2024 Theme Parks of Florida
Theme parks in Florida offer a wide variety of thrilling experiences for visitors of all ages. From adventure-filled rides to unique and interactive shows – the Sunshine State is a top destination for theme park enthusiasts. For those looking to explore the best theme parks that each region of this diverse state has to offer, here is a comprehensive guide on theme parks of Florida by region.
Take a taste of the world-famous theme parks of Central Florida like Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and Busch Gardens, or discover some new ideas in unexpected places, like the indoor Wannado City in Sunrise where children explore career fantasies or Sam’s Fun City for younger children in Pensacola.
No matter what kind of theme park experience you are looking for, Florida has something to offer. Whether you’re seeking thrilling water slides or amazing animal encounters, this state is filled with theme park adventures to discover.
Theme Parks in Northwest Florida
Northwest Florida is home to some of the state’s most beloved theme parks, perfect for a day or weekend of family-friendly fun.
Sam’s Fun City
Pensacola, Florida
A small amusement park, mostly geared toward younger children. Includes a waterpark, miniature golf, bumper boats go-kart tracks, and a 45-foot Ferris Wheel.
At Sam’s Fun City, guests can take a ride on one of the park’s three mesmerizing rollercoasters – the Big Dipper, the Rocket, and the Shockwave. Each coaster offers a unique ride with twists and turns sure to get your adrenaline pumping. There are also a variety of slower rides such as a classic carousel, a train ride through the woods, and a top-of-the-line Ferris wheel offering stunning views of the park.
Sam’s Fun City features several water rides including the ever-popular Dolphin Splash and the newest addition, the Aqua Blast. These rides offer a cool respite from the sun and exciting thrills for brave visitors. The park also features an extensive lineup of entertainment offerings, ranging from street performers to live music acts throughout the day.
Gulf Islands Waterpark
Pensacola, Florida
Located in Pensacola, Gulf Islands Waterpark is a 20-acre aquatic park offering eye-catching water slides, an expansive wave pool, and other exciting splashy attractions. Additionally, Wet ‘n Wild Adventure Park, located outside of Fort Walton Beach, provides thrilling rides, including a go-kart track, a mini golf course, and plenty of rides that are perfect for adrenaline-seekers.
Theme Parks in Central West Florida
Central West Florida is a hotbed of theme park activity, offering some of the most thrilling rides and attractions in the entire state. From Busch Gardens Tampa Bay to Adventure Island, there’s something for everyone here.
Adventure Island
Tampa, FL
No trip to Central West Florida would be complete without a stop at Adventure Island in Tampa. This tropical water park offers over thirty waterslides, a lazy river, and kids’ attractions like Paradise Lagoon for those looking to cool off during the hot summer months. With plenty of food options available too, it’s a great way to make memories that last.
Legoland Florida
Winter Haven, Florida
If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience, then head to Legoland Florida, located just outside the city of Winter Haven. Featuring more than fifty rides and attractions, plus a five-acre water park, there’s something for everyone here. Kids will love the Lego City Playtown with its creative building activities, while adults can enjoy the interactive dining options at Fun Town Market.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is the ultimate family adventure park featuring an unparalleled combination of world-class animal habitats, thrill rides, and live entertainment. Busch Gardens is on the cutting edge of technological thrills, providing guests with four legendary steel coasters, including three of the world’s top-rated coasters, Kumba, Montu, and Gwazi. The adventure park is recognized among the top zoos in North America providing more diverse ways to get up close to animals than any other place outside of Africa.
There’s plenty that’s new at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: R.L. Stine’s Haunted Lighthouse, a spooky, 4-D family adventure film that combines state-of-the-art visual effects with multi-sensory surprise; Cheetah Chase, a “cat and mouse” style roller coaster that tops out at 22 mph; and KaTonga, a 35-minute Broadway-caliber musical that takes guests to the heart of the jungle. The 335-acre family adventure park is open daily.
