Orlando Family Things to Do
You may not be able to find a more perfect family vacation destination than Orlando. The nearby amusement parks are world famous, and with beautiful beaches just an hour away, it’s easy to see why Orlando is the top choice for families traveling during Spring Break, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Amusement Parks and Water Parks
The Orlando area offers families the opportunity to experience world-class amusement parks such as the Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, Sea World and even Gator Land. For those with very small children, a trip to the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort is ideal. Children will especially enjoy the Peter Pan attraction and a ride on It’s a Small World. At Islands of Adventure at Universal, children will want to visit the 10-acre Seuss Landing. Here visitors can interact with the Cat in the Hat, see The Lorax – even the Grinch makes an appearance during the holiday season.
To keep everyone in good spirits, be sure to schedule a refresher day or two at the nearby water parks. Discovery Cove gives you the opportunity to relax on idyllic beaches, and even swim with the dolphins! This pricey park was recently rated as one of the top 10 attractions in the United States, and you will need to make advance reservations. If looking for a less expensive water park experience, try either Disney’s Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon.
Dinner Shows
After a day of fun in the sun, many families choose to extend the good times into the evening by taking in a dinner show. The Pirate’s Dinner Adventure allows the entire family to be immersed in the swashbuckling action while enjoying the Port of Call Feast. At the Arabian Nights, you are the guest at a royal wedding between an Arabian Prince and Princess. Showcasing horses from around the world, this has been called Orlando’s premier dinner show.
Entertainment
Don’t miss La Nouba, Cirque du Soleil’s show in Downtown Disney. This circus-like performance features acrobats, gymnasts and dynamic soundtrack. Also popular with families is the Blue Man Group at Universal Orlando. After the show, you and your family will be able to enjoy select CityWalk venues by just presenting your ticket stub.
The Completely Different
Ripley’s Believe it Or Not Odditorium on International Drive delivers family fun before you even enter the museum. The building was constructed to look as if it is descending into a sinkhole. Inside you can view a statue of the tallest man in the world, a portrait of the Mona Lisa made of toast, and a variety of other odd and amusing collections.
Nearby WonderWorks invites you to let your imagination run wild at Central Florida’s only upside down attraction. With over 100 interactive displays, there is something here for everyone in the family. You’ll want to schedule your visit to include the nightly Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show, where you’ll become part of the fun. The show includes unlimited pizza, salad, dessert and more.
Other Activities
Orlando isn’t just about amusement parks and entertainment. You can also find fun family activities like hot air ballooning with Blue Water Balloons. With them, you can book a sunrise flight near the Disney property. If you like your adventure closer to the ground, check out Boggy Creek Airboats for an unforgettable ride through the beautiful Central Florida Everglades.
When you’re ready for a slower pace after days of non-stop fun and shopping, visit the Green Meadows Petting Farm. Just 30 minutes away from Orlando in Kissimmee, this bucolic setting has over 300 animals to touch and see.