When it comes to Orlando theme parks, three big names take center stage: Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld Orlando. And they feature attractions for all ages ranging from thrilling coasters and wave pools to stunning lands and animal encounters. Although your experience may look a bit different than before, the theme parks are doing their best to keep you and everyone around you safe. For helpful safety information, check out the theme park safety page. 

Here’s a rundown of Orlando’s best theme parks.

Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks

When you're looking for family fun, Magic Kingdom Park and Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park are both solid choices. If thrilling rides take center stage for you, head to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Spash down with a smile at Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park, featuring thrilling water rides perfect for the spring and summer seasons. And for an all-around crowd pleaser — including groups of adult friends — Epcot and its World Showcase never gets old.

1. Magic Kingdom Park

Standout Attractions: Try all three mountains. Launch through outer space at Space Mountain, get soaked at Splash Mountain, and climb aboard a runaway train at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. 

Must-See Lands: Main Street, USA is a must — you can’t go to Magic Kingdom Park without snapping a selfie in front of Cinderella Castle. And Tomorrowland is a classic. Blast off into outer space and meet some of your favorite interstellar characters. 

Must-Meet Characters: Some characters are out and about at a distance for safety, but you can still snag a photo of them!

2. Epcot

Standout Attractions: Test Track is a high-octane Future World family favorite. Frozen Ever After in Norway is perfect for musical fans — and complete with plunges down short waterfalls. While most fireworks shows are still unavailable, Epcot is soon to begin HarmoniOUS. Another adventure coming to Epcot is Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Join Remy for rides and restaurants in the France pavilion. 

Must-See Lands: Who are we kidding — everything in the World Showcase is worth a visit. All of the countries are beautifully recreated so you can experience the architecture, culture, and food of each destination. 

Must-Meet Characters: Spot beloved princesses and classic pals on the cavalcades around World Showcase. You’ll see a Princess Promenade as well as a Mickey and Friends Promenade.

3. Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Standout Attractions: You have some thrilling options. Try The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror to plummet down in an elevator, or Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster to race along with Aerosmith. 

Must-See Lands: Star Wars grabs much of the spotlight. Land at Galaxy’s Edge to enjoy racing through space on Rise of the Resistance or chowing down on some food at Black Spire Outpost. Toy Story Land features adventures for both kids and grown-ups, including the crowd-favorite ride Slinky Dog Dash. 

Must-Meet Characters: Snap a photo with Daisy and Donald Duck in front of Hollywood and Vine for a memory you’ll have forever.

4. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Standout Attractions: Speed through the Himalayas aboard Expedition Everest and avoid the fearsome Yeti. Or, explore a bioluminescent rainforest with Na’vi River Journey. 

Must-See Lands: Dive into Pandora – The World of Avatar for surreal landscapes and colorful forests. For a classic adventure, try DinoLand U.S.A. for prehistoric thrills. 

Must-Meet Animals: See Asian Tigers on the Maharajah Jungle Trek, African Lions on the Kilimanjaro Safari, and Western Lowland Gorillas on the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. You can also wave down to Mickey and friends as they drive by on boats.

5. Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park

Standout Slides: Race your friends and family to the finish line at Toboggan Racers, an 8-lane waterslide. Then make your way to Summit Plummet, one of the tallest, fastest free-fall body slides in the world. 

Must-See Spots: Cross Country Creek is perfect for those looking to take a break and relax in a lazy river — except this one winds through a polar-themed paradise.

Universal Orlando Resort Theme Parks

6. Universal Studios Florida

Standout Attractions: Revenge of the Mummy is a tried and true classic. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit takes first place for high-speed twists and turns. And Men in Black Alien Attack is the best family-friendly ride — and, you know, you can zap aliens. 

Must-See Lands: Hidden beyond the normal path, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley is a definite must-see. It’s a whole other world filled with curious shops. 

Must-Meet Characters: Meet your favorite animated characters — from the Simpsons and the loveable Minions to the Transformers and Shrek. 

7. Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Standout Attractions: Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls is a joke-packed classic log flume ride. For a river raft ride with a sense of prehistoric danger, hop on Jurassic Park River Adventure. Coming this summer, you won’t want to miss the Velocicoaster — a multi-launch coaster with many twists and turns. And get ready for some serious speed on The Incredible Hulk Coaster. 

Must-See Lands: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade takes the cake. Explore enchanting shops, roam the corridors of Hogwarts, and don’t forget to try the butterbeer! 

Must-Meet Characters: Get ready for Marvel superheroes, classic comic book characters like Popeye, and beloved Dr. Seuss characters all around the park that you can safely take a photo of from afar. 

8. Universal’s Volcano Bay

Standout Slides: Plunge into the pool below on the Kala & Tai Nui drop slides alongside a friend in these intertwining tubes. Or, brave the rope bridge across a deep chasm to take on the Ohno of Ohyah drop slide. 

Must-See Spots: Explore the park’s centerpiece volcano, Krakatau (kra-kuh-TAU) –– which stands 200 feet above the park.

SeaWorld Theme Parks

SeaWorld Orlando features uninque animal encounters — everything from dolphins to beluga whales — and thrill rides to boot. If you're looking for a lazy day of hanging around by the pool and swimming with tropical fish, Discovery Cove Orlando is the spot for you. And if the classic water park experience is what you're after, you can't go wrong with Aquatica Orlando.

9. SeaWorld Orlando

Standout Attractions: Hop on Mako, Orlando’s tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster. And if you want to experience flying, Manta will let you soar through the sky, superman style. A blizzard is coming soon to Central Florida and it’s called Ice Breaker. This new roller coaster debuts with the steepest vertical drop in all of Florida so you’ll want to hang on tight. 

Must-Meet Animals: Explore the Antarctica habitat to see 5 different species of loveable penguins. Plus, see whales, manta rays, dolphins, and more! 

Must-See Shows: The Dolphin Days show takes the spotlight. But you can’t go wrong with Sea Lion High or Pets Ahoy either. 

10. Aquatica Orlando 

Standout Slides: The ever-popular Dolphin Plunge lets you slide down clear tubes through a pool filled with playful dolphins. KareKare Curl is a close second with its unique vertical wave wall. 

Must-See Spots: Loggerhead Lane is a leisurely lazy river that takes you through an underwater world filled with exotic fish. 

11. Discovery Cove Orlando 

Standout Attractions: No lines, and definitely no crowds. Discovery Cove caps their attendance for a more intimate experience, so you can relax on the beach, float along Wind-Away River, and splash in Serenity Bay whenever you want — all while being safe. 

Must-Meet Animals: Snorkel with tropical fish and rays in The Grand Reef. Now you can spend some special moments with the flamingos at the new Flamingo Mingle. And if you don’t mind paying a little extra, you can swim with dolphins — or sharks!