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There’s no doubt Orlando in Central Florida, USA, is the world’s theme park capital and is an incredible family vacation destination.
Visitors of all ages can immerse themselves in adventures and create memories that will last a lifetime. With new projects constantly on the horizon, Orlando’s theme parks will always have something innovative and exciting on order, even for the most frequent of visitors.
Disney is synonymous with Orlando theme parks, but did you know that the action isn’t limited to Mickey Mouse and the gang? There are, in fact, countless other parks that’ll have your travel group saying, “Walt Disney, who?”.
If you’re planning your ultimate Orlando itinerary, let us help! Here are five amusement parks in Orlando beyond Disney.
1. Universal’s Islands Of Adventure, Universal Orlando Resort
- Address: 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando
- Website: www.universalorlando.com
- Best Orlando Theme Park For: Fanboys and fangirls.
Universal’s Islands of Adventure adventure park has won international awards for its incredible roller-coasters and attractions.
Attractions are separated into different themed zones: Jurassic Park’s new attraction, the Jurassic World VelociCoaster is a high-octane must for any dino fan, and Marvel Super Hero Island, King Kong’s Skull Island, Seuss Landing, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, each has plenty to excite visitors of all ages.
As well as the rides and immersive experiences, each area offers interactive opportunities. You can let the wizard choose your wand at Ollivanders Wand Shop in the Wizarding World’s Hogsmeade and choose your robe or Quidditch jersey.
The Hogwarts Castle inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is one of the highlights of Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Try thrill rides including Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, then cool off with a frozen butterbeer.
On the other side of the park, you can fly high with The Incredible Hulk and Spider-Man on Marvel Superhero Island. Then, enter Dr. Seuss’s weird and wonderful world at Seuss Landing and immerse yourself in his many stories and characters.
Pro Tip: Try the butterbeer fudge for the ultimate Harry Potter sweet treat.
2. LEGOLAND Theme Park
- Address: 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven
- Website: www.legoland.com/florida/
- Best Orlando Theme Park For: Little kids with big imaginations.
LEGOLAND Florida is actually three parks in one: a theme park, a water park, and a Peppa Pig-themed park. For fans of the ever-popular building bricks, this is the ultimate experience, providing rides, play areas, and just about everything else you can think of made from giant LEGO.
This is a great park for younger children because many of the rides, like Lost Kingdom Adventure and LEGO Ninjago World, have no minimum height requirement. There are also many opportunities for kids to meet their favorite LEGO characters.
For smaller children and toddlers, check out the kid-friendly Duplo Valley area, with its colorful playhouse, train rides, and splash zone. Or, for a break from all the rides, check out Pirate’s Cove and watch Brickbeard’s Water Sports Stunt Show on the lake behind LEGOLAND.
Legoland Water Park has many awesome water-based rides and attractions, perfect for cooling off on a hot Florida day. This massive water park features 14 slides, a lazy river, and LEGO play areas. Try the Twin Chasers water slide for a thrill, then relax on a poolside lounge chair and enjoy a well-earned rest.
New to Orlando, the Peppa Pig Theme Park is also part of the LEGOLAND Florida Resort. Aimed at children under five, rides are based on the popular cartoon series, and most of the attractions do not have a height limit. Peppa Pig Theme Park is great for half a day and the perfect introduction to Orlando theme parks.
Pro tip: Order a portion of the apple fries at the LEGOLAND Theme Park — you won’t be disappointed.
3. Discovery Cove
- Address: 6000 Discovery Cove Way, Orlando
- Website: https://discoverycove.com/orlando
- Best Orlando Theme Park For: Getting up close to epic sea life.
Discovery Cove is Orlando’s only all-inclusive resort and has been voted Best Theme Park in Orlando by USA Today.
Here you can enjoy once-in-a-lifetime opportunities such as feeding the dolphins, snorkeling with tropical fish and stingrays, or even swimming with sharks. The tropical lagoons of Serenity Bay are perfect for sitting and relaxing among the lush landscape, while Wind Away River will take you through a rainforest-like environment, complete with a free-flight aviary and waterfalls.
