Orlandos other Big Ones!

SeaWorld Orlando

Attraction | "You Must See Seaworld"

Quote:

Seaworld is easy to locate at the Southern end of International drive, it is well sign-posted and there is parking for over 6000 vehicles. For visitors parking in the farthest lots there is a tram car to take them to the entrance and more importantly to return them to their cars after a busy and tiring day.The entrance is marked by the Shamu lighthouse and taped sounds of seabirds to set the atmosphere for the visitor. This is obviously an attraction devoted to all things marine and the environment feels friendly and is clean. Visitors will encounter security bag searches before entering through the turnstiles, queues do build up quickly as the ticket reading machines can be unreliable ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 1, 2025

SeaWorld Orlando
7007 Sea World Drive
Orlando, Florida 32821
(888) 800-5447

Cheer!
Flag

Universal's Islands of Adventure

Attraction | "An Adventure Not To Be Missed"

Quote:

Islands of Adventure is the newest Theme Park in the Orlando area and it is certainly worth a visit. The design is fantastic and each separate "island" is themed magnificently to really submerge you in the theme-park experience. The "islands" are actually simply areas they are not separated by water but they do all have their own characteristics and rides. Visiting in October the lines are not unbearable but for high season it is possible to buy Universal Express passes that allow you to go to the front of the queues.--Marvel Super Heroes—The most eye-catching, awe-inspiring ride as you approach Islands of Adventure is the Incredible Hulk rollercoaster, the huge green frame...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on October 9, 2025

Universal's Islands of Adventure
Universal Orlando Resort
Orlando, Florida

Cheer!
Flag

Universal Studios Florida

Attraction | "Univeral Studios"

Quote:

Universal Studios in Orlando opened in 1990. It is located at the Northern end of International Drive and is on the same site as City walk and Islands of Adventure.I find this the most disjointed of all the Orlando theme parks but I would think that it has more teenage appeal than many in the area. The park is split into several areas but I didn’t find them particularly distinctive and can’t really remember why a certain attraction would be in a certain area.Entrance to the park is past the very photogenic Universal globe and then through the huge gateway. Bag searches and electronic turnstiles are the norm for this area and the queues move quite quickly. There are several ...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on October 25, 2025

Universal Studios Florida
1000 Universal Studios Plaza
Orlando, Florida 32819
(407) 363 8000

Cheer!
Flag

Walt Disney World's Blizzard Beach

Attraction | "Snow in Florida?"

Quote:

Blizzard Beach was opened in 1995 and at the time was the third Disney Water park, since then one has closed so now there is just this one and Typhoon Lagoon. The basic story is that a freak winter snow storm hit central Florida and produced the first ever ski resort in Orlando. This has produced imaginative theming and creates a completely different feel to the park.The sun beds are located all around the park and there is towel and locker rental available on entry. Trying to find a shady spot is tricky here as there seems less natural shade. Also, because the mountain is white there seems to be a lot of reflection and lots of waterproof sun-cream is a must here as burning is very eas...Read More

Blizzard Beach was opened in 1995 and at the time was the third Disney Water park, since then one has closed so now there is just this one and Typhoon Lagoon. The basic story is that a freak winter snow storm hit central Florida and produced the first ever ski resort in Orlando. This has produced imaginative theming and creates a completely different feel to the park.

The sun beds are located all around the park and there is towel and locker rental available on entry. Trying to find a shady spot is tricky here as there seems less natural shade. Also, because the mountain is white there seems to be a lot of reflection and lots of waterproof sun-cream is a must here as burning is very easy.

The biggest drop flume is Summit Plummet and it is not for the faint-hearted. I don’t like flumes anyway but at nearly 37m tall my family declined to try it as well. It certainly looked exciting if that is your sort of thing.

There are a couple of inner tube rides, the Downhill Double Dipper is a race and you will set off at the same time as your partner and you can see who wins at the end. Slush Gusher is a relatively new addition and there is a choice of enclosed tubes, the water pressure actually forces you uphill which is an odd experience.
Teamboat Springs is a great twisting and turning family raft ride, it is quite quick and sometimes you end up under freezing "run-off" water so be prepared for the shock.

Toboggan races is a multilane course and you lie on a flat mat. This is probably my favourite as you don’t get particularly wet and I am a bit of a wimp but you do go really fast.

Encircling the whole park is the Cross-country creek. This meandering inner tube river is very sedate. However sometimes you do end up under cold waterfalls and then it seems to go very slowly. A lot of this is in shade and on a cooler day you can get quite chilled whilst floating about.

