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.

This 8-minute ride takes you through pirate battles and the adventures of Jack Sparrow. It's great for all ages, but really young kids might get scared.

Restless ghosts party in the halls of this haunted mansion. It's a delightfully scary ride for all ages. Kids will even love playing with the cooky attractions in the line.

It's one of the best attractions with the shortest wait. You venture inside a Disney movie, and wind hits you as fall, water splashes you, and you even get a whiff of perfume in Aladdin.

This coaster dips and dives, howling through the darkness of space. It's magical, futuristic, and very popular. So be sure to reserve your fastpass+ ahead of time.

You control the spin and blasters on Buzz Lightyear's spaceship. Aim for the evil Emperor Zurg and score points. You may just get the high score.

You spin around in oversized tea cups in this Alice in Wonderland themed ride.

It starts as a calm river ride with animatronic animals, and ends with a huge drop down a waterfall. Sit up front if you want to get wet.

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 ;)

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

For younger kids, this roller coaster is a blast. You get to fly on a trusty winged beast and don't have to wait in line too long.

Find the hidden meeting place of evil wizards who practice the Dark Arts. Keep your eyes peeled. It's not marked.

If your daughter is ages 2-10, this meet and greet with Anna and Elsa may just make their vacation. Lines are long! So come early, late, or at lunch time.

Laugh and sing along with Anna and Elsa. You become part of the frozen experience in this amazing retelling.

During the holidays, the entire castle has so many lights that they look like frosting or glowing streams of (magic) water.

One of the park's most popular parades, Festival of Fantasy is a celebration of all the amazing characters that make Disney what it is.

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, thousands of lights decorate Disney floats at this Magic Kingdom parade.

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

Pyrotechnics and music combine in a spectacular battle between good and evil.

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

Mickey and his friends have some serious dance moves. This afternoon dance party rolls down the track on Main Street USA.

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.

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.

Probably the best way to energize tired kids on a hot day is this holy combination of Disney Characters and air-conditioning.

Ellen DeGeneres and Bill Nye "The Science Guy" teach kids about energy from solar and atomic power to prehistoric volcanoes.

Hosted by Coca Cola, this showcase has dozens of sodas, which you can sample for free. Make sure to try the delicious soda called Beverly.

It's a fun little boat ride with the three caballeros. You explore Mexico through animation, superimposed over live-action clips of Acapulco, Chichen Itza, and Mexico City.

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

Bruce the Shark, Nemo, and friends swim through the coral reef of an actual aquarium.

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

You compete with family and friends in five different shooting games, as you take aim at moving targets with a shot at the high score.

It's a zany 3D movie starring the Muppets with bubbles that come out from under your seat. This show is a huge hit with the little ones and fun for parents too.

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

Journey into the jungles of Jurassic Park and the wacky world of Seuss Landing. You'll find thrills with an adventurous twist.

Walk through the home of Gru and his daughters and into the laboratory of an evil genius to see what life is like as minion.

If you're a fan, this is the time to visit. It's a celebration of Harry Potter with Q&A discussions featuring popular cast members and a costume expo.

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.

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

What little kid doesn't love stepping back into the prehistoric times when dinosaurs roamed the Earth.

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.

Talented performers re-enact scenes from Finding Nemo with giant puppets. It's an entertaining and air-conditioned break from the heat.

Walk into the Tree of Life and you turn into a bug. It's an amazing 3D show that takes you into a tiny world where a blade of grass seems like a tree.

This Broadway-style show uses singing, dancing, and acrobatics to bring the story of The Lion King to life.

This track and motion simulator transports you back in time to save a living dinosaur before the big meteor. If only it were real.

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.

It's one of the of the most magical events at Disney World. The park is decorated with snow and millions of lights, and Christmas parties happen almost every night.

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.

September and October, Magic Kingdom is decorated with hundreds of jack-o-lanterns, and Disney characters are dressed in their finest costumes.

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.

SeaWorld's waterpark combines thrilling slides with sea life exhibits. The iconic Dolphin Plunge sends you flying down a tube into an actual dolphin sanctuary.

SeaWorld takes you inside the lives of dolphins, orcas, seals, and even penguins with a number of thrilling shows. There are two roller coasters and dozens of attractions.

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.

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!

It's a cool interactive show, where Crush, the surfer-dude turtle from Finding Nemo talks with guests in the audience. Little ones will love it!

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.

Perfect for kids 12 and under, the park is filled with face painting, trick or treating, and other fun games and activities.

"O Wondrous Night," is a SeaWorld tradition which tells the story of Christmas from the perspective of 30 live animals.

How often can you say you've dined with a whale? This unique dinner show offers a buffet of organic food hosted by the orcas and their trainers.

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.

Earning the TripAdvisor certificate of excellence, this is probably one of the best outlet shops in the US. You'll find tons of deals and a large food court.

It might not be as big as Vineland, but this sister property has great savings from designer labels such Coach, Cole Haan, and Michael Kors.

Though smaller than the other outlets, it's home to Calvin Klein, American Eagle, Reebok, and Skechers. Sometimes fewer options can make shopping easier.

It's geared towards value-minded shoppers and features top brands like Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, and Guess,

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.

Cool down and rest your feet in this selcom busy attraction. It's a tour of American households through the decades.

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.