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.
- Fun Spot Orlando, 5700 Fun Spot Way
Fun Spot Orlando is a relatively small family-oriented theme park, just a bit southwest of Universal City Walk, at the start of International Drive.
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® is situated quite close to Walt Disney World and SeaWorld, not to mention the Orlando International Airport. It has been thrilling visitors since 1949.
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
LEGOLAND® is geared towards kids from 4 to 12, but really, like any of the Orlando theme parks, it’s suitable for kids of all ages. Actual kids will enjoy the rides and attractions, and the young at heart will either enjoy seeing their kids enjoying themselves, or be filled with nostalgia and spend a few hours embracing fond childhood memories.
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
Located in the International Festival shopping mall, both kids and adults will love this gigantic trampoline arena.
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 Orlando is located on I-Drive just north of the Pointe Orlando shopping mall.
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
I-Drive 360 is billed as “Orlando’s new entertainment destination.” It’s home to quite a few smaller attractions, as well as some good restaurants. It is of course located on International Drive – or I-Drive as the locals call it. I-Drive is an 11-mile long, north-south shopping, dining and attraction mecca which cuts through southern Orlando.
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
The famous Madame Tussauds Wax Museum is located inside the I-Drive 360 complex, and has on display over hundreds of wax statues of actors, politicians, sports figures, musicians and more. Have your photo taken with your favorite celebrity!
- Sea Life Aquarium, 8449 International Drive
Sea Life Aquarium is also located within the I-Drive 360 complex. Guests walk through a tunnel in which they are surrounded by sea life on all sides. The sea creatures living in this aquarium have either been rescued from injuries in the wild which makes it unsafe for them to be released back into the wild, or captive breeding programs to help ensure the survival of endangered species. Over 5,000 sea creatures are on display!
- Skeletons Museum, 8411 International Drive
SKELETON MUSEUM: Animals Unveiled, is located beneath the Orlando Eye. It’s a new museum open 365 days a year, and is chock full over 400 animal skeletons of all kinds. It’s educational, and it’s fun.
- Amway Center, 400 West Church Street
For the sports enthusiast, a visit to the Amway Center in downtown Orlando is a must. The Amway Center hosts, in the appropriate season, the Orlando Solar Bears minor league hockey team and the Orlando Magic NBA basketball team.
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!
