Lovers of sand, surf and theme parks will discover no scarcity of fun issues to do in Florida. From bustling metropolises which might be havens for foodies and celebration individuals to tranquil seashores and gorgeous nationwide parks, the Sunshine State provides thrills aplenty, and Florida’s dazzling number of theme parks pushes the state to the highest of the fun scale.
There’s a lot to see past Walt Disney World (although the Disney magic retains rising every year, too), from mega-parks with high-speed coasters to stress-free water parks and quirky indoor finds. And sure, Florida’s theme parks have extra to supply than simply experiences for kiddos.
Whether or not you are a Florida resident, a seasoned theme park aficionado or a first-time customer to the Sunshine State, you may discover your personal degree of journey. Listed below are the best theme parks in Florida so as to add to your trip itinerary.
1. Common Studios Florida
Best theme park to be dazzled and starstruck
Owned and operated by the media mega-corp NBCUniversal, Common Orlando Resort is the place you may discover experiences impressed by your favourite film characters. The celeb roll name consists of Harry Potter, the Hulk, The Simpsons and Woody Woodpecker. Between the rides are meticulously crafted outside areas that resemble New York Metropolis’s Central Park, Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco and Hollywood.
The world of Common covers three parks. At a minimal, you may desire a purchase two-park move that grants you entry to Common Studios Florida and the movie-themed Islands of Journey. In the event you’re actually within the theme park temper, add Volcano Bay, Common’s water park.
The best rides listed here are set within the 200ft-tall Krakatau synthetic volcano, together with the fan-favorite Krakatau Aqua Coaster – aboard a four-person canoe, you may twist and switch via the volcano earlier than bursting out via a lava-like waterfall for the finale.
2. Walt Disney World
Best theme park for making your personal journey
With 25,000-plus acres of grounds, 4 theme parks, two water parks and Disney magic binding all of it collectively, the one query with Walt Disney World is the place to start. One factor is for positive: you may need to decide for the Park Hopper ticket, which lets you go to multiple park on the identical day, somewhat than tying your self to a single-day, single-park choice.
There are thrill rides aplenty for the children, and the build-it-yourself “consuming world wide” journey at Epcot stays a prime outing for grown-ups. The varied nation-themed areas throughout the park every provide their very own alcoholic concoctions. You may sip a Gray Goose-infused orange slush in France or apple ice wine in Canada earlier than mopping up the booze with potstickers from the China pavilion or a funnel cake within the North American nook.
For households with tots in tow, the nightly fireworks at Magic Kingdom create a reminiscence that can final a lifetime. One other prime household zone is the open-air Kilimanjaro Safari in Animal Kingdom, a captivating solution to get near some pleasant giraffes.
3. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Best theme park for animal lovers
Florida’s amusement park scene expands nicely past Orlando. Tampa’s Busch Gardens is a 330-acre mammoth of a theme park with 16 thrill rides, together with the Iron Gwazi, billed because the quickest and steepest hybrid coaster on the earth. Busch Gardens has an African theme – sections embrace Congo, Morocco and Sesame Avenue Safari of Fun – and a steam prepare chugs across the park.
Busch Gardens additionally serves as Tampa’s largest zoo, and it is house to greater than 200 species, together with sloths and Florida’s iconic flamingos. The park provides some distinctive animal encounters – on the Animal Care Heart, you possibly can see rehabilitating animals getting X-rays and present process therapies, whereas a prepare journey via its giraffe-dotted Serengeti Plain provides a style of the African savanna.
One other bonus – the park is one in every of only a few dozen institutions in america to be awarded the Humane Licensed seal from American Humane, for its moral remedy of the animals in its care.
4. Dezerland Park
Best theme park for beating the warmth
Florida is usually a muggy, sun-blaring beast come summertime, so on any theme park outing within the Sunshine State, you want to be ready with loads of consuming water and solar safety. Or you possibly can decide for the 800,000 sq ft of indoor fun that’s Dezerland Park in Orlando.
Entertainingly interactive, Dezerland Park has an ax-throwing space, a trampoline park, a neon-lit miniature golf course, an indoor karting observe and bowling lanes. And if the lengthy strains at different parks go away you hopping mad, you possibly can let all of it out at Dezerland Park’s rage room, smashing up previous electronics.
5. Legoland & Peppa Pig
Best theme parks for youngsters
Florida has a complete theme park devoted to what might be the world’s best childhood toy: Lego! Actually, there are ten Legolands across the globe to discover, from Japan to Dubai, although the Florida park is among the best. Residing as much as its title, the Legoland at Winter Haven has constructing block-inspired rides and interactive experiences which might be assured to make youngsters – and reminiscing adults – smile.
One of many greatest attracts for kiddos is the 4D Ninjago Journey, based mostly on the corporate’s martial arts-inspired characters, however maybe the most important thrill is the curler coaster often known as The Dragon, which whirls riders via a Lego citadel. No day at Legoland can be full and not using a go to to MiniLand USA, an outside space chock-full of Lego-built replicas of cities, points of interest and American icons. Subsequent door, you may discover the model new Peppa Pig Theme Park, which may be very a lot geared to little ones (however be aware: a separate ticket is required).
6. Fun Spot
Best theme park cut price in Florida
With tickets working at practically half the price of its bigger counterparts within the Orlando space, Fun Spot nonetheless delivers the thrills. Actually, there are two Fun Spots in Central Florida – one in Orlando and one in Kissimmee, and for those who’re venturing out of state, there’s one in Atlanta, too.
Fun Spot’s Orlando hub has a large carnival vibe, with fairground video games, a funhouse, amusement arcades, bumper vehicles, a Ferris wheel and, sure, some correct coasters. And on the coaster entrance, Fun Spot provides one thing that you just will not discover wherever else within the Orlando space: an old style wood coaster often known as White Lightning.
With the cash you may save on parking (it is free), you possibly can load up on treats within the Fun Meals space, together with funnel truffles, deep-fried sweet bars and extra.
7. WonderWorks Upside Down Museum
Best quirky-yet-educational theme park
Simply WonderWorks is a spectacle all by itself. This upside-down constructing in Panama Metropolis Seashore creates a wild distinction to the pharmacy and buffet restaurant it is wedged between. The again story for this museum-meets-theme park is that Wonderworks was as soon as a top-secret laboratory, however an experiment went horribly flawed, and the constructing miraculously blew via the air from the Bermuda Triangle to Panama Metropolis Seashore.
The true fun is inside. WonderWorks options greater than 100 hands-on reveals organized into themed zones, together with an Excessive Climate space the place you possibly can really feel the results of a Class 1 hurricane and a 5.3-magnitude earthquake. WonderWorks additionally has a associate museum in Orlando.
Hold planning your journey to Florida:
When to go to benefit from the best climate and keep away from hurricane season
These are the issues you want to know earlier than you go
With a brand new high-speed rail, it is even simpler to get to Florida’s theme parks
And for those who’re touring on a price range, save this information for ideas for saving your {dollars} in Florida