Orlando, located in the heart of Central Florida, is one of the world’s top family vacation spots. Known for its world-class theme parks, thrilling rides, exciting attractions, and numerous dining and shopping options, this vibrant city is packed with experiences that delight visitors of all ages!
Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning for more fun, there’s always something new to discover. However, with so much buzz, heavy crowds, peak seasons, and soaring ticket prices, planning a family trip might feel overwhelming.
This is where Orlando99 comes in. In this guide, we will walk you through the best family-friendly things to do in Orlando, ensuring your trip is filled with excitement, laughter, and unforgettable moments. So, let’s get started!
Theme Park Attractions in Orlando
Known as the “Theme Park Capital of the World”, Orlando is home to some of the most iconic and immersive parks on the planet. From Walt Disney World Resort to Universal Orlando Resort, the city is packed with fun and festivities. Here are the best theme parks Orlando has to offer:
Walt Disney World Resort
Location: Orlando, Florida 32836
Best for: Family Fun & Immersive Experiences
Calling out all the Disney Lovers! Walt Disney World Resort is one of the most famous theme parks in Orlando. With four theme parks and two waterparks, Walt Disney World Resort makes an ideal destination to immerse yourself in magic and family fun.
Here are the 4 best theme parks for a perfect family vacation:
Magic Kingdom:
Get ready to immerse yourself in some magical experiences with Disney’s popular theme park, Magic Kingdom! Inspired by the Disney and Pixar movies, you can enjoy Disney-themed dining, thrilling rides, unique attractions, and plenty of entertainment options at six themed lands:
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Haunted Mansion, and more!
EPCOT:
EPCOT is the perfect theme park for families that enjoy futuristic adventures and cultural exploration! With 4 zones: World Celebration, World Discovery, World Nature, and World Showcase, you can immerse yourself in fun, food, and festivities! Here are a few of the best rides that you can try at EPCOT:
- Journey of Water
- Inspired by Moana
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
- Frozen Ever After, and more!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
Is your family fond of movies, epic adventure, and storytelling? Then Disney’s Hollywood Studios is an absolute must-visit! Disneyland’s version of Hollywood Studios envelops you with your beloved movies, from the joyous ambiance of Toy Story Land to the awe-inspiring galaxy of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Families can enjoy exciting rides like:
- Toy Story Mania
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, and many more!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom:
Do you want an incredible combination of native animals and adventure? Look no further than Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This park intertwines imagination with nature, providing astounding attractions that families can appreciate together. You can embark on unforgettable expeditions and immersive experiences like:
- Kilimanjaro Safaris Adventure
- Avatar Flight of Passage
- Festival of the Lion King
- Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, and more!
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Universal Orlando Resort
Location: 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819
Best for: Family Fun & Thrilling Rides
Located in the heart of Orlando’s International Drive Entertainment District, Universal Orlando Resort is a perfect destination to spend a Florida vacation with your family or friends! It features three theme parks and one tropical-themed water park, each packed with creativity, fun, and adventure!
Universal Studios Florida:
If your family loves watching blockbuster movies and shows, Universal Studios Florida is for you! From major franchises like Despicable Me or Transformers to immersive experiences crafted around Harry Potter and The Simpsons, you will find various thrilling rides and attractions inspired by your beloved characters!
You can try rides like:
- Revenge of the Mummy
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
- Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and many more for a perfect family adventure!
Islands of Adventure:
Islands of Adventure is an excellent destination for families seeking endless excitement and imagining themselves in a fairy tale world. With eight different themed areas, you can immerse yourself thrilling rides and experiences.
Try various rides like:
- Jurassic World VelociCoaster
- The Incredible Hulk Coaster
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, you can try plenty of immersive rides for family fun!
EPIC Universe:
Step into the brand new world of adventure with Universal’s new theme park, EPIC Universe! It features five different worlds with different themes, offering thrilling rides and enchanting attractions.
