Check out a list of the best theme parks in Orlando, those you can’t miss on your trip! Orlando has more than 30 theme parks, but the main ones are undoubtedly from Disney and Universal. We created a guide now with the best parks in the city and at the end we will talk about an incredible partnership that we made for you to buy all tickets much cheaper.
After reading this article, check out our tips about how to save a lot of money on your trip to Orlando. It is the most accessed article on our blog and will help you with all the trip planning. There are several unmissable tips that will save you A LOT of cash and set up your entire trip to Orlando.
Which are the Disney parks in Orlando?
The Walt Disney World complex has six theme parks (two of them are water parks and open only when it’s summer). The four main Disney parks in Orlando are Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The two water parks that are Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Check out a little more about each one below:
1) Magic Kingdom Park
Disney Magic Kingdom Park is the main and most famous park in Walt Disney World and in the world. It is where you will find all the Disney characters like Mickey, Goofy, Pluto and all the princesses and cartoon characters. In the Magic Kingdom Park is the famous Cinderella castle, known all over the world and where the incredible Disney fireworks show, which takes place every day at the close of the park, and is the greatest attraction in Orlando. The Magic Kingdom is undoubtedly Disney’s main park and the first on our list.
2) Disney Epcot
Disney Epcot is considered the park of the future. With technological toys and attractions, it is the park of dreams for those who like technology, space and curiosities about the future. The first area of Epcot is responsible for the futuristic fame, and have attractions, souvenir shops and food options. It’s where you’ll find the famous SpaceShip Earth, inside the “Epcot Ball”. It has even received the title of the second most photographed tourist spot in the world, just behind the Eiffel Tower.
3) Hollywood Studios
Disney Hollywood Studios is the park that tells the story of cinema and the whole story of Walt Disney and its classics. There you will find the Ghostbusters’ car, Aladdin, Beast, Pocahontas or the friendly Woody from Toy Story. Disney Hollywood Studios has really cool musicals for children, like the one of the Little Mermaid and the one of Beauty and the Beast, which are beautiful. Not to mention Aerosmith’s Roller Coaster, which is the most radical of all Disney parks. The big highlight now a days are the Star Wars attractions, which include day shows with special effects, an amazing night fireworks show, a simulator and meetings with characters from the movies. Be sure to visit this park.
4) Disney Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park is the largest of all Disney theme parks – five times larger than the Magic Kingdom. The concept of this park is totally different and it explores animal life. At Animal Kingdom Park, all attractions are related to animals and wildlife. It is a safari park where you will take pictures with animals, go on a jungle safari and have fun with some toys. There is the Kilimanjaro safari, the Everest roller coaster, an attraction from the movie “A Bug’s Life” and an evening show called Rivers of Light. And, of course, the magical World of Pandora, from Avatar movie.
5) Disney Blizzard Beach water park
As we already said, Disney has two water parks which are Disney Blizzard Beach Park and Disney Typhoon Lagoon Park. Blizzard Beach is the smallest, being more indicated for families with children, and even having some attractions that adults can only enter if to take care of their child, who will enjoy the attraction. Its looks like a ski resort, so you can even use cable cars to move by the park. In fact, it is in this park that Slush Gusher is located, one of the tallest water slides in the world.
6) Disney Typhoon Lagoon water park
Disney Typhoon Lagoon Park is the largest, oldest and most popular Disney water park, and also one of the most diverse you’ll find out there. The theme of this park is constructed like a typhoon passed and left a beach upside down – its symbol is a ship that was “stranded” on the top of a mountain. Typhoon Lagoon has several different attractions, always with water, including an aquatic roller coaster. This park also has a swimming pool with giant artificial waves, in addition to other options more drawn to the family side, with slides, floater rides and the famous souvenir shops.
Which are Universal’s parks in Orlando?
Universal’s parks are known for their high technology and slightly more extreme attractions – the favorites of many teenagers and adults. There are two theme parks, which are next to each other, and a water park, which is the most recent one. Check them out:
1) Universal Studios Park in Orlando
Universal Studios Orlando Park is the second largest theme park in Orlando. It is undoubtedly one of the best and most fun parks in Orlando, especially for young people and adults. It has radical attractions and simulators, all about the main Hollywood films. It is at Universal Studios Park that you will find the Simpsons, Men in Black, Shrek, the Mummy and many other characters attractions. And now there’s still the Harry Potter themed area, with Diagon Alley. Without a doubt it is one of the best parks in Orlando.
2) Islands Of Adventure Park in Orlando
The Islands of Adventure park, at the Universal complex, has very different attractions full of special effects, which came out of Steven Spielberg’s imagination. Islands Of Adventure is a fully themed park and has very radical things to do. For those who like superheroes, the park is full of attractions, such as the famous Hulk roller coaster and Marvel superheroes elevator, besides the famous Harry Potter world: there’s the Hogwarts Express, which connects the two Harry Potter themed areas of the two Universal parks, and it’s really cool to see.
3) Volcano Bay water park
Universal’s newest park, Volcano Bay replaced the Wet ‘N’ Wild park and is inside the Universal area. There are several slides and pools in the park, for all people. The highlight of the park is the huge Volcano in the center of the area, with 61 meters. It has waterfalls, jets of water and various lighting effects! Outside the volcano, you will find the park’s main attraction: called Krakatau, it is an aquatic roller coaster, in which you descend in a floater for four people.
