10 Best Theme Parks in Orlando

Universal’s Islands of Adventure® has received international awards for its extensive range of rollercoasters and attractions. Its different zones include The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™-Hogsmeade™, Marvel Super Hero Island®, The Lost Continent®, Toon Lagoon®, Jurassic Park®, Skull Island™, and Seuss Landing™. The list of family-friendly attractions at this huge park is long enough to last a few days. Thankfully multi-day passes are available, so you save more for each extra day you buy.

One-half of the wider Universal Orlando complex, Universal Studios draws in the bumper crowds with its long lineup of Hollywood-inspired rides and attractions. Get up close with those naughty yellow minions from Despicable Me, fly across Springfield with the Simpsons, ward-off alien attacks in the MEN IN BLACK simulator or get lost in a world of magic at Harry Potter’s Escape from Gringotts ride. The action here is more focused on delivering an immersive movie experience, with state-of-the-art technology used throughout the range of simulators.

SeaWorld® has long been a firm fixture on Orlando’s list of big-name attractions, with plenty of shows, aquatic-themed rides and hands-on animal experiences to keep the family occupied for the day. Star attractions here include the Shark Encounter® tunnel – allowing you to walk through an underwater world – as well as Dolphin Cove® and Stingray Lagoon®, both of which offer a hands-on experience with the animals.

Magic Kingdom retains its place as the premier amusement park for young children who want to be dazzled by their favorite characters come to life and experience that unmistakable, extraordinary Disney charm. Founded in 1971, it was the first attraction to open at Orlando’s sprawling Walt Disney World. Disney's Magic Kingdom is spilt into 6 different ‘lands’ across an enormous 107-acre site – Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Tomorrowland, Main Street, and Liberty Square.

Legoland Florida is a 150-acre theme park based on the iconic Danish-invented construction toys. It features over 50 rides, shows, attractions, shops and restaurants, making it one of the biggest theme parks in Orlando. Legoland Florida also has a separate waterpark, with its own selection of rides and attractions including a wave pool, lazy river and slides.

Discovery Cove®'s top-rated activity is easily their Dolphin Lagoon®, which lays on 30-minute small-group sessions with the dolphins in the water, allowing you to swim, hug and even kiss the dolphins (if that’s your thing). The Freshwater Oasis zone offers much of the same thing, just with different animals like otters and marmosets, while The Grand Reef is the place to check out some exotic fish with a snorkel set provided. Wind-Away River is a slow-flowing river that passes through landscaped jungles, caves and waterfalls. Almost all the attractions here involve getting in the water, so don’t forget your swimming costumes!

Epcot’s huge spherical design is one of the most instantly recognizable images of Disney World. This science-themed attraction has 2 areas: Future World, demonstrating human endeavor and innovation, along with World Showcase, a permanent world’s fair with 11 nations represented around a giant manmade lake. The fun of Epcot is really found in just strolling around and soaking up the incredibly realistic sights.

For a theme park with a difference, Orlando’s highly rated Gatorland provides a little extra ‘bite’ since it's home to dozens of live alligators and crocodiles. The timetable of live shows and demonstrations here provide a great way of learning more about Orlando’s most famous reptiles, but what will really leave a lasting memory is the park’s much-talked-about zipper line ride over the gator-infested swamps – easily beating any other rollercoaster in the city to the title of Orlando’s Scariest Attraction!

Aquatica® is located next to the larger SeaWorld® complex, south of Downtown Orlando. Alongside all the water park essentials like head-to-head slides, rapids, and high-speed flumes, Aquatica also delivers a few unique attractions. The Dolphin Plunge® lets you slide through a water shoot with actual dolphins swimming around you (they’ll even try to race you as you zipper along, if you’re lucky). Another popular water ride at Aquatica is the oblivion-style drop at Ihu’s breakaway Falls®.