Immerse yourself in the perfect rides like:
- Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
- Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
- Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, and more!
Volcano Bay:
Slide, splash, and swim! Volcano Bay is a tropical-themed waterpark that features lush-green scenic landscapes along with an iconic 200-foot volcano, Krakatau. Whether you want to enjoy a family slide or relax in a lazy river, there are various water attractions that you can enjoy with young ones and the elderly.
Some of the best rides and slides are:
- Kala and Nai Tui Body Slides
- Puihi of the Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides
- Ohno of Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides
- Ko’okiri Body Plunge, and many more!
SeaWorld Orlando
Location: 7007 SeaWorld Dr, Orlando, FL 32821
Best for: Family Fun & Animal Encounters
Fond of marine life animals? Then SeaWorld Orlando is for you! This theme park with an aquatic theme features various water attractions, slides, shows, parades, and exciting festivals. The best part? You can even watch and interact with dolphins, penguins, and other sea creatures, making it an immersive experience for everyone!
From the unique Sesame Street Parade to learning about sea animals through Rescue Tails, SeaWorld Orlando is an educational and fun destination for everyone.
Here are some of the best roller coasters, slides, and water attractions that you can enjoy with your loved ones to have family fun together!
- Penguin Trek
- Pipeline: The Surf Coaster
- Mako
- Kraken
- Ice Breaker, and so much more!
LEGOLAND Florida Resort
Location: 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven, FL 33884
Best for: Rides & Family Fun
LEGOLAND Florida Resort is a theme park that features 50+ LEGO-themed attractions, LEGO-themed rides, and activities for kids and adults! With bright-colored rides and interactive play zones, the park not only caters to imagination but also creativity.
Families can cool off at the LEGO Wave Pool, or slide in the DUPLO Splash Safari, while kids can play in the interactive play area like Joker Soaker, spending a perfect family time together! But the fun doesn’t end here! You can even build LEGO-themed cars or watch interactive exhibits at the different Imagination Zones!
Some of the best rides that you can try at LEGOLAND Florida Resort are:
- AQUAZONE Wave Racers
- Battle of Bricksburg
- Beetle Bounce
- Coastersaurus, and many more.
And if you are looking for a relaxing time to spend with your family, you can explore a hidden gem like Cypress Gardens, making it a perfect family vacation.
These were some of the best theme parks for families. But if you are still looking for more, here are a few other attractions that you can explore beyond theme parks for endless family fun!
Attractions to Explore Beyond Theme Parks
Unlike other regions, Orlando seems to have no end of amusement. If you are seeking some alternative experiences for family travel, these attractions promise to deliver memorable moments for families.
Kennedy Space Center
Location: 9339 Jeff Fuqua Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827
Best for: Space Exploration & Science Museum
Kennedy Space Center is one of the ten NASA field centers that features spacecraft, historic exhibits, close-up displays, and iconic Space Shuttle Atlantis! What is even more exciting is that you can stroll through the Rocket Garden, immerse yourself in the Shuttle Launch Experience, and meet inspiring Astronauts.
Another highlight includes the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour, where you see famous spots like Apollo/Saturn and explore exhibits like Heroes & Legends, where you can catch a glimpse of the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. With so much to experience, Kennedy Space Center offers a truly unforgettable experience that brings the wonders of the universe closer to home.
ICON Park
Location: 8375 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
Best for: Entertainment Complex
If you are looking to spend quality time with your family, then ICON Park is your place! Located on International Drive, ICON Park is a 20-acre entertainment complex featuring various restaurants, 50+ shops, and exciting attractions.
Some of the best attractions at ICON Park are The Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds Museum, Carousel on the Promenade, SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, Museum of Illusions, and more for family fun! From thrilling rides to interactive exhibits, ICON Park promises unforgettable moments for the whole family in the heart of Orlando.
