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.

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.

In the big tree in liberty square you can find 13 lanterns representing the 13 colonies. Come by in the evening and watch them glow.

It's hard not to get a tear at this touching ceremony. Every day at 5 pm, the marching band plays and a random guest is presented with the flag.

It's like stepping inside a storybook from your childhood. You enter a land of fairy tales, pirates, astronauts, and cowboys. This is Disney World's flagship park.

You'll see a parade with Mickey as a Jedi Knight, tons of fans dressed as characters, and celebrity guests. It runs every weekend from mid-May to mid-June.

Every night, fireworks light up the sky over Cinderella's Castle, while "When You Wish Upon a Star" plays triumphantly in the background.

Nightly fireworks erupt on the lake at Epcot and a laser light show mixes themes from the cultures of the world.

Fireworks light up Cinderella's Castle, while you finish off the night with a dessert party over the lake in Tomorrowland.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Tour 11 countries through their culture and food, as you walk around a lagoon. Then, see the triumphs of human technology and the wonders of the natural world.

Take a realistic aerial tour over California from the beaches of LA to the stunning Yosemite Valley.

It's in almost every photo of Epcot. This 16-story futuristic globe is home to a ride that takes you past breakthroughs in technology.

You start in a rainforest and take a boat past prairies, deserts, and exotic greenhouses.

It's an animatronic tribute to the big personalities of American history from Mark Twain to Ben Franklin.

Gather round the main stage on summer nights for this family-friendly concert series.

Storytellers from around the world describe their holiday customs and stories.

In this quirky ceremony that takes place entirely in Japanese, you get to select an oyster and have it opened for you to reveal a pearl, which is yours to keep.

Hollywood Studios shows you how movies come to life. See behind the scenes, hair-raising stunts, and movie sets that give the illusion of being in another place.

Fly through a Star Wars battle in a 3D moving theater that makes you feel like you're zipping around the Deathstar. You may just make the Kessel run in 12 parsecs.

Hop aboard Steven Tyler's limo and ride through the freeways of Los Angeles with the music of Aerosmith on the radio. It's a roller coaster race to the concert.

You ride up 13 stories in a creepy abandoned hotel from 1939. Then, suddenly, you drop down to the bottom, and shoot back up again.

They're getting away! Stunt cars, jet skis, and motorcycles go into hot pursuit in this live action stunt show. Keep your eyes peeled for Lightening McQueen.

Tour sets out of famous films from romances, gangster flicks, and westerns.

Your guide takes you on a Jeep ride that traverses an animal sanctuary. They'll stop along the way to show you giraffes, elephants, and lions.

It's a fun roller coaster with backwards motion on the tallest mountain in the world. Keep an eye out for the Yeti!

It's a zoo, an animal sanctuary, and an amusement park in one. Go on a safari, explore the Himalayas and venture back to when dinosaurs roamed the Earth.

This 400-foot tall ferris wheel has changed the Orlando skyline forever. Get the best view of the city as you ride the loop.

It's the best of a Mardi Gras parade, but without the mayhem and debauchery. So dawn your shiny beads and try some Cajun-style food.

Geared for teens and adults, it's not for the faint of heart. Haunted houses and Scare Zones will scare the living bejeezus out of you.

Seuss Landing becomes a winter wonderland at Christmas time. And what better way to get in the Christmas spirit than with the anti-Claus.

It's an amazing event to say the least, but be advised, the park can get extremely crowded on New Year's Eve and New Years Day.

Dozens of topiary sculptures recreate Disney characters in greenery. You'll also see elegant flower displays and a number of farm-to-table food stands.

Mother's and Father's Day is a magical way for parents and lovers of Disney to spend their special day. Crowds also tend to be less.

After a patriotic ceremony, pyrotechnics erupt in beautiful sparks all throughout the park.

All around World Showcase you'll find 25 to 30 booths with food and drink from parts of the world not normally featured in Epcot.

It's more interactive than SeaWorld, next door. You get to swim with dolphins, play with otters, and feed tropical birds.

It's the big show that you think of when you think SeaWorld. Orcas jump high in the air and dolphins do all kinds of crazy tricks.

There's nothing like stepping out of Florida and into Antarctica. This tame motion simulator ride takes you through the world of a penguin colony.

You fly like a Manta Ray, hanging from the coaster above. It feels a lot like how you might imagine hang gliding to be.

Alright Hamilton! This 20 minute show features sea lions in a fictional high school, performing tricks and wacky antics as they work to earn their diplomas. Come at pre-show for good seats!

From June 20 to Aug 9, the park is open late and hosts nightly shows and fireworks. On weekends they throw the "Celebrating America" concert series.

Hop on this elevator that takes you above it all. You'll have a great view of the entire park, and a nice, relaxing moment too.

Animatronic versions of all 43 US presidents premier in this 20 minute sit-down performance. It's a great opportunity to relax in an air-conditioned auditorium.

From Liberty Square to Splash Mountain is a nice shaded walkway with plenty of benches where you can relax and watch the riverboat.

It's a 25-minute show with many types of exotic birds. Relax and enjoy the wildlife.

Hop aboard the Walt Disney World Railroad for a 20 minute ride around the entire park. It's a great way to relax, see the whole park, and get around.

Madame Tussauds wax museum features shockingly life-like sculptures of history's famous icons. The museum is part of the I-Drive 360 area, which is also home to the Orlando Eye.