Orlando is a great place to take your family because there are plenty of things for you to do with your kids.
If you plan to vacation in Orlando for a week, there are so many things to do that you might not have a chance to do it all.
If you want your kids to get the most out of your family vacation, you should ensure the following attractions are on your itinerary.
The following attractions are some of the most popular Orlando destinations, and if you have time, there are a few other places you should try to visit.
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Things to Do in Orlando With Kids
#1 Disney World
Disney World is one of the most popular Orlando destinations for families and consists of four theme parks, two water parks, and plenty of places for your family to stay.
There are plenty of ways to get around at Disney World, including the monorails, boats, gondolas, and the Disney Skyliner.
It can take days for your family to enjoy everything that Disney World has to offer, but if you want to enjoy everything that Orlando offers, you should choose the attractions your family wants to see the most.
The five most popular rides at Disney World include:
- Avatar: Flight of Passage: This 3D flight simulator in Disney’s Animal Kingdom takes you through the world of Pandora. The ride features incredible visuals and realistic sensations that will make you feel like you’re there.
- Space Mountain: This indoor roller coaster located in Magic Kingdom takes you on a ride through outer space. The sharp turns and sudden drops will excite you, and the high speeds will get your adrenaline pumping.
- Soarin’: This simulator ride is located in Epcot and takes you on a journey around the world on a hang-glider. You can enjoy the sights and sounds of global landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Great Wall of China, and the African savanna, among others, and you can do it all without leaving Orlando.
- Expedition Everest: This roller coaster is located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which allows your family to enjoy the Himalayas. This is one of Disney’s biggest thrill roller coasters, and the sharp turns and steep drops are exhilarating. You’ll even have an encounter with the Yeti.
- Twilight Zone’s Tower of Terror: This ride in Hollywood Studios takes riders on a journey through an abandoned hotel. There are sudden drops, twists, and special effects that will make your kids want to go on the ride again and again.
#2 Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Studios is one of Orlando’s most popular destinations for families and is the second-largest theme park resort in Orlando, second to Disney World. Like Disney World, there is so much to see that you may have to choose the best rides so your kids will have time to enjoy various attractions in the city.
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts: This ride will make your kids feel like they’re in a Harry Potter movie. You’ll see the goblins from the movie while waiting in line for the ride, and it’s nothing compared to the ride itself. The roller coaster is dark and fast, and the 3D projections will bring you into the Harry Potter movies.
- Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit: This roller coaster allows you to choose your own soundtrack, and there are over 24 songs to choose from. When you’ve chosen your music, you’ll take off on a vertical assent, and the ride reaches 65 miles per hour.
- Revenge f the Mummy: This indoor roller coaster isn’t too scary, so it will be great for your kids if they get scared. The practical effects make this a ride that your children will want to ride again and again.
- Men in Black Alien Attack: This ride allows your kids to zap aliens as Will Smith did in the movie. There are over 120 animatronic aliens, and your kids will feel like they’ve entered the movie.
- The Simpsons Ride: This is a fun motion simulator ride that allows your family to follow the crazy antics of the Simpsons. If your kids aren’t prone to motion sickness, this is a ride they have to try.
#3 SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld has everything your family could ever want in theme parks, including animal experiences, thrilling roller coasters, water rides, and Sesame Street Land that your younger children won’t get enough of.
If you don’t plan to spend your entire family vacation at SeaWorld, you must check out the top attractions.
· Manta: This roller coaster soars up and down and is also an exhibit.
The ride showcases sting rays and other exotic animal life, making the ride even more exciting.
- Kraken: This is SeaWorld’s first roller coaster, taking you over Serpent’s Lagoon. This floorless roller coaster reaches speeds of 65 miles per hour and goes up 151 feet. This may be too much for young children, but your older kids who love adventure will have a blast on the Kracken.
- Dolphin Cove: This is a 700,000-gallon lagoon and is home to many Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Your family can watch the dolphin’s feeding sessions at various times throughout the day, which is something your whole family will enjoy.
