Plan the Perfect Family Vacation: A Guide to the Orlando’s Best Theme Parks
Orlando is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States and for a good reason! It is home to some of the best theme parks in the country, making it perfect for a fun-filled family vacation.
Although, given the hundreds of theme parks in Orlando, how would you know which one to choose? If you are trying to decide which Orlando theme park to visit with your family, read on!
We will list some of the best Orlando theme parks for young kids and families. We will also give you information on what each park offers to help you decide where to take your family.
So, even if you want a fun time for your young kids or something thrilling for the entire family, you can find which Orlando theme park is perfect for you!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Best for Star Wars and Pixar fans
Walt Disney World is the most popular theme park in Orlando, offering a magical experience for guests of all ages. It is one of the best places for bonding between beloved Disney characters and their stories! In addition, families can find thrilling coaster rides and age-appropriate attractions for younger children here.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, kids and adults can have a grand time visiting a galaxy far, far away at Disney’s Star Wars Land. They can also see old favorites like Indiana Jones and Toy Story Land. Of course, reliving Walt Disney’s life is also possible with a walkthrough experience at Walt Disney Presents.
Watch Pixar classics like Cars and Muppets in Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy and Muppet*Vision 3D for some downtime. There are even fun shows with performances and live entertainment. Some are Disney Movie Magic, Fantasmic! Disney Junior Play and Dance, and the Frozen Sing-Along Celebration.
You can also explore a wide range of dining options and shops, like Droid Depot and Savi’s Workshop, for a memorable time!
How long should families stay in Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
Families with young children can spend an entire day soaking in all the magical experiences at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. However, one day here you can challenge yourself if you want to visit all the attractions and watch all the shows. This part is especially true if the entire group does not have Lightning Lane passes.
If family members are massive Star Wars and Pixar fans, two days should be a comfortable time to experience the park’s offerings. This is due to recent additions, like Toy Story Land and Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge.
Unfortunately, these newer attractions are so popular that parkgoers sometimes wait up to four hours in line.
LEGOLAND Florida
Best for young kids with creative minds and all LEGO fans
LEGOLAND Florida is the ultimate vacation destination for families who are LEGO fans. Best of all, this park has something for every age group! Plenty of the rides here do not have height requirements, so it is perfect for families with little ones.
Everyone will also be fascinated by the buildings and attractions made from giant LEGO bricks. Overall, everything here is bigger and better, especially with attractions like LEGO NINJAGO World and Lost Kingdom Adventure.
Many rides let older kids ride alone, so other family members who need a break can check out Brickbeard’s Water Sports Stunt Show at Pirate’s Cove. This part even has a new must-see attraction: the Pirate River Quest boating adventure.
If you are looking for more water-related activities, some LEGOLAND tickets include access to the LEGOLAND Water Park. A visit here is excellent for cooling off, especially during summer!
There are plenty of chances to meet your favorite LEGO characters, like in the Elemental Masters Show. The entire family can also enjoy 4D Movies, like The LEGO Movie: A New Adventure, LEGO City, and LEGO NINJAGO, among others.
Children aged 2 to 6 who need a break can head to DUPLO Valley. Here, there are schoolhouse teachers who will guide kids in educational activities. And for parents with toddlers who love Peppa Pig, the world’s first Peppa Pig Theme Park is right next door!
Tip: buy apple fries at LEGOLAND Florida, the best treats!
How long should families stay in LEGOLAND, Florida?
One full day is enough for families with older kids and teens to explore LEGOLAND’s attractions. But those with small kids will need at least two days at the park. This stay is enough for the whole family to enjoy all the rides and attractions without rushing.
Additionally, popular rides can sometimes take hours of waiting time. So, if you plan to visit for only a day, you may have to forego attractions.
Universal Studios Florida
Best for Harry Potter fans and movie buffs
Universal Studios Florida in Universal Orlando Resort focuses on highlighting mega movie franchises. Everyone in the family can experience battling aliens with Men in Black and saving the planet with Transformers!
If you have toddlers or young kids, Universal Studios Florida also has child-friendly options! Despicable Me, Minion Mayhem, and Shrek are attractions perfect for little ones.
Meanwhile, older family members will have a memorable time at the Revenge of the Mummy. Also, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts offers thrilling experiences for teens and older kids.
You can watch live shows if you want downtime from exploring the park. The Blues Brothers, Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees, and Marilyn Monroe are some of the family-friendly options.
If you or your kids are Potterheads, buy multi-park passes. To experience the Wizarding World, take the Hogwarts Express from Universal Studios Florida to Islands of Adventure.
How long should families stay in Universal Studios Orlando?
Universal Studios Florida is the second largest theme park in Orlando, and aside from its two theme parks, it has one water park and six themed resort hotels.
For ample time to explore all the offerings at Universal Studios Florida, stay for four to five days. This time is enough for a relaxed trip, where the family can enjoy all the amenities and attractions.
If you have limited time, two to three days may be enough to enjoy Universal Studios Florida. Although this stay may not be enough time to experience everything, it still provides more opportunities.
Note: Some people believe they do everything in Universal Studios Florida in one day. But this is not ideal as it omits many of the enjoyable experiences in the park. This setup can also be a logistical nightmare for families.
SeaWorld Orlando
Best for young kids and ocean and conservation enthusiasts
SeaWorld is a vast park that shows all sorts of sea creatures like penguins, whales, and dolphins. Also, it has animal habitat exhibits, shows, and educational wildlife encounters!
A visit to SeaWorld is excellent for raising children’s awareness about animal welfare and rescue programs. The park has notable programs like Manatee Rehabilitation and Pelican Preserve. In addition, kids can learn by watching adorable creatures go about their daily lives at the Stingray Lagoon and Dolphin Nursery.
