Orlando, Florida, is in the central part of the state and offers families many opportunities to attend theme park attractions. The history of theme parks in Orlando began in 1936 with the now-defunct Cypress Gardens. Since then, Orlando has grown into a vacation mecca that offers shopping malls as well as theme restaurants such as Medieval Times. The popular theme parks in or close to Orlando are near hotels where tourists can stay during their vacation.
Sea World Orlando is a marine wildlife-themed park in south Orlando, just off State Highway 400. This theme park offers live animal shows that include Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island, which features sea lions and walruses; A'lure, a show that displays acrobatics by live human performers; and Shamu Rocks, a night-time performance from Shamu, the renowned killer whale. Other marine creatures on exhibit include manatees, penguins, sharks and manta rays. Visitors can also experience close, but safe, encounters with the park's belugas, sea lions and sharks. Restaurants on the Sea World property that serve American-style cuisine include Voyager's Smokehouse, Seafire Inn and Sharks Underwater Grill.
SeaWorld Orlando
7007 SeaWorld Drive
Orlando, FL 32821
888-800-5447
seaworld.com/orlando
Located in west Orlando, Universal Orlando Resort offers themed attractions and over 25 rides based on Hollywood movies such as the Harry Potter, Shrek and Indiana Jones series. Water park rides are available at Universal's Wet 'n Wild Waterpark. Universal's Citywalk area features shopping and dining establishments, as well as entertainment venues. Shows performed at this park include the Blue Man Group, TNA wrestling events and the Wantilan Luau dinner event at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort, one of the park's on-site hotels. Other hotels in Universal are the Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Portofino Bay. For adult visitors, Universal also features a vibrant nightclub scene that offers live music.
Universal Orlando Resort
1000 Universal Studios Plaza
Orlando, FL 32819
407-363-8000
universalorlando.com
The Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista is approximately 30 minutes from Orlando and in 2010 is the world's largest theme park resort, according to the London Times. This resort consists of four different areas: Epcot, which has futuristic-themed attractions; Animal Kingdom, a park that features wildlife exhibits; Magic Kingdom, which has Disney-themed rides and attractions; and Hollywood Studios, an area that offers shows and rides based on Disney and non-Disney movies. Each area of the park offers shopping, entertainment venues and dining establishments in the Downtown Disney district, as well as hotel accommodations. Hotels in Walt Disney Resort include the Swan (a Westin hotel) and the Regal Sun.
Walt Disney World Resort
4600 World Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
407-939-6244
disneyworld.disney.go.com