Dinosaur World
Plant City, Florida
Dinosaur World is an outdoor dinosaur museum with over 150 life-size dinosaurs including T. rex, Triceratops, Spinosaurus, and Stegosaurus. Each of the dinosaurs is set in a beautiful outdoor landscape with plaques describing each. There is also an Indoor Dinosaur Museum, a Fossil Dig where children can sift through sand in search of authentic fossils to take home, a Boneyard where visitors can uncover a life-size skeleton, a Caves exhibit showing educational dinosaur movies in a unique setting, and a subterranean picnic area, as well as Picnic areas, Playgrounds and much more.
The on-site museum provides a wealth of information about the creatures that once roamed the earth. In addition, guests can also enjoy tasty meals at the park’s restaurant or shop around for unique souvenirs to take home. With its exciting exhibits and activities, Dinosaur World is sure to be an unforgettable experience for anyone who visits.
Theme Parks in Central Florida
Theme Parks located in Central Florida offer a unique experience to visitors looking for all types of thrills and entertainment.
Cypress Gardens Adventure Park
Winterhaven, Florida
Cypress Gardens Adventure Park blends its storied past with sensational new thrills, creating a unique family experience. Revisit the historic botanical gardens, graceful southern belles, and famed butterfly arboretum. Gasp in wonder at the gravity-defying water ski shows. Discover 39 exciting rides, all-star concerts, spectacular daily shows, dazzling seasonal events, and a shopping and dining village. It is an adventure for all ages.
Cypress Gardens Adventure Park is a modern theme park that combines the nostalgia of an old-fashioned amusement park with thrilling rides and attractions. The park is divided into four distinct areas – Eastern USA, Wild Florida, Main Street, and Winter Haven – each one offering something different for visitors.
- In Eastern USA, guests can step back in time with classic rides such as the Carousel and the Ferris Wheel. There are also several thrill rides including the Boomerang and Super Loop.
- Wild Florida provides visitors with an immersive experience within a safari-style setting. Guests can board a safari train and travel deep into the wild as they observe exotic animals and breathtaking views.
- Main Street offers a vibrant shopping district with plenty of restaurants, cafes, and boutiques to explore. In this area, guests can even take a ride on the iconic Sky Ride cable car for an elevated view of the park.
- Last but not least, Winter Haven is home to some of the park’s most thrilling attractions. Here, guests can find roller coasters ranging from family-friendly to breathtakingly intense. Adrenaline junkies will be sure to love the top-of-the-line G-Force coaster, the world’s tallest triple-looping roller coaster!
Sea World Orlando
Orlando, Florida
SeaWorld Orlando is the world’s premier marine adventure park with 200 acres of world-class shows, thrilling rides, and unforgettable animal encounters. Millions of visitors have explored the mysteries of the sea with up-close animal interactions and exhilarating experiences. State-of-the-art rides such as “Kraken” and “Journey to Atlantis” twist, turn, and drench guests with unprecedented thrills, while amazing animal encounters include killer whales, dolphins, sea lions, sharks, and more.
Discovery Cove
Orlando, Florida
SeaWorld Orlando’s sister attraction is a one-of-a-kind experience, offering a highly interactive and educational environment. Here, guests can have up close and personal encounters with exotic animals like dolphins, stingrays, and tropical birds. The park also offers guests the chance to relax and take part in leisurely activities such as snorkeling or swimming through beautiful reefs.
Discovery Cove’s focus on conservation education makes it a unique destination. Through its Parks4Conservation program, the park works with environmental experts and local organizations to protect the ocean wildlife and habitats. Guests can join activities that contribute to research and conservation efforts.
The park has an array of amenities that ensure that guests have a safe and enjoyable experience. From private cabanas to a full-service restaurant, Discovery Cove provides everything needed for an ultimate day of relaxation on the beach and encounters with marine life. Experienced professionals are always available to provide personalized assistance in ensuring guests have the best possible time.
