Family Vacation GuideOrlando

This 110-acre wildlife reserve is filled with gators and fun attractions. Zipline over a gator-infested lake, even pose for a wrestling photo.

Orlando International Airport is the gateway for most people visiting the area. It's a 25-30 drive from a majority of Orlando Resorts.

Home to dozens of shops, restaurants, Cirque du Soleil, and more, it's a nice way to spend an afternoon or evening. You get a taste of Disney without the price of park admission.

You may be on the ground, but it sure feels like you're flying across the skyscrapers of Manhattan in this 3-D ride with stunning effects.

Equal to the thrill of taking off in a jet plane without a windshield, this riveting ride takes you from zero to 40 MPH in about two seconds.

You get to pick a song to listen to as you fly down 17 stories on the world's first non-inverting loop.

Drop down 185 feet and you'll feel weightless. Then you jolt upwards at the speed of a space shuttle.

Two rides in one, you can pick one of two dragons to race on intertwining loops. It's worth trying both, and with two coasters, the line goes faster.

Embark on a whirlwind adventure with Harry and his friends as you fly through the classrooms and halls of Hogwarts Castle.

This is how wizards use the ATM. Zoom through the underground vaults of Gringotts Bank in a multi-dimensional 3-D thrill ride.

What could possibly go wrong on a leisurely jungle cruise in Jurassic Park? Well, the raptors get loose, and now you have to escape by plunging down an 85-foot waterfall.

Fire lights up the ceiling and scarab beetles cover the walls. Then everything goes pitch black and you don't know whether to hold your breath or scream.

This classic log flume sends you flying over a 75-foot drop with a cool story beforehand that will have kids laughing.

Right next to the Orlando Eye, this pirate-themed mini golf course is a fun daytime activity for when you're not exploring the parks.

This I-Drive attraction is an odd museum filled with all the unbelievable anomalies of the world like six-legged cows, vampires, and giants.

Kids get to learn about science, the fun way, by doing cool interactive experiments. The upside down building is quite a sight too.

This smaller theme park is home to classic, hard-hitting thrill rides. Ride the slingshot and fly 300 feet in the air.

This old-timey themed park and shopping mall has bumper cars, laser tag, an arcade, go carts, and haunted house, among stores and restaurants.

Tons of thrilling waterslides will keep you cool on a hot Orlando day. The park will close in Dec. 31, 2016 to make way for another, bigger one: Universal's Volcano Bay.

The water's always cool and clear in this natural spring. Take a scenic walk and then hop on in. Sure beats swimming with the gators.

They've got griddles by your tables where you can make your own pancakes. This 300-year-old mill at De Leon Springs was onced used by Spanish sugar plantations.

In this gorgeous coastal river, you have the opportunity to swim with hundreds of manatees. You can even kiss these loveable Sea Cows.

Sixty minutes from Orlando is a beach park, perfect for picnic. Bring your bathing suit and swim with dolphins and manatees in the warm ocean.

Downtown Orlando is bustling with culture, great food, shopping, and other fun. It's definitely worth checking out on a day outside the parks.

Stop for lunch or dinner on their gorgeous lakeside patio and admire the reflection of skyscrapers on the water.

Their calamari is amazing and the pan-fried Gator Tail Tenderloin is something you've gotta try. Sit outside by the lake or in their upscale, yet casual dining room.

It's a hipster's sports bar with creative burgers, big screen TVs, and an eclectic mix of graffiti art.

Twists on classic dishes include Smoked Salmon Flatbread, Herb Truffle Fries, and Cajun Lime Calamari. This spot is a downtown favorite.

The rustic wood and lamp-post lanterns make for an inviting atmosphere. Try the Smoked Black-Eyed Pea Tortellini or Hanger Steak with Molasses Glaze.

Kayak or paddle through a dense swamp forest at the headwaters of the Florida Everglades.

Take a boat ride on the canals that connect the lakes of Winter Park. You'll pass through a botanical garden and cruise by a sculpture garden. Then go explore the town.

With something for all ages, they have 8 unique ropes courses and one zipline.

You fly across over a mile of cables on a course of 8 ziplines. Set up as dual racing zips, you can race your friends and family as you go.

It's rustic southern food, locally grown at the restaurant's own garden. Flavors are fresh, seasonal, and bold.

