Planning a trip can be a complex task, if this trip is to Orlando it is even more difficult. Knowing which Orlando Parks are is the first step in putting together your travel itinerary.
On this post
I'm sure if you've been to Orlando, you've come across this doubt at some point.
The first thing I would like to make clear is that there is no such thing as the best park or the worst park objectively speaking.
There is the best or worst for a particular profile or group that is traveling.
With this, several factors must be analyzed to know which Orlando parks you will put in your itinerary.
Of course, if you need professional help, don't hesitate to hire our travel advice!
That said, in this post we will provide as much objective information as possible about the Disney parks and other parks in Orlando.
That way you can decide which park to do based on your group's profile.
As we said above, it's a really difficult task, don't hesitate to look for us if you can't decide which are the best parks to do on your trip.
Come on?
How to choose the parks for your Orlando trip?
Of course, to decide which parks to do, you need to know what each of the parks offers in terms of attractions, what to do, eat and how to spend your day.
Remembering that here on the blog we have several more specific itineraries and guides for each Orlando park or attraction.
In this post we will take a relatively more generic approach, but focusing on the main points for your assembly.
That way you'll be equipped with the information you need to define whether or not a particular park is good for your group.
Another tip before we get into every detail of the parks is that we show a lot of all the tours we do in Orlando on our social networks, especially in our youtube channel.
This is another way for you to visualize what you will find there during your trip, as in the video below:
That said, let's talk a little bit about all the parks you'll find in Orlando, starting with the famous Disney parks!
Disney parks
We couldn't start this list differently, we'll first talk about the Disney parks found in Orlando.
Disney in Orlando is Walt Disney World, and it is made up of 4 theme parks and 2 water parks, to date.
Magic Kingdom
We couldn't start with another one, the first park at Walt Disney World and probably the most famous.
The Magic Kingdom is the symbol of Disney and Orlando. It is the famous park that contains the Cinderella's castle.
In my opinion, it is the must-see for everyone who visits the city, without exception.
This for a simple reason, he portrays the magic of Disney in an incredible way.
From your arrival to your departure!
It is the park that has the highest volume of attractions, it has several famous characters for photos such as the princesses, Mickey and many others.
In addition, it is home to the most famous closing show within the Disney parks, the Happily Ever After, which has been closed but will return in 2023!
It has attractions for the whole family and for all tastes, it has roller coasters (there are 5 in total) that can receive visitors of all ages, including children.
That is, they are not super extreme roller coasters.
If, on the one hand, some may think that the attractions lack adrenaline, on the other hand, there is certainly plenty of emotion, after all, there is no park more magical than this one.
After all where else could you take photo with Beauty and the Beast, see Rapunzel's tower and travel to space in Space mountain on the same day?
The Magic Kingdom is a Disney park that has so many things that it's even difficult to talk about it quickly. Therefore, we recommend that you take a look at our complete guide on MK.
- Minimum days to enjoy the park: We recommend at least 2 days
- You can share the day with another park: No
- Profile: All
- Best time of year: No restrictions
Epcot
Despite being referenced by many as a park for adults, we believe that all profiles can enjoy Epcot very well, including children.
This is a very controversial park, as many people believe that it is a park that you can not do because it does not have as many attractions as some other Disney parks.
I remember when I was very young and I went to Disney for the first time, this park gave me wonderful memories with photos with different characters and fully interactive and futuristic areas.
And today, as an adult, it is without a doubt one of my favorite parks, mainly because one of the things I like to do most in Orlando's parks is to eat in different places and with good food!
It is a special park mainly for those who like to eat well and try different things, but it does not fail to entertain the most radical with some emblematic attractions, such as the Soarin? (which simulates a hang gliding flight), the Mission space (a space simulator that takes you to the sensation of zero gravity) and the Spaceship Earth (a walk through the story of the world inside the giant ball that is the park's symbol).
It also has amazing things for kids like the attractions of the Looking for Nemo, Imagination, and the famous Frozen attraction.
It is also home to one of the most iconic closing shows of all Disney parks.
- Minimum days to enjoy the park: We recommend at least 1 full day
- You can share the day with another park: No
- Profile: It may not be very suitable for those looking only for extreme attractions
- Best time of year: No restrictions
Hollywood Studios
The smallest Disney park in physical size.