All guests are treated like VIPs at Discovery Cove, with limited daily attendance guaranteeing an exclusive feel and the most exciting animal encounters. Your all-inclusive package will include:
- Breakfast, lunch, and limitless drinks and snacks, including beer and wine for guests over the age of 21.
- Lockers
- Animal-safe sunscreen
- Towels, wetsuits, and snorkel gear
- Shower facilities
Premium experiences at Discovery Cove can also be booked for an additional fee. These include an underwater walking tour and a flamingo mingle, which is as fun to say as it is to do.
You can also get a premium drinks package or private cabana for an extra charge. Discovery Cove is affiliated with other Orlando theme parks, including SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, and Busch Gardens Tampa.
Some park ticket packages will include entrance to these venues which offers great value.
Pro tip: Check out the Freshwater Oasis for face-to-face encounters with playful otters and curious marmosets.
4. Busch Gardens, Tampa
- Address: 10165 N McKinley Dr, Tampa
- Website: https://buschgardens.com
- Best Orlando Theme Park For: Thrill-seeking animal lovers
Ok, Busch Gardens Tampa is not actually in Orlando, but at less than two hours away, it’s worth visiting during your Orlando vacation. This is a particularly easy journey if you plan on driving to Florida or renting a car once you arrive.
Busch Gardens is a super-fun day out for roller coaster enthusiasts and thrill seekers. However, it’s not all about the exhilarating rides because this park is also home to some incredible animals.
Busch Gardens is one of the USA’s largest and most highly accredited zoos, having been awarded a Humane Certified seal by American Humane (the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare). More than 200 species thrive here; visitors can feed flamingos, meet a giant tortoise, and even befriend a sloth.
Busch Gardens holds festivals throughout the year, including the foodie-lovers Food and Wine Festival in the spring and Bier Fest in the fall. Sesame Street Kids’ Weekends are held twice a year here, too, which will be a big hit with younger members of your family.
Pro tip: You can connect with the animals safely via an open-air touring vehicle in the Serengeti Safari.
5. Universal Studios Florida, Universal Orlando Resort
- Address: 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando
- Website: www.universalorlando.com
- Best Orlando Theme Park For: Harry Potter fans.
All aboard the Hogwarts Express! If you’re a Potter Head, you’ll love the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Wander down Diagon Alley, where you can try the thrill ride Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, before sitting down to enjoy a refreshing glass of butterbeer at The Leaky Cauldron.
Universal Studios Florida isn’t all about Harry Potter, so if you aren’t a fan of the world’s most famous wizard, no problem!
Home to many mega movie franchises, you can also fight off aliens with the Men in Black, protect the planet with the Transformers, and hop on a bike for the E.T. Adventure. For younger visitors, check out Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and Shrek 4-D.
Pro tip: During your ride on Men in Black Alien Attack, pressing the red button when prompted will boost your score.
If Only Disney Parks Will Do
Walt Disney World parks are globally recognized as some of the best in the world, so it’s understandable that you might not want to skip them completely. If only Disney would do, here are our top picks.
Magic Kingdom
- Address: 1180 Seven Seas Dr, Lake Buena Vista
- Website: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/magic-kingdom
- Best Orlando Theme Park For: Kids and kids at heart.
Perhaps the best-known theme park in Orlando, if not the world, is the Magic Kingdom Park. Widely regarded as the most magical place on Earth, this special spot has been awakening the imaginations of kids and adults since 1971.
Home to classic, nostalgia-inducing rides like Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Peter Pan’s Flight, there really is nowhere else like it.
Be sure to check out some of the new attractions too, like the Tron Lightcycle Run, which debuts at Magic Kingdom in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary in 2023.
Cinderella’s Castle is the focal point of Magic Kingdom Park, which is then separated into six different “lands” across 107 acres: Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Tomorrowland, Main Street, and Liberty Square.
Undoubtedly, one of the highlights of Magic Kingdom is seeing your favorite Disney characters come to life. Kids and adults alike can cuddle Mickey Mouse or meet their favorite Disney princess, and an absolute must-see for character spotting is the parade on Main Street, which usually takes place twice a day.
Pro tip: Make an appointment at Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street for a haircut, Disney-style.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
- Address: 2901 Osceola Parkway, Lake Buena Vista
- Website: www.disneyworld.co.uk/destinations/animal-kingdom/
- Best Orlando Theme Park For: Globetrotting explorers and animal lovers.
