Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Orlando's annual average temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit and its central Florida location contribute to its airport being the ninth busiest in the U.S., according to the City of Orlando website. In addition to the city's well-known theme parks, Orlando boasts 83 parks, 17 recreation centers, sports and entertainment venues and walking tours. Families traveling to Orlando with toddlers may spend their days at a water park, visiting a zoo or seeing the dolphins at SeaWorld.
When most people think of visiting Orlando with kids, they think Disney. With six different theme and water parks under the Disney World umbrella, families have numerous ways to spend a day or week in Orlando. At the Animal Kingdom Park, toddlers may enjoy the Affection Section petting zoo, walking along the Discovery or Cretaceous trails or seeing giraffes and rhinos from an open-sided vehicle at the Kilimanjaro Safari. Cool off at Ketchakiddee Creek at the Typhoon Lagoon Water Park in an area specifically designed for toddlers with slides, fountains and a mini-rapids ride. For a traditional Disney experience, head to the Magic Kingdom and explore toddler attractions such as Donald's Boat, Minnie's Country House and the Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride. Disney World parks are located in Lake Buena Vista, a southwestern suburb of Orlando near Interstate 4.
For an affordable alternative to Orlando's theme parks, explore one of the city's 84 parks, 21 recreation centers or two trails with your toddler. Aviation fans can watch airplanes take off near 5.5-acre Colonel Joe Kittinger Park, while boating enthusiasts can watch the action at 11.2-acre Lake Ivanhoe Park and also see the city skylines. Grab a fishing pole and let your toddler help you cast a line from the fishing pier at seven-acre George Barker Park or from the shore at 16-acre Lorna Doone Park. Playground equipment ideally suited for toddlers is available at many parks including 52-acre Southpoint Community Park, 6.2-acre Gaston Edwards Park near Lake Ivanhoe, 75-acre Blue Jacket Park and 24.6-acre Demetree Park. City recreation centers, such as College Park and Northwest Community, feature swimming pools, gymnasiums and outdoor play areas. Bring a tricycle and spend the day riding along the two-mile Lake Fran Bike Trail or 3.8-mile Cady Way Bike Trail.
Watch the tropical fish at SeaWorld's Jewel of the Sea Aquarium or see more than 300 rehabilitated sea turtles crawl at Turtle Point with your toddler. One of the largest interactive dolphin pools in the world is found at SeaWorld's Dolphin Cove, where kids can feed Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and watch them perform. See Elmo from Sesame Street at a musical show or watch dogs, cats and pigs perform comical tricks after seeing the aquatic exhibits at SeaWorld. Other toddler-friendly exhibits at SeaWorld include the Penguin Encounter, Manatee Rescue, the sea lions at Pacific Point Preserve and strolling along the Waterfront, a seaside village with shops and restaurants. SeaWorld is located in the Williamsburg area of southwest Orlando near the intersection of Interstate 4 and Highway 528.