Gatorland
Location: 14501 S Orange Blossom Trl, Orlando, FL 32837
Best for: Diverse Florida Wildlife Park & Animal Encounters
Gatorland, also popularly known as Alligator Capital of the World, is a 110-acre wildlife preserve and theme park. It features interactive animal experiences, animal encounters, and various shows, making it an immersive gator park experience for all age groups!
The best part? You can even meet rare white alligators, capybaras, tortoises, wild cats, and more with proper animal care. Whether you want to enjoy feeding sessions with crocodiles or glide through the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line, Gatorland is perfect for a whole family trip and outdoor fun!
SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium
Location: 8449 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819
Best for: Family Fun & Marine life encounter
Looking for a family-friendly water-based attraction? Look no further than SEA LIFE Orlando! It is a unique aquarium that features 5,000+ sea creatures like sea turtles, sharks, jellyfish, seahorses, sting rays, axolotls, and more!
You can also enjoy various attractions like displays, exhibits, touch pools, the 360ᵒ Ocean Tunnel, and more, while learning about the fun facts about marine life! Whether you are visiting with your family or friends, SEA LIFE Orlando offers various creative activities and fun experiences!
With so much to explore, Orlando truly stands out as a family vacation paradise, whether you are chasing thrills in world-famous theme parks or enjoying unique attractions beyond them.
Food & Shopping Options in Orlando
While exploring Orlando, it’s almost impossible not to indulge in its incredible dining and shopping scenes. Here are the top food and shopping options in Orlando that you can try:
Disney Springs
Location: 1486 Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL
Best for: Live music & Entertainment
Calling out all the Disney lovers! Disney Springs is a famous entertainment complex that features more than 150 shops, dining options, live entertainment, and exciting attractions! From watching live shows to savoring delicious international cuisines, guests can have family fun while enjoying scenic lake views.
Whether you want to collect souvenirs, enjoy Aerophile – The World Leader in Balloon Flight, or watch the famous play Drawn to Life Presented by Cirque du Soleil, Disney Springs is perfect to capture true Disney Magic!
International Drive
Location: 7081 Grand National Drive, Suite 105, Orlando, Florida 32819
Best for: Entertainment, Dining, & Shopping
International Drive is one of the most popular places that offers everything you need in just one bustling stretch. It features various family-friendly attractions like Chocolate Kingdom – Factory Adventure Tour, Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, WonderWorks, and so much more!
With several dining and entertainment spots, you can enjoy delectable cuisines from all around the world and savor refreshing drinks while spending family time together!
Universal CityWalk
Location: 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819
Best for: Dining & Nightlife
Universal CityWalk is a dynamic entertainment complex located next to the Universal Orlando Resort, which features family-friendly restaurants and shopping options along with lively nighttime entertainment! Whether you want to try delicious desserts at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium or play mini-golf at Hollywood Drive-In Golf, Universal CityWalk offers wonderful experiences for tourists and locals alike!
The Florida Mall
Location: 8001 S Orange Blossom Trl, Orlando, FL 32809
Best for: Dining & Entertainment
Located just minutes away from Walt Disney World Resort, The Florida Mall is the largest shopping center and entertainment spot! It offers 250+ shopping stores, entertainment zones, restaurants, play areas, and more!
Beyond shopping, this mall offers a fun-filled experience for kids with its indoor playground and the popular Crayola Experience to celebrate creativity, where children can create their own Crayola crayons. It’s the ideal place for parents to shop while the little ones stay entertained!
Make Your Orlando Vacation Memorable!
With the above-mentioned guide, you now have a perfect idea about family-friendly things to do in Orlando! With theme parks, water parks, thrilling rides, attractions, shows, parades, and entertainment, Orlando makes a perfect family-packed destination!
Whether you’re in the mood to try new food, go on an adventure, or explore nature’s wonders, you’ll never run out of things to see and do. So get ready to make the most of your vacation and have endless fun with family or friends!
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