Other Hotel Deals
When to Visit
The first question arguably has the biggest impact on the trip. Walt Disney World can be a crowded place, and the time of year you visit can have a dramatic impact on crowd density and the wait times you encounter for attractions. If you have kids in school and aren’t willing to pull them from school, you’re looking at visiting during school breaks, which is when the parks are busiest due to the vast majority of Walt Disney World guests being in the same circumstances. The week (or so) long breaks are absolutely the worst in terms of crowds. Summer is a bad time to visit due to the combination of heavy crowds and hot, humid weather
If you’re not traveling with kids or don’t mind pulling them from school, the first thing you want to do when planning is to eliminate any days when school is out of session. The early fall, December prior to Christmas vacation, and mid-January through early March are all good times to visit from the perspective of crowds.
Special events at Walt Disney World should be your next biggest factor when determining when to visit Walt Disney World.
Walt Disney World is great any day of the year, but we absolutely recommend going during seasonal festivities. Below our are biggest celebrations:
- Christmas at Walt Disney World
- Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
- Star Wars Weekends
- Flower & Garden Festival
- Food & Wine Festival
These are the big five as far as these events are concerned. Our favorite, by far, is Christmas at Walt Disney World. There is so much going on during the holiday season, and the parks are so beautiful that it just can’t be beat. Plus, weather is nicer and if you go at the right time, crowds are relatively light. Since there are seasonal events pretty much every time of year except the very beginning of the calendar year and the middle of summer, pretty much no matter when you visit you’re going to be at Walt Disney World during a seasonal event, so it’s a good idea to consult those guides before picking your vacation dates to see which event is most appealing to you. If you’re thinking about when to visit in a broader sense, in terms of what year might be best for your once in a lifetime trip, we think 2015 is a good year to visit Walt Disney World. New Fantasyland construction is complete, so attractions like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is open and the Festival of Fantasy Parade is running. However, there is construction on AVATAR Land and the night Rivers of Light nighttime show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but these aren’t slated to open until 2017. Likewise, there is a Frozen ride at Epcot opening in 2016. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is slated to receive a yet-unannounced expansion that many predict will include Star Wars and Pixar, but construction on that hasn’t even begun. So, unless you have a serious Frozen fan who might want to wait until 2016, or unless you’re willing to wait until 2018 or 2019, we think now is a good time to go. The Magic Kingdom is looking the best it has in years, and as the “main” park at Walt Disney World, this is probably where you’ll spend most of your time.
Park Tickets
If you book a package, you may not have a ton of say over which park tickets you purchase. However, we recommend buying your tickets separately from an authorized third party ticket seller to save money if you can. As for number of days, purchase tickets for for the full length of your hotel stay or possibly one less day. Read our Tips for Buying Discount Walt Disney World Tickets post for everything you need to know about choosing the right tickets and saving money on them. That post covers the 3 different authorized ticket sellers from whom we recommend purchasing discounted Walt Disney World tickets, with regularly updated links to the cheapest of the 3 for each type of ticket.
As far as which tickets to purchase, that post covers it all, but here are some things to consider in a nutshell. You’ll probably want to spend a couple of days outside the park, but it’s nice to have tickets that give you the option to visit parks every day of your trip. This gives you the option of spending part of the day relaxing at your hotel or visiting Downtown Disney, and spending part of it in the parks. It might seem like a waste of money, but the difference between a 6-day ticket and 7-day ticket (for example) is negligible. Single-day Walt Disney World tickets are quite pricey, but multi-day tickets are much cheaper per day. The cost of additional days on a ticket substantially decreases with each day you add after 3 days. In fact, the price difference between a 3-day Walt Disney World ticket and a 10-day Walt Disney World ticket is less than the cost of a 1-day Walt Disney World ticket!
Unless you have small children who are can’t spend more than a few hours each day in the parks, we also recommend adding on the “Park Hopper” option to your tickets, which allows you to visit multiple parks in the same day. This allows you to make changes to your itinerary on the fly based on crowdedness, and also allows you to visit another park after the first one you’re visiting closes for the day, among other things. We cover all of the important considerations in that “Tips” post mentioned above.
