Heading to Orlando, Florida, for a trip to Disney World is the adventure of a lifetime for a lot of people, including families and adults on their own. However, visiting the Disney parks can be pretty pricey, and it’s not everyone’s top pick. There are other options that you might want to explore if you’re looking for fun theme parks, or if you just want to explore Orlando and the surrounding area. There are plenty of alternatives on offer, from large and small amusement parks to activities where there isn’t a roller coaster in sight.
If you’d like to visit Orlando or Florida in general, but Walt Disney World isn’t the right choice for you, you can explore the other possibilities on offer. Try these ideas to discover fun things to do and memorable experiences.
Universal Orlando
For those who are looking for theme park fun, there are several other large groups of parks. Universal Orlando is one of the options you can explore, which includes three theme parks. Their parks are Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay. Each of these parks delivers unique experiences, from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Krakatau Aqua Coaster. You can also explore the Universal hotels if you’re looking for somewhere to stay, with eight different resort hotels to pick from. There are plenty of ticket and package options so you can visit one park or all three of them.
SeaWorld Parks
SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment is another group that has great attractions in Orlando. You can visit SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, or Aquatica, with tickets available for one, two, or three of these parks. If you’re interested in what SeaWorld can deliver, you can book here for special offers on park tickets and holidays, complete with accommodation and flights. There’s also Discovery Cove, an all-inclusive resort that offers lots of water-based experiences, including swimming with dolphins, and an aviary. You can combine Discovery
Cove with the other parks, with some great offers available on tickets and holiday packages.
Legoland
Legoland Florida has a theme park, water park, and, more recently added, a Peppa Pig theme park. That means there’s really something for everyone of any age. There are lots of different attractions and different ticket options, plus places to stay at their hotels and beach retreat. There are rides, attractions, events, shopping, dining, and much more across these three parks. Although technically located in Winter Haven, Legoland parks are not far from Orlando and make a great alternative to Disney if you’re considering a visit to Florida. There are also seasonal events, which are perfect for during the school holidays.
Smaller Theme Parks
If huge theme parks aren’t really your sort of thing, you might want to consider some smaller options in or around Orlando. For example, Fun Spot Orlando is a popular option that may not be as sprawling as a Disney park but it’s still a fun and unique place to visit. It has Orlando’s only wooden roller coaster, which is also the tallest wooden roller coaster in Florida. Although it doesn’t open until the afternoon, it’s open until midnight. Gatorland is another top choice for anyone looking for a smaller theme park, offering not just rides but also wildlife. These smaller theme parks are great if you want to avoid queuing all day.
Find a Thrill Elsewhere
You don’t have to go to a theme park to have a thrilling experience. There are other ways you can find excitement in Orlando or nearby. A trip to the Everglades is a great idea, and you can take an airboat ride if you’re looking for a thrilling way to skip along the water. If you would rather stay on land, you could consider a ride on ATV quad bikes. Companies like Revolution Offroad will take you on an exciting trip where you can be in charge of your own vehicle. Plus, other activities are on offer too.
Beyond the Theme Parks
There are plenty of thrilling things to do in Orlando, but not everyone is looking for adrenaline-inducing activities. There’s much more to do in the area, no matter what you like to do when you travel. You could take a trip to the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens, go kayaking around Florida’s beautiful coast or islands, take a boat tour, go to an escape room, visit the Museum of Illusions or head to the Sea Life Orlando Aquarium.
There’s much more to experience in Orlando beyond Walt Disney World, whether you’re looking for theme parks or something else.