Hollywood Studios beckons adrenaline fans with two of the most extreme attractions in all of Disney: the Tower of terror and the Aerosmith roller coaster.
However, if you think that this is a park only for those who like extreme attractions, you are wrong.
As the name of the park says, it focuses a lot on the theme of cinema and theater, with unmissable shows, such as the traditional musical Beauty and the Beast (which is super special because where we got engaged – See the video).
In addition, children can also enjoy Hollywood Studios a lot.
There are several attractions for little ones, such as the Disney Junior attraction, the Little Mermaid show, the Cars show and the new themed area. Toy Story.
The park has received many updates recently like the Toy story land mentioned above and its most recent area, the Star Wars area called Galaxy's Edge.
In addition, it has other unmissable things like the two closing shows of the park: the Fantasmic! that no one should miss, and the Star Wars fireworks show.
- Minimum days to enjoy the park: Between 1 and 2 days
- You can share the day with another park: No more
- Profile: All
- Best time of year: No restrictions
Animal kingdom
Like Epcot, it's a park that some people tend to leave off the beaten path.
However, Animal Kingdom has been surprising us more and more in recent years and is without a doubt one of our favorite Disney parks.
It is home to one of Orlando's best roller coasters, the Everest Expedition.
And also one of the best Disney attractions in my opinion, the Flight of Passage which is located in the brand new area of Pandora – The World of Avatar.
In addition, there you can meet real animals on a very cool and well done safari. There are still unmissable shows like the one at Lion King and Nemo's musical.
- Minimum days to enjoy the park: We recommend at least 1 full day
- You can share the day with another park: No
- Profile: All
- Best time of year: No restrictions
Blizzard beach
We already talked about the 4 Disney Theme Parks. Now let's talk about the 2 Aquatics.
We will start by talking about the smaller of the two parks, the Disney's Blizzard Beach.
It is also the most cozy and has more of a family theme.
Like the others, it has attractions for all styles, from radical to quiet ones to rest.
For children, there are several water playgrounds that are super cool.
Unfortunately adults cannot enter if they are not taking care of a child.
The park's concept is that it mimics a disused ski resort, so it's especially fun to go there during the summer and see the place full of snow-capped mountains (of course it's not real snow).
In fact, Blizzard Beach is home to one of the biggest waterslides there is. If you're going in a hot month, it's a great option to cool off.
- Minimum days to enjoy the park: 1 day
- You can share the day with another park: Yes
- Profile: Everyone who likes water parks
- Best time of year: Hot months between April and October.
Typhoon Lagoon
Disney's other water park is Typhoon Lagoon.
It is the largest and most popular Disney water park in Orlando.
It's really fun and has enough attractions for you to spend hours having fun on a hot day.
The wave pool is WONDERFUL and from time to time it releases a tsunami that drags everyone to the beach.
In addition, it has several attractions that you can go with the whole family.
- Minimum days to enjoy the park: 1 day
- You can share the day with another park: Yes
- Profile: Everyone who likes water parks
- Best time of year: Hot months between April and October.
Note on Water Parks
It is possible to do Disney water parks with another activity on the same day.
Keep an eye on their opening hours as they tend to close earlier than traditional theme parks.
Universal Parks
Well, first we talk about the Disney parks that are the most famous parks in Orlando.
Now let's talk about the second most popular complex among Orlando's parks, Universal Studios Resort.
In the Universal Studios Resort complex there are 2 theme parks and 1 water park.
We'll check them all out soon.
Universal studios
Universal Studios returned to being one of the most popular in the city after the Diagon Alley (from the saga Harry Potter) was inaugurated as one of its thematic areas.
The park, which always used to have much shorter lines than Disney parks, is now just as crowded.
But the park goes far beyond Harry Potter.
There you will find the classic ET movie attraction., Mummy Roller Coaster, Transformers Simulator, the attraction MIB, and Simpsons simulator (along with an entire Simpsons area – Springfield).
In addition, it also has several attractions for children such as Despicable Me attractions, Shrek, Woodpecker and more.
Universal is a complete park for the whole family! Don't forget to check out our guide to Universal studios.
- Minimum days to enjoy the park: We recommend at least 1 full day
- You can share the day with another park: Only with Island of Adventure
- Profile: All
- Best time of year: No restrictions
Islands of Adventure
And so far my favorite park among all Orlando parks. Not only because I worked there in 2007, but also because it has so many amazing attractions!
