If you’re heading off on a holiday to Orlando, you are no doubt planning to spend some serious time at some, if not all, of the excellent theme parks on offer. Doused in the hot Florida sunshine, your days can be spent being thrilled, getting wet and meeting the wildlife. Here’s a pick of Orlando’s Top Theme Parks.
Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom comes with a difference. Not just rides, you will be able to enjoy animal encounters too. Much of the park is themed on Disney’s well-known and much-loved animal characters. There are several different areas to be enjoyed such as Camp Minnie-Mickey and Discover Island. In the Africa area, you can embark on a safari. It is best to come to the Animal Kingdom early in the day before the animals settle themselves for slumber when the temperatures peak.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Any fan of Harry Potter will have the Wizarding World at the top of their list. You will find everything here; Hogwarts Castle, Ollivander’s Wand Shop, Honeydukes and the Three Broomsticks are classic examples. There are plenty of rollercoasters too including the Hungarian Horntail and Chinese Fireball. Try splitting your visit to the Wizarding World into two half day visits. Once in the morning to focus on the rides and again towards late afternoon and into dusk when its cooler and everything is lit up. You can truly live the magic of the books and films here.
SeaWorld
Incorporating rides with a marine life zoological park, Sea World is another popular theme park thanks to its alternative touch. Kids and adults alike will be blown away by the dolphin and killer whale shows, not to mention the many rides such as Manta and Kraken. The Behind the Scenes tour and the Dolphin Nursery, in addition to the many other attractions, like the Sting Ray Lagoon and Shark Encounter are the icing on the cake.
Magic Kingdom
The Magic Kingdom is the theme park to truly immerse yourself in all things Walt Disney. It still remains the most popular of all the theme parks that Orlando has to offer. Here you will find five lands; Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Liberty Square and Adventureland, each as magical as the next. The many rides include the classics like Space Mountain, updated in 2009, as well as other family-friendly hits such as Splash Mountain. The parades and fireworks only make your time here more special and will transport you back to your childhood.
Universal Studios
Popular with older children and adults, Universal Studios boasts plenty of thrill rides but with a helping of family rides too. As a working TV and film production facility, most of them are based on popular films including the likes of The Mummy, the Hulk, ET, Terminator, Jaws and Spiderman. It’s not just the rides that make Universal Studios popular. There are film sets and plenty more to see. Naturally it’s best to arrive as early as you can, because crowds start to form stratight away. City Walk crammed with restaurants and bars, often with live music, really comes alive in the evenings and it’s great to explore.
There are many other theme parks that we haven’t mentioned such as Islands of Adventure, Wet and Wild Water Park and Gator Land. Our pick is just an introduction to some of the best to ensure you have a fantastic family holiday in Orlando.
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