Pack your bags and fly to Florida for nonstop family entertainment.
Is a trip to a theme park on the family’s lips? If so, a trip to Orlando, Florida, is the only option. From the timeless attractions and characters at Walt Disney World Resort to the exhilarating thrills of Universal Orlando Resort, there are parks to suit every taste. Children who enjoy animals will particularly enjoy visiting SeaWorld Orlando or Gatorland. Read on to start making travel arrangements for your upcoming trip to the Sunshine State; great weather and family-friendly adventures at these top Orlando theme parks are waiting for you.
Walt Disney World Resort: Lake Buena Vista’s Magic Kingdom Park
Magic Kingdom Park, possibly the most well-known theme park in Orlando, debuted as the first park in Walt Disney World Resort in 1971. The world-famous Magic Kingdom is home to numerous iconic, nostalgic rides, like Pirates of the Caribbean, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Jungle Cruise, that capture the imaginations of both children and adults. Six themed areas, including Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland, have rides, with Cinderella’s Castle serving as the park’s focal point. The Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa are just a few of the family-friendly Disney accommodation facilities nearby Magic Kingdom.
Lake Buena Vista, Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort
Epcot offers four different worlds for guests to explore. It is most known for Spaceship Earth, its iconic white sphere. Two heart-pounding rides can be found in the park’s World Discovery area. Test Track and Space Mission. Through movies, exhibitions, attractions, and restaurants at World Showcase, you may learn about nations from all around the world, including Morocco, Italy, Norway, and China. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in France and Frozen Ever After in Norway are two well-known rides in this region. When you’re hungry, grab a snack at Mexico’s charming La Cantina de San Angel. Book a stay at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, which is close to one of Epcot’s back entrances, for simple access to the park. To get to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, additional Disney Parks, or other nearby resorts, you can also board the Disney Skyliner gondola at this location.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Lake Buena Vista, Walt Disney World
Fans of “Toy Story” and “Star Wars” won’t want to miss Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where there are entire lands devoted to their favorite characters. Take a trip on the Millennium Falcon, create your own lightsaber, or enter the world of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Visitors can play carnival games on Toy Story Mania!, ride the Slinky Dog Dash coaster, and interact with characters like Woody and Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story Land. A number of live performances are also available, one of which being “A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration.” Pop Century Resort and Art of Animation Resort are two reasonably priced Disney hotels nearby Hollywood Studios. Larger families can choose a three-bed family suite at Art of Animation, which features a dining table that can be used as a bed.
Lake Buena Vista, Florida: Walt Disney World Resort, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park
One of the biggest theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort, Animal Kingdom Park has a total area of more than 500 acres. It has six different sections, including Africa, Asia, Pandora – The World of Avatar, and DinoLand U.S.A., and holds about 2,000 creatures. Favorite attractions include Kilimanjaro Safaris, Avatar Flight of Passage, and Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain coaster. A stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge allows visitors to this Disney Park to extend their time in the Animal Kingdom. More than 30 different kinds of African wildlife may be seen right outside the resort. Visitors can also take use of the enormous pool with a waterslide and eat at one of the lodge’s restaurants, like Jiko – The Cooking Place and Boma – Flavors of Africa.
Lake Buena Vista, Florida: Walt Disney World Resort, Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park
Visit one of the two Disney water parks, Blizzard Beach, for some cool entertainment during Orlando’s sweltering days. A chairlift and a waterslide are located on Mount Gushmore, which is the focal point of the theme park’s imagined blizzard in Florida. Other attractions include the Teamboat Springs group water raft ride and the toboggan racers, where you can compete against a friend or relative on a mat. Blizzard Beach is situated between Disney’s All Star Sports Resort and Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, two convenient hotels with simple park-to-park access.
Lake Buena Vista, Florida: Walt Disney World Resort, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
Typhoon Lagoon, Disney’s second water park choice, can be easily identified by its recognizable shrimp boat perched on a mountain. Spend some time at the Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool, the park’s major feature with a white sand beach, or ride the water-powered coaster-style raft ride Crush ‘n’ Gusher. You can even take a surfing class for an additional special experience. Disney’s Old Key West Resort and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa are two properties close to Typhoon Lagoon, which is situated next to Disney Springs, a shopping and dining area.
Orlando is home to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Orlando Resort.
