– Magic Kingdom (Walt Disney World) – Epcot (Walt Disney World) – Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Walt Disney World ) – Disney’s Animal Kingdom (Walt Disney World) – Typhoon Lagoon (Walt Disney World, Water Park) – Blizzard Beach (Walt Disney World, Water Park) – Universal Studios (Universal Orlando Resort) – Islands of Adventure (Universal Orlando Resort) – Volcano Bay (Universal Orlando Resort, Water Park) – SeaWorld – Aquatica (SeaWorld, Water Park) – Discovery Cove (SeaWorld)
Epcot is divided into four areas World Nature, World Discovery, World Celebration, and the World Showcase. Guests can ride Soarin’, Finding Nemo, Test Track, and the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout Coaster(Summer 2022) World Showcase allows guests to visit 11 different countries and experience their culture. The most popular attractions here are Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Frozen Ever After. Epcot is undergoing a big transformation that will be finished near the end of 2023. It is adding more attractions and Future World is getting a makeover.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is seeing the most change lately. They have recently opened Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge which offers an immersive Star Wars Land. Children can also participate in the becoming a Jedi at the Jedi Training Academy. The most recent new attraction is Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, the first Mickey themed attraction ever. Hollywood Studios is also home to Toy Story Land and the Tower of Terror. There are many shows and characters to meet at Hollywood Studios too. It is a great park especially for kids 7 and up.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom has attractions and animal exhibits to explore in this unique park. This is a large park where guests will walk a lot. There are different areas to explore animal exhibits and attractions. Our favorite area is Pandora and we love the Flight of Passage attraction. Lines will get long for this attraction and I highly suggest booking a Lightning Lane pass or riding at park opening. When visiting Animal Kingdom you should plan on taking your time to explore everything and see all the shows. We also enjoy participating in the Wilderness Explorer Club, a free activity where kids can earn patches at different stops throughout the park.
Typhoon Lagoon is a water park at Disney World. The island has been washed away by a typhoon and what is left is this peaceful beach themed park.
Blizzard Beach is the second water park at Disney World. This is themed to a beach taken over by snow. The theme is really fun and the park is a great choice for visiting a water park during your Disney vacation.
Universal Orlando has 2 theme parks and 1 water park. They also have 8 resorts and an entertainment district. Universal Orlando is becoming a destination in itself. We have spent a few Orlando vacations staying on-site at Universal’s Cabana Bay and Universal’s Surfside Inn and Suites as well as Hard Rock Hotel Orlando. It is a great place for your family vacation.
Universal Studios is the original of the Universal Orlando parks. It is set up like a working studio but not much, if any filming is going on at the parks anymore. Universal Studios has attractions like E.T. the Adventure, Transformers, The Mummy, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley.
Islands of Adventure opened in 1998 and it has received great reviews since day one. Islands of Adventure has a bit more thrilling rides than Universal Studios and is home to The Incredible Hulk Coaster and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. You will also find a theme Dr. Seuss area, Seuss Landing, that kids will love as well as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Hogsmeade.
Volcano Bay is Universal Orlando’s water park. This water park is unlike any I have ever visited. It is themed so well and you feel like you are at an island oasis, not in the middle of Orlando. You could spend the entire day relaxing at the wave pool overlooking the volcano. It is a stunning park.
SeaWorld has three parks in Orlando as well as Busch Gardens in Tampa. The original park SeaWorld has rides and attractions. Aquatica and Discovery Cove are water themed parks. SeaWorld is home to some of the largest roller coasters in Orlando. We visited during the holidays for their Christmas events and really enjoyed ourselves. If your family loves roller coasters you will enjoy the top notch ones at SeaWorld.
Aquatica is a water park in Orlando. It has fun rides for the entire family and often lower crowds than the Disney or Universal Parks.
Discovery Cove is not really a theme park. It is a fully inclusive day that includes animal encounters, swimming, and food and drinks for the day. This experience only allows a limited amount of people a day to make it a completely immersive and relaxing day.
If you want to take a day trip out of Orlando you can also visit Busch Gardens in Tampa or LEGOLAND Florida. Both are over an hour drive but are great parks for families.
I hope our Orlando theme park guide helps you decide what Florida theme parks are the best choice for your family vacation. Each one has great attractions that no matter what you choose will be a fantastic Orlando trip. For more info on the parks, click through to the main post!