Thrills and Frills: Florida’s Best Theme Parks
By Kellie Walton
Are you a thrill seeker, an adrenaline junkie, or simply a fan of a good theme? Florida is one of the world’s ultimate entertainment destinations, known just as prominently for its immersive amusement parks as its hundreds of miles of sandy coastline.
While the major players like Disney – which houses four theme parks, two water parks, and more than 25 themed resort hotels – and Universal – with a pair of amusement parks, water park, and eight resorts – may be natural draws to the state, get to know some of Florida’s lesser-known amusement parks brimming with family fun.
Fun Spot America
This family-owned theme park chain has two outposts in Florida (and one in Georgia), with plenty of thrill rides, roller coasters, and nostalgia-inducing go-karts, bumper boats, and arcade games to keep the whole family entertained. The flagship location opened in Orlando near the turn of the century before expanding to neighboring Kissimmee. Stroll either park with a hot dog or cotton candy in-hand.
The locations claim the first and second tallest SkyCoasters in the world, which create a free-fall experience similar to skydiving, and Florida’s first wooden roller coaster, White Lightning. While it’s a hotspot in any season, Fun Spot America hosts themed events for holidays like Halloween and Christmas, plus birthday parties, corporate events, and more.
fun-spot.com/
Gatorland
The 110-acre wildlife park and theme park, Gatorland, was first opened in 1949 by avid alligator wrestler (yikes!) Owen Godwin, and has since grown in popularity for visitors interested in seeing thousands of alligators and crocodiles among other wildlife like snakes, birds, and tortoises. In addition to the adult animals onsite, the grounds also hold a breeding marsh for viewing baby alligators.
Aside from viewing Gatorland’s reptile residents, the park hosts shows and interactive experiences where the gators and crocs are the stars, like the Gator Jumparoo where they spring from the water to catch food. Guests can also put on their brave face and feed the animals. You can also opt for adventures further away, like ziplining over the breeding marsh.
gatorland.com/
Dinosaur World
This prehistoric-themed park is in Plant City, Florida, located just east of Tampa. There are more than 200 life-size dinosaurs onsite at Dinosaur World spread out over 20 acres, but have no fear, they’re just replicas. Stroll through the park on a self-guided tour to see all the legendary dinos: Tyrannosaurus Rex, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, and more.
While viewing the replicas is exciting on its own, guests can also enjoy an onsite museum, playgrounds for entertaining the little ones (dinosaur themed, of course), and a fossil dig filled with replica fossils. The replicas aren’t the only animals you’ll find here, pups are welcome!
dinosaurworld.com/
Wild Florida
See all of Florida’s most prominent wildlife at Wild Florida, a Kenansville-based park and airboat tour company. The park houses tons of alligators, birds, and even sloths, lemurs, and porcupines across its 100 acres (make sure you stop to take a “slothie” with one of the adorable, yet slow-moving, two-toed sloths onsite). Set out on an airboat ride, which winds through the park's natural wetlands and showcases natural wildlife found within. Don’t worry, you’ll be traveling with a guide to navigate you through.
Off the water, drive through the safari park for chance encounters with more than 150 exotic animals ranging from white-tailed deer to bison, wildebeest, zebras, watusi, and oryx. Guests can even opt to hand-feed giraffes for five dollars. Be sure to stop and squint when you drive by the massive onsite pond, which is home to plenty of alligators.
wildfloridairboats.com/
Old Town
While in Kissimmee, you may stumble upon Old Town, a vintage amusement park (and shopping complex for all of you non-adventurers). The rides will transport you straight back to childhood, with favorites like a ferris wheel, mini vehicle “fun rides,” a carousel, and a handful of entry-level roller coasters to up the ante on adventure. Visitors can also play carnival games like the “Rootin & Tootin’ Shootin’ Alley,” and question reality at the Great Magic Hall. All of these attractions combine to evoke nostalgia and recreate a small town America feel.
While the rides are a natural draw, Old Town Florida also houses a collection of classic cars and motorcycles on display. All year long, the property hosts car shows and other events to delight enthusiasts that may be visiting. Plus, there’s a classic car cruise every week. The complex has several shops and restaurants onsite, also nodding to simpler times, offering things like classic burgers and milkshakes at time-honored diners, and antique shops for unique souvenirs.
myoldtownusa.com/
SeaWorld Orlando
One of the bigger theme parks in Florida makes a splash in Orlando. SeaWorld Orlando, as its name suggests, is a marine-themed park with plenty of rides, aquariums, and animal encounters. Named one of America’s Best Theme Parks by USA Today for several years (and counting), SeaWorld Orlando is best known for its exhibits with wildlife, like the Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin habitat with five species of waddlers, or Dolphin Cove, where playful bottlenose dolphins swim around in an up-close-and-personal tank. One of the most immersive experiences is the Dine with Orcas, which, as it sounds, places guests right next to the park’s killer whales for a meal. Afterward, guests have the chance to see the powerful relationship between the trainers and animals.
The rides are another SeaWorld Orlando draw, with major roller coasters like the just-opened Pipeline Surf Coaster, which straps guests in a semi-standing position while zooming on a surfboard-inspired coaster. Tried and true coasters include the Ice Breaker, Mako, Kraken, and Manta, each nodding to the sea in one way or another, and the water-based Infinity Falls and Journey to Atlantis thrill rides.
seaworld.com/orlando/
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Thrill seekers will especially enjoy Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay, a safari-themed park with plenty of rides, animal exhibits, and lively shows. The rides here are the stars of the show, including a triple-launch coaster, a family spin coaster, and the brand-new Serengeti Flyer, the world’s tallest and fastest ride of its kind that soars over the park’s own 65-acre Serengeti Plain. This one isn’t for the faint of heart, as riders experience multiple negative-G moments. The Sheikra is another standout – it drops riders in a 90-degree plummet from 200 feet in the air.
If you’re not a thrill rider, there’s plenty to keep you entertained at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Get up close with animals like rhinos, tigers, and giraffes, and enjoy some of the park’s animal-themed shows, or unique options like an ice skating production.
buschgardens.com/tampa/
LEGOLAND Florida
Did you play with LEGOs growing up? Are your kids borderline addicted now? LEGOLAND is for you. With multiple outposts now nationwide, LEGOLAND Florida is one of the best, an entirely LEGO-themed park in Winter Haven, Florida, with dozens of rides, attractions, and shows nodding to the popular (yet painful if stepped on) toy brand. While the park is geared toward kids, your inner kid will love it just as much as the little ones. From themed rooms and resorts to entertaining resorts, and even Lego-ed mini replicas of iconic American attractions: the White House, Las Vegas Strip, and the Kennedy Space Center.
The themed rides are adorable, of course all LEGO-inspired, like the suspended coaster Flying School, the aquatic Pirate River Quest, and an entire section dedicated to LEGO NINJAGO with themed rides and decor. Ready for your jaw to drop? The park has more than 60 million LEGO bricks throughout.
legoland.com/florida/