Other famous Orlando parks:
1) Busch Gardens Park in Tampa
Busch Gardens in Orlando is a park that has the largest roller coasters in the world and cannot be left out of the list of the best theme parks in Orlando. It is located in Tampa, about 90 kilometers from the city of Orlando, approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes by car. This park was just a zoo, with the intention of teaching its visitors about the protection of wildlife. However, later on, other attractions were added to the park, such as the world-famous roller coasters Kumba, Montu and Sheikra, as well as new attractions, shows, restaurants and shops. It is the most radical and exciting Orlando theme park, ideal for roller coaster lovers.
2) Sea World Park
Sea World in Orlando is one of the best parks in the city, and it’s worth a visit. There is the famous roller coaster Manta, which imitates the movement of a stingray, and Mako, a roller coaster quite radical. There is also the Kraken, the largest roller coaster in the city, the dolphin and whale shows, an attraction where you can get a close look at the penguins etc. The park is very nice, with attractions for children, young people and adults.
3) NASA Park in Orlando
The Kennedy Space Center in Orlando is NASA’s official space center, and is open to tourists as an theme park. It is located on an island called Cape Canaveral, close to Orlando – an hour away by car. The area where the center is located is completely isolated due to the tests. The NASA Space Center is known worldwide as “NASA Park” and is the place from which NASA space shuttles, rockets and satellites are launched. In addition, Kennedy Space Center also receives millions of visitors a year for exhibitions and cool activities to do there.
4) Legoland Park in Orlando
Legoland in Florida is the incredible Lego park in Orlando. It is located in Winter Haven, just 40 minutes from the tourist center of the city. It is an entire Lego park, from the structure to the attractions. Legoland Florida is the paradise for any child and any adult who has spent their childhood playing Lego, and it is very worth visiting, especially for those traveling with young children – the age group they focus on is from 2 to 12 years old. There are more than 50 million pieces of Lego that form sculptures, characters, miniatures of cities and major tourist spots around the world.
5) Legoland Water Park
Right next to Legoland is the Legoland Water Park, a water park for families with children. It offers fun in lighter toys, for everyone to cool off and enjoy a lot. Each of its attractions is geared to a certain age, but in addition to the little ones, adults also have a lot of fun. It offers water slides, swimming pools, among others, and some of them include lego pieces for you to assemble. And to dine, this water park has restaurants for all tastes. During your visit, take a tima at the Surf Shop, a store of clothes and bath accessories of Lego brand.
6) Discovery Cove Park
Discovery Cove Park is especially remembered for promoting dolphin swim, but the truth is that there are many incredible attractions to discover in it. It has natural pools so you can swim with rays and fishes, aquariums, oases of plants and much more. The Discovery Cove park in Orlando is one of the most interesting, and therefore one of the most expensive. That’s because it has the All Inclusive style, so you don’t even need to take money on the day of the visit, since the food and equipment (towel, swimmer’s clothing and special sunscreen to not affect the local fauna and flora) are already included in the value of the ticket. The visit is recommended especially during the summer, as the park’s waters are cool.
Tips to make the most of your trip to Orlando
Now that you’ve seen everything about the best Orlando Theme Parks, a great tip that makes the difference on your trip is to choose the location of your hotel. Orlando is a big city, and it’s so much better to stay in a region close to the main tourist spots. See our article best areas to stay in your trip to Orlando to learn about the best regions to stay there and how to get a great hotel for an excellent price (and find good deals). You will stay in the best region, close to the parks and outlets, and enjoy even more your trip!
Orlando’s parks, outlets and tourist spots are very far apart, which is why the tourists always choose to rent a car in the city. With a car, you will be able to enjoy your trip even more, visiting everywhere and shopping with peace of mind. If you want, see our article how to rent a great and cheap car in Orlando, where we give you every information that you need to know about this subject, with tips about how to find unique prices using comparators. It ‘s much cheaper than people think, and it is worth it because Orlando is definitively a city to explore by car.
How can I use my phone in Orlando?
Being able to use your cell phone on your trip is something extremely useful. With it working, you can search about all the spots, access the discount coupons and park apps, check the weather and even use the GPS, saving the rent of this equipment for the car. Besides, of course, being connected to the various social networks!
We have selected the best tips about how to use your phone in Orlando, in which we indicate the cheapest way to use it all day long and anywhere in the entire country. With the mobile internet, you can search everything about the best Orlando Theme Parks!
Where is the cheapest place to buy Orlando tickets?
Many people don’t know where (and even when) to buy Disney and Orlando tickets. We’ve done a lot of research and find out where is the cheapest place to buy Orlando parks tickets. We always buy our tickets there! It’s where you’ll find the best prices and where you can buy all the tickets, for all the parks and attractions at once, in the same place.
Don’t forget about the Travel Insurance for Orlando!
A very important tip is to have an International Travel Insurance before traveling to Orlando. No one should travel without it, so you can avoid major problems abroad! It ends up being cheaper than people think, and in our article of International Travel Insurance for Orlando you check everything you need to know about it: which are the best insurance companies, and tips for hiring excellent coverage for a lower price, saving a lot.
Must-see articles from Orlando:
- Best things to do in Orlando: must-see places and sights in Orlando.
- Best places to go shopping in Orlando: a complete guide to shopping in Orlando.
- Walt Disney World Parks in Orlando: the incredible parks of Disney World.
