Orlando theme parks

$159–$209 on dates we checked Closes 6 p.m. on party nights Monorail or ferry from the TTC

Magic Kingdom

The most expensive Disney day, and the park where planning pays most. Rope drop order, the Lightning Lane math, party-night early closings and what is walled off in 2026.

Walt Disney World tickets Disney Lightning Lane explained Is Lightning Lane Multi Pass worth it?

Pairs well with

$144–$199 on dates we checked 9 a.m.–9 p.m. on every date seen Monorail or Skyliner

EPCOT

The best Disney park for adults and the easiest to tour: five rides with real lines, a festival nearly all year, and a lagoon loop of food booths. How to split the day and what to skip.

EPCOT World Showcase loop EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival Disney Lightning Lane explained

Pairs well with

The Hollywood Tower Hotel, home of Tower of Terror, rising behind tall palm trees at Hollywood Studios

$154–$204 on dates we checked 9 a.m.–9 p.m. on dates seen Skyliner, bus or car

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Dog Dash and the new Muppets coaster, and not much else that moves. Why this is the most Lightning-Lane-dependent Disney park, and when it is only a half day.

Disney Lightning Lane explained Is Lightning Lane Multi Pass worth it?EPCOT

Pairs well with

$119–$184 on dates we checked Opens 8 a.m., closes by 7 p.m. Pandora, safari, Everest

Disney's Animal Kingdom

The lowest-priced Disney day and the one that rewards an early start most. DinoLand closed in February 2026, so plan a morning of Pandora, the safari and Everest, then leave.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jiko - The Cooking Place Disney Lightning Lane explained

Pairs well with

1 day $125-$180 before tax 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sep 22 Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Studios Florida

Diagon Alley and Gringotts are still the reason to go. Rip Ride Rockit and Fast & Furious are gone, the new coaster is due in 2027, and the fall 2026 thrill lineup is thin.

Universal Islands of Adventure Universal Epic Universe Universal Orlando tickets

Pairs well with

Hogwarts Castle on a rocky crag above pine trees against a blue sky at Islands of Adventure

1 day $125-$180 before tax 9 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sep 22 VelociCoaster, Hagrid's, Hulk

Universal Islands of Adventure

The strongest ride lineup in Orlando, with Hogsmeade on top. In fall 2026 the water ride is closed, Lost Continent is being demolished, and Kong is back without its animatronic.

Universal Studios Florida Universal Epic Universe Universal Orlando tickets

Pairs well with

1 day $140-$200 before tax 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sep 22 1001 Epic Boulevard

Universal Epic Universe

Universal's newest park opened May 22, 2025 with five themed worlds. The rides are the best in Orlando. The ticket, Express and early-entry rules differ from the older parks, and it pays to know them.

Is Epic Universe worth it?Universal Orlando tickets Universal Islands of Adventure

Pairs well with

Online $59.99-$97.99, fall 2026 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sep 22 7007 Sea World Drive

SeaWorld Orlando

Half the price of Universal, with Orlando's tallest coaster. Orcas still live and perform here, though breeding ended in 2016. Buy All-Day Dining with the ticket, not separately.

Is the SeaWorld All-Day Dining Deal worth it?Aquatica Orlando Discovery Cove

Pairs well with

Krakatau volcano with waterfalls at Volcano Bay, seen from a wooden boardwalk by the wave pool

1 day $81-$86 before tax Closed Oct 26, 2026 to spring 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sep 22

Universal Volcano Bay

Universal's water park is $81 on most fall dates and closes for the winter after October 25, 2026. The TapuTapu wristband and virtual lines ended in October 2025, so you queue like anywhere else.

Aquatica Orlando Universal Orlando tickets Disney's Typhoon Lagoon

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Online $51.99-$65.99 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sep 22 5800 Water Play Way

Aquatica Orlando

SeaWorld's water park costs less than Volcano Bay, has twin wave pools, and was selling tickets for December and January while Universal's water park is shut.

Universal Volcano Bay SeaWorld Orlando Disney's Typhoon Lagoon

Pairs well with

Skip it

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon

Closed since September 9, 2026, with no return date. When it reopens it is the Disney water park to pick for its giant surf pool; until then, your ticket works at Blizzard Beach.

Closed from September 9, 2026 $74 adult, $68 child (3–9) North America's largest wave pool

Disney's Blizzard Beach Universal Volcano Bay Aquatica Orlando

Pairs well with

$74 adult, $68 child (3–9) 10 a.m.–5 p.m. on dates seen Summit Plummet: 12 stories

Disney's Blizzard Beach

The thrill-slide water park, and for now the only Disney one running. Worth a hot day on a long trip, especially with teenagers; on a short trip or a cool day, skip it.

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Universal Volcano Bay Aquatica Orlando

Pairs well with

Online from $79 adult, $39 child About 45 min from Orlando Winter Haven

LEGOLAND Florida

A park built for children aged 2 to 12, in Winter Haven rather than Orlando. Buy online, check the calendar for closed weekdays, and do not bring teenagers.

Orlando with kids ICON Park and The Wheel Getting around Orlando

Pairs well with

$159-$329 per person, fall 2026 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily Food and drink included

Discovery Cove

A limited-attendance day resort with snorkeling, a dolphin swim option and unlimited food and drink. The price is high, but it includes more than any other Orlando park. It suits couples and families with children six and up.