The best theme parks in Orlando

There’s something exciting about a brand-new theme park opening in the heart of Orlando. Universal Epic Universe features five themed worlds, plus a host of dining, shopping and entertainment offerings throughout the park. Don’t miss The Untrainable Dragon show inside How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, as well as riding through Frankenstein Manor in Dark Universe and zipping through the Ministry of Magic inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. And when it’s time for a sweet treat, head straight to Frosty Moon where you can build an out-of-this-world soft-serve ice cream sundae.

What’s new: The entire park is new, so there’s a lot to explore. There are also three new Universal hotels near Epic Universe. Try to stay at one of these to get the most out of your time at the new park.

Time Out tip: If you really want to meet Toothless in Berk, you’ll need to head there first thing in the morning, or late in the evening, since the line to meet the dragon gets long very fast.

Universal Islands of Adventure is the place for Harry Potter fans. The park plays host to wizards, witches and goblins as they take flight on attractions like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. On the other side of the park, you’ll find a land dedicated to Dr. Seuss characters, Marvel Super Hero Island (where you can fly high with the Incredible Hulk and Spider-Man) and a Jurassic Park-themed land.

What’s new: Jurassic World VelociCoaster is still the newest thing at this park, but you can continue to live your best wizard’s life nearby at an all-new Harry Potter-themed land at Universal’s Epic Universe park.

Time Out tip: Order breakfast or lunch at the Three Broomsticks, which specializes in British fare. Take your meal outside to the patio to watch the VelociCoaster whiz by.

Universal Studios Florida is home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, E.T. Adventure and The Mummy, among other attractions. Inside Diagon Alley, you can zip through Gringotts Bank on Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts and drink a glass of Butterbeer with your pals at the Leaky Cauldron. After channeling your inner wizard, hop on a bike with E.T. to get him back to his home planet on E.T. Adventure. Universal fans also know this is the best ride to walk through the queue because of the iconic smell that hits you the moment you walk into the forest.

What’s new: Last summer, Universal revealed its newest area, DreamWorks Land, geared toward younger guests. The land features a Trolls-themed, family-friendly rollercoaster, a stage show filled with DreamWorks characters and more.

Time Out tip: Be sure to check out the times guide on the Universal app for the latest entertainment offerings, like the cute Universal Mega Movie Parade. The parade features floats themed to some of the most popular movies and franchises in history, like Jurassic Park, E.T. and Trolls.

There really is nothing like walking down Main Street, USA at Walt Disney World. Magic Kingdom is filled with nostalgia for young and old, with rides like Space Mountain and Jungle Cruise, and characters like Mickey Mouse and Snow White parading down the street, waving to guests. The park recently opened a new version of the popular Country Bear Jamboree, which is now called the Country Bear Musical Jamboree. And work has already begun on new Villains-themed and Cars-themed lands at the park. 

What’s new: Starting July 20, you can find a spot on Main Street, USA to see the new nighttime parade, Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away. The beautiful parade features characters from movies like Moana, Peter Pan, Coco and Encanto. And later this year, the park will open a new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge called the Beak and Barrel. 

Time Out tip: If your family wants to see Disney Starlight, be sure to get a spot on the parade route at least 45 minutes before the show. There will be two showings each evening, at 9 and 11pm.

The worlds of Toy Story, Star Wars and classic Disney characters all come together at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The park may be the smallest of the Walt Disney World properties, but it became a prime destination when Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened in 2019. The themed land has its own original storyline that fits into the ongoing Star Wars saga. Inside, you’ll find two attractions, a bar, a few restaurants and plenty of shopping. Kids will love the larger-than-life Toy Story friends who have come out to greet them inside Toy Story Land, and they’ll even get to ride on the back of Slinky Dog on Slinky Dog Dash.

What’s new: There are two new shows at the park. The first is The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, which is a retelling of the movie. The second is Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After, which features a host of iconic baddies.

Time Out tip: Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance has been testing a single rider line. If you see the sign and the line is open, hop in for what could be a shorter wait time. Just know you will skip the pre-show with Rey and the “shuttle transfer” part of the attraction. 

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park has lands dedicated to Africa and Asia that will make you feel like you’re traveling through real-world locations, and the park also has fictional lands dedicated to the worlds of Avatar and dinosaurs. While many people will race off to ride Avatar Flight of Passage first thing in the morning, real Disney pros know that the first stop should always be Kilimanjaro Safaris, because this is when the animals are the most active. If you’ve never heard a lion roar after your morning coffee, you’re really missing out.

What’s new: This park is getting ready to receive a major upgrade to its DinoLand U.S.A. area. Part of this land is already closed to make way for a new Encanto-themed ride, plus a new carousel. Additionally, the popular Dinosaur ride will close later this year to make way for an Indiana Jones-themed attraction. 