There are also a number of ways you can save money on Walt Disney World park tickets. We recommend Undercover Tourist, which is a Disney-authorized discount ticket seller for multi-day tickets. Buying there allows you to book FastPass+ selections up to 60 days before your trip (if you’re staying on-site). Whatever you do, don’t wait to buy your tickets at the front gates of the parks (or on eBay…they won’t work!), because then you can’t book your FastPass+ attractions in advance! You’ll understand why this is a huge deal in the sections below…
Where to Stay
We have stayed at every single Disney hotel at Walt Disney World as well as some off-site ones, and have written comprehensive reviews with our opinions and photos of the rooms (often, photos of the rooms speak much louder than words). Check out our Walt Disney World Hotel Reviews page, for links to each of these reviews.
If you’re trying to determine where to stay, the threshold question is “on-site or off-site?” This means, should you stay on Walt Disney World property in a Disney-owned hotel, or stay in a non-Disney owned hotel within driving distance of Walt Disney World.
In general, you get more bang for your buck when staying in an off-site hotel, as there are a lot of non-Disney hotels competing with one another, and they can’t charge the premium Disney charges for its name recognition or location. Conversely, non-Disney hotels are typically farther away from the parks, and don’t provide the same immersive vacation experience that many people describe as being in the “Disney bubble.” We have an Off-Site v. On-Site Walt Disney World Hotels article that goes into greater depth about the pros and cons of both options.
If you’re thinking of staying off-site, there are a lot of nice hotels that can be booked at steep discounts via a last-minute booking app called Hotel Tonight (click here to download the app). There are regularly hotels in the Downtown Disney Resort area on Hotel Tonight, as well as the Swan & Dolphin, often at really great prices. There is almost always availability at some of these on-property (but non-Disney) hotels, so you basically can save a lot of money while still having the convenience of being near the parks. So, what’s the catch? It’s that you have to wait until the last minute. If you’re fine with that, we highly recommend waiting (it’s smart to book a hotel with a flexible cancellation policy as a backup) as you will be rewarded with great savings. You can save even more by using code TBRICKER1 for $25 off your first booking.
If you’re going to stay on-site at Walt Disney World, the three main tiers are Value, Moderate, and Deluxe, which are exactly what their names sound like they are. There’s also a Deluxe Villa tier, which is basically Disney-speak for “timeshare room.” Looking for the best hotel in each tier? Check out the following posts ranking the various Disney hotels:
- Value Resort Hotel Rankings
- Moderate Resort Hotel Rankings
- Deluxe Resort Hotel Rankings
- Deluxe Villa (Disney Vacation Club) Resort Rankings
Our favorite Value Resort is Pop Century, our favorite Moderate is Port Orleans Riverside, our favorite Deluxe Resorts are Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, and our favorite Deluxe Villa/Disney Vacation Club Resorts are Beach Club Villas and Villas at Wilderness Lodge.
Speaking of the Deluxe Villas/Disney Vacation Club Resorts, if your budget is tight and one of these resorts looks appealing, you might want to read our Guide to Renting Disney Vacation Club Points, as this is a great way to save money on nicer accommodations than you otherwise might be able to afford.
If you’re visiting in 2015, you should know that Walt Disney World has now fully rolled out its new MyMagic+ program that includes FastPass+, Magic Bands, Memory Maker, and more. You can read more about each of these components in this system work in our MyMagic+ FAQ article. FastPass+ is now live in every park, and paper FastPasses are no more. Read our Guide to FastPass+ at Walt Disney World to fully understand the new system, and how to best take advantage of it.
The big thing to know about this system as it pertains to staying on-site or off-site is in terms of FastPass+. Guests staying at a Walt Disney World hotel can make FastPass+ reservations up to 60 days before their trips; those staying off-site can only book FastPass+ reservations up to 30 days in advance. If you want FastPass+ for popular experiences like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, the Anna & Elsa Frozen Meet & Greet, Toy Story Mania, or other popular attractions, having the full 60 day window might be the only way to get them, as many of these FastPass+ experiences “sell out” within hours or days of their 60-day windows opening. This is a big deal because each of these attractions can have 2+ hour waits depending upon the time of year, so by being able to make these FastPass+ ride reservations with that 60-day window can be the difference between waiting an extra 4-6 hours in line per day, or not. This is also why we highly recommend buying park tickets in advance of your visit. You can still make FastPass+ reservations on the day you arrive at Walt Disney World, but you’ll be picking from leftovers that no one else really wants, so to speak.
Victoria & Albert's
Hot Krust Panini Kitchen
Chatham's Place
Norman's
The Melting Pot
Q'Kenan Restaurant
Bull & Bear Steakhouse at Waldorf Astoria Orlando
NYPD Pizza
The Cheesecake Factory
Yellow Dog Eats
Seito Sushi
Spencer's For Steaks & Chops
Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries
La Luce at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
Shula's Steak House
Seasons 52
FishBones
Olive Garden
Sweet Tomatoes
Maggianos Little Italy
Medieval Times
Travel through the mists of time to a forgotten age and tale of devotion, courage, and love--at the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament.
