Orlando, theme park capital of the world

24/10/2023 12:00

The theme parks in Orlando are among the most famous in the world. What was just a bustling city in central Florida fifty years ago has become, in just a few decades, the world capital of amusement parks. And that, without doubt!

With the arrival in 1971 of the entertainment giant Disney, Orlando ranks in the top 5 fastest growing cities in the country. In 2022, it is almost 75 million of people who visited the twenty theme parks in the city and its surroundings. We have covered the main ones for you. 

Orlando's Most Famous Amusement Parks 

Disney World

When we think of Florida theme parks, we inevitably think of Disney. The company was the first to install its second theme park there after the one opened 15 years earlier in Anaheim, near Los Angeles California.

Since then, the complex has extended over more than 120km², a little larger than the city of Paris. It is made up of 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, numerous hotels and a sports complex.

Magic Kingdom 

Among these parks, the first to open was the Magic Kingdom. It focuses on magic, fantasy and fairy tales. The park is divided into six zones:

• Main Street : A replica of a small American town from the beginning of the XNUMXth century.
• Frontierland : Immerse yourself in the era of the Gold Rush and the Wild West.
• A : Explore the jungles and mysteries of the Caribbean.
• Fantasyland : The magical universe of the brand shows all its splendor here.
• liberty square : Discover American history and visit the Haunted House.
• Tommorrowland : Explore the future and space with futuristic attractions.

The iconic attractions are the Cinderella Castle, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion et Space Mountain. Overall, the attractions offered in this park are suitable for both adults and children, especially Fantasyland. Throughout the day, you can meet popular Disney characters throughout the park for photos and autographs.

The Magic Kingdom offers several daily parades and shows, including the Parade Festival of Fantasy Parade and the fireworks show Happily Ever After in front of the castle in the evening. Depending on the time of year, the park hosts special events, such as Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

Magic Kingdom tickets can be purchased individually or as part of a Walt Disney World package. Prices start at $109 per day for a person over 10 years old. In order to reduce the waiting time known to be often long in the most popular attractions, the system FastPass + allows visitors to reserve time slots.

Epcot

The third park opened in 1984, Epcot center is divided into two themes: Future World and World Showcase.

The first part of the park, Future World, is focused on technology, science and innovation. There you will find attractions and pavilions dedicated to space, the environment, energy, health and imagination.

The second part of the park called WorldShowcase, is made up of pavilions dedicated to different countries around a central lake of 10 hectares. Each step highlights the culture of the country concerned.

Iconic attractions at Epcot are:

• Spaceship Earth : An iconic attraction located in the geosphere near the park entrance.
• Soarin' Around the World : A flight simulator offering a panoramic view of different parts of the world.
• test track : A car racing attraction that allows visitors to design their own car.
• Frozen Ever After : An attraction based on the Disney film “Frozen”.

Epcot offers various seasonal events, including the International Arts Festival, Garden Festival and International Food and Wine Festival. The park is known for its variety of restaurants offering international cuisine. So you can taste authentic dishes from many countries around the world.

Just like at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot offers the FastPass+ system to reduce wait times on certain attractions. Ticket prices also start at $109 per day.

Epcot is a unique park that mixes entertainment et cultural exploration, providing an immersive experience for visitors of all ages. Exploring the World Showcase pavilions is a particularly enriching experience for those interested in learning more about the world's cultural diversity.

Typhoon Lagoon

Typhoon Lagoon is one of two water parks at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. It's a tropical theme park, with a backstory that says the park was hit by a catastrophic typhoon, leaving behind a tropical paradise setting.

The park offers a variety ofwater attractions, including slides, wave pools, lazy rivers and attractions for all ages. Some of the most popular attractions include:

• Crush 'n' Gusher : A water jet slide that offers several sliding routes.
• Miss Adventure Falls : A family boat adventure through an old flooded mine.
• Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool : The largest artificial wave pool in the world.
• Castaway Creek : A lazy river that allows you to relax while floating on the water.

There is also a tethered balloon attraction called “ Characters in Flight » which offers a panoramic view of Walt Disney World Resort. Typhoon Lagoon even has a sandy beach where you can relax, sunbathe and play beach volleyball.

The park organizes seasonal events, such as the “ H2O Glow Nights » which offer a unique nighttime experience with lighted attractions and special entertainment.

Typhoon Lagoon offers several options for dining, from quick-serve kiosks to full-service restaurants, offering dishes fit for a day at the beach.

You can purchase entry tickets individually from $64 per day or as part of a Walt Disney World package.

Typhoon Lagoon offers a fun getaway for visitors of all ages. This is a great place to cool off on hot days in Orlando.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios is based on the theme of cinema. The park offers an immersive experience in the entertainment industry, with film-based attractions, live shows and interactive experiences.