Old Town
A strip mall filled with gift shops that grew into a mini-amusement park and which now includes 75 Specialty Shops, 8 Delicious restaurants, and 18 Thrilling Rides – fun for everyone in the family.
Old Town is one of Florida’s most iconic theme parks, known for its unique combination of vintage charm and modern thrills. Located in the historic downtown district of Kissimmee, Old Town offers a wide variety of attractions and entertainment for visitors of all ages. The Main Street area is home to numerous restaurants, shops, and bars, each offering its own distinctive experience.
The park’s iconic Ferris wheel serves as the centerpiece of the area, providing stunning views of the park and city skyline while its classic carousel brings out the nostalgia in guests. But it’s not just about old-fashioned fun – thrill seekers can also enjoy high-speed thrills on the Wild Mouse rollercoaster, or take a journey through time at the Fantasy of Flight 4D theater.
Silver Springs
Silver Springs, Florida
This 350-acre nature theme park that surrounds the headwaters of the beautiful Silver River, the largest artesian spring formation in the world is famous for Its Glass Bottom Boats that have been showing guests the underwater wonders of the Silver River since 1878..Other attractions at the nature park include a Jeep Safari and an alligator show. There is a separate admission waterpark nearby.
Universal Orlando Resort
Orlando, Florida
Universal Orlando Resort includes two dramatically distinct and adjacent theme parks, as well as CityWalk, a 30-acre dining, shopping, club, and live entertainment venue.
State-of-the-art technology is uniquely combined with storytelling and adventure at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park, home to some of the most thrilling and technologically advanced rides and attractions ever made. Universal Studios, with its cutting-edge attractions – based on pop-culture icons, Hollywood blockbuster films, and hit television shows – transport visitors into a highly imaginative world where they can become heroes of their own adventures.
Walt Disney World® Resort
Orlando / Lake Buena Vista
Covering 121 square kilometers (47 sq miles), Walt Disney World Resort has four Theme Parks, two Water Parks, 20 themed Resort Hotels, two nighttime entertainment districts, a state-of-the-art sports complex, dining shopping, and recreation galore.
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, not quite a zoo, not quite a theme park, Walt Disney World takes a dash of both, mixes it with pixie dust and creates a unique and engaging hybrid experience. The smallest of the four Walt Disney World parks, Disney-MGM Studios is a bustling paean to the Hollywood of your dreams. With the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, it is the home to Walt Disney World’s most thrill-packed rides. Epcot®, Walt Disney World’s world’s fair-like park includes Future World, which focuses on emerging technologies, and World Showcase, which features pavilions devoted to a rainbow of nations. The focal point and, by far the most popular, if not the most charming, of Walt Disney World’s four parks, the Magic Kingdom is the east coast version of Walt Disney’s prototype, Disneyland.
Theme Parks in Central East Florida
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona Beach, Florida
A 60,000-square-foot interactive motorsports center with hands-on, interactive shows and attractions including “You Call the Race,” where guests play TV announcer and “call” a major Daytona race finish, “NASCAR Thunder” in which participants use computer technology to drive a stock car on the high banks of Daytona, and “Heroes of the Track” where visitors can question their favorite NASCAR drivers using DVD technology. Also, the Pepsi IMAX Theatre features “NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience” and the award-winning “DAYTONA 500 Movie” on a four-story high screen.
Daytona Lagoon
Daytona Beach, FL
For those wanting to get their adrenaline pumping, Daytona Lagoon is the perfect destination. This waterpark offers a variety of exhilarating water slides, a go-kart track, laser tag, and arcade games. For visitors looking for a more relaxed atmosphere, there is also a wave pool, lazy river, mini golf course, and a poolside bar.
Fun Spot America Theme Park
Kissimmee, FL
Adventurers hoping to take to the skies can explore the Fun Spot America Theme Park located on International Speedway Boulevard. The park features an array of roller coasters, thrill rides, and family-friendly attractions. From stomach-dropping drops to thrilling twirls around gravity-defying loops, the park will have your heart racing and your adrenaline soaring. For those looking for something more familiar, Fun Spot America also offers miniature golf, kiddie rides, bumper cars, and classic carnival games.
