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10 Best Smaller Attractions in Orlando
The three most visited attractions in Orlando are Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld Orlando.
Although these parks all deliver unique experiences and plenty of fun, Orlando has other theme parks that are also well worth visiting, so here are the 10 best smaller attractions in Orlando.
Because it doesn’t have any themed character attractions, it’s a bit overshadowed by the “Big Three,” but it is universally praised for its unique and fun rides, and the fact that the lines for the rides and attractions are very short! Fun Spot opens relatively late – 2 pm, but it remains open until midnight.
Fun Spot is home to the only wooden roller coaster in Orlando, White Lightning, which also has the distinction of being Florida’s tallest wooden roller coaster. Fun Spot is also home to the only Virtual Realty Roller Coaster in Orlando! Freedom Flyer is an inverted roller coaster.
Fun Spot is also noted for its multi-level, uniquely designed go-karts.
Gatorland has been owned by the same family since it opened and consists of a 110-acre theme park and wildlife preserve. It is the “Alligator Capital of the World®” and features plenty of crocodiles as well. Guests can stroll through a free-flight aviary and a petting zoo. The more adventurous can take a ride on the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line or for the mobility impaired, the Gator Gauntlet Zip Line.
Guests can also watch the Gator Jumparoo Show, the Gator Wrestlin’ Show, and Up Close Encounters with selected crocs, ‘gators, and even snakes! There are no on-site lodgings, but plenty of hotels, motels, b&b’s and even vacation rental homes nearby.
Rides at LEGLOLAND include NINJAGO® The Ride, AQUAZONE® Wave Racers, Boating School, Coastersoaurs, Royal Joust and Rescue Academy. Their fun shows are ‘Friends to the Rescue Live Stage Show, Pirate’s Cove Live Water Ski Show, and the Wells Fargo 4D Theater. Tickets start at $73.
There’s also a resort hotel on the property. Rooms have separate sleeping areas for kids and an entertainment center. Guests can learn how to build great LEGO creations from Master Model Builders and compete in nightly LEGO building competitions. Or stay at the LEGOLAND® Beach Retreat, about a half mile away from the theme park itself, which offers beach bungalows.
There’s an Obstacle Course and a Spider Zone Climber. There’s a Ropes Obstacle Course, with nets stretched below to catch anyone who falls. Dodgeball, Basketball, or just jumping on the Trampoline Jumper and rebounding off the walls will give the sports-minded kids and adults a jumping good time!
There’s also a Café and a video arcade.
WonderWorks is an “amusement park for the mind,” and is proud to feature “edu-tainment.” One look at WonderWorks and you’ll never forget it. The building came straight out of the Bermuda Triangle, thanks to the experiment of a mad scientist, and it landed upside down on I-Drive.
There are six Wonder Zones inside this upside down building – Natural Disasters, Physical Challenge, Light & Sound, Space Discovery, Imagination Lab and last but not least, the Far Out Art Gallery. There’s also a 3-story tall ropes course that glows in the dark, a 4D Motion Theatre, and Laser Tag.
Considering all that’s on offer here, the All Access tickets are extremely affordable.
One reason it’s called I-Drive 360 is because it’s home to Coca Cola’s Orlando Eye, a 400-foot tall observation wheel that gives riders fantastic views of Orlando – all 360° of it. The large passenger capsules have wrap-around windows so guests can enjoy the spectacular views during the day, and then enjoy the sparling lights of the city at night.
You can catch a concert here as well, from such musicians as Billy Joel. The Florida Georgia Line, Andrea Bocelli and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Major stand-up comedy acts come to this venue as well.
So once you decide when you’re visiting Orlando, check out the Amway Center’s events calendar and reserve tickets for something you’d like to see!
Although these parks all deliver unique experiences and plenty of fun, Orlando has other theme parks that are also well worth visiting, so here are the 10 best smaller attractions in Orlando.