For children there is a brilliant area called Ski Patrol. There are lots of unusual water activities that are a bit like an adventure playground. My children’s favourite was the T-bar slide which drops them into a deep pool. Most children drop straight down but somehow my son ended up doing an impressive back –flip that drew applause from the watching crowd! Luckily his stunt was captured by a Disney photographer and we have a great photo to treasure.

The pool area of the park is called Meltaway Bay and offers ample paddling and swimming opportunities for everyone.

The main problem with this park is the amount of uphill walking you have to do. The steps are all very steep and enclosed between white walls. We found that we got very hot and tired here quite quickly. There is a chairlift that takes you up to the summit but the queues are always very long. The sign-posting to find the flumes that you want are also a little tricky and sometimes I would be waiting at the bottom of one to take a photograph whilst my family had ended up somewhere else!

There are places to get food and drinks but you are also allowed to take coolers into the park so it is just as easy to take your own snacks in.

Although I am not the greatest water park fan this place certainly offers a great variety of thins to do. It is by far the better of the two parks for differing rides although I find Typhoon Lagoon a more restful experience. It is wise to bear in mind that the parks can be shut in inclement weather so plan accordingly.
Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 29, 2025

Walt Disney World's Blizzard Beach
1534 W Buena Vista Dr
Orlando, Florida 32830
(407) 560-3400

Cheer!
Flag

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park

Attraction | "Waterpark for Everyone"

Quote:

I am not really a fan of water parks in general. I am not a particularly strong swimmer and I have to wear glasses as I am very short-sighted so all in all they are not places that I go out of my way to visit. However the Disney water parks are in a different league altogether and I visit them quite happily.Typhoon Lagoon is probably my favourite. The park is built with the theme that a huge storm happened which impaled a fishing boat on top of a mountain and the resulting tides and rapids have continued. The setting is like a tropical island. There are lots of palm trees set around sandy beaches with tropical music drifting around.Arriving as the park opens gives you a go...Read More

I am not really a fan of water parks in general. I am not a particularly strong swimmer and I have to wear glasses as I am very short-sighted so all in all they are not places that I go out of my way to visit. However the Disney water parks are in a different league altogether and I visit them quite happily.

Typhoon Lagoon is probably my favourite. The park is built with the theme that a huge storm happened which impaled a fishing boat on top of a mountain and the resulting tides and rapids have continued. The setting is like a tropical island. There are lots of palm trees set around sandy beaches with tropical music drifting around.

Arriving as the park opens gives you a good choice of sun beds. The beds are actually quite close together and it can be a bit tricky getting between them. Towels can be rented cheaply and it is a good option as it saves you having to launder all the sand out when you get back home. Large and small lockers are available to rent which are quite a good idea as you don’t want to leave money or expensive cameras on your sun beds whilst enjoying the attractions. Waterproof boxes that can be worn around the neck can be bought in the shop and are useful for keys etc.

The park has a couple of family style raft rides; these are my favourites as they do not plunge you under water at the end. The best one is Keelhaul falls. The problem with these rides is the long walk up to the top of the hill in the hot Florida sunshine.
For fans of downhill slides then Humunga Kowabunga is a must. The height of 5 stories gives an exhilarating plunge (so I have been told by my children!) in a matter of seconds. A one piece swimming costume is recommended for ladies as bikinis do not stand up well to the flumes!

The Shark reef is a little cooler than the main pool, you don snorkels and goggles and you can swim across the pool with small sharks around you. If you don’t fancy swimming then there is an underwater viewing area.

Ketchakiddee Creek is the area for youngsters. There are some brilliant little slides and a pool for children that will keep them happy for hours.

Castaway Creek is a ring ride that circles the park. The tubes can get a bit congested on busy days but it is quite a relaxing experience travelling along and through caves. There are entry ports all around the park.

There are several other slides and flumes but they are all located around the huge surf pool. The tides are a lot stronger than you might expect so hang on to little ones. The water is lovely and warm and it goes from very deep to very shallow so everyone should be happy.

There are refreshment shacks dotted around and there is a gift shop where you can also buy anything you may have forgotten like sun lotion or goggles.

My family can spend hours playing here and I am quite happy to lie amongst the palm trees, reading a book and relaxing after all the hectic theme-park days so it really suits us all.
Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 27, 2025

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
1801 West Buena Vista Drive
Orlando, Florida

Cheer!
Flag

IgoUgo

Upload Photos