida for everyone.
Best All Around
1. Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom
While Magic Kingdom is primarily geared toward the enjoyment of children under the age of 10, there are a variety of rides, dining choices and experiences geared toward families — including adults.
Magic Kingdom has all the classic rides from your childhood such as It’s a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Mad Tea Party. There are also a number of slower roller coasters and water rides suitable for all ages.
Young children will enjoy meeting their favorite Disney characters along with watching themed stage shows, fireworks and parades during certain times throughout the day.
2. Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure go hand-in-hand due to their Wizarding World of Harry Potter addition. Visitors can eat and drink themed items from the films in addition to shopping for “Harry Potter” merchandise.
You can even ride the Hogwarts Express between the two parks, and visit both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.
While Islands of Adventure focuses on cartoon and illustrated properties such as Dr. Seuss, Marvel, and classic characters such as Popeye, Universal Studios highlights rides and attractions related to big blockbuster films such as “Transformers” and “Jurassic Park.” Both parks offer character meet-and-greets, daily performances, and a variety of rides to suit all ages and tastes.
Universal is particularly good fun if you visit in October due to their scare mazes which make it a top Halloween destination.
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3. Legoland
Although Legoland is meant for kids under the age of 12, the park offers great value for what’s included in the price. The park has a variety of small roller coasters, carnival rides, water rides and driving rides featuring Lego characters and designs.
Most rides don’t have an age limit, meaning parents can ride along with their kids if necessary too.
Legoland is also a great all-around choice for families because a lot of the attractions are interactive. Kids can build with Legos on site, play on playgrounds and in their attached water park, meet characters and explore the botanical gardens.
Best for Roller Coasters
1. Busch Gardens
While Busch Gardens is a well-rounded theme park featuring animal attractions, shows and moderately paced kid’s rides, the real draw is their extensive selection of world-class roller coasters. Of all the Florida theme parks, Busch Gardens offers the most exciting rides for thrill seekers and families with older children.
Not for the faint of heart, you’ll plummet hundreds of feet, loop upside down, dangle from the track, and spin while you ride. In short, the coasters here are a unique mix of classic and inventive.
Plus there are plenty of other things to do in Tampa that will be sure to keep your family entertained on the days you need a break from the thrills.
2. SeaWorld
Believe it or not, SeaWorld actually has the longest, tallest, and fastest roller coaster of all the Orlando, FL theme parks. On Mako, you can see the Orlando skyline from 200 feet up and experience weightlessness as you plunge down at speeds up to 73 miles per hour.
SeaWorld has four amazing themed roller coasters, including one that’s also a water ride. Part theme park, part aquarium, SeaWorld embraces both and merges them into one incredible experience for marine animal lovers.
You can even get up close and personal with a variety of sea life at one of their many family-friendly shows or view dolphins, sharks and whales in their custom-built exhibits.
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3. Fun Spot America, Orlando
Fun Spot America’s Orlando location has two unique coasters that make it well worth a visit. It has the only wooden roller coaster in the area, a staple of early American amusement parks.
You can see the entire park from the top hill and speeds reach up to 48 miles per hour.
Like Busch Gardens, it also has an inverted coaster where your feet dangle as you ride. They even have a virtual reality option on select seats where you battle robots using the provided headset.
Fun Spot is a great choice for families looking for a budget-friendly option that offers a single day pass or pay-as-you-go option. In addition to roller coasters and thrill rides, the park also has an arcade, go-karts, and a number of other kiddie rides for smaller children.
Best Waterparks
1. Aquatica
Consistently rated as one of the top theme parks in Orlando, FL, Aquatica combines marine life viewing with water park thrills. Lazy rivers and water slides actually glide under and through huge aquariums filled with fish, turtles and dolphins.
The park also boasts a number of water attractions suitable for families including two giant wave pools, high-speed water slides and playgrounds for the little ones. For added comfort and convenience, Aquatica offers the option to rent loungers and cabanas for all day use.
The cabanas in particular are a great value in comparison to other similar options at water parks in the area.
2. Disney’s Blizzard Beach
Although it’s one of the most expensive water parks in Florida, Disney’s Blizzard Beach will give you your money’s worth. One of the best water parks in the US, the whole park is designed to mimic an icy ski lodge with melting snow, complete with chairlift.
Families can ride together on many rides and even race each other head-first down the Toboggan Racers water slide. There’s a relaxing lazy river for mom and dad to enjoy along with a condensed version of the park for toddlers and children under 4 feet tall.
Aside from the water slides and related attractions, there are also plenty of sweet treats and frosty libations catered to both children and adults.
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3. Adventure Island
Palm tree-laden Adventure Island has pools, slides and designated areas just for kids. Whether you prefer the exhilaration of sliding in the dark or enjoy the scenery of an open flume slide, both single and multi-rider types abound here.
Their newest thrill slide, Colossal Curl, allows up to four people to ride and combines corkscrews, waterfalls and a free fall that mimics the feeling of weightlessness experienced on a roller coaster. If that’s not enough for you, the park even has a beach volleyball complex for friendly or competitive matches.
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.
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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.