14 Fun Central Florida Theme Parks That Aren’t Disney

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Things To Do In Kissimmee, Florida can include visiting the Gatorland
Entrance to Gatorland – Photo credit: Robin O’Neal Smith

Walt Disney World attracts visitors from around the world. It’s no wonder with outstanding attractions like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. My grandkids live in Central Florida and have explored Walt Disney World, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios numerous times. When I visit, my mission includes finding something new to share with them. Here are the smaller (and less expensive) Florida theme parks, ideal for making lasting memories.

Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure

Not quite as big as Disney but still a well-known theme park, Universal Studios and its sister park, Islands of Adventure, bring the movies to life. Both parks showcase Universal films as well as characters from rival studios like Toon Lagoon from Jay Ward Productions and Paramount Pictures, and Marvel Super Hero Island from Marvel Entertainment.

Epic adventures await at the uniquely themed islands of Universal’s Islands of Adventure where the world’s most cutting-edge rides, shows and interactive attractions bring your favorite stories, myths, cartoons, comic book heroes and children’s tales to life. Come face to face with the dinosaurs of Jurassic Park.

Venture through the mists of time as you experience the epic adventures of The Lost Continent. And step right into the pages of the children’s books of Dr. Seuss in Seuss Landing—always a favorite of my youngest grandson, Benjamin.

Join other Muggles at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter as you pass through the towering Hogwarts castle gates and explore the familiar passageways, classrooms and corridors. And don’t miss the pulse-pounding rides: Dragon Challenge, Flight of the Hippogriff and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, a state-of-the-art attraction that brings the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life in ways never before imagined.

This Orlando theme park is a great bet. Check out these LEGOLAND Florida money saving tips first.
Seasonally, the LEGOLAND Water Park is a huge addition of fun. Photo: Maria Smith

LEGOLAND Florida

Kids all over the world spend an astonishing five billion hours a year building with LEGOS. Central Florida’s LEGOLAND provides the ideal place to celebrate LEGO mania. Built on part of the former site of Cypress Gardens, Florida’s original theme park, LEGOLAND brings all those hours of building with LEGO bricks to life.

Spread over seven themed areas, Miniland USA astounds with miniature LEGO replicas of American cities. Look for street musicians in Times Square and find movie stars in Los Angeles. Watch a shuttle launch at the Kennedy Space Center complete with smoke and rumbling. The Las Vegas display showcases the city’s famous resorts and casinos while Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood’s salsa dancers spice things up.

A favorite of my grandkids, New York City landmarks include Grand Central Station, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and Central Park. They love pointing out the places I’ve taken them when they’ve visited me in the city.

When the grandkids aren’t marveling over the LEGO structures, the little thrill-seekers look for roller coasters to ride. Favorites include Coastersaurus in the Land of Adventure and the uber-competitive Ninjago.

Read More: Why You Should Take Your Kids to Kennedy Space Center.

Going to Driving School is still a hit when visiting LEGOLAND with kids over 10.
LEGOLAND’s Driving School is a perennial hit with my boys!. Photo credit: Maria Smith

LEGOLAND Water Park

In the scorching summer heat that often visits Central Florida, the LEGOLAND Water Park makes a big splash. With body slides, tube slides, a lazy river and several pools, you could easily spend an entire day here. On our recent visit, we split the day by doing the rides in the morning, cooling off at the water park in the heat of the day and adding a few more rides at the end of the day.

We spent time chilling in the wave pool with floating LEGO bricks. Then we cruised along the Lazy River. But the Twin Chasers tube water slide garnered the most praise from my three. Note: LEGOLAND Florida park admission is required for admission to LEGOLAND Water Park. The water park ticket is an additional $25. If you and the grandkids want to extend the LEGOLAND Florida experience, spend the night at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort.

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Orlando Military Discounts at SeaWorld Orlando
Photo: SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld and its sister parks, Aquatica and Discovery Cove, are all located in the Orlando area. Be entertained and amazed by the killer whales, dolphins, manatees, sharks and thrilling rides at the parks. The SeaWorld Kids Shamu close-up experience allows the grandkids to look into the eyes of a killer whale. And, the Dolphin Nursery introduces them to newborn calves.

Thrilling rides add to the fun at SeaWorld. Want to feel what it’s like to be a giant stingray? Check out Manta, a flying roller coaster that spins, glides and skims like a giant ray.

Discovery Cove

For an interactive experience, check out Discovery Cove where the entire family can swim with dolphins and take an underwater stroll in a diving helmet. With guest access restricted to 1,300 per day, Discovery Cove feels more like an exclusive resort than a theme park. Up-close animal encounters with dolphins, stingrays, tropical fish, sea otters and exotic birds make this a family favorite. It’s all-inclusive too, so you won’t have to worry about food, towels or snorkeling equipment.

Aquatica

When the Central Florida heat gets to you, head over to Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark. A state-of-the-art climate system adjusts the water temperature according to the weather so that it’s always just right. Cool off by riding the surf at Roa’s Rapids. Or take a break and watch the kids splash about in the waters from your personal oasis – a shaded cabana. And for the little ones 48” and under, don’t miss Kata’s Kookaburra Cove with water spouts and several silly spilly water slides. Be sure to stop by Conservation Cabana across from Loggerhead Lane (don’t you love that name?) to get up close with the amazing animals or the surf and sand.

peppa pig theme park
Photo credit: Z. Kelly Queijo

Peppa Pig Theme Park

Tiny fans of the British children’s show will love this theme park but there is plenty of charm to keep the whole family entertained. It’s located in Winter Haven and is part of the LEGOLAND park complex. Bundled ticket packages are available.