Location:4510 West Vine Street, Kissimmee, FL 34746
Reservations:Call 1-888-WE-JOUST or 407-396-1518 prior to arrival for reservations and information.
While visiting WonderWorks, don't miss Orlando's Funniest Dinner Show. This hilarious show combines high energy comedy improvisation with spectacular magic to thoroughly entertain audiences of all ages. During the show, you will enjoy unlimited fresh hand tossed pizza, salad, popcorn, beer, wine, soda and dessert.
Ultimate Magic Combo Includes:WonderWorks General Admission, One game of Lazer Tag and The Outta Control Magic-Comedy Dinner show
Tickets & Reservations
- Reservations are required. When purchasing Outta Control Magic-Comedy Dinner Show, please enter 1st and 2nd choices for show dates/time in the comments field of the check-out page.
- Reservations will be confirmed within 1 business day of your order by Visit Orlando.
- Once your show is confirmed tickets are non-refundable and cannot be changed.
- Please arrive 30 minutes prior to show.
Shows: Nightly at 6pm and 8pm
Location: 9067 International Dr. Orlando, FL 32819
Step into the world of comedy and intrigue where you become the detective! Enjoy a delicious dinner with unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks while watching a hilarious whodunit with improvisation and audience participation. Mingle with outrageous characters! Watch for anything suspicious! Interrogate the suspects! Solve the crime!
Animal Kingdom
The fun gets wild at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. Explore the realm of creatures that inhabit our world...and our imagination...and create your own adventure for an experience that roars with excitement.
Experience a high-speed train trek forward and backward through the treacherous Himalayan unknown, where the dreaded Yeti lurks on Expedition Everest™–Legend of the Forbidden Mountain. The theater in the Wild at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park has been transformed into a magical undersea environment for a Broadway-caliber show, Finding Nemo – The Musical. This on-stage extravaganza is a retelling of the classic Disney•Pixar animated film Finding Nemo. To bring the little clownfish and his cast of friends to life, Disney reeled in some of Broadway's finest designers and composers. The result is a visually-inventive, original musical, merging puppetry with live performances.
Explore over 100 acres of African Savannah on Kilimanjaro Safaris® Expedition as you become surrounded by free-roaming wildlife in their natural habitat.
Journey to Dinoland U.S.A. ® where there’s a rescue mission that goes back 65 million years on DINOSAUR, and the only thing between you and extinction is a seat belt! Timon, Pumbaa and Simba welcome you to an energetic spectacle of Broadway proportions in Festival of the Lion King.
Now, trek over to Asia and be prepared to get wet – really wet – on a wild, water-rafting journey through Kali River Rapids®. And, be prepared for the breathtaking wonder of the mystical forest and ancient ruins of Maharajah Jungle Trek®, home to tigers, giant fruit bats and komodo dragons.
Don’t forget to go deep inside the Tree of Life to find out why It’s Tough to be a Bug! ® in a funny, creepy, crawly 3-D adventure that will have you screaming and squirming for more.
It’s a wildly playful adventure like no other. And it’s yours to live. Come and explore Disney’s Animal Kingdom®.
Epcot
DISCOVER Endless possibilities At Epcot®, high tech fun and Disney imagination are combined with the wonder of diverse cultures in two distinct worlds, Future World and World Showcase. Both are bursting with thrills and excitement.
Fly to new heights on Soarin’™, an exhila¬rating ride experience that picks you up and really gets you flying! You’ll feel as if you’re gliding over spectacular natural wonders and glorious countrysides, taking in the sights, the sounds, and scents – like a bird in flight! On The Seas with Nemo & Friends, you don’t need gills to dive into undersea adventure––just a “clamobile!” So climb aboard and journey alongside Marlin and Dory on an exciting quest to find Nemo. Along the way, you’ll meet up with Bruce the shark, ride the EAC with Crush the sea turtle, and even come face-to-fin with some real-life fishies in a gigantic aquarium. It’s an ocean of fun inspired by Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Nemo.”
What’s it like to be an astronaut? Find out aboard Mission: SPACE® as you dodge meteors, navigate nebulae and slingshot around the moon...without leaving Earth. If you think you’ve got the right stuff, join the Orange Team for some seriously intense training that lets you feel the full force of an actual space launch. Or, if you’d prefer a not-so-white-knuckle-filled journey, join the Green Team. Both adventures are out of this world.
