From roller coasters to water parks, Orlando’s varied theme parks are second to none in the world. We highlight the best of each park below, but would like to point out that beyond the parks lies a very different city. From the eclectic scene of downtown Orlando to the abundance of freshwater lakes, this central Florida city has much more to offer than roller coasters and water slides.
Walt Disney World® Orlando
Who would have thought that the orange groves of central Florida would become one of the world’s top vacation destinations? One man did, and the world is now living his mouse-filled dream. With four theme parks, two water parks, adult nightlife and an abundance of resorts, Walt Disney World® reigns supreme among its contenders.
Tip: Stay on the coasters until dusk to be sure you don’t miss the nightly fireworks displays at three of the parks. Each is more exhilarating than the next.
Magic Kingdom® Orlando
Every child dreams of riding Space Mountain®, walking up to Cinderella’s Castle and shaking the hand of that famous mouse. Disney’s oldest theme park is the place to go for all three activities, plus a ton more. The perfect spot for families with small children, the Magic Kingdom® is a story book fantasy come to life. Our favorite must sees: Mickey’s PhilharMagic, a 3D show that will dazzle all your senses; Pirates of the Caribbean, where you’ll voyage by boat through an old pirate town; and Splash Mountain®, where you’ll be, reacquainted with Briar Rabbit and the whole gang…watch out for the waters ahead!
Tip:
Looking to meet all the Disney characters? Magic Kingdom is the spot. Give your children an autograph book for signatures of all their favorite animated friends.
EPCOT® Orlando
Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow (EPCOT®) is home to wonders abound. Split into two sections, this Disney park entertains all with an educational undertone. Experience Future World, where nature, imagination and space are the focus of thrilling rides and interactive attractions. Our favorite here is Honey I Shrunk the Audience, a 3D show sure to entice more than just sight and sound; and Mission: SPACE, where vacationers are thrilled with a realistic launch into space. World Showcase, the other half of EPCOT®, offers a multicultural experience you’d only find by traveling around the globe. Eleven countries stand side by side, each a tiny representation of its real counterpart. Visit the Eiffel Tower and an Aztec pyramid all within an hour! With authentic food and shopping, it would be a shame to miss all that these countries have to offer.
Tip:
Don’t miss IllumiNations, EPCOT’s laser light and fireworks show, choreographed to enchanting music…it’s the perfect way to cap off a day at the park.
Hollywood Studios, Inc.™
A movie-lover’s dream, Hollywood Studios, Inc. (formerly Disney’s MGM) gives you a backstage look into movie production, casting, stunts and more. From action movies like Indiana Jones and Star Wars, the shows and rides are perfect for cinema enthusiasts. Walk through old Hollywood in the front of the park and through the streets of New York City near the back. Our suggestions: Twist and turn through the dark on Aerosmith’s Rockin’ Rollercoaster
®
. We’re not sure which is more thrilling, the ride itself or the music blaring in the background. Don’t miss the Tower of Terror™, where you’ll enter the twilight zone, and drop up to 13 stories down an abandoned elevator shaft. End your night with the orchestrated Fantasmic! light and fireworks show.
Animal Kingdom® Orlando
The newest of Disney’s theme parks stretches across more than 500 acres of Florida land and is the first theme park to be entirely based on the idea of conservation. Animal Kingdom® may be the most visually appealing of all the parks, surrounded with lush vegetation and animals both real and imaginary. Walk through replicated roads of an old African town where the “dirt” paths embedded with leaves are a great example of the attention to detail that makes Disney stand out among competitors. Ride a jeep on the Kilimanjaro Safaris®, where you’ll see real African animals roam the wild terrain, chance a soaking on the Kali River Rapids® and clap along with your kids at the song and dance filled Festival of the Lion King.
Universal Studios® Orlando
Action characters and the movies featuring them define Universal Studios® in Orlando, the ultimate theme park experience for adventure-seeking families. This real working film and TV studio offers one thrill ride after another, featuring famed characters from some of the most memorable action movies of all time. From Shrek 4-D™ and ET Adventure® to Men in Black™ and the Jaws, characters beloved by adults and children alike are larger than life, putting you at the center of their worlds. Our favorite is the psychological thrill of Revenge of the Mummy, where the flame effects are almost as exhilarating as the high speed coaster!
