Orlando, Florida, offers so many attractions that it can be difficult to decide what to do. The city has something for everyone in the family, but there are some sights that should be classified as must-sees.
Walt Disney World comprises four theme parks, two water parks and Downtown Disney. It's so large that visitors could spend the whole week there and not see everything.
The Magic Kingdom theme park is geared toward younger children and offers family-oriented rides featuring characters like Winnie the Pooh, Dumbo and Peter Pan. The park has several different areas, including Toon Town for very young kids and Adventureland for thrill-seekers.
Epcot has some rides in front, but the entire back of the park belongs to World Showcase, which features areas devoted to countries and their cultures. There are Kidcot stations in each "world" that offer free activities for children.
Disney's Hollywood Studios is geared toward older children who would enjoy more thrilling rides. In addition to the Rock n' Roller Coaster and the Tower of Terror, there are many attractions and shows that give visitors a glimpse of Hollywood past and present.
Animal Kingdom features attractions and entertainment focused on animals and dinosaurs. The theme park has attractions for all ages, including the Primeval Whirl for older kids and the Tricera Top Spin for younger kids.
Walt Disney World's two water parks are Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. Downtown Disney gives adults some nightlife while on vacation, but it can also be fun for the whole family during the day, thanks to its many shops and restaurants, including the Hard Rock Cafe and the Rain Forest Cafe.
Universal Studios consists of two theme parks and one water park. The Universal Islands of Adventure offers the Incredible Hulk Coaster, Doctor Doom's Fear Fall and Storm Force Accelatron for thrill seekers, as well as Toon Lagoon and Suess Landing for younger kids.
At Universal Studios Florida, visitors can jump into the action of the movies. Various rides include the Revenge of the Mummy, Men in Black Alien Adventure and the Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket. While Universal Studios does have attractions geared toward young children, there are a lot of rides that are more suitable for those seeking a thrill.
The Wet n' Wild Waterpark has many exciting water rides, like the Disco H2O, which gives guests a retro raft adventure that spins them in circles through an enclosed aqua disco. There is also a kid's park that lets younger kids join in the fun.
Sea World is full of rides and animal shows. Rides include Journey to Atlantis, which combines water rides and roller coasters with special effects that will leave guests soaked; Kraken, the floorless roller coaster; and Manta, the roller coaster that gives guests the sensation of flying.
Sea Lions Tonight is a seasonal comedy show that runs during the winter holidays (the end of November through the beginning of January) and AfterDark seasons. The AfterDark season runs from the end of May through the beginning of September, and offers shows after 6 p.m. Shamu Rocks is a rock n' roll show that combines music from the hottest rock stars with the movements of Sea World's killer whales. Another killer whale show, called Believe, incorporates both music and choreography with the behaviors of the killer whales.
Exhibits at Sea World allow guests to see the animals close up. Dolphin Cove is an interactive dolphin pool, and there's also Penguin Encounter, Shamu Up Close and Stingray Lagoon.