Come have a ball inside the incredible icon of Epcot®––Spaceship Earth! With a world of amazing, new enhancements, including narration by famed actress, Dame Judi Dench, this classic attraction will take you from living in the past to picturing yourself in the future...literally. And the excitement doesn’t stop when your Time Machine does, because that’s when you get to experience “Project Tomorrow”––a brand-new interactive playground area where you can build, play, create, compete and explore.
But, that’s only half the fun. In World Showcase, you can travel around the world...and you don’t even need a passport! Eleven great nations offer the best of their food, music, products and culture. Journey through the poetic mountains of China; soar in a balloon over France; encounter tricky trolls on a Viking expedition in Norway. And the food! Gourmet French cuisine...succulent steaks from the Great White North... bratwurst and beer from Germany... Mediterranean sandwiches from Morocco...the finest seafood, sushi and vegetables from Japan...fresh-baked Norwegian pastries and desserts... it’s an international feast of delectable delights. Plus, you can shop ‘til you drop, indulging in tempting Guerlain fragrances, Goebel Hummel figurines, glass etchings, antiques, trinkets, jewelry, gifts, toys and more. You’ll find something to amaze and excite everywhere you turn...from living “statues” in France to rock ‘n’ roll bag¬pipers in Canada.
The grand finale? IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, an inspiration of music, fireworks, lasers and special effects celebrating the planet we call home. Epcot®. Two big worlds of discovery. One incredible experience unlike any other on earth.
Hollywood Studios
WHERE ACTION TAKES CENTER STAGE
Step into the action with exhilarating attractions and experiences inspired by television and silver screen favorites. Go center stage and into the spotlight with the American Idol Experience, stunt shows and more. Collect autographs and pose for photos at special events or at Character greeting locations. Embark on fantastic thrill rides you only see in the movies.
Take aim and ride an interactive 4-D “Toy Story” adventure like no other. It’s Toy Story Mania!—a brand-new attraction inspired by Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story” films. So come grab some 3-D glasses before boarding your ride vehicle and zipping off into a world of immersive, midway-style games hosted by favorite characters like Woody, Buzz, Rex and Hamm!
Laugh, play and sing along at Disney Junior – Live on Stage! Join favorite Disney Junior Characters and see new ones at this live, rollicking, musical adventure! Be mesmerized by the Broadway-style extravaganza, Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage. Then, take a dive under the sea with Ariel, Sebastian and Flounder for Voyage of the Little Mermaid.
Catch the up-and-down beat of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith in a twistin’, turnin’, loopin’ limo ride that is sure to get your adrenaline jammin’. And you’ll never experience the same fear twice at radically random elevator experience The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™. The Tower is in control, so it's never the same fear twice.
With so much to see and do, you just may need an encore! Go ahead and raise the curtain at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™.
“The Twilight Zone®” is a registered trademark of CBS, Inc. And is used with permission pursuant to a license from CBS, Inc.© Disney/LucasFilm, Ltd.
Islands of Adventure
Take an unforgettable journey through uniquely themed islands where your favorite adventures come to life. Step into the magic and excitement of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ - Hogsmeade™; battle super-villains on Marvel Super Hero Island®; and escape the jaws of a T-rex on the Jurassic Park River Adventure®.
Pulse-Pounding Thrills
Looking to shift your adrenaline into overdrive? Strap yourself into edge-of-your-seat roller coasters like Dragon Challenge™ and The Incredible Hulk Coaster®. Help save the city on The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man®ride. Then fly above Hogwarts™ castle on an unforgettably thrilling adventure, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™.
For the Young and Young at Heart
Old enough to laugh? Then there’s an adventure here for you. Explore the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss in the wonky Seuss Landing™. Get splash-happy on the water rides of Toon Lagoon®. And if you like a bit of danger mixed with your science, take the kids to the prehistoric Jurassic Park®. Because really, you’re never too young or too old for a little excitement.
Now Open: The Hogwarts™ Express*
For the first time ever, Muggles™ will be able to ride on the Hogwarts™ Express. Guests with Park-to-Park admission can travel between Hogsmeade™ Station (in Universal’s Islands of Adventure) and King's Cross Station (in Universal Studios Florida) on the iconic scarlet steam engine, encountering different characters and creatures from the Harry Potter™ stories each way.
