Aquatica Wave Pool, Orlando
Orlando Family Attractions
Orlando Family Attractions include links to in-depth listings for Walt Disney World and Universal Studios-owned venues.
Universal Islands of Adventure
Universal Volcano Bay
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
DESCRIPTION: Highlights of your tour will be the Apollo/Saturn V Center, Launch Complex 39 Observation Gantry, and the International Space Station Center. There is also a motion simulator ride, an IMAX film and updates about the Mars Missions and real Astronaut Encounter, view ten-story high rockets from all eras of space exploration in the Rocket Garden, walk through a full-size Space Shuttle mock-up.
ADMISSION: begins at $29 Adults, $19 ages 3-11; add extra features for additional fees; certain items are not permitted during your visit – see this security page
DAYS & HOURS: daily 9a-dusk
ADDRESS: State Route 526 Florida Tollway at Spaceport, Cape Canaveral, FL MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 321-449-4444
WEBSITE: http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com
Canaveral National Seashore
DESCRIPTION: The preserve and beaches of this national seashore stretch for miles north of Cape Canaveral on S-3 Highway. Visit the lovely beaches of Apollo and Playa Linda in particular. Be careful when investigating the sea turtle nesting grounds at the north end of the shore, as tampering with turtle habitat is against the law.
ADDRESS: just north of Cape Canaveral, FL
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
DESCRIPTION: More than 140,000 acres of land owned by NASA. Under such stewardship more than 500 species of animals, including bald eagles, manatees and loggerhead sea turtles, have a safe home from poachers; free admission; beach open 6a-8p daily
ADDRESS: just south of Cape Canaveral, FL
PHONE: 407-861-0667
SeaWorld Orlando
DESCRIPTION: One of the world’s best marine adventure parks with 200 acres of shows, thrilling rides and animal encounters; state-of-the-art water rides twist and drench guests with water after you encounter killer whales, dolphins, sea lions, stingrays and sharks; choose from 9 restaurants, ranging from full-service to buffet. Reservations are required for some restaurants; 800-327-2420; open year-round at 9a with extended hours during summer; strollers, wheelchairs, lockers and indoor, climate-controlled pet kennels are available for rental; wheelchair seating is available at all facilities; diaper-changing and baby-nursing areas
ADMISSION: $70 adult, $60 ages 3-9; get a major discount when you couple Busch Gardens and/or Aquatica tickets with a SeaWorld ticket
DAYS & HOURS: open daily 9a, but closing varies from 6p-10p depending on season and special events; check website calendar
ADDRESS: 7007 SeaWorld Drive, Orlando, FL MAP
PARKING: Cars $10 per day, RV $12 per day
PHONE: 407-351-3600
WEBSITE: http://www.buschgardens.com/seaworld/fla
Aquatica by SeaWorld
DESCRIPTION: SeaWorld’s waterpark located acros the street, Aquatica features all manner of water attractions with a range of suitability for all ages from among the Fish Grotto, Dolphin Plunge, Tassle’s Twisters Loggerhead Lane, Taumata Racer, Big Surf Shores, Walhalla Wave, Whanau Way and HooRoo Run; after tossing ways, riding logs and plumes to your heart’s content, three resturants (Banana Beach Cookout, Waterhouse Grill, Mango Market) are strategically placed between the rides; arrive early on hot days because the park fills up fast and attenddence is limited; cabanas are available for rent
ADMISSION: $42 adults, $36 age 3-9; get a major discount when you couple Busch Gardens and/or SeaWorld tickets with an Aquatica ticket
DAYS & HOURS: opens daily 9a, closing varies from 6p-10p, see website calendar
ADDRESS: 5800 Water Play Way, Orlando, FL MAP
PARKING: Cars $10, RV $12
PHONE: 866-787-4307
WEBSITE: http://www.aquaticabyseaworld.com
Discovery Cove Orlando
DESCRIPTION: A rare tactile experience that provides a lifetime of memories; swim with dolphins, snorkel with exotic fish and hand feed tropical birds.