- Fun Spot Orlando, 5700 Fun Spot Way
Because it doesn’t have any themed character attractions, it’s a bit overshadowed by the “Big Three,” but it is universally praised for its unique and fun rides, and the fact that the lines for the rides and attractions are very short! Fun Spot opens relatively late – 2 pm, but it remains open until midnight.
Fun Spot is home to the only wooden roller coaster in Orlando, White Lightning, which also has the distinction of being Florida’s tallest wooden roller coaster. Fun Spot is also home to the only Virtual Realty Roller Coaster in Orlando! Freedom Flyer is an inverted roller coaster.
Fun Spot is also noted for its multi-level, uniquely designed go-karts.
- Gatorland, 14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail
Gatorland has been owned by the same family since it opened and consists of a 110-acre theme park and wildlife preserve. It is the “Alligator Capital of the World®” and features plenty of crocodiles as well. Guests can stroll through a free-flight aviary and a petting zoo. The more adventurous can take a ride on the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line or for the mobility impaired, the Gator Gauntlet Zip Line.
Guests can also watch the Gator Jumparoo Show, the Gator Wrestlin’ Show, and Up Close Encounters with selected crocs, ‘gators, and even snakes! There are no on-site lodgings, but plenty of hotels, motels, b&b’s and even vacation rental homes nearby.
- LEGOLAND Florida Resort, One LEGOLAND Way, Winter Haven
Rides at LEGLOLAND include NINJAGO® The Ride, AQUAZONE® Wave Racers, Boating School, Coastersoaurs, Royal Joust and Rescue Academy. Their fun shows are ‘Friends to the Rescue Live Stage Show, Pirate’s Cove Live Water Ski Show, and the Wells Fargo 4D Theater. Tickets start at $73.
There’s also a resort hotel on the property. Rooms have separate sleeping areas for kids and an entertainment center. Guests can learn how to build great LEGO creations from Master Model Builders and compete in nightly LEGO building competitions. Or stay at the LEGOLAND® Beach Retreat, about a half mile away from the theme park itself, which offers beach bungalows.
- Outer Limitz Trampoline Area, 6725 South Kirkman Road
There’s an Obstacle Course and a Spider Zone Climber. There’s a Ropes Obstacle Course, with nets stretched below to catch anyone who falls. Dodgeball, Basketball, or just jumping on the Trampoline Jumper and rebounding off the walls will give the sports-minded kids and adults a jumping good time!
There’s also a Café and a video arcade.
- WonderWorks Orlando, 9067 International Drive
WonderWorks is an “amusement park for the mind,” and is proud to feature “edu-tainment.” One look at WonderWorks and you’ll never forget it. The building came straight out of the Bermuda Triangle, thanks to the experiment of a mad scientist, and it landed upside down on I-Drive.
There are six Wonder Zones inside this upside down building – Natural Disasters, Physical Challenge, Light & Sound, Space Discovery, Imagination Lab and last but not least, the Far Out Art Gallery. There’s also a 3-story tall ropes course that glows in the dark, a 4D Motion Theatre, and Laser Tag.
Considering all that’s on offer here, the All Access tickets are extremely affordable.
- I-Drive 360, 8375 International Drive
One reason it’s called I-Drive 360 is because it’s home to Coca Cola’s Orlando Eye, a 400-foot tall observation wheel that gives riders fantastic views of Orlando – all 360° of it. The large passenger capsules have wrap-around windows so guests can enjoy the spectacular views during the day, and then enjoy the sparling lights of the city at night.
- Madame Tussauds, 8401 International Drive
- Sea Life Aquarium, 8449 International Drive
- Skeletons Museum, 8411 International Drive
- Amway Center, 400 West Church Street
You can catch a concert here as well, from such musicians as Billy Joel. The Florida Georgia Line, Andrea Bocelli and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Major stand-up comedy acts come to this venue as well.
So once you decide when you’re visiting Orlando, check out the Amway Center’s events calendar and reserve tickets for something you’d like to see!