{"id":7532,"date":"2024-02-26T03:03:44","date_gmt":"2024-02-26T03:03:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/justpaste.in\/blogs\/10-best-theme-parks-in-florida-to-visit\/"},"modified":"2026-08-04T08:46:48","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T08:46:48","slug":"10-best-theme-parks-in-florida-to-visit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justpaste.in\/blogs\/10-best-theme-parks-in-florida-to-visit\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Very Best Theme Parks In Florida To Visit"},"content":{"rendered":"

Florida is an incredible state to explore; there are so many things to do across the Sunshine State<\/a>, especially when it comes to its larger-than-life theme parks. With resorts like Disney, Universal and Busch Gardens, it’s the kind of state that’ll have you laughing, gorging and steeped in fun across your whole trip. In fact, you’ll be spoilt for choice with all the best theme parks in Florida to visit<\/p>\n

Now, one thing we’ve found from our trips to Florida is that there’s never quite enough time to see and do everything you want. This is why it’s totally important to prioritise which theme parks you want to visit, alongside the other plans you have for your trip. After all, most of us will want to pack in lots of amazing Floridian experiences whilst in the state.  <\/p>\n

This means (if you love a good theme park as much as us) it’s a good idea to pre-book your entry tickets before arriving in Florida.<\/p>\n

This then allows you to plan the rest of your holiday around these blocked-out theme park days, especially if you want to visit some of the best beaches in Florida<\/a>, the beaches near Orlando<\/a>, incredible national parks<\/a> or the Florida Keys<\/a>, too! <\/p>\n

Whatever way you decide to plan your trip to Florida, just make sure it’s filled with lots of fun! <\/p>\n

With that in mind and with our countless trips to Florida (and its epic theme parks), I wanted to share our lowdown on the best theme parks in Florida to visit when you arrive.<\/p>\n

Just be sure to plan, plan, plan! It’s one of the biggest lessons we’ve learned from visiting Florida’s theme parks! <\/p>\n

1.) Walt Disney\u2019s Magic Kingdom<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Let’s start with one of the most iconic theme parks in Florida… heck, possibly the world! Disney’s Magic Kingdom. <\/p>\n

First up, don’t be fooled into thinking this is just for kids… we big kids can really enjoy the Magic Kingdom, too! In fact, I think I appreciated it even more! <\/p>\n

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Opened back in 1971, it’s the kind of theme park that’s constantly changing, growing and (yeah, it sounds cheesy) but is totally magical. It’s got rides, shows and events for all ages, making it the perfect place to visit with a family or your friends. <\/p>\n

Of course, you’ve gotta check out the iconic Cinderella Castle, but don’t forget about Space Mountain, the Haunted Mansion and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. <\/p>\n

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Now, one thing to look out for is pricing! Trust me, you can sink a shedload of cash on these if you’re not too careful. To save some money (especially if you’re visiting other Disney parks) then buy an allotted period of days for entry. For instance, you can buy one or two weeks or even daily Walt Disney World tickets<\/a>, too. This allows you to hop between all the Disney theme parks, typically at a discounted price. Oh yeah, and they include entry into Disney’s water parks, too! <\/p>\n

To see most of Magic Kingdom, make sure to see which rides are most popular when you arrive. Typically, some of the longer queuing rides are worth visiting as soon as the park opens or when the parade is on. This is when lots of other visitors either haven’t arrived or are watching the parade, which means fewer queue times for you! <\/p>\n

Also, for a sweet treat, make sure to get a famous Dole Whip. This is a heap of pineapple soft serve ice cream and it’s totally delicious. You’ll find it all across the park, and it’s so refreshing on a hot Floridian day. <\/p>\n

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If you’re not keen on that level of planning, opt for Disney’s Genie+, which allows you to enter the Lightning Lane entrance and plan your trip around particular timed entries. However, this can bump up ticket costs if you’re travelling with a larger family. <\/p>\n

Looking for a souvenir? All theme parks in Florida have pin badges. Thousands of them! Some are limited edition, some are classics, but all are totally cute. Best of all, you can ask members of staff if they would like to trade pin badges with you. They’re not obliged, but they can do that if you ask extra nicely. <\/p>\n

Oh, and don’t forget, if you’re staying at a Disney Resort hotel, you will have 30 minutes early entry to any of the four major parks, too. <\/p>\n

Read more: Best beaches in Florida<\/strong><\/a> <\/p>\n

2.) Universal Epic Universe <\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Universal Epic Universe (you can grab tickets here<\/a>) is one of Florida’s newest theme parks that’s well worth a visit if you’re in Orlando<\/a>. It’s not too far from the action at Universal Islands of Adventure, and there’s easy connectivity between the parks. <\/p>\n

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Now, there are heaps of areas to explore at Epic Universe, and you can easily spend a day visiting the various lands. Once here, make sure to visit Super Nintendo World, where you can visit Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country.<\/p>\n