But that is not all there is to it! Older children and adults can try thrilling rides, including high-speed coasters like Kraken, Manta, and Ice Breaker. Then Sky Tower is a must-visit for its bird’s eye view of SeaWorld. Here, you can also appreciate panoramic views of Orlando.
For families with young children, the trip to SeaWorld is never complete without dropping by Sesame Street Land! This preschool-friendly part of the park has rides, play areas, and attractions! These are all designed to consider the fun and safety of the family’s littlest members!
Note: Book tours beforehand to learn more about SeaWorld’s resident sea creatures. Slots are sometimes available, but booking in advance is best to secure a spot.
How long should families stay in SeaWorld Orlando?
For a complete experience without rushing, families should spend two days at SeaWorld. Although some groups are okay with one day here, fitting all the rides, shows, and exhibits in one go is difficult.
Especially if you are coming from outside the state, it is better to make the most at SeaWorld by not rushing. You may also consider adding more days if you plan to visit its sister parks, Discovery Cove, Busch Gardens, and Aquatica.
Discovery Cove
Best for an immersive experience with sea life
Discovery Cove is the only all-inclusive resort and theme park in Orlando. It features activities like swimming with dolphins in a lagoon and feeding birds in the Explorer’s Aviary.
For busy parents, Discovery Cove offers the perfect chance for them to wind down. The amenities include everything, from unlimited food and drinks, snorkeling gear, life vests, and wetsuits to towels and sunscreen. So, that’s fewer things to worry about!
Although, for extra fees, you can access more experiences. These include swimming with sharks, mingling with flamingos, and an underwater walking tour. In addition, private cabanas and premium drink packages are also available at an extra cost.
It is also worth noting that some ticket packages at Discovery Cove include admission to nearby Orlando parks! Some of their affiliations are Aquatica, SeaWorld, and Busch Gardens Tampa.
How long should families stay in Discovery Cove?
Families can enjoy the best amenities and attractions in Discovery Cove in one day. But, arriving there as soon as it opens at 8:00 AM is better to get the most out of the park.
EPCOT
Best for fun learning experiences
Although EPCOT is popularly known as an adult-centric park, it has new and upcoming attractions perfect for families!
Its latest addition is the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride that features a reverse-launch roller coaster. Also, it has an OmniCoaster ride system, letting it rotate 360 degrees. Although the coaster’s features may seem daunting, Disney assures its guests that it is a family-friendly ride.
But a much-awaited attraction at EPCOT is the Moana-inspired self-guided trail: Journey of Water. While it will open in Fall 2023, this part already features a 16-foot topiary of Te Fiti.
Another recent must-see addition is Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in the France Pavilion. Due to its popularity, go here first thing in the morning or before closing.
As for the learning experiences, EPCOT has many options perfect for young kids. For example, Spaceship Earth is an 18-story gentle ride that highlights the progress of human communication. From cave paintings to satellites, the visuals are enjoyable even for the littlest ones.
The Seas with Nemo and Friends Pavilion is also a must-see for families. It has rides suitable for all ages, interactive films, and a scavenger hunt. Finally, cap the visit at EPCOT’s World Showcase Lagoon with Harmonious! This nighttime spectacular has all the works of a magical Disney experience–music, lights, floating screens, dancing fountains, lasers, and fireworks.
How long should families stay in EPCOT?
Wandering at a slow pace in EPCOT is the best approach for families. Just eight hours in the park will enable visitors with young kids to enjoy most attractions and experiences here.
Spending two days in EPCOT is recommended for families with teens and older kids, especially if they are foodies! It will take some time to taste your way around all the food booths at EPCOT’s World Showcase.
Magic Kingdom
Best for kids and kids-at-heart
Magic Kingdom has the highest nostalgia factor among all the Walt Disney World Resorts parks. Thus, it is one of the best options for parents who grew up watching Disney films and want to pass on the experience to their kids.
Nothing is more magical than walking on Main Street and seeing the iconic Cinderella Castle at the end of the road! Watching Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters parading down the street is a classic experience sure to stick in the kids’ memories.
Space Mountain, Jungle Cruise, Peter Pan’s Flight, Dumbo, It is a Small World, and Mad Tea Party are only some of the park’s classic attractions. These have remained popular since Magic Kingdom opened in 1971. The park has since updated its attractions with recent rides like Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin and Tron Lightcycle Power Run.
To kick back and relax, ride the Walt Disney World Railroad. This ride encircles the park, with stops at Fantasyland, Frontierland, and Main Street, USA. This 20-minute train ride is also an excellent way to enjoy the splendid views of Disney’s Magic Kingdom.
How long should families stay at Magic Kingdom?
Magic Kingdom’s massive size, many attractions, and popularity make it almost impossible to explore in one day. So, two full days at Magic Kingdom is ideal for families.
Book Kidmoto for your Orlando Theme Park Getaway
Book a car service with pre-installed car seats for a hassle-free family vacation in Orlando’s theme parks! With Kidmoto, you can travel conveniently from the airport to your destination and vice versa.
Even if you are flying with a baby, you can ditch the car seats at home without worrying about child safety on your vacation. Kidmoto’s professional drivers securely install top-notch child seats and focus on your family’s safety on the road.
Plus, you can choose from a variety of cars that can suit your family’s needs and comfort. So whether you need a single car seat in a sedan or up to four car seats in an SUV, choosing your ride is easy.
Download Kidmoto’s app via Google Play Store or Apple App Store to book a ride. With a few taps, you can reach travel convenience on your Orlando family vacation!