Designed for preschoolers, the Peppa Pig rides are tame compared to the spine-cracking thrills you’ll find at other Orlando area theme parks. If you are dragging along teens to indulge a younger sibling, they’ll love the Insta-worthy aerial selfies they can snap on Peppa Pig’s hot air balloon ride. And the Muddy Puddles Splash Pad is hard to resist on a scorching summer day (wear swimsuits and quick dry clothes/sandals!)

The park is a Certified Autism Center, developed to meet the needs of autistic children. Sensory guides at each of the rides and attractions can help parents assess whether an experience will delight, or overwhelm, their child.

Gatorland

From roadside attraction in 1949 to a full-fledged theme park, Gatorland offers old-style Florida entertainment. Start with a photo op in a giant alligator’s mouth near the entrance. Then head inside to check out hundreds of alligators, crocodiles, snakes, lizards, spiders and even some adorable petting zoo animals at this classic amusement park.

The Gatorland Express train delivers you to the Gator Wrestlin’ Arena, where real live cowboys wrestle the snapping gators and climb onto their backs. Think you can conquer a gator? Step in the sandbox in the Gator Wrestlin’ Arena and give it a shot with the “Rookie Wrestlin’” experience.

The Screamin’ Gator Zip Line soars through the air over the breeding marsh where some of the theme park’s reptile residents hang out. The Gator Gauntlet delivers the same exciting experience with an accessible zipline.

On a visit with my grandson Benjamin, we checked out the Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure. We boarded the Bonecrusher, one of three 12-foot-high custom-made, off-road monster vehicles. Led by hilarious guides, we stomped our way through Gatorland’s crazy characters and across the breeding marsh right alongside those big gators. Wide-eyed and holding on tight, Benjamin had a blast…and so did his GiGi!

Old Town Kissimmee

Take a step back in time at Old Town Kissimmee. This re-creation of a classic Florida town offers one-of-a-kind rides and attractions. An amusement park classic, the Old Town Ferris Wheel rises 86 feet in the air. For haunted house buffs, Mortem Manor keeps the thrills and chills going all year long.

Stroll 18 acres of tree-lined brick streets, lined with affordable shops and unique restaurants. Then, on the weekends, roll into town to catch the Friday Nite Muscle Car Cruise and the Saturday Nite Classic Car Cruise.

Wild Florida

Gators turn up everywhere in Central Florida and if you’re looking for more wildlife experiences, check out Wild Florida. From an aviary to airboat rides and sloth encounters, there’s always something interesting to experience.

My grandkids fed the baby gators hot dogs from fishing poles. Next, the aviary kept them entertained as they held up popsicle sticks covered in birdseed to attract the colorful birds. The sloth slowly won our hearts because isn’t everything a sloth does slow? Of course, the airboat ride always adds a measure of excitement as we explored the headwaters of the Everglades keeping an eye out for baby gators and other wildlife.

Volcano Bay

Growing up in Orlando, my kids often begged for a day at Wet ‘n Wild–the Universal Orlando Resort’s premier water park at the time. Today, that classic’s replacement, Volcano Bay, keeps kids of all ages cool. At this fun place, the lava flowing from the volcano brings cool refreshment instead of fiery heat with 13 slides.

If the idea of twisting turning slides around a volcano makes you dizzy, grab a raft and chill in one of the two winding rivers. Or, hang out in one of three lagoon pools. Splash pads and play areas keep little ones who aren’t quite tall enough for the slides entertained. Whatever you choose, these water rides will make you just as wet and wild as my kids in the 80s!

Fun Spot America

For a fun-filled day with classic amusement park rides, check out Fun Spot America. There are two locations near Walt Disney World Resort. The Orlando location boasts the only wooden roller coaster in town, while Kissimmee lays claim to the world’s tallest Skycoaster.

Both locations offer plenty of thrill rides including bumper cars, go-carts and open-air arcades.

Busch Gardens Tampa

Central Florida’s theme park fun extends outside of the Orlando area with great attractions like Busch Gardens Tampa. The park offers 335 acres of African-themed fun. A zoo without walls, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay earned the Humane Certified seal from American Humane, the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare.

The park’s primary focus remains the well-being of its more than 200 animal residents including several critically endangered species. Celebrate the animals with a train ride on the Serengeti Express. Or, choose one of the behind-the-scenes tours for up-close encounters with these fascinating animals.

When you’re not marveling at the amazing animals, the park’s exciting roller coasters like the triple launch Cheetah Hunt and the extreme inverted coaster, Montu, will keep thrill-seekers entertained for hours. Note: Kids must be 54″ tall to ride the Montu.

Adventure Island

Tampa Bay also brings its own water parks to the Central Florida theme park lineup. Race your friends down the Rip Tide slide at Adventure Island. Or, brave the high-speed Caribbean Corkscrew as you splash your way to fun. If you and your kids would rather take it easy, try the Rambling Bayou. This calm rafting experience winds through tropical waterfalls in a colorful rainforest environment.

With so many theme park options in Central Florida, you may need to extend that Disney vacation another week or two. Have fun!


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