The park is divided into several thematic zones:

• Hollywood Boulevard : The main street in the park with shops and restaurants.
• echo lake : An area with attractions based on the “Indiana Jones” and “Star Wars” films.
• Entertainment Courtyard : An area that offers attractions based on Disney animated films.
• Toy Story Land : An area dedicated to the characters and worlds of “Toy Story”.
• Galaxy's Edge : An area based on the “Star Wars” universe 

Among the most popular attractions we can find Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Toy Story Mania, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue et Slinky Dog Dash. The park offers many live shows, including “Fantasmic!” » which is a major nighttime spectacle with special effects, fireworks and Disney characters. Visitors can also participate in interactive experiences such as “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” and “Walt Disney Presents.” »

You can buy admission tickets to Disney's Hollywood Studios from $109 per day or in combo packages with other Walt Disney World parks.

This park offers a captivating experience for families and fans of cinema, television and entertainment. 

Disney's Animal Kingdom

SArguably the most successful of them all, Disney's Animal Kingdom combines theme park fun with education and wildlife conservation. The park is divided into several thematic zones, each highlighting a different aspect of nature: 

• Oasis 
• Discovery Island 
• Africa 
• Asia 
• DinoLandUSA
• Rafiki's Planet Watch
• Pandora - The World of Avatar 

The iconic attractions of this park are Kilimanjaro Safaris, Everest Expedition, Flight of Passage et Kali River Rapids.

The park offers many opportunities to observe and interact with wildlife, including encounters with exotic animals, bird shows and a children's farm. The park is affiliated with theAssociation of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and participates in various programs to preserve endangered species. Seasonal events are organized like the “Festival of the Lion King” and the “Wilderness Explorers” where children can become real explorers.

You can purchase Disney's Animal Kingdom tickets individually from $109 per day or as part of a Walt Disney World package.

Disney's Animal Kingdom is an exciting park for nature lovers, offering a unique experience within Walt Disney World.

Blizzard beach

Here is the second water park from Walt Disney World to Orlando. It's a theme park that tells the story of an abandoned ski resort that became a tropical water park after a fictional snowstorm swept through the area. 

Blizzard Beach offers a variety of water attractions, slides, pools and rivers for visitors of all ages. Some of the most popular attractions include:

• Summit Plummet : One of the steepest water roller coasters in the world.
• Teamboat Springs : A descent in a family raft through the rapids.
• Slide Racers : A slide race on your stomach.
• Melt-Away Bay : A large wave pool.
• Cross Country Creek : A lazy river that takes you around the park.

Like Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach offers a beach of artificial sand to relax, sunbathe and play. Seasonal events such as theme nights to holidays can be organized occasionally.

You can purchase Blizzard Beach entrance tickets individually from $64 per day or as part of a Walt Disney World package.

Blizzard Beach offers a refreshing experience, with attractions for those seeking thrills and relaxation areas for those who simply want to relax. It's a great place to enjoy a family day on the water.

Discovery Cove

Legoland Florida Resort

LEGOLAND Florida Resort is a theme park located in Winter Haven, Florida. The park is designed for families with young children and offers a theme park experience centered around the famous lego bricks. The park offers attractions, shows, play areas and other entertainment.

LEGOLAND is divided into several themed areas, each with its specific attractions:

• The Beginning
• fun town
• LEGO Kingdoms
• LEGO Technic
• DUPLO Valley
• LEGO Ninjago World
• Mini Country USA

Among the park's many attractions, the best known are The dragon, LEGO NINJAGO The Ride, Cypress gardens et Coastersaurus. The park offers plenty of opportunities to build, play and interact with LEGO bricks, through play areas and building workshops.

LEGOLAND Florida Resort also offers a Hotel with LEGO themed rooms and activities for families.

It's an ideal destination for families with young children and LEGO enthusiasts, offering a unique theme park experience based on these famous building bricks. 

You can buy entry tickets online or on site. There are also combo tickets with other attractions in the area. The price for the day at the park starts at 74$.

If you would like to visit one or more of these theme parks during your stay in Florida, the self drive trip is the best option. So, you can combine the coast and Miami with the theme parks in the same trip! The itinerary is flexible and adapts to your desires.

SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld Orlando is a amusement park, water park and Zoo. It focuses on marine life, conservation, education and entertainment. 

SeaWorld is famous for its orca, dolphin, sea lion and bird shows. The park also offers many attractions, some focused on marine wildlife and others offering roller coaster and amusement ride experiences.

The park is divided into several thematic areas, including:

• Shamu's Happy Harbor : A play area for children.
• Manta : An area based on the Manta roller coaster.
• Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin : An immersive area with penguins and a simulator attraction.
• Sesame Street Land : An area for young children with attractions based on Sesame Street characters.

You can also interact with animals, including dolphins, Sea lions and sea ​​turtles. SeaWorld is committed to marine conservation and participates in marine animal rescue and rehabilitation programs. The park offers educational programs on ocean conservation and protection.

