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Totally Awesome Guide to Legoland