Spanning more than 500 acres, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a huge theme park with six different lands, including Africa and Asia.
Start with an early morning ride on Kilimanjaro Safaris to see the animals when they are most active. From there, head to Conservation Station, Maharajah Jungle Trek, and the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail for close animal encounters and to learn a little more about the amazing creatures that inhabit this park.
There are plenty of thrill rides at Disney’s Animal Kingdom; Expedition Everest, DINOSAUR, and Avatar Flight of Passage are just a few of the thrills on offer. The most recent addition is Pandora: the World of Avatar which opened in 2017.
Pro tip: If you don’t mind going it alone, join the single-rider line at Tackle Expedition Everest for a faster trip to the front!
EPCOT
- Address: 200 Epcot Center Dr, Orlando
- Website: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/Epcot
- Best Orlando Theme Park For: Lifelong learners.
Best known for Spaceship Earth, the iconic white sphere at the center of the park that houses a dark ride attraction, Walt Disney World’s EPCOT is designed to be both entertaining and enlightening. Offering four different worlds for visitors to explore, EPCOT has shows, exhibits, and dining options that the whole family will love.
This park is ever-evolving and is currently undergoing an exciting refurbishment, with a Moana-themed walk-through exhibit and Guardians of the Galaxy coaster expected to be completed soon.
Meanwhile, ever-popular attractions such as World Showcase continue to capture the hearts of visitors. Here, films, exhibits, and rides teach guests about countries including Morocco, Italy, Norway, and China.
Popular rides include Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in France and Frozen Ever After in Norway. This fascinating exhibition encourages visitors to sample food and drink from around the world at country-themed attractions.
In addition, the Mexican restaurant of La Cantina de San Angel makes a great spot for a romantic bite to eat.
Pro tip: Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure inside the France pavilion is one of EPCOT’s newest and most popular attractions. Spend less time waiting in line by getting here first thing in the morning or late at night just before the park closes.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Address: 351 S Studio Dr, Lake Buena Vista
- Website: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/hollywood-studios
- Best Orlando Theme Park For: Star Wars and Pixar fans.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is dedicated to bringing movie magic to life and has six exciting main areas packed with hair-raising rides, attractions, and shows. It may be the smallest of the Walt Disney parks, but with the worlds of Star Wars, Toy Story, and many others colliding here, Disney’s Hollywood Studios packs quite a punch.
The newest attraction, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, opened in 2019 and has its own storyline that fits into the Star Wars saga. Inside, you can take a ride on the Millennium Falcon or even make your own lightsaber, and there are several options for eating, drinking, and shopping.
The kids (and the young at heart) in your group can meet the Toy Story characters in Toy Story Land and even try a ride on Slinky’s back on the Slinky Dog Dash. Or check out the latest attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
Shows at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are an absolute must-see. Kick back and watch Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy and Muppet*Vision 3D to experience your favorite films in a totally new way. The Walt Disney Presents walkthrough pays homage to the great man himself and is an enjoyable watch for anyone interested in the heritage of the Disney empire.
Pro tip: if you see 13 as the wait time for the Tower of Terror, quickly get in line because that means that there is no queue!
Honorable Mentions
There are so many amazing amusement parks in Orlando it is impossible to write about them all!
Parks that we haven’t covered here include Sea World Orlando, with its incredible live shows and special events, including the Seven Seas Food Festival and Mardi Gras.
Fun Spot America, located just off International Drive, is another great place to make memories with friends and family.
Check out Aquatica Orlando’s high-speed water slides and wave pools for water park adventures. Alternatively, Universal’s Volcano Bay has a winding river and sun loungers galore. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach are two other options for water park fun.
Typhoon Lagoon is home to North America’s largest wave pool and also has Ketchakiddee Creek with its pint-sized slides and water cannons for the little ones. For the daredevils in your family, snow-themed Blizzard Beach has one of the tallest body slides in the world.
Stay and Play in Orlando
So there you have it: your one-stop shop for Orlando theme park recommendations. Whether you’re looking for high-octane thrills and spills, water park excitement, or to delve into fascinating interactive exhibitions, there’s no better place on Earth to be.
