10 Best theme parks in Florida Worth a Visit

Florida is an incredible state of discovery. There’s a lot going on across the Sunshine State, not least when it comes to its extraordinary theme parks. With resorts such as Disney, Universal Studios, and Busch Gardens, you’ll laugh, party, and have fun throughout your trip. In fact, you’ll be spoiled by all the best theme parks in Florida

Now, one of the things we discovered from our trip to Florida is that there is never enough time to see and do everything you want to do. That’s why it’s important to prioritize the theme parks you want to visit as well as other plans for your trip. After all, most of us are hoping for many amazing Florida experiences in the state.

This means that (if you like a good theme park as much as we do) it’s best to book your tickets before you arrive in Florida. You can then plan the rest of your vacation around these closed theme park days; Especially if you want to visit Florida’s best beaches, incredible national parks, or the Florida Keys!

Whichever way you decide to plan your trip to Florida, just make sure it’s fun!

With that in mind, as well as our countless trips to Florida (and its epic theme parks), I’d like to share our knowledge of Florida’s best theme parks to visit when you arrive.

Plan, plan, plan! This is one of the biggest lessons we learned from visiting theme parks in Florida!

1.) Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom

Let’s start with one of Florida’s most iconic theme parks… Why, it could be the world! Disney, the Magic Kingdom.

First of all, don’t be fooled into thinking this is just for kids… We older kids can really enjoy the Magic Kingdom too! In fact, I think I appreciate it even more!

Opened in 1971, it’s one of those ever-changing, ever-growing theme parks (yes, that sounds cheesy) that are pretty magical. With rides, shows and activities for all ages, it’s an ideal place to visit with family or friends.

Of course, you have to see the iconic Cinderella Castle; But don’t forget Space Mountain, haunted House and Seven Dwarfs Three Mines.

Now, one thing to watch out for is pricing! Trust me, you can make a fortune on these if you’re not too careful. To save some money (especially if you are visiting other Disney parks), buy a designated period of time to enter. For example, you can buy “magic tickets” for one or two weeks. This allows you to hop between all the Disney theme parks, often at a discounted price. Oh yes, they also include access to Disney’s water park!

To fully understand the Magic Kingdom, be sure to check which rides are most popular on arrival. Often, once the park opens or the parade starts, some rides with longer lines are worth a visit. This is when many other tourists do not arrive or are watching the parade; This means less time in line for you!

If you’re not keen on this level of planning, choose Disney’s Genie +, which allows you to enter the Flash Alley entrance and plan your trip around specific timed entrances. However, if you are traveling with a larger family, this may increase the cost of admission.

Oh, and don’t forget, if you’re staying at a Disney resort hotel, you can also enter any of the four major parks 30 minutes early.

2.) Global Adventure Island

In my opinion, Universal Islands of Adventure is one of the best theme parks in Florida! Again, perfect for the whole family (most theme parks in Florida are), it’s a completely expansive park that can keep you busy for days!

One thing I love about Adventure Islands is their different rides related to movies and TV! Honestly, this is where the Wizarding World of Harry Potter first came to life, so expect to see lots of people waving wands and butterbeer in the park here. Oh, and you can ride a broomstick to Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, or you can drink butterbeer as you stroll through Hogsmeade. You can also take the Hogwarts Express if you prefer!

Jurassic World High Speed Roller Coaster is one of the newer rides, is incredible, and is one of the best roller coasters in Orlando! That being said, if you love roller coasters, head to the Incredible Hulk Roller coaster, which will have you shooting around the track and over the park! Just ready to scream.

Again, just like Disney, you can save money by buying a multi-park pass (including Universal Studios) and adding days. Oh, and of course, you can choose to pay a little extra for the Universal Express package, which will limit line times for most popular rides in the park.

3.) Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay

Busch Gardens, about 90 minutes from Disney World or 30 minutes from Tampa Airport, is one of Florida’s best theme parks and can be visited while driving east from Orlando.

Not only can you explore the incredible gardens with over 300 features that call the area home, you can also ride some completely epic roller coasters. Sheikra is a vertical drop roller coaster that will amaze you! Oh, and don’t forget Kumba. – It’s too fast.

Just make sure to check their website and book your tickets before you arrive at the gate. That way, you’ll cut costs!

4.) Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral

All right, all right! Yes, Kennedy Space Center is not a theme park, I know! But honestly, when you think of Florida’s amazing attractions, you can’t mention it. You see, this is where NASA launches a lot of rockets.