- Shark Encounter: If you’ve ever wanted to see sharks up close safely, your family will love Shark Encounter. You’ll move through the world’s largest underwater tunnel, where you’ll see various species of sharks, eels, and venomous fish.
- Wild Arctic: This is a simulated jet helicopter ride that takes your family to Base Station Wild Arctic, where you can visit the habitat featuring beluga whales, polar bears, harbor seals, and walruses.
#4 LegoLand
Although Lego Land isn’t in Orlando, it’s a 45-minute drive to Winter Haven and a popular attraction for families vacationing in Orlando.
This is fun for kids of all ages, especially if your children love Legos.
If you only plan to spend a day at Lego Land, there are a few attractions that your kids have to see.
- Lego Movie Masters of Flight: This ride is technically advanced, and your kids will love it because it’s based on the Lego Movie franchise. The full-dome display will make your kids feel fully immersed in the story and is one of the most popular rides for kids and adults.
- Ninjago the Ride: This is one of the most popular rides in the Lego Ninjago section of the park. This dark, interactive ride allows riders to shoot the bad guys using hand gestures rather than fake guns. The ride also includes fog, lightning, and wind effects, making this a ride you want to take advantage of.
- Kid Power Towers: Some of the rides at Lego Land may go too fast for young riders, but the Kid Power Towers is designed with young kids in mind. Two riders fit in each cart that contains a pulley system. Riders must use the pulley system to reach the top of the tower, and then it drops. The towers aren’t high, and the descent is slow, so you won’t have to worry about your young children getting scared.
#5 Peppa Pig Theme Park
You must visit this theme park if you’re taking young children to Orlando.
The park is located next to LegoLand and allows your kids to enter Peppa Pig’s world.
Your kids can enjoy rides that aren’t too fast or scary, and plenty of playgrounds for your kids to enjoy.
There is a splash pad area with fake muddy puddles that allow your kids to jump around the same way Peppa and her friends do on the show.
Your kids can also meet the characters, and when they get tired, you can take them to the cinema to watch their favorite episodes of the show.
If your kids are fans of Peppa Pig, they’ll love this theme park.
#6 Fun Spot America
Fun Spot America is an amusement park without a theme, like other big-name parks in Orlando.
If you’ve already spent a significant portion of your vacation budget at other theme parks, tickets to Fun Spot America are a fraction of the price of Orlando’s theme parks.
Fun Spot America is home to the only wooden roller coaster in Orlando, as well as non-wooden roller coasters and thrill rides.
Your kids will have a blast on the go-karts, and if you have young children, they’ll love the kiddie rides and splash pads.
You can also take your family to Gator Spot, where they can view wildlife, including alligators.
Coloring Pages
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Orlando Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Orlando Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best way to get around during my Orlando vacation?
If you plan to stay at Disney World, you can take a shuttle to various areas of the park.
If your hotel is located in I-Drive, your family can take free or inexpensive shuttles to the most popular attractions.
Rent a car if you plan to visit LegoLand and Peppa Pig Theme Park.
This is the best way to get around without waiting around for shuttles.
How much money will I need to take a family vacation in Orlando?
If you plan to take a seven-day vacation in Orlando, you want to be sure you have enough money to enjoy the best attractions.
You’ll need between $4,872 to $12,192 for a family of four on average.
You’ll need to pay for food, flights, and lodging for your family for seven days, and you’ll need a lot more if you plan to purchase tickets at the most popular theme parks.
You should plan to spend around $12,000 if you want your family to get the most out of your family vacation.
How long should I vacation in Orlando to see and experience the most?
If you plan to visit more than one theme park and attraction, you should take at least a full day for each attraction.
For larger parks like Disney World and Universal, plan to spend two days at each.
Is Orlando a safe place to take my family on vacation?
Yes, Orlando is a very safe place to vacation.
The locals are often very friendly, and there is a significant amount of security at all theme parks and attractions, so you can be sure your family will be safe during your vacation.
Orlando is a fantastic destination for families with kids, offering a wide range of attractions and activities that will keep everyone entertained.