Home to nine major theme parks and several premier water parks, Orlando has earned the well-deserved designation of being the Theme Park Capital of the World. Central Florida has long provided the ideal location for theme parks, thanks to its abundant sunshine and tropical climate. Each year, more than 75 million people come to Orlando for vacation, with many of those people are looking to visit some of the most iconic theme parks in the world. Remember that as a AAA member, you can score in Orlando.
Before you start planning on which park to visit, we detail our definitive list of the best theme parks in Orlando:
Walt Disney World Theme Parks
When Walt Disney World first opened to the public in 1971, it ushered in a new era for the city. While Orlando was home to several classic amusement parks before Walt Disney World, this was the park that transformed the landscape and put Orlando on the map as a premier vacation destination.
Today, Walt Disney World resort consists of four magical theme parks, two water parks and more than 25 hotels. As a result, most Disney vacations last anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks and thousands of local residents are proud Annual Passholders who visit the parks on a regular basis.
Offering an endless array of family-friendly attractions, thrill rides, immersive experiences, character greetings, kid-friendly shows, world-class performances and themed dining restaurants, Walt Disney World is not only one of the top Orlando theme parks, it's one of the best theme parks in the world. That is why many families choose to opt for Park Hopper Disney tickets, to experience as much Disney as they can in one day.
These are the four theme parks that you can visit in Walt Disney World:
Magic Kingdom just may be the most iconic theme park in Orlando. Home to the world famous Cinderella Castle, Magic Kingdom is a beloved favorite among people of all ages, but particularly families with young children. Smaller in both size and scope than other Disney theme parks, Magic Kingdom provides families with a wonderful escape from the realities of daily life. Here, they can enjoy endless family-friendly rides as well as interactive experiences with some of the most famous Disney characters. Classic rides such as It's a Small World, Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain have provided generations of guests with lasting memories, while newer additions such as TRON Lightcycle Run and Tiana's Bayou Adventure have captured the hearts of the most recent park guests.
Designed to transport visitors into the golden age of Hollywood, Hollywood Studios has long paid homage to the iconic masterpieces that Disney has always been known for. While the park has expanded beyond its original scope, it's still considered to be one of the best theme parks in Orlando for entertaining shows and thrilling rides. Some of the most popular rides and attractions at Hollywood Studios include Tower of Terror, Rise of the Resistance and Rock 'n' Rollercoaster, which will soon be revamped to include a fresh Muppets theming.
When it comes to shows, no park does it better than Hollywood Studios. Here, you can enjoy a Broadway-style performance of Beauty and the Beast, the Frozen Sing-a-Long Celebration and the new Little Mermaid Musical Adventure and Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After shows. The best way to cap off any day at Hollywood Studios is with Fantasmic, a nighttime spectacular that brings Mickey's dreams — and nightmares — to life in a stunning display of live performances, water screens, lasers, fireworks and more. There's nothing else quite like it in Walt Disney World or throughout all of Orlando.
Often heralded as one of the top Orlando theme parks for adults, it's important to know that EPCOT is an amazing theme park for people of all ages. Walt Disney himself coined the name for the park — the Experimental Prototype for Communities of Tomorrow or EPCOT — and to this day, the park exudes a sense of community and togetherness that few other theme parks offer. While EPCOT includes several distinct themed areas, it is best known for its World Showcase, which consists of 11 pavilions that showcase the cultures and flavors of those countries. Adults, in particular, love the extensive culinary options in EPCOT and it's become a tradition to sip and savor the cuisine from each pavilion. Some of the most popular rides and attractions at EPCOT include Soarin' Around the World, Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, Spaceship Earth and Frozen Ever After.
Animal Kingdom
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Best for: Adventure-seekers who enjoy a more relaxed pace
Known for its naturalistic atmosphere and peaceful vibe, Animal Kingdom is a wonderful theme park in Orlando for people of all ages. The park itself is anchored by the extraordinary Tree of Life and subsequently broken up into themed areas based on particular regions of the world. In Africa, you can enjoy the Kilimanjaro Safari, where you can encounter live animals exploring their natural habitats. In Asia, you can enjoy a thrilling adventure on Expedition Everest, a rollercoaster that takes you up to the top of Mount Everest and underneath the grasp of the infamous Yeti.