Here, you will hop on the interactive rides like Yoshi’s Adventure and Mine-Cart Madness. It’s so colourful and feels like you’ve arrived within the computer game itself! <\/p>\n

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Also, don’t forget to visit Celestial World, which is home to Stardust Racer. It’s a totally thrilling rollercoaster that launches as two cars. This means you can race your friends on the other track! <\/p>\n

Finally, be sure to head to Isle of Berk (which is all things from the film, How To Train Your Dragon<\/em>). Make sure to watch the show, The Untrainable Dragon<\/em>, where dragons fly over your heads. Also, Hiccup\u2019s Wing Gliders<\/em> is great if you fancy some extra adrenaline-filled rides. <\/p>\n

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For a bite to eat, head to Hooligan’s Grog and Gruel. They do a really tasty dish called Dragon Fire Chicken Spire<\/em>, and it’s so spicy.<\/p>\n

Just be sure to plan your day well. Newer theme parks in Florida tend to draw bigger crowds. Plan ahead, choose your route wisely and always have key rides you want to hit. This way, you won’t be disappointed if you don’t get to see them all. <\/p>\n

Read more: Best things to do in Orlando<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

2.) Universal Islands of Adventure<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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In my opinion, Universal’s Islands of Adventure<\/a> is one of the best theme parks in Florida to visit for thrills! Again, perfect for the whole family (most theme parks in Florida are), it’s an expansive park that’ll keep you busy for days.<\/p>\n

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One of the things I love about Islands of Adventure is the different rides they have relating to movies and TV.<\/p>\n

Honestly, this is the place where the Wizarding World of Harry Potter first became a reality, so expect to see a lot of people here waving their wands and butterbeer around the park.<\/p>\n

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Oh, and you can ride a broom and head to Hogwarts on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, or you can take some butterbeer while strolling through Hogsmeade village. You can also ride the Hogwarts Express if you\u2019d like, too! <\/p>\n

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One of the newer rides, the Jurassic World VelociCoaster, is incredible and well up there as one of Orlando’s best coasters! Saying that, if rollercoasters are your thing, then head on the Incredible Hulk Coaster, which will shoot you right up the track and over the park! Just be prepared to scream. <\/p>\n

Again, just like Disney, you can save money by buying these multi-park passes<\/a> (to include Universal Studios) and increasing the number of days.<\/p>\n

Oh, and of course, you can opt to pay a little extra for Universal Express packages<\/em> that’ll limit queue times on most of the popular rides in the park. <\/p>\n

Read more: Best things to do in Orlando<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

3.) Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Around a 90-minute drive from Disney World or 30 minutes from Tampa Airport, Busch Gardens is one of the best theme parks in Florida to visit when heading further east from Orlando. <\/p>\n

Not only will you get to explore the incredible gardens with over 300 species that call this area home, but you’ll also get to ride some of the epic rollercoasters.<\/p>\n

Sheikra is a vertical drop coaster that will take your breath away! Oh , and don’t forget about Kumba – the speed on this is insane. <\/p>\n

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Just make sure to check out their website and book these multi-park tickets<\/a> before you get to the gates. You’ll save so much time. Plus, this way, you’ll keep costs lower.<\/p>\n

Read more: Exploring St. Petes (near Tampa)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

4.) Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral <\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Okay, okay! Yeah, the Kennedy Space Center<\/a> isn’t a Theme Park in the traditional sense. But honestly, you can’t mention it when thinking of the amazing attractions to visit in Florida.<\/p>\n

You see, it’s the spot where NASA launches so many of its rockets that head up to space.<\/p>\n

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Around 60 minutes from Orlando, it’s really easy to visit for a day trip and the perfect place to see Atlantis (With a shuttle launch experience), explore some of the extraterrestrial worlds in space and learn so much more about space. <\/p>\n

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Better still, you might be able to plan your visit to coincide with a launch! It’s incredible to see.<\/p>\n

Just be sure to grab these Kennedy Space Center tickets<\/a> before driving to the rockets. Queues for tickets can be long at peak times. <\/p>\n

Read more: Best things to do in Jacksonville, Florida<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

5.) Universal Studios<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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My second favourite and one of the best theme parks in Florida to visit is Universal Studios. Just like Disney’s Magic Kingdom, it’s iconic! <\/p>\n

With its Hollywood-inspired attractions, Universal Studios is another must-see when you\u2019re in Florida, especially if you’re already checking out Universal’s Islands of Adventure, which is right next door. <\/p>\n

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Once here, head over to the Simpsons’ ride to glide across Springfield, hop on board the bike and soar to the skies with ET or scream all day on the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit rollercoaster that’s fun.<\/p>\n

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Just be sure to buy these tickets<\/a> that combine Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure before you arrive. This way, you can dash straight into the park without having to wait around.<\/p>\n

Oh, and don’t judge me, but you have to try the roasted turkey legs. They are huge and totally yummy. You can get these in most areas of Universal Studios, and you won’t struggle at all. <\/p>\n

