Often described as the theme park capital of the world, Orlando benefits from no less than seven world class parks on it’s doorstep, with a further one only an hour away.  Our home is at the centre of it all, yet sufficiently tucked away to ensure you can have peace and tranquility between the visits.

Walt Disney World, with the Magic Kingdom came first, but as the success of this became apparent it was not long before others followed.  Now you have four separate parks within Disney World, two at Universal Studios, Seaworld, and across on the outskirts of Tampa, Busch Gardens.  Additionally you have a number of water parks and the Downtown Disney area, playgrounds for all ages.

Theme parks are not just for the children, in fact many adults will go with no children in tow.  The attractions are well done, immaculately presented, and technically very clever, they also offer sufficient thrill factor to grab the hearts of youngsters of all ages.

Walt Disney World

The Magic Kingdom
A real family park, everything Euro Disney has to offer and much more, at the heart of the Disney Kingdom. Make sure you visit Splash Mountain and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin whilst you are there. The parade at the end of the day is always worth waiting for, though in the height of the season you may not feel it worth getting in-line early enough to get a good seat.

Disney Studios
The renamed MGM studios is the smallest of the Disney parks, and you may want to fit it into a day with another park, however it is still larger than most parks of its kind you will find in Europe. For the Teenagers Rockin’ Roller Coaster and The Tower of Terror are a must, though only face the latter if you have no fear of heights. The spectacular show at the end of the day, set on an island in the middle of a lake is also a must see.

Epcot
The second oldest of the Disney parks, and still unique in its concept, a community of the future with a sample of the cultures from around the world, presented Disney style. Not as many white knuckle rides as the other parks have to offer, yet Test Track is many peoples favourite ride from all of the parks. The firework and light display to end the day is excellent.

Animal Kingdom
The newest of the Disney parks, a themed safari park combining real life animal encounters with theme park magic. Probably the most relaxing day you will get in a Disney park, though if you are going in the summer months, go early to see the animals before they all take their elongated siestas.

Universal Studios

Universal
The original competitor to Disney, providing an opportunity to ‘Ride the Movies’. Well worth a visit, it is great to see and experience your favourite movies first hand. The stunt show is fun for all the family, and the overall experience provided by Twister is great entertainment, also watch out for the side walk acts, some of them can be well worth stopping to take in.

Islands of Adventure
The newest major theme park in the Orlando area. An ideal day out for a family with teenagers, more roller coaster and white knuckle rides in one place than offered by any of the other parks. Also a superb play area for the kids with Seuss Landing, based on the books of Dr. Seuss. The big rides, Spiderman, Dr. Dooms Fearfall, Duelling Dragons, and River adventure will all thrill the teenagers, also there is some great water fun in Toon Landing, a change of clothing is advisable if you are not content to simply let the Florida sun dry you off.

Other Parks

Seaworld
A water based theme park, enjoy world class rides and encounter the creatures of the sea at first hand. In the same vein as Animal Kingdom, Seaworld provides a relaxed day out, yet offers the kids the opportunity to enjoy the rides at the same time. The first hand experiences such as Dolphin feeding are worth checking out, there are few places the children can get to touch a dolphin and study it up close. A more exclusive experiences can also be obtained across the road from Seaworld at Discovery cove, swim with Dolphins, snorkel with Rays, but book in advance as places are very limited.

Busch Gardens
A bit further a field, but well worth the trip, you can think of it as Animal Kingdom, but with more theme park style attractions. Ideal for older children with many thrill rides, though the animal encounters and smaller rides are great for the younger ones too.

Cypress Gardens
Drive south down Highway 27 for about half an hour and you will find the exit on the right to Cypress Gardens, one of Florida's oldest theme parks, closed a few years back as it was not a viable business, now under new management and with many new attractions. Ideal for the entire family, thrill rides for the teens, plenty for the little ones and extensive gardens for a relaxing stroll.

This page is intended purely as an appetiser, for details of park hours and what the current seasons attractions are the park's web sites are always well worth a visit, links to the main Orlando area park's sites are provided on the previous page.

If you decide to visit the parks during your Florida vacation the key to a successful trip is planning. A well planned visit will ensure you get to do all you want without spending the entire day in queues, and without running yourself ragged. Whatever you do, if you are only in Florida for a couple of weeks do not try to fit in all the parks that are on offer, otherwise you will find you need a holiday when you get home to recover.

To help with planning your trips a good guide to the parks is essential, the best we have found is 'The Unofficial Guide to Disney’, published by IDG.