Magic Kingdom
BELIEVE IN MAKE-BELIEVE
Wonder, fantasy and plenty of pixie dust are everywhere at the Magic Kingdom® Park. From flying through Neverland to yo-hoing with a band of pirates, seven enchanted lands – with over 40 magical attractions – make exciting adventures and timeless fairy tale classics just a smile away.
You can step right up and into the colorful Storybook Circus, where you can soar aboard TWO Dumbo the Flying Elephant® attractions, cool off at the Casey Jr. Splash ’N’ Soak Station and fly high on The Barnstormer featuring the Great Goofini coaster! Experience the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and race through the diamond mine from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on an adventurous family coaster!
Discover haunting new surprises as you ride aboard a Doom Buggy with your Ghost Host throughout The Haunted Mansion.
Dead men tell NEW tales as Captain Jack Sparrow has joined the crew of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. First the classic Disney attraction inspired the blockbuster movie – and then the movies inspired enhancements to the attraction.
Celebrate the stories you know and love with popular characters from some of your favorite Disney films. See the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade, an exciting tribute to New Fantasyland™ dazzling its way down the streets of Magic Kingdom® Park!
Brighten your night with the return of a Guest favorite, the more-dazzling-than-ever Main Street Electrical Parade. And listen to the “oohs” and “ahhs” grow louder with the Wishes fireworks spectacular. It will touch your heart with a “story in the sky” you’ll cherish forever. No wonder the Magic Kingdom® Park is the most beloved Walt Disney World® Theme Park. It’s the one – and only – place where once upon a time is now, and make-believe is as real as today.
Sea World
Immerse yourself in wonder at SeaWorld Orlando, where the aquatic world comes alive like no place else. Climb aboard and ride the mighty Manta. Experience the power and grace of killer whales in the awe-inspiring Shamu show One Ocean. Share an epic voyage with sea turtles on the 3D 360 TurtleTrek. And there’s nothing cooler than to see the world through the eyes of a penguin in the thrilling, chilling adventure of Antarctica. An ocean of fun is waiting to be explored right here at SeaWorld Orlando. Jump in and dive deep.
Now Open, SeaWorld’s epic new attraction, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, will transport your family into an icy world like you’ve never seen before. Experience the majestic grandeur of the South Pole and see it through the penguins’ eyes on an exhilarating, first-of-its-kind family ride. Then, step out and explore their colony in an expanse that envelops you in cool extremes: bringing you above and below their icy world. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience your family won’t forget.
Universal Studios
Why just go to the movies when you can become a part of them! Step through the massive arches of Universal Studios Florida, and take a starring role in some of the biggest movies and TV shows ever created. And while every stunt, scream and scare are delivered with Hollywood flair, they’re all just backdrops for the memories you’ll make.
Action-Packed Adventure and Thrills You can’t have a movie without someone yelling “Action!”, and your vacation is no different. Head to the front lines of an intergalactic war between Autobots and Decepticons on TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D, Now Open; and face down hordes of the undead on Revenge of the Mummy®. Then careen and crash your way through Krustyland on The Simpsons Ride™. If you like your movies with more explosions than tender moments, climb aboard.
For the Kid in All of Us No matter how old you get, there’s always a part of you that loves to play and laugh and forget about all that boring “adult” stuff. So come help save Princess Fiona with everyone’s favorite ogre in Shrek 4-D. Fly your bicycle across the stars to E.T.’s home world on the heartwarming E.T. Adventure®. Join the world’s most lovable super-villain, Gru, and his Minions in an unforgettable 3-D ride based on the hit film Despicable Me. You’ll find plenty to do if you’re five or just channeling your inner five-year-old.
Fun Shows For the Whole Family You’re vacationing together, so you want to make memories together. Like remembering watching mom laugh so hard at the Horror Make-Up Show she started crying. Or singing along with the kids at Beetlejuice Graveyard Revue.
Now Open All-new thrills and magical experiences await in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ - Diagon Alley™, at Universal Orlando® Resort. Dine at the Leaky Cauldron™, shop at Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, and get ready for an adventure on the multi-dimensional thrill ride, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™.
The Hogwarts™ Express* For the first time ever, Muggles™ will be able to ride on the Hogwarts™ Express. Guests with Park-to-Park admission can travel between Hogsmeade™ Station (in Universal’s Islands of Adventure) and King's Cross Station (in Universal Studios Florida) on the iconic scarlet steam engine, encountering different characters and creatures from the Harry Potter™ stories each way.