Time Out tip: Don’t skip the walking trails around the park, which have great viewing areas for some cute animals like tigers, gorillas and more. I love the Maharaja Jungle Trek, where you can see one of the park’s newest additions, a baby tiger named Bakso. 

Even though it’s technically a water park, Universal Orlando Resort classifies Volcano Bay as a theme park. From a lazy river to body plunge slides that blast you through the centerpiece for everyone to see, there’s fun for the whole family. Volcano Bay is also home to some of Universal's best food and drinks, like the scrumptious Waturi Fusion ice cream, a colorful twisted soft serve.

What’s new: There’s nothing new at the park this year, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had.

Time Out tip: Get to the park early, especially on warmer days. This will ensure you get a beach chair in your ideal area (I love the beach near the wave pool) without having to search too hard.

Epcot is usually known as Walt Disney World’s adult-centric park with festivals that encourage eating and drinking all day and popping in and out of shows about each country represented in the World Showcase. The park recently completed its multi-year upgrades, which include a walk-through attraction inspired by Moana and a new nighttime fireworks show. This is also where you can ride the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind rollercoaster, which features a reverse launch.

What’s new: The newest thing at Epcot is the completely renovated Test Track attraction. The new version of the popular ride features new scenes inside that showcase modern automotive technology, but the outside track will still have you speeding around at 65 miles per hour. There’s also a new lounge at Epcot, GEO-82, which is hiding inside Spaceship Earth.

Time Out tip: Try to visit the park on a weekday versus a weekend, especially during festivals. The park can get very crowded on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with locals and tourists looking to enjoy the nice weather and tasty bites.

At LEGOLAND Theme Park, everything is bigger and better than any kid could have imagined, with attractions like Lost Kingdom Adventure and LEGO NINJAGO World. When it’s time to take a break, head over to Pirate’s Cove to watch Brickbeard’s Water Sports Stunt Show on the lake that backs up to the LEGOLAND property.

What’s new: While there’s not anything new at the park this year, in 2026, LEGOLAND will be launching a new space-themed indoor rollercoaster.

Time Out tip: Be sure to get the apple fries at the park! They are easily the best treat at
LEGOLAND Theme Park.

The cutest theme park to open in Orlando is the Peppa Pig Theme Park, part of the LEGOLAND Florida Resort. The park is mainly for preschoolers and has rides based on the popular cartoon series it is named after (no great surprise there). Many of the attractions do not have a height requirement, meaning even younger kids can enjoy a day at the theme park.

What’s new: The park hasn’t added anything new since it opened in 2022, but that’s not a big deal since it’s mainly geared toward younger kids.

Time Out tip: There are plenty of areas for kids to run around and enjoy being outside at the park. And when it’s time for a break, head to Mr. Potato’s Showtime Arena to catch a live show with the Peppa Pig characters.

SeaWorld Orlando is a great park for coaster enthusiasts and animal lovers. The expansive park shows off all sorts of creatures from the depths of the sea, including dolphins, whales and adorable penguins. Adults will love the high-speed coasters like Kraken and Manta, while kids will enjoy seeing their favorite Sesame Street friends at Sesame Street Land. Be sure to ride on the Sky Tower to see the entire park from a bird’s-eye view and get a panoramic vista of Orlando.

What’s new: Expedition Odyssey is the newest attraction at the park. It simulates the feeling of flying over the Arctic with sweeping views of glaciers and icebergs. After the ride ends, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of Arctic animals like beluga whales and walruses.

Time Out tip: You can schedule tours to learn more about some of the animals at SeaWorld, including dolphins, sea lions, penguins and sharks. Tours should be made ahead of time, but there are sometimes slots available at the park.

Gatorland is known for its up-close encounters with real alligators. The park features zip lines, an off-road vehicle ride, a petting zoo and the ability to be a trainer for the day. Along with the thrills, you can also see a variety of animals, including birds, capybara, big cats, snakes and other reptiles.

What’s new: The newest attraction at Gatorland is Croc Rock Adventure. On this daring adventure, you’ll rock climb, walk across a cable bridge and ride a 350-foot-long zip line.

Time Out tip: For a true Florida experience, try the Gator Night Shine experience, which is $25 per person. During the tour, you’ll make your way to the Gatorland Alligator Breeding Marsh to spot alligators at night and feed them.

If you’re looking for a theme park with classic attractions in Orlando, look no further than Fun Spot America. The park’s Orlando location (there’s another one in Kissimmee) features everything from roller coasters and a Ferris wheel to bumper cars and big sack slides. The park has two different payment systems: a day pass, which gets you onto every attraction, and a pay-as-you-ride system, where different attractions cost different amounts.

What’s new: This park doesn’t change much, but that’s part of the charm because it’s a spot where old-school fun can be had around every corner.

Time Out tip: Fun Spot Orlando has the city’s only wooden roller coaster, White Lightning, which can reach speeds of 48 miles per hour.