It is the second park in the Universal complex and has many attractions for fans of extreme attractions.
Some of them are, the Hulk roller coaster, spiderman simulator which has won several awards, Jurassic Park area with incredible attractions, including the brand new Velociraptors roller coaster called Velocicoaster.
But there the children also have the opportunity, and there is an entire area focused on them, which is the super cute area of the Dr. Seuss.
In addition, it is at Islands of Adventure that the second Harry Potter themed area, Hogsmeade, is located.
In addition, it is there that Hogwarts castle and the new Hagrid's roller coaster.
Sound too good to be true? And it is!
- Minimum days to enjoy the park: We recommend at least 1 full day
- You can share the day with another park: Only with Universal Studios
- Profile: All
- Best time of year: No restrictions
Volcano bay
The newest park in the Universal complex is also the group's only water park.
The arrival of this Orlando park brought another option to give that rest in the schedule of theme parks and shopping.
In addition to many extreme attractions, this park also brings ease of use virtual queue for attractions, which was a major innovation in the area.
The park is very rich in details, it is themed around the islands of the pacific and a large volcano that is like a central landmark of the place.
For those looking for more radical water attractions than those at Disney parks, then it's a great choice. Be sure to take a look at our guide to 1 day at Volcano Bay.
- Minimum days to enjoy the park: 1 day
- You can share the day with another park: Yes
- Profile: Everyone who likes water parks
- Best time of year: Hot months between April and October.
SeaWorld Parks
Just like Universal parks, SeaWorld parks are equally known and famous as Orlando parks.
We particularly love it, as they have increasingly focused on including attractions that do not involve animals, and many extreme attractions have opened in recent years. Shall we check?
SeaWorld
It has always been a park that has received a lot of criticism regarding its attractions that involve animals.
In recent years, they have announced that they will no longer breed new whales and will gradually change the experience offered with these animals, and that change has already begun!
SeaWorld has created attractions that go beyond marine life.
This is the case with some of the most extreme roller coasters in Orlando, Kraken, Mantar Roller Coaster and Mako.
The famous whale and dolphin shows continue there, attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists every year, as well as the exhibitions of animals such as dolphins, turtles and stingrays.
Even the whale show was updated very recently now it’s called Orca Encounter.
To the children, now has an entire area dedicated to Sesame Street.
Don't miss out on our SeaWorld guide.
- Minimum days to enjoy the park: 1 day
- You can share the day with another park: Not by the distance from Orlando
- Profile: All
- Best time of year: Without restriction
Busch gardens
Well, the SeaWorld group owns Busch Gardens, so he's in this session.
This park is actually in Tampa, just over 1 hour from Orlando, and has always been known for being the Orlando park with the most extreme attractions.
With many roller coasters, Busch Gardens is the most adrenaline park in the region.
Despite this, he also tries to please children, with lighter attractions, rides with animals, shows, and even encounters with characters from Sesame Street.
It is not a children's park, and we do not recommend it if the focus of your trip is your children.
But if your kids are older and love extreme attractions, it's worth a visit!
We have a complete guide to Busch gardens here on the Blog.
- Minimum days to enjoy the park: 1 day
- You can share the day with another park: Not by the distance from Orlando
- Profile: All
- Best time of year: Without restriction
Discovery Cove
Another park that is debatable from an environmental point of view, the Discovery Cove It is well known for allowing its visitors to swim and play with the dolphins raised by the park.
Discovery Cove is a very different park from other Orlando parks, because there you will not find a series of attractions, queues and things to do.
It is almost like a day resort with a series of activities with aquatic animals and free food.
- Minimum days to enjoy the park: 1 day.
- You can share the day with another park: maybe, since it is the first park of the day, as it closes early.
- Profile: those who enjoy water parks and those who like marine animals.
- Better Time of the year: Hot seasons like April to October
Aquatica
It's SeaWorld's water park.
Perhaps the simplest of Orlando's water parks.
It brings everything you would expect from this type of place: a wave pool, buoys, lounge chairs, water slides and a flowing river.
It also has a footprint for animals with water slides that pass inside aquariums and etc.
- Minimum days to enjoy the park: 1 day.
- You can share the day with another park: maybe, since it is the first park of the day, as it closes early.