ADMISSION: $219 for all-inclusive dolphin swim package or $119 for the non-dolphin swim package
DAYS & HOURS: Daily 9a-5:30p
ADDRESS: 6000 Discovery Cove Way, Orlando, FL MAP
PHONE: 877-434-7268
WEBSITE: http://www.discoverycove.com
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Orlando Odditorium
DESCRIPTION: As you approach, it looks like one side of the building feel in one of Florida’s infamous sinkholes; inside you’ll find a mind-boggling feast of the bizarre and bewildering
ADMISSION: $19 adult, $12 ages 4-12; age 3 and under enter free
DAYS & HOURS: daily 9:30a-Midnight; hours are subject to change
ADDRESS: 8201 International Drive, Orlando, FL MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 407-345-0501 and 800-998-4418
WEBSITE: http://www.ripleysorlando.com
SkyVenture Orlando
DESCRIPTION: Ever wanted to experience the thrill of skydiving without the risk? Check out skydiving in a vertical wind tunnel – no experience necessary.
ADMISSION: Adults $39, Children $34
DAYS & HOURS: daily at 2 p-until
ADDRESS: 6805 Visitors Circle, Orlando, FL MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 407-903-1150
WEBSITE: http://skyventureorlando.com
Titanic – The Exhibition
DESCRIPTION: Vicariously experience the drama and inspiring stories of passengers on board; view rare artifacts and memorabilia from the sunken vessel
ADMISSION: $18 adult, $13 children (age 6-12)
DAYS & HOURS: daily 10a-9p
ADDRESS: 8445 International Drive, Orlando, FL MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 407-248-1166
WEBSITE: http://www.titanictheexperience.com
Gatorland
DESCRIPTION: Watch experience showman handling the snappiest critters you’ve even seen, here at a place the bills itself “Alligator Capital of the World”; features 4 shows, exhibits, a mini-water park, petting zoo and train ride
ADMISSION: $21.25 adult, $10.60 ages 3-12
DAYS & HOURS: daily 9a-dusk
ADDRESS: 14501 South Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 407-855-5496 or 800-393-5297
WEBSITE: http://www.gatorland.com
Orlando Science Center
DESCRIPTION: Experience educational exhibits in 10 themed permanent sections that encourage you to interact while learning; experience the rare 8-story CineDome screen is the world’s largest domed IWERKS theater and planetarium
ADMISSION: $13 adult; $9 age 3-11
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Thu 9a-5p, Fri-Sat 9 a-9p, Sun Noon-5p
ADDRESS: 777 East Princeton Street, Orlando, FL MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 407-514-2000 or 888-672-4386
WEBSITE: http://www.osc.org
Lake Eola Park
DESCRIPTION: Paddleboats near a mid-lake waterfall with Downtown skyscrapers in the background make this a post card view park. Sunsets are terrific as the rays reflect off the lake and skyscrapers; if you have the energy jog the circle path around this attractive park; the band shell features a number of musical events year round; adjacent to southwest downtown
ADDRESS: bounded by North Eola Drive, East Central Blvd, North Rosalind Ave, East Robinson Street, Orlando, FL
Central Florida Zoo
DESCRIPTION: Established in 1923 with a collection of donated animals held by the Sanford Fire Department; in 1941, the zoo was relocated to downtown Sanford, and then again in 1975 to the present site; the zoo has a strong collection of mammals such as leopards, Asian Elephants, spider monkeys and lemus, plus notable collections of reptiles, amphibians and birds; over the years, the zoo has been and continues to convert to more naturalistic habitats for its 873 animals repsenting 126 species; a guest favorite, experience personal Animal Encounter on weekends and holidays, in which docents educate visitors about the characteristics of animals from alligators to hedgehogs
ADMISSION: Adults $11, ages 60+ $9, ages 3-12 $7, ages 2 and under enter free
DAYS & HOURS: daily 9a-5p
ADDRESS: 3755 NW Highway 17-92, Sanford, FL MAP
PARKING: free on premises
PHONE: 407-323-4450
WEBSITE: http://www.centralfloridazoo.org