Artists paint, musicians play, and you eat, very well that is, at this Florida-inspired, tapas restaurant.

Chicago-style deep dish is a great way to satisfy your hunger after a day at the parks.

Chicago-style deep dish is a great way to satisfy your hunger after a day at the parks.

Pancakes are the size of your dinner plate, which makes it easy for more than one kid to split an order. You can even grab breakfast to-go on your way to the parks.

Great sushi, bento boxes with teriyaki, and huge noodle bowls make this pan-Asian kitchen a great spot for exciting food with the family.

Gather for great food, local art vendors, and family activities in this quaint historic town near Orlando.

Recognized as one of the best free art events in the country, you can walk the streets of beautiful Winter Park and see (and buy!) hundreds of works by local artists.

The rides, cotton candy, and petting zoo may seem puny next to the huge attractions at Disney and Universal. But they offer an interesting, local-centric change of pace.

You can buy crafts by local artisans and fresh produce in a shaded grove by Lake Eola.

Head south to downtown Kissimmee for their summer farmers market, held every Tuesday.

This hip town is brimming with great restaurants, boutique shops, and botanical gardens, all along three gorgeous lakes.

One of the most magical ways to travel is on the smooth, futuristic cars of Disney's monorail system.

One of the most magical ways to travel is on the smooth, futuristic cars of Disney's monorail system.

Disney's monorail connects three resorts: Contemporary, Polynesian Village, and the Grand Floridian to Epcot and Magic Kingdom.

Disney's monorail connects three resorts: Contemporary, Polynesian Village, and the Grand Floridian to Epcot and Magic Kingdom.

Disney's monorail connects three resorts: Contemporary, Polynesian Village, and the Grand Floridian to Epcot and Magic Kingdom.

The hub of Disney transit, this is where you'll park your car if you're going to Magic Kingdom.

You can travel by ferry to Hollywood Studios from three resorts: Swan & Dolphin Resort, Disney's Boardwalk Resort, and Disney's Yacht Club Resort.

You can travel by ferry to Epcot from three resorts: Swan & Dolphin Resort, Disney's Boardwalk Resort, and Disney's Yacht Club Resort.

Board here if you're staying at Swan & Dolphin Resort and take a ferry to either Epcot of Hollywood Studios.

Board here if you're staying at Disney's Boardwalk Resort and take a ferry to either Epcot of Hollywood Studios.

Board here if you're staying at Disney's Yacht Club Resort and take a ferry to either Epcot of Hollywood Studios.

If the monorail looks too crowded, this is a great way to make it from the parking lot to Magic Kingdom

Board here if you're staying at Polynesian Resort for the ferry to Magic Kingdom.

Board here if you're staying at the Grand Floridian Resort for the ferry to Magic Kingdom.

You can travel by ferry to Magic Kingdom from five resorts: Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, and Contemporary Resort.

Board here if you're staying at Disney's Wilderness Lodge for the ferry to Magic Kingdom.

Board here if you're staying at Disney's Contemporary Resort for the ferry to Magic Kingdom.

Styled after a Polynesian Village, this fun resort has a Hawaiian vibe with great restaurants and the lively Trader Sam's Grotto.

Two properties, including Bay Lake Tower, make up this modernist palace. It has a huge indoor courtyard with the monorail running through it.

Steeped in old-school Southern charm and elegance, this luxury Victorian, offers picture perfect views of the lake.

It's the Italian restaurant where the Lady and the Trap ate from the same plate. They serve pasta, pizza, and Italian classics.

Sit down for a family-style Thanksgiving feast, any time of year. Enjoy New England food too in an elegant dining hall from the time of our founding fathers.

You can see the candy makers making fudge, taffy, and brittle behind the counter. It's an old-fashioned candy shoppe on Main Street USA

This tiki hut serves frozen slushies, juice, and cookies, perfect for a hot day in Magic Kingdom.

Even in the future, the classic sundae reigns supreme. Stop by for a cold ice cream or soda float in Tomorrowland.

This beautiful glass atrium is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and host to daily meet and greets.

Inside Cinderella's Castle, this royal banquet hall has food fit for a princess with a refined palate. Make sure to reserve far ahead of time!

Hidden in Pinocchio Village Haus restaurant is a secret fairy wish book where you can write down your wildest wishes. The Blue Fairy checks it regularly ;)