Blizzard Beach
Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park - The story behind Disney's Blizzard Beach begins with a freak snow storm that blanketed Florida. Within the blink of a snowflake-tipped eye, a ski resort sprang up with slalom courses, toboggan slides and iceberg walkways. Then, just as quickly, the weather shifted back to hot. The whole resort started to melt. What to do?
An enterprising alligator saw an opportunity! Clad in a scarf and hat, this Ice Gator slid down the snow-less ski jump, shouting 'Yahoooo!' all the way. With a big splash he landed in a pool of melted snow below the mountain. It was at this moment the slushy, slippery slopes became an exhilarating Water Park with a ski theme.
Blue Man Group
Experience the mystery, the humor, the euphoria and the indescribable celebration of art, technology and music that is Blue Man Group at Universal Orlando® Resort. Lose yourself in the incredible performances, the astounding music and the captivating stage show. Combining science and laughter, Blue Man Group makes for an explosive evening of entertainment that has wowed more than 25 million people worldwide.
Boggy Creek Airboat Rides
Closest Airboat Ride to Orlando Attractions
Enjoy one of four unique airboat adventures and idle along canals to find exotic birds, turtles and the Florida alligator wallowing in their natural environment. Then soar atop the swamp water at speeds reaching 45mph. You’ll feel like you’re flying through the wetlands as you enjoy the best Everglades experience in Central Florida.
Gatorland
Gatorland is a 110-acre theme park and wildlife preserve, combining "Old Florida" charm with exciting exhibits and entertainment. Known internationally as the "Alligator Capital of the World," Gatorland provides affordable priced family fun with thousands of alligators and crocodiles, breeding marsh with boardwalk, miniature water park, aviary, petting zoo, and much more.
Hours: Daily 10 AM - 5PM
Location: 14501 South Orange Blossom Trail. Orlando, FL 32837
Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers a fascinating, behind-the-scenes look at the space program.
Be one of the first to experience Space Shuttle Atlantis nose to nose up close only at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. NOW OPEN!.
Tour NASA's launch headquarters and see Space Shuttle Launch Pads from a four-story Observation Gantry. Walk beneath a massive Saturn V moon rocket and relive Neil Armstrong's first steps on the moon. Experience a zany "Mad Mission to Mars" meet a real Astronaut, stroll through the Rocket Garden, and enjoy five-story IMAX space films. Then take a short drive to the Astronaut Hall of fame, featuring historic spacecrafts and simulator rides. Take a virtual moonwalk and feel the pull of 4 G's in the G-Force Simulator!
Location: 45 minutes East of Orlando. GPS address: SR 405, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899
Legoland
: Legoland LEGOLAND® Florida is a 150-acre, full-day family theme park designed specifically for families with children ages 2 to 12. The largest LEGOLAND Park in the world, it features more than 50 family rides, shows and interactive attractions, restaurants, shopping and beautiful botanical gardens.
Just 45 minutes west of Orlando and a 45-minute drive east from Tampa, LEGOLAND Florida rests along the shores of Lake Eloise in the city of Winter Haven.
Location: One LEGOLAND Way - Winter Haven, FL 33884
Ripley’s Believe it or not
Our Amazing Odditorium looks like it's falling into a Florida sinkhole! Hundreds of fascinating, outrageous and interactive exhibits will entertain the entire family. Themed galleries feature oddities, artifacts, pranks of nature, illusions and more!
Hours: Open Daily 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Location: 8201 International Dr. Orlando, FL 32819
Typhoon Lagoon
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park - According to Disney legend, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park was created in the wake of the storm-of-storms. During the meteorological disturbance, surfboards were hurled into palm trees and boats were tossed through thatched roofs of beach houses and onto mountains.
After the storm swept out to sea, the Disney legend concludes, Mount Mayday became the source for many waterslides. Surrounding the mountain, a 56-acre topsy-turvy tropical paradise was formed full of waterways, rivers, rapids and slides: a sun-drenched Water Park.
Wet N Wild
Wet 'n Wild, Orlando's most exciting waterpark, offers the best variety of multi-passenger tube rides. Now open is the all new Aqua Drag Racer™. Slide through four lanes of high-speed, head-to-head competition on the tallest and fastest ride of its kind in Florida.
Note: Wet n’ Wild tickets are valid for 14 consecutive days.You must have your ticket validated at Guest Relations prior to leaving the park on your 1st visit.
Hours: Wet 'n Wild is open year round. Hours vary depending on the time of the year and the local weather.
Location: 6200 International Dr. Orlando, FL 32819