Located about 60 minutes from Orlando, the convenient day trip is the ideal place to see Atlantis (with space shuttle launch experience), explore some of the alien worlds in space, and learn more about space!

Better yet, you might be able to plan your visit to coincide with the launch! It’s incredible.

5.) Universal Studios

My second favorite and one of the best theme parks in Florida is Universal Studios! Like Disney’s Magic Kingdom, it’s iconic!

With its Hollywood-style attractions, Universal Studios is another must-see while you’re in Florida. Especially if you’re already next door to check out Global Adventure Island.

Once you get here, head to the Simpsons to glide through Springfield, hop on a bike and soar through the sky with ET, or scream all day on the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster, which is great fun.

You can easily spend a whole day at Universal Studios, so plan your trip well in advance! Oh, and stay for the fireworks, too.

6.) Epcot

One of Disney’s larger parks, Epcot is one of the best theme parks for world exploration, scientific discovery and, of course, Listen Earth in Florida.

Ideal for families, Epcot has several major neighborhoods to explore. You will explore a ‘Celebration of the World’, including giant spherical ‘golf ball’. Then jump through the incredible mission space and test track to “World Discovery,” where you can drive a car as fast as you can! After that, head to the World of Nature and explore all the incredible natural beauty our world has to offer – living with the land is an incredible boat ride you must experience.

Finally, don’t forget to explore the World Showcase. It’s a huge fair with 11 countries represented around a huge lake. You can literally travel the world in a day; Stop for fish and chips in the UK, marzipan in France or tagines in Morocco. It’s incredible, and it’s vast.

You’re gonna have the best time ever.

7.) Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Formerly known as MGM Studios, Disney Hollywood Studios is a world of television, movies, and Hollywood. Here, you will experience fun rides such as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coasters starring Aerosmith and The Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror! This is a free fall elevator that makes me scream!

Oh, and do visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! If you like Star Wars, it’s an epic new “land” that’s mind-boggling.

Similarly, if you decide to visit Hollywood Studios, be sure to use it in conjunction with a park pass that includes other theme parks on different dates.

8.) Legoland

Located approximately halfway between Orlando and Tampa, Legoland is one of Florida’s best theme parks to visit when exploring with younger children.

Here, everyone can explore Lego Kingdom, ornate Botanical gardens, Lego City, and the Pirate Bay. It’s so cute. Oh, and don’t forget the perfect Lego water park for hot and sunny days! The Twin Chasers slides are very interesting.

9.) Disney’s Animal Kingdom

You don’t need any clues to guess what Disney’s Animal Kingdom is all about, do you? It is one of the best theme parks in Florida, with its own tiger, elephant and gorilla safari Tours – all within the Kilimanjaro Safari Park. It was great to visit the park and it was beautiful to see the animals roaming in the park.

If excitement is more your thing, explore Mount Everest, it may not be as cold as being on the mountain, but it will certainly make you shiver!

Oh, and don’t forget the Avatar-based Pandora Zone, where you’ll get a chance to experience the movie in real life. Note, however, that queues can be long, so a queue-skipping system may work best for you. You can easily spend a whole day or more in the park; So plan with the other Disney parks you want to visit.

10.) Other Florida theme parks

So let’s not forget that the best theme parks in Florida don’t have to be the billion-dollar parks that call the state home. If you’re in the area, there are a bunch of smaller but equally important parks well worth a visit.

For example, FastTrax (in Fort Myers) is more of an indoor entertainment center than a completely kitsch and fun amusement park for a few hours of travel. You’ll see karts here and have a chance to ride them! If go-karting isn’t your thing, you can try duck bowling, visit their huge game room or head to the bar.

Also, don’t forget Fun Spot America (in Orlando and Kissimmee). Fun Spot America, known for the Mine Blower and White Lightning (wooden roller coasters), are relatively small amusement parks that are great for short excursions. Also, don’t forget the annual fireworks display on July 3 each year, after riding the amazing rides like Sky Hawk, Freedom Flyer, Hurricane, Splash Pad, and Galaxy Spin.

Finally, Icon Park is another little gem that is well worth a visit if you have the time. The main attraction of The park is The 400-foot Wheel. Fifteen passengers can ride in each of the 30 capsules for 20 minutes. Before boarding The Wheel, visitors can watch a five-minute presentation at 4D Theatre.

Located in the tourist corridor of I-Drive, you can find other exciting rides and attractions here, such as the Orlando StarFlyer, Madame Tussauds Orlando, 7D Dark Ride Adventure and the Large Arcade are all nearby.