Tip:
For better prices on food, try one of the Universal Meal Deals, where you can eat all day at one or both Universal parks for a flat fee.
Islands of Adventure®
Love movie-packed Universal Studios®, but long for more coasters? Islands of Adventure is your answer. This smaller of the two Universal parks is for the fearless adventurer, and their children, of course. For the fast paced coasters, jump on The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman® in 3-D, then go from 0 to 40 miles per hour on Incredible Hulk Coaster® and battle fire and ice on Dueling Dragons®. This last coaster is our favorite Islands of Adventure ride, as two separate coasters battle through the sky, racing inches from each other along the way. Choose between red and blue, each offering a distinctive ride. Follow the adrenaline rush with a trip through Seuss Landing™, where the whimsical world of Dr. Suess’ books come to life.
Tip:
Looking for magic? Harry Potter fans prepare, as 2009 will bring the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ to Islands of Adventure®. Look forward to adventures in Hogsmeade, Hogwarts, and even the Forbidden Forest.
Sea World®
Aside from Disney’s Animal Kingdom®, there are a few other animal attractions not to be missed in Orlando. Get up close and personal with aquamarine life at Sea World®. Swim with the dolphins, feed the sea lions or stingrays, or walk under the belly of a live Great White Shark. Polar bears and penguins steal the show among the arctic animals, and Kraken, with its inverted loops, takes center stage as the parks biggest roller coaster. Join the packed stands for a nighttime showing of Believe, the choreographed killer whale show featuring laser lights and fireworks. Sit down front if you’re brave, but don’t forget bring a towel!
Tip: Be sure to wander to the very back of the park where Sea World® features the famous Clydesdale horses. Better than the horses? Free beer. Adults are offered two glasses each from the many varieties on tap.
Gatorland®
More interested in the water creatures that lurk in the swamps of central Florida? Visit Gatorland®, open since 1949 as the oldest attraction in Orlando. This alligator capital of the world is great for a half-day’s entertainment, and is much more affordable than many of the big parks. Don’t miss the Gator Jumparoo, where some of the world’s largest gators jump four or five feet out of the water to catch bait from a trainer’s hand!
Water parks
Take a vacation from your theme park vacation at one of the many water parks in the Orlando area. From Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, to Universal’s Wet n’ Wild®, and Sea World’s Discovery Cove®, vacationers have their pick from of some of best water rides in the world. Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are characteristically Disney-esque, setting visitors inside a story that encompasses all rides and activities. Whether surrounded by sand or snow, relax on the lazy river, or shoot down log and flume rides to your heart’s content. Universal’s Wet n’ Wild® is a fierce competitor, offering brand new rides like Disco H2O, an enclosed flume ride featuring sights and sounds of the ‘70s, where a four-passenger raft sends you flying to the tunes of the disco era. Our favorite water park? Discovery Cove®, associated with Sea World®, and owned by Anheiser Busch. It’s less like a theme park, water park or zoo, and more like a private encounter with rare animals. This experience may be pricier than the others, but its private club feel and one-on-one attention may be well worth it. Look for complimentary drinks, goggles and sunscreen as your guided tour lets you snorkel in the coral reef, swim with the dolphins, relax on the beachfront and more.
Just Down the Road
For a more natural setting, try Daytona Beach and Cocoa Beach, only a short 40 minute drive from Orlando on Florida’s Atlantic coast. The same highway route will bring you to Kennedy Space Center, home of NASA. Tour old rockets, watch IMAX films on a five-story screen, experience a simulated mission of Apollo 8, and if you’re timing is right, witness an actual shuttle launch.
No Theme Necessary
For those who want to experience something special outside the many theme parks Orlando has to offer, we suggest floating atop the parks in a hot air balloon. Our Pick: Orange Blossom Balloons, which offers flights with a champaign toast and complimentary breakfast on your return to terra firma.