In addition to the main park, SeaWorld Orlando includes Aquatica, a park that offers water attractions and slides.

You can purchase entry tickets online, onsite, or as part of packages with other theme parks in the area. The price of a day ticket starts at 84,99$.

SeaWorld Orlando offers an educational and entertaining experience for marine life enthusiasts. You can learn about marine wildlife while enjoying fascinating shows.

Universal Orlando Resort

Theme parks in Orlando are also the Universal Studios. Opened in 1990, they are located closer to downtown. 

Universal Studios

Universal Studios Florida is an amusement park based on the cinema and television. The park features attractions, restaurants and areas based on popular films and television series.

The park is divided into several thematic areas as follows:

• Production Center : An area focused on film production.
• New York : A representation of New York City with attractions based on films.
• Diagon Alley : An area inspired by the Harry Potter universe, with attractions like Escape from Gringotts and Ollivanders.
• Springfield : An area based on “The Simpsons” characters with themed attractions and restaurants.
• Hollywood : An area that evokes the glamor and red carpet of Hollywood.
• Woody Woodpecker's KidZone : An area suitable for younger visitors with attractions for children.
• WorldExpo : An area that offers futuristic and science fiction-based attractions.

The most famous attractions are Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, Transformers: The Ride 3D, simpsons ride et Revenge of the Mummy. The park offers a variety of live shows, some of which feature impressive stunts and special effects.

You can purchase admission tickets alone or as part of combo packages with other Universal parks in Orlando. The price for a day at the park starts at $ 199 per person.

This park offers an immersive experience in the world of cinema and entertainment. It is an ideal destination for movie and TV series lovers who want to see behind the scenes.

Universal's Islands of Adventure

Universal's Islands of Adventure is a theme park focused on adventure, fantasy and imagination. The park offers a set of distinct themed islands:

• Marvel Super Hero Island : An island based on Marvel superheroes.
• Show Lagoon : An area based on classic cartoon characters.
• Jurassic Park : An island inspired by the Jurassic Park films.
• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade : An island based on the Harry Potter universe.
• The Lost Continent : A thematic island inspired by antiquity and legends.
• Seuss Landing : An area based on the stories of Dr. Seuss, suitable for families and children.
• Skull island : An island based on King Kong.
• Port of Entry : The entrance area of ​​the park, designed to recall an exotic port.

The most popular attractions are Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Jurassic Park River Adventure, The Incredible Hulk Coaster et Skull Island: Reign of Kong.

The park offers live shows, some of which feature impressive stunts and special effects.

You can purchase admission tickets online, onsite, or as part of combo packages with other parks at Universal Orlando Resort. For a day at the park, count on minimum $ 119 per person more than 10 years.

Volcano bay

Universal's Volcano Bay is a water park part of the Universal Orlando Resort complex. It is inspired by the idea of ​​a volcanic island paradise, with a large artificial mountain called the “Volcano”. The park offers a complete water recreation experience, with slides, pools, lazy rivers and attractions for the whole family.

The park is divided into several thematic zones which are Krakatau, Wave Village, River Village, Rainforest Village et Waturi Beach.

Universal's Volcano Bay offers several popular attractions, including:

• Krakatau Aqua Coaster : A roller coaster water slide inside the volcanic mountain.
• Honu ika Moana : A family boat slide.
• TeAwa The Fearless River : A fast-flowing river that passes through the volcanic mountain.
• Ko'okiri Body Plunge : One of the steepest water slides in the world.

Visitors can book private cabins, offering a shaded area, catering services and exclusive benefits. The park offers a variety of dining options. You'll find full-service restaurants, fast food stands, and tiki bars.

You can buy entrance tickets to Universal's Volcano Bay from $80 per day or as part of combo packages with other Universal Orlando Resort parks.

Universal's Volcano Bay offers a fun experience for visitors to all ages, with a variety of water attractions in a tropical setting. It's a great place to relax and have fun in the Florida sun.

FAQ – Amusement Parks in Orlando

What is the best Disney park in Orlando?

If you want to rediscover the Disney universe, Magic kingdom park is the one that will appeal to the greatest number of people, regardless of age.

Which park to do at Universal Orlando?

In the Universal complex, the park Universal Studios is the one that remains essential. You will be transported to the world of cinema for sure.

What is the recommended length of stay at DisneyWorld?

Plan to dedicate at least one day per park. For Magic Kingdom, the ideal is to spend two days there to see everything without rushing. If you want to discover them all, at least book 8 days because of the time lost in airports.

When is the best time to visit theme parks in Orlando?

The ideal time to visit the theme parks in Orlando while escaping the extreme heat is generally between December and February. During these months, cooler temperatures provide a more pleasant experience. However, note that the Christmas period may cause a slight increase in attendance

When to book your stay at DisneyWorld?

Due to the increased number of visitors, we advise you to book at least 6 months in advance, especially if you want to stay in a hotel in the park.