Best Theme Parks for Family Fun in Orlando, Florida

People from all over the world travel to Orlando, Florida every year because of the wonderful, family friendly atmosphere the city provides. There are theme parks galore that will delight children and adults of all ages, and it is located less than an hour's drive away from two of the most famous beaches Florida has to offer.

Without a doubt, the thing that draws the majority of families to Orlando is the great variety of theme parks in the area. Perhaps the most famous of these parks is Disneyworld. Built in 1971, it has been providing families with entertainment more than thirty years. It expands and builds more attractions every year, such as the Animal Kingdom and Epcot Center. Some of the most popular rides and attractions at the park are Space Mountain and the Matterhorn.

SeaWorld, with nearly six million visitors each year, is the seventh most visited theme park in the United States. Besides the different animal exhibits like the Shark Encounter, Penguin Encounter, and the Clydesdale Hamlet, you can find a number of different rides such as Journey to Atlantis and Kraken, a floorless rollercoaster. Of course, no visit to SeaWorld would be complete without watching the world's most famous killer whale Shamu in a live show.

Universal Studios has many different rides and attractions themed toward movies and television shows that are the property of Universal. These include new and popular rides like Shrek 4D and The Simpson's Ride, as well as fan favorites like Jaws and E.T. Adventure. The Islands of Adventure, while considered a separate park, is still part of the Universal Orlando Resort. There are a number of specialized 'islands' at the park, each with a different feel and theme, and each with their own rides and attractions. Some of the most popular include Marvel Super Hero Island, and Jurassic Park. One of the most anticipated additions to the Islands is 'The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,' which is scheduled to open on December 1, 2009.

Besides simply visiting the different theme parks around Orlando, many families enjoy heading off to Daytona Beach or Cocoa Beach for a day of fun. If you are in the area, you may wish to check the schedules of the space shuttle launches, because there is a great area from which you can watch it that is near Cocoa Beach.

Best Theme Parks for Family Fun in Orlando, Florida

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