The 13 best theme parks in Orlando

We must kick off our list with the park that started it all. Still represented by that iconic Cinderella’s Castle you’ve been gazing at since you were little, this nostalgia-heavy destination is great for kids and grownups like. Home to six themed lands—think Frontier Land and Fantasy Land, for example—the area will host Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration starting January of 2019: expect new merchandise, food, entertainment and an energetic dance party.

Tweens, teens and adults flock to this exhilarating theme park for heart pounding thrills. By day, escape Death Eaters and dragons in Hogwarts on the state-of-the-art Forbidden Journey ride. At dusk, don’t miss the castle’s magical transformation, when the Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts show takes guests on a magical journey through the houses with lights, projections and music. Although all those activities are part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade, guests might opt to hop on the Incredible Hulk Coaster and partake in other themed activities.

Universal Studios gets it right: thrust into The Fast and Furious or race through New York alongside Jimmy Fallon. For some real magic, though, enter the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Even the waits here are tolerable, thanks to the immersive and entertaining queue areas that folks on lines get to enjoy. The park’s newest nighttime lagoon show, described as an “epic cinema under the stars,” and the annual Halloween Horror Nights deserve special mentions as well.

Movie buffs, this is your park. Step back into the glamour of show biz with a walk down Hollywood Boulevard or go on a high-speed journey through Tinseltown with Aerosmith on the Rock ‘N’ Rollercoaster. The highlight of the park has guests shrinking to the size of a toy in the newest creation, Toy Story Land, where a family-friendly coaster and amusing adventure through a carnival midway brings out the kid in all. Stay tuned for a new Star Wars land in 2019.

The low-key vibe at SeaWorld is a welcome change of pace and, don’t tell the kids, an education experience as well. The park is diverse, making it a great destination for guests of all ages: small kids will love Sesame Street Land (coming soon), teens will act macho on the tallest, fastest and longest coaster in Orlando while adults will contently drink the grownup beverages served on premise. The best part of it all? Tickets purchased in advance will cost you a relatively inexpensive $80.

What happens when you put a snow resort in Florida? You get Blizzard Beach. Best suited for older kids, daring adventurers can plummet down a 120-foot-high slide at 55 miles an hour on the world’s fastest free-fall water slide. There are plenty of family-friendly activities to partake in as well, like one of largest white water raft rides in the world. Get on this.

Catch a live gator wrestling show, hold exotic snakes or zipline over 1,200 feet of treetops and an alligator breeding marsh filled with 130 gators at this reasonably priced (just under $30 per person) and family-friendly destination right off Orange Blossom Trail. This is a great way to explore the theme park world outside of the meticulously manicured Disney grounds.

An intimate, all-inclusive park, Discovery Cove has guests swim with dolphins, snorkel with exotic fish and dip into the 85-degree waters of pristine beaches. While tickets will set you back about $199, the limited number of guests, the complimentary breakfast, lunch and unlimited snacks (including alcohol), make this a worthy splurge. It’s a lot cheaper than a trip to the Keys, after all.

The resurrected Christian-based park inspired by biblical events is a step back in time that keeps things interesting with a mix of drama and humor. Don’t expect thrill rides. Rather, musicals are set up on premise and bring Moses and Jesus to life while Roman soldiers peruse the streets. Bored? The Mall of Millenia sits right across the highway.

Even the swankiest clubs in Orlando boast a laid-back, welcoming vibe—much like the city itself. From underground indie venues to upscale EDM hotspots, most of the action and nighttime attractions would traditionally be found in downtown Orlando.