You can easily spend a whole day in Universal Studios, so plan you’re trip well in advance. Oh, and stay for the fireworks, too. <\/p>\n

Read more: Best things to do in Hollywood, Florida<\/strong><\/a> <\/p>\n

6.) Epcot<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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One of the larger parks of Disney, Epcot is one of the best theme parks in Florida to explore the world, scientific discovery and, of course, Spaceship Earth. <\/p>\n

Great for families, Epcot has a few main neighbourhoods to explore. You’ll get to explore “World Celebration”, including Spaceship Earth (the massive spherical “golf ball”). Then pop over to “World Discovery” with the incredible Mission Space and Test Track, where you can dart around in a car.<\/p>\n

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Afterwards, head to World Nature and discover all the incredible natural beauty that our world has to offer – Living with the Land is an incredible boat ride you must experience. <\/p>\n

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Finally, don’t forget to explore World Showcase<\/em>. This is a massive fair, having 11 nations represented around a colossal lake. You can travel the world in a day, stopping by the UK for fish and chips, macarons in France or tagines in Morocco. It’s incredible and vast. <\/p>\n

You’ll have the most amazing time. <\/p>\n

Read more: Best things to do in Fort Lauderdale<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

7.) Disney\u2019s Hollywood Studios<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Previously known as MGM Studios, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a world filled with everything TV, film and Hollywood.<\/p>\n

Here, you’ll get to hop on fun rides like the Rock \u2018n\u2019 Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and The Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror! It’s a free-fall lift that had me screaming so much! <\/p>\n

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Oh, and be sure to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! It’s an epic new “land” that’s incredible to visit if you love Star Wars. Again, if you’re deciding to visit Hollywood Studios, be sure to pair this up with the park passes that include the other theme parks on different days.<\/p>\n

8.) Legoland <\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Roughly halfway between Orlando and Tampa, Legoland is one of the best theme parks in Florida to visit when exploring with younger children. Once you’ve got these tickets<\/a> to enter, everyone will be able to explore Lego Kingdoms, the gorgeous botanical gardens, Lego City and Pirates’ Cove. It’s so lovely. <\/p>\n

Oh, and don’t forget about the Legoland Water Park that’s perfect on a hot and sunny day! The Twin Chasers slides are so much fun. <\/p>\n

Read more: Best places to visit in Florida<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

9.) Disney\u2019s Animal Kingdom<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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There are no clues needed to guess what Disney’s Animal Kingdom is all about, is there?<\/p>\n

It’s one of the best theme parks in Florida that houses its very own safari tour with tigers, elephants and gorillas – all within Kilimanjaro Safari. It’s incredible to visit and beautiful to see the animals roaming around the park. <\/p>\n

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If thrills are more your thing, hop on Expedition Everest; it might not be as chilly as up in the mountains, but it’ll certainly have you shaking! <\/p>\n

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Oh, and don’t forget the Avatar-based Pandora area, where you get a chance to experience the film in real life.<\/p>\n

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Though be warned, queues can be long so a queue jump ticketing system might work best for you. You can easily spend a whole day or longer in the park, so plan this alongside the other Disney parks you want to visit. <\/p>\n

10.) Other Florida Theme parks<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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So, let’s not forget that the best theme parks in Florida don’t have to be the billion-dollar parks that call this state home. There’s also a heap of smaller, but no less significant, parks that are well worth a gander if you’re in the area. <\/p>\n

For instance, FastTrax<\/a> (in Fort Myers) is more of an indoor entertainment centre than an amusement park that’s kitsch and fun for a few hours’ trip. You\u2019ll see go-karts here and have the chance to ride them! If go-karts aren\u2019t your thing, you can try duckpin bowling, visit their huge game room or head to the pub.<\/p>\n

Plus, don’t forget about Fun Spot America (both in Orlando and Kissimmee). Best known for Mine Blower and White Lightning (wooden coasters), Fun Spot America is are relatively small amusement park that is perfect for shorter visits.<\/p>\n

Plus, don’t forget about their annual firework displays every July 3rd after riding their great rides like Sky Hawk, Freedom Flyer, Hurricane, Splash Pad and Galaxy Spin.<\/p>\n

Finally, Icon Park is another little gem that’s worth a little trip if you’ve got time. The main attraction at the park is the 400-foot The Wheel, which you can ride by grabbing these tickets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Once onboard, fifteen fellow flyers can ride each of the 30 capsules for 20 minutes. You can even see some of the new theme parks being built from the views onboard.<\/p>\n

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Located on the tourist corridor of I-Drive, you can find other exciting rides and attractions here like Orlando StarFlyer, Madame Tussauds Orlando, a 7D Dark Ride Adventure and a large arcade, among other things, all close by. <\/p>\n

Read more: Best places to visit in Florida<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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12 Best Places In Florida To Visit (Parks, Hidden Gems & More)!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n