Top 10 Theme Parks And Amusement Parks In Florida, USA - Updated 2024

Divya
Divya 
Updated
| 4 min read

Florida is paradise for theme park enthusiasts, offering the whole family heaps of fun and entertainment. No one is too old (or too young) to put on Mickey and Minnie ears and take on the thrill-seeking rides that any of the parks have to offer. There is a multitude of resorts for accommodation options, including themed resorts and budget accommodation. There is shopping, entertainment complexes and celebrity chef restaurants to keep everyone in the family satisfied throughout their visit. Although Orlando is the centre of theme parks housing Disney World and Universal Studios, the whole state of Florida offers various amusement and theme parks. Read on to find our top picks for theme parks and amusement parks in Florida, USA.

1. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (from USD 107.92)

theme parks in florida | busch gardens tampa bay

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is located in the city of Tampa, Florida, only just over an hour’s drive from the city of Orlando. Busch Gardens is an African-themed animal park offering rides, animals and shows. They have over 12,000 animals from 300 different species at the Gardens as well as famous Florida rollercoasters including the inverted coaster, a 200-feet (61 meters) tall floor-less dive coaster and a 360-degree vertical loop, upside down coster.

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Tampa: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Ticket & Multi-Park Options

131 reviews

2. Universal Orlando Resort

The Universal Orlando Resort includes multiple theme parks with rides and attractions, various accommodation resorts and hotels, shopping, entertainment shows, special events and more! Plan ahead and buy a ticket online to give yourself a vacation advantage, so you could save time and see everything the theme park has to offer.

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Universal Studios Orlando Park Ticket

1053 reviews

3. SeaWorld Orlando (from USD 104.12)

theme parks in florida | seaworld orlando

From the best water rides and roller coasters to educational attractions about endangered species that live international waters, SeaWorld is a great experience for the whole family looking to cool down from those warm Florida summers. From world-class rapids to a hyper coaster known for high speeds and deep dives, SeaWorld will make you feel like you are one with the water creatures and the world below the surface. Journey to Atlantis and take a walk down Sesame Street for wholesome family fun.

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SeaWorld Orlando: Park Admission Ticket

688 reviews

4. Universal Studios Florida

What can you expect from a theme park whose creative consultant is Academy Award-winning producer/director Steven Spielberg? Magic and mayhem combined with movies and pop culture to make those screens come alive. The attractions are based on pop-culture icons and blockbuster films and some of the highlights of the park are the Incredible Hulk roller coaster and The Men In Black Alien Attack. You can also visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to add even more magic to your visit.

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Universal Studios Orlando Park Ticket

1053 reviews

5. Discovery Cove

Discovery Cove, Orlando - panoramio (10)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Bob Linsdell used under CC BY 3.0

Discovery Cove is the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with Florida’s favourite sea creatures- the dolphins! Choose to swim with the dolphins and learn more about these fantastic intelligent creatures. You can also wade with the otters and the curious marmosets or spend your day relaxing on the currents of a tropical river where you pass by different terrains of beaches, rainforests and cascading waterfalls.

Discovery Cove

Address: 6000 Discovery Cove Way, Orlando, FL 32821, USA

Website: Discovery Cove

Opening hours: Daily, 9 AM - 5 PM

Price: From USD 149

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6. Walt Disney World Resort

Walt Disney World Resort entrance
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Jrobertiko used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Walt Disney World Resort offers visitors and all-encompassing treat during their stay. With over 25 different Disney Resort Hotels and accommodation options, there is something for couples, large groups and families, all budgets and needs. From Disney themed rooms to sleeping under the stars at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, the wonder and magic of Walt Disney World Resort is everlasting during your stay. Combine hotel stays with entrance tickets to the parks for an unforgettable experience!

Walt Disney World Resort

Address: Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida, 32830, USA

Website: Walt Disney World Resort

Opening hours: Various, Walt Disney World Resort is open 365 days a year

Price:Disney Base Tickets from USD 355

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7. The Holy Land Experience (from USD 48.0)

A Christian-based theme park that is located in Orlando, The Holy Land Experience recreates the architecture and themes of the ancient city of Jerusalem in 1st-century Judea. The live shows are a highlight of any visit and range from dramatic plays, lighthearted humour to Broadway-style musicals. The theme park is a registered non-profit corporation and conducts weekly church services and bible studies classes for the general public.

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Holy Land Experience Admission Ticket

Duration: Wheelchair accessible

8. Disney's Hollywood Studios (from USD 1162.0)

disney's hollywood studios
Source: www.viator.com

Disney’s Hollywood Studios enables you to experience your favourite movies and characters come alive. Meet Mr. and Mrs. Incredible and Woody from the Toy Story as you walk through this magical theme park and work your way through some of the most interesting rides and shows. Fans of the Star Wars movies are in for a major treat as they are spoiled with photo opportunities with their favourite characters and five different Star Wars-themed rides throughout the park.

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Private Disney World Assistant (Hollywood Studios)

9. Disney's Animal Kingdom (from USD 1161.0)

disney's animal kingdom
Source: www.viator.com

Spread over 500 acres (202 hectares) of land, Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park has the benefit not only of rides, roller coasters and shows but also is home to approximately 1,700 animals of 250 different species including lions, gorillas and giraffes. The Animal Kingdom offers dinosaur-themed rides, expeditions through Everest, jungle rivers and treks, ideal for children of all ages. Be sure to take a moment out of your day to take shade under the park’s iconic Tree of Life, an artificial baobab tree, to make you feel like you are within the Serengeti, even if it is just for a few moments.

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Private Disney World Assistant (Animal Kingdom)

10. Magic Kingdom Park

magic kingdom park
Source: www.viator.com

Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park is located near Orlando and offers over 40 themed rides including famous cartoons Winne the Pooh, Aladdin, Peter Pan and of course Micky and Minnie Mouse. Space Mountain and Splash Mountain provide the thrill seekers in your group with the adrenaline rush they were looking for. Don’t forget to stay for the nightly display of spectacular fireworks at Happily Ever After.

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Private Disney Magic Kingdom Magic VIP Tour

Duration: 7 to 12 hours

1 review

Experience magic in the sunshine state

Your visit to Florida would be incomplete without dipping your toes in the magic of the many theme parks and amusement parks the state has to offer. You can choose from a simple one day visit to the park that piques your interest the most, or goes all in with a multi-day visit and explore the endless fun the parks have to offer. Either way, comfortable walking shoes, sunblock and a water bottle are must-have for any visit.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Divya comes from an academic background having studied economics and public policy and worked in research and writing roles for the past 8 years. Divya's off-duty passion for travel has led her to...Read more

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