Universal Orlando Theme Parks
Appealing more to families with older children — especially those with tweens and teens in tow — Universal Orlando is one of the most exciting and eclectic theme parks in Orlando. Universal Orlando consists of three theme parks, Universal Orlando CityWalk, one water park and almost a dozen hotels, allowing it to hold its own as one of the best theme parks in Orlando.
With an emphasis on immersive experiences and a focus on giving visitors an opportunity to step inside the movies, Universal Orlando provides park guests with a one-of-a-kind experience. It's made headlines in recent months with the opening of Epic Universe, which began welcoming guests in the spring of 2025 and has quickly earned recognition for being one of the best new theme parks in the country. Currently, AAA members can access exclusive discounts on all of the Universal Orlando theme park tickets.
First opening to the public in 1990, Universal Studios has long been committed to providing theme park aficionados with an opportunity to ride the movies. The park itself has become famous for its movie-themed rides, many of which provide visitors with a full-sensory, simulated experience. Today, Universal Studios is home to iconic attractions, such as the Revenge of the Mummy rollercoaster and the classic E.T. Adventure ride. In addition, this park is home to Diagon Alley, which is part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park that stretches across both Universal Orlando and Islands of Adventure. Considered to be one of the most immersive theme park lands in the world, Diagon Alley gives Harry Potter fans the opportunity to walk through the pages of their favorite books and even try out their own wand spells.
As the second theme park in the Universal Orlando collection, Islands of Adventure is a fun-filled park that is known for its high-stakes thrill rides and enjoyable, family-friendly attractions. Some of the most popular attractions of Islands of Adventure include Jurassic World VelociCoaster and The Incredible Hulk Coaster. Potterheads often find themselves coming to Islands of Adventure to enjoy Hogsmeade, the second portion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter park. Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is a one-of-a-kind coaster that takes riders on a wild and twisting journey and there's plenty of Butterbeer to enjoy — in various forms — throughout the park.
As the newest theme park in Orlando, Epic Universe has made headlines since it opened in 2025 for its technologically-advanced attractions that provide guests with a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Throughout the park, guests can enter distinctive portals that allow them to feel transported to new worlds. In Super Nintendo World, for instance, visitors of all ages will feel as if they have stepped into the iconic Super Mario video games that they have come to know and love. Beloved attractions include Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, Stardust Racers and Flight of the Hippogriff. Park guests can also enjoy interactive meet-and-greets with their favorite characters from Super Mario and How to Train Your Dragon. In addition, the park is quickly earning a reputation for being one of the best theme parks for foodies in Orlando. Tickets for Epic Universe can be conveniently purchased directly through Trip Canvas.
SeaWorld Orlando
Fbrandao.1963 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Best for: Families, particularly families with children under 5
Billed as a theme park, zoo and aquarium, SeaWorld Orlando is considered to be one of the top Orlando theme parks for young children, especially kids under the age of 5 years old. While the park is home to dozens of family-friendly rides and thrilling attractions, it's perhaps best known for its shows. AAA members can save on theme park tickets like SeaWorld with exclusive deals and discounts available.
LEGOLAND Florida Resort
AAA / Brooke Holt
Best for: Families with children between the ages of 2 and 10 years old
Fans of the LEGO brick-building toys will be delighted by the full-scale LEGOLAND Florida Resort in Orlando. Consisting of theme parks, a water park and several hotels, LEGOLAND Florida Resort is one of the best theme parks in Orlando for kids under 10 years old. It is home to a host of family-friendly rides and immersive experiences. In addition, park visitors can enjoy meet-and-greets with their favorite Minifigure characters and building areas where they can create with the colorful bricks that made the brand famous.
Plan Your Trip to Orlando with AAA
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