At Universal Studios Florida, you may experience attractions based on motion pictures, television shows, and famous Hollywood figures. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, which allows fans of the well-known book and film series to experience the magical setting of Harry Potter, is arguably the most well-liked area of the theme park. Visitors to the park get access to the thrill coaster Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, the Hogwarts Express, and Ollivander’s Wand Shop, where they can even choose their own wand. Beyond Harry Potter-themed activities, tourists can take pleasure in The Simpsons Ride and the Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem simulator. In addition, Halloween Horror Nights, an annual event at Universal Studios Florida that includes spectacular haunted houses and terrifying characters, is well-known. The luxurious Loews Portofino Bay Hotel in Universal Orlando, an Italian-themed hotel, offers easy boat access to the parks and a luxurious stay.
Universal Orlando Resort’s Islands of Adventure: Orlando
For magical adventures in themed regions like Jurassic Park, Seuss Landing, and Marvel Super Hero Island, visit Universal’s Islands of Adventure park. You may step into Dr. Seuss’s imaginative universe with his numerous stories and characters at Seuss Landing. Enjoy a Butterbeer while standing in line for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade. The park’s thrill coasters include Dr. Doom’s Fearfall, the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ride, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, the Jurassic World VelociCoaster, and more. The Cabana Bay Beach Resort at Universal, a throwback to the 1950s and 1960s, offers family suites with kitchenettes and separate sitting and sleeping rooms, where you can find a place to sleep at night.
Universal Orlando Resort’s Volcano Bay Water Theme Park: Orlando
The enormous volcano in the middle of Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Theme Park is impossible to miss. Aqua coasters, body slides, raft rides, and a lazy river with rapids and waves are a few of the attractions. The park’s virtual lines are a particularly unusual feature; visitors wear TapuTapu wristbands that digitally maintain their position in line for attractions and alert them when it’s their turn. Stay at Universal’s Aventura Hotel, which has a path that leads directly to Volcano Bay, for a short stroll to the park. The building also has a pool, a food court, an on-site Starbucks, and a rooftop bar.
Winter Haven, Legoland Florida Resort and Theme Park
Have any Lego fans in your family? Experience everything brick at the Legoland Florida Resort, from Land of Adventure to The Lego Movie World. For additional excitement, check out Coastersaurus and Lego Ninjago The Ride. The kid-friendly Duplo Valley area, which includes a playhouse, train rides, and a toddler splash area, is great for young children. Choose from one of the three hotels near Legoland Florida to extend your convenience. Choose between the Legoland Hotel, the Pirate Island Hotel, or the bungalows at the Legoland Beach Retreat, all of which have in-room treasure hunts and accommodations with pirate themes.
Winter Haven, Legoland Water Park, Legoland Florida Resort
When you need a break from the bricks, visit the Legoland Water Park for a cool soak. Water slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river are available for families. Visitors can construct their own boats at Creative Cove and compete with other builders. They can also test their engineering prowess by building their own rafts to sail down the lazy river. The Courtyard Winter Haven and the Holiday Inn Winter Haven are two hotels close by that are not part of the park.
Disney SeaWorld: Orlando
SeaWorld Orlando, an amusement park with an animal theme in Orlando, is dedicated to saving and rehabilitating marine life. Attend a variety of programs, such as the Orca Encounter and the Sea Lion & Otter Spotlight, to get up close and personal with marine life. The park’s rehabilitation facilities also feature a number of aquariums and possibilities for behind-the-scenes tours. The Mako, Manta, and Kraken roller coasters, as well as the Journey to Atlantis water ride, are among the many attractions available to guests of all ages. Younger children may play around SeaWorld’s Sesame Street Land, which has attractions including Big Bird’s Twirl ‘n’ Whirl and Elmo’s Choo Choo Train. Daily hot breakfast is provided for free at the close-by Homewood Rooms by Hilton Orlando Theme Parks, which also has a pool and suites with kitchens and dining areas.
Orlando’s Gatorland
Gatorland is a good option for a theme park excursion off the usual route. Gatorland, which is south of Orlando and close to Kissimmee, allows youngsters to witness more than 2,000 American alligators as well as crocodiles, birds, and other animals of various kinds. Spend the day watching a wildlife show, on an off-road adventure with singing tour guides, or zipping over the reptiles. Less than 5 miles north of the park, the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes and the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes both provide exquisite inns for an overnight stay.
Orlando, Florida, USA Fun Spot
The only wooden coaster in Orlando can be found at Fun Spot America, which is a traditional amusement park right off International Drive in Orlando. Bumper cars and thrilling attractions like the SkyCoaster, the Hot Seat gigantic arm swing, and Headrush 360 are also available in the park (which turns riders upside down to swing and spin). Choose from a number of hotels in the area, such as the SureStay Plus by Best Western Orlando International Drive or the Hilton Garden Inn Orlando International Drive North.