Florida Vacation Spots

Florida Vacation Spots - So you are headed to Florida for a trip to Disney World but your park tickets are for 2 or 3 days what else is there to do on your Florida vacation? In additional to Disney World, Orlando itself is a vibrant, thriving destination offering visitors an exciting array of vacation options guaranteed to provide a lifetime of priceless family memories.

Here are some great Florida vacation spots in addition to Disney World. Please keep in mind we would strongly suggest doing Disney World last on your trip as it is difficult to beat the "The Happiest Place on Earth".

Wet'n Wild Orlando

Want to cool off on your Florida vacation? Get wet year round at the #1 water park in Florida, Wet'n Wild. The water is always warm and the rides are always a thrill.

With ride names like Black Hole, The Storm, Mach 5 and the Surge you know why this water park is a favorite for the teens seeking slippery slopes, spiral drops or tunnels and flumes. It's not all for teens or the brave at heart. Kids who are good swimmers as young as 5 can enjoy some thrill slides and have a blast climbing ropes to the top of Bubble up and sliding down.

Toddlers have it made at Kids Park with its huge shallow pool, mini slides, anchored water guns and rope swing. If you are hitting the park in the morning arrive early and grab lounge chairs by the parks center piece a 17,000 square foot surf lagoon. Remember to mark your base camp with beach towels and then head off for family fun.

If you're visiting in the heat of the summer late or early evening can be ideal time to show up at Wet n Wild for some Florida vacation spot fun. You will avoid getting scorched and you will get $10.00 discount off admission after 5pm. The park is open until 10pm most summer nights so it is a great deal! With pools, water rides, slides, and the Kid's Park, Wet'n Wild is always a Florida vacation spot for the whole family.

Universal Orlando Theme Parks

Include Universal Orland Resort Theme Parks in your Florida vacation spot planning. Don't sit back watching your kids have fun, you have fun together. Regardless of your age you will find fun and excitement at both Universal Theme Parks.

Universal Studios - Is your family all about the movies? Have your kids always dreamed of being a star for a day? Then Universal Studios is a must one of your Florida vacation spots.

Go beyond the screen and Ride the Movies at Universal Studios. At this real working motion picture studio you'll find an incredible array of rides, shows, movie sets and attractions that put you right into your favorite scenes from your favorite movies.

Universal is known for teen appeal and the movie themed thrills it delivers. A day in the park with Barney, or Curious George at Woody Wood peckers kid zone will definitely keep the tots in your family happy too.

Universal studios may require the grown ups to split up if you have younger kids and teens, but the whole family will enjoy the Wild Wild west stunt show an action comedy with a behind the scenes look at how movie stunts are performed. For good eats try Universal CityWalk where you will find great places like the NASCAR Cafe, Mel's drive In for great burgers and shakes and 50's theme or The Hard Rock Cafe if you have all teens.

Universal Islands of Adventure Theme Park

Looking for adventure in your Florida vacation spot? The Universal Islands Adventure Theme Park is for those of you true thrill seekers with five islands: Marvel Super Hero Island, The Lost Continent, Jurassic Park, Seuss Landing and Toon Lagoon.

While Universal Adventure is all about thrill rides, you should be aware just because your child meets the height requirement doesn't mean they can handle the scare of the ride. Younger guests will love the Seuss Island rides and the Jurassic Park Discovery center to learn all about Dinosaurs. The entire family will enjoy water rides as a way to cool off, like Popeye and Blutos Bilge-Rat Barges.

SeaWorld Orlando

If your family has never been to SeaWorld it really is a "must" among Florida vacation spots. The park's Shamu Show is the star attraction for the entire family. There is plenty to keep you all entertained between Shamu shows with a Sea Lion and Otter Stadium (where the seals and walruses are up to some hilarious antics), shark tanks, feeding the dolphins, and the polar bear exhibit. There is also Kraken a floorless rollercoaster that your family will love.

If you arrive at park opening head straight to Dolphin Cove you can get a space right next to the edge at Dolphin cove allowing your kids to put their hands in the tank and even pet a dolphin.

Don't forget swimsuits, towels and water shoes for the kids for Shamu's Happy Harbor. This massive playground combines a large water play area with spots where kids can climb, dig, and bounce around.

Gatorland

Another favorite Florida vacation spot is Gatorland, a 110 acre theme park offering a great way for your family to spend a half a day of adventure viewing alligators from a foot long to 8 feet long. You will certainly wonder if the Gatorland animal handler is just a little crazy as he stands in a sandy ring surrounded by several 6 to 8 feet long alligators for gator the wrestling show!

You can feed the gators just as you enter the park (you can buy a packet of hot dogs) or there is a Gator Jumperoo show where they pit gators against each other for a whole chicken.

For younger kids there is also a gatorland express train to take you on a leisurely train ride around the park, a wet and dry playground, and a petting zoo.

Kennedy Space Center

If you have ever dreamed about "exploring the final frontier" then a trip to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is a great Florida vacation spot. An entire days worth of fun can be had here walking through space station module re-creations and examining the astronaut living quarters, revisiting the Apollo moon missions, and even making virtual visits to the red planet in the exhibit Mad Mission to Mars 2005. The space center is really designed for kids 4 and up.

Wekiwa Springs State Park

Not looking for another theme park for your Florida vacation spot? Then try Wekiwa Springs State Park. A cool place for a summer swim, it provides a playground, canoeing, hiking, and picnicking with its 6,900 acres. The entire family will enjoy splashing and swimming in the Wekiwa springs or canoeing down the Weikwa River. At only $5.00 per car it is a great inexpensive Florida vacation spot.

Busch Gardens

Bush Gardens, a favorite Florida vacation spot, is a 355 acre family adventure park featuring unforgettable up-close animal encounters, world class thrill rides, the boldest off road safari and wild river adventure. If your kids love safari animals, chimps, gorillas, zebras and giraffes then this is must for your Florida Vacation and is worth the hour drive from Orlando.

With 2,700 animals Busch Gardens is one of the largest zoos anywhere and would make a great stop on your Florida vacation spot adventure. There is a water park next door to Busch Gardens called Adventure Island which is a splash above most, so be aware you might be hit up to go here too!

Florida is a natural vacation destination for families with Disney World, theme parks, and numerous attractions just in the Orlando area to entertain families for days were sure you'll find your favorite Florida vacation spot!

Florida Vacation Rentals

As you research Florida Vacation Spots you might want to consider a Florida vacation rental to stay at. Below are the current active listing from EBAY for vacation rentals, our guidance would be to review the property and then look at the feedback rating of the seller. You need to look for a feedback rating of 100% and read the comments given to be sure that the property is as advertised.

More great family vacation destinations besides Florida vacation spots back at the home page.