Theme Parks in Southwest Florida
Southwest Florida is a paradise for thrill-seekers and theme park enthusiasts alike, boasting a wide variety of exciting attractions.
Sun-N-Fun Lagoon
Naples, Florida
Sun-N-Fun Lagoon is a beloved water park located in Naples, Florida. Open since the late 1970s, the park has steadily evolved into one of the area’s top family destinations. With more than a million gallons of heated pools and adrenaline-pumping slides, Sun-N-Fun Lagoon offers something for everyone.
Themed attractions include a lazy river, wave pool, splash pads and more, all ranging from mild to wild. With delightful tropical landscaping, breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico, and charming cabanas and snack bars, it’s no wonder why this park is consistently at the top of travel surveys. What’s more, the park features special discounts and programs for senior citizens, military personnel, and community organization groups. So if you’re looking for a fun day of family entertainment, look no further than the great Sun-N-Fun Lagoon.
Sun Splash Family Waterpark
Cape Coral, Florida
Sun Splash Family Waterpark is an oasis of fun located in Cape Coral, Florida. Here, families can enjoy thrilling water slides ranging from the gentle ‘Turtle Creek Adventure’ for young children to the high-speed ‘Master Blaster’ ride for those seeking a more extreme experience. Other attractions include the ‘Alligator Alley’ lazy river tube ride and ‘Sawgrass Lagoon,’ a four-acre wave pool.
Those who prefer a low-key day in the sun can lounge at the Kona Kooler Beach or grab a bite to eat at the various concession stands around the park. All of these features come together to make Sun Splash Family Waterpark an ideal destination for Florida families looking for an exciting day out. With a selection of activities suitable for all ages, this theme park provides an unforgettable family experience filled with fun and adventure.
Theme Parks in Southeast Florida
Southeast Florida is home to several of the best theme parks in the state.
Uncle Bernie’s Amusement Park
3291 W Sunrise Blvd, Lauderhill, FL 33311
With over 20 rides, including roller coasters, bumper cars, and log flumes, there is something for everyone. Themed attractions such as “Bernie’s World of Fun” offer an array of exciting activities such as mini-golf, go-karts, and more. Popular seasonal events include a 4th of July fireworks show and an annual pumpkin patch.
Uncle Bernie’s also boasts an impressive collection of classic arcade games from the 1970s and 80s. As you wander around the grounds, you can also spot various whimsical characters like Bernie Bear and Professor Potamus. And for those seeking some adventure, Uncle Bernie’s offers a range of zip lines and free fall rides. What sets this theme park apart is its dedication to providing a safe, child-friendly experience – all rides are inspected daily for safety standards and supervisors are present at all times. On your next trip to sunny Florida, make sure to pay a visit to Uncle Bernie’s Amusement Park!
Island Adventures
Key West, Florida
Thirty acres of water-drenched fun in the sun features the ultimate combination of high-speed thrills and tropical, tranquil surroundings. The Key West atmosphere of the park is accented with an unrivaled blend of slides corkscrews, waterfalls, outdoor cafes, picnic and sunbathing areas, a wave pool, a children’s play area, and a championship sand volleyball complex. Open daily from late March through early September and weekends only from mid-February through mid-March and mid-September through late October.
Wannado City
Sunrise, Florida
America’s first indoor role-playing theme park, makes their wishes come true in a realistic and imaginative way. Aimed at the 3-13-year-old set, Wannado City™ recreates all the sites of a major city from the point of view of its kidizens™, with many real-play™ venues and hundreds of career possibilities. All venues are designed to allow kids to live out their dreams – from learning to be a firefighter to piloting an aircraft to working at a television studio. Real-play™ empowers kids to become decision-makers and learn responsibility.