- Profile: those who enjoy water parks and those who like marine animals.
- Better Time of the year: Hot seasons like April to October
Orlando Independent Parks
This is a session dedicated to 2 parks that are not part of any large group like Disney or Universal parks.
We will briefly talk about them here in case you want to include them in your travel itinerary as well.
Legoland
This park is located 40 minutes from Orlando.
Legoland is perhaps the only park that doesn't appeal to tourists of all ages.
His focus here is for the younger audience. For children aged 2 to 10 years.
Adults don't really have much to enjoy in the park, precisely because it was created for children and with that the attractions tend to be more childish.
If the trip is geared towards your young children, the Legoland could be a great option.
- Minimum days to enjoy the park: 1 day.
- You can share the day with another park: no, because the time it takes to get to and from Winter Haven means that none of the parks can be enjoyed at all.
- Profile: Families with children.
- Best time of year: Without restriction
Kennedy Space Center
Despite being called a park, the Kennedy Space Center is much more of an interactive museum than a theme park.
Built around one of NASA's research, training and rocket launch centers, the American special agency, the Kennedy Space Center is a park for space lovers.
There you can watch 3D movies about space travel, see real rockets, walk through space mission control centers and even chat and have lunch with an astronaut.
Be sure to check out our Guide to NASA – Kennedy Space Center
- Minimum days to enjoy the park: 1 day.
- You can share the day with another park: no, because the time it takes to get to and from Cape Canaveral makes you not enjoy anything in any of the parks.
- Profile: People who like the Astronaut theme.
- Best time of year: Without restriction
Additional Information about Orlando Parks
Of course, to define the parks that you will do with your group there are other factors besides just analyzing what the park presents.
We know that there are ticket prices, transportation, travel time and other factors for each group.
The important thing is to keep in mind that the vast majority of Orlando parks are large and will require 1 full day for them.
This means that in addition to a lot of fun, you will get tired a lot because they are huge and you have to walk a lot.
Try to alternate park days with rest, shopping or more light activities.
Finally, we recommend that you enjoy planning, as we say: “Those who plan very well travel 20 times”.
Watch videos on youtube, read posts, participate in facebook groups, enjoy every second so that your arrival in Orlando can be worth every minute of your time there!
And of course, a great trip to you!
Don't forget to leave your questions in the comments!
I hope again that this post helped you in your research for your trip to Disney or Orlando.
As a way to help us keep the blog going, we just ask you to help us by sharing this publication and subscribing to our social networks as Facebook, Instagram or Youtube channel.
In addition to helping us, we are sure that there you will find hundreds of useful posts for your trip!
About the Author Carlos Braga:
Unparalleled experience in Orlando and Disney! As a former Universal Orlando team member and a passionate devotee of the magic of Disney, I have become a true Orlando travel expert. Before becoming a renowned travel consultant dedicated to Orlando, I had already made hundreds of visits to the parks, cultivating my knowledge and passion mainly over the last 7 years as a consultant and specialist in Disney travel.
My journey into this enchanted world began in 1995, when I took my first trip to Orlando. Since then, my love for Disney and the city has only grown. In 2023, we celebrate the sixth anniversary of 'Partiu Disney Parks', consolidating our role as one of the main sources of information about Disney and Orlando Parks.
During these six years of existence, we have continued to offer quality and updated content, being the reliable source for all those looking for essential information to plan their trip to Disney and Orlando. With my vast experience and passion for this magical destination, I am here to guide you every step of the way towards the most incredible Orlando and Disney experience!
Good afternoon Carlos, many thanks for your page, it's very useful. We would like to go to Disney Orlando this summer and many doubts arise:
We couldn't find where to buy annual tickets on the Disney website, could you advise us on where they are and where they are?
What parks would they serve? Do you recommend visiting also other than Disney's sean?
Finally, are children and adults obligating the PCR test in Florida to return to Spain?
Muchísimas gracias for vuestra help, un saludo.
Hola yolanda
All good?
Currently, Disney does not sell new Annual Countries, it is only possible to renew them.
Anyhow, when you return to annual country sales, you can buy them in Orlando at Disney Guest Relations! They are not sold online like other entries!
When orlando does not require PCR to exit, without embargo, consult the Spanish Rules, and they may be requesting entry rules.