Aquatica, SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, City Walk, Kennedy Space Centre, Busch Gardens, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Downtown Disney, Disney MGM Studios, to name but a few. All or most of these names will be very familiar to you, even if you have never been to Orlando before.
Whichever parks you visit, we can almost guarantee you will want to go back year after year. New rides are added to each of these parks every year, visit the relevant web-sites to find out more about a particular park.
Regular visitors to the theme parks will always suggest you arrive early to avoid the crowds. This also gives you the option of going back to your villa and relaxing by the pool during the hottest part of the day, then returning refreshed to the parks for the early evening entertainment.
Below you will find a brief description of the major theme parks in and around Orlando.
Magic Kingdom has 7 amazing lands to explore, and of course there's Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Cinderella and a whole host of characters to meet you there in their Magical Castle. If you want thrills, speed, and splashes try Splash Mountain, Dig Thunder Mountain Railroad and Space Mountain. Magic Kingdom has lots of shows, and fireworks for you to enjoy too.
Top Tip if you arrive at the park before it opens (see guide for opening times) you will see Mickey and all his friends arriving for work on a train.
Busch Gardens is a great African themed adventure park at Tampa Bay, just over an hour’s drive from Orlando. Encounter endangered animals on the Rhino Rally, an off-road safari adventure.
Even more thrills and spills on world class roller-coasters such as Sheikra, Kumba, Montu, and the newest Cheetah Chase, where you ride through a maze of revolving dips and hairpin turns. All bigger and faster than ever.
Out of this world literally. The Kennedy Space Center is situated approximately 50 miles from Orlando on the Space Coast, but well worth a day trip. This is a working centre, therefore times and openings should be checked as show schedules may be altered due to Space Shuttle launch operations.
In the Rocket Garden there are eight authentic rockets to explore. You will also meet genuine astronauts and be able to ask them questions about their unique experiences.
Universal City Walk is the entertainment area you will probably enjoy most in the evenings, however. Fully pedestrianised, here you will find live entertainment, cinemas, clubs, bars and themed restaurants including the world’s largest Hard Rock Café, the Motown Café, NBA, Pat O’Briens and many more.
At Universal Studios you actually ‘ride’ the movies. All the greats are here for you to experience. You must try the 3D adventures such as:
Terminator 2 3D - with motor bikes revving, Cyborgs and lasers. Your job is to help save mankind in this fantastic show.
Why not try a peaceful boat trip in Amityville, but watch out JAWS is in hiding somewhere and may attack any minute. Want to try the subway, head for Disaster– but beware, the ceiling will cave in, the roads and rails crack and tankers burst into flames. This is an earthquake measuring 8.3 on the Richter Scale. On Twister you will feel, see and hear the devastation as the Twister swirls through the town.
The highlight of your day is to get close and personal with the beautiful bottle nosed dolphins. First, you will get to learn about the dolphins, how they live and feed. Then you go into the water and touch, feed and even swim with the dolphins. There is no greater feeling and it will be a day you will remember for the rest of your life (you get the opportunity to buy a video/dvd of your personal experience).
You will be provided wet suits, towels, personal lockers and snorkeling equipment on arrival at Discovery Cove. Your mask & snorkel are brand new, and yours to keep, so take them home with you as a souvenir of the day.
SeaWorld is a truly magical place and the most popular marine life park in the world. There are many things to see and do with the animals at SeaWorld, with a wonderful mix of animals, shows and exciting rides.
Get up close and personal with the dolphins and enjoy touching and feeding them, unbelievable but true. They just love the attention, and young or old, it is a magical feeling and will leave you with a big smile on your face.
Aquatica, SeaWorld’s new water park, officially opened on March 1st 2008. Aquatica is the first full size park to be built in Orlando since Discovery Cove in 2000 (which is also a SeaWorld park).
Inside Aquatica is a 59 acre park with 80,000 sq ft of beach, 6 rivers, 2 wave pools, 36 water slides, 2 kiddie play areas and 3 restaurants. The park can accommodate up to 16,000 visitors at one time which makes it the highest capacity water park in the state of Florida. Don’t worry though, it will not feel overcrowded and there are plenty of sun loungers, chairs and beaches for everyone.
Theme Parks
Aquatica, SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, City Walk, Kennedy Space Centre, Busch Gardens, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Downtown Disney, Disney MGM Studios, to name but a few. All or most of these names will be very familiar to you, even if you have never been to Orlando before.
The highlight of your day is to get close and personal with the beautiful bottle nosed dolphins. First, you will get to learn about the dolphins, how they live and feed. Then you go into the water and touch, feed and even swim with the dolphins. There is no greater feeling and it will be a day you will remember for the rest of your life (you get the opportunity to buy a video/dvd of your personal experience).
SeaWorld is a truly magical place and the most popular marine life park in the world. There are many things to see and do with the animals at SeaWorld, with a wonderful mix of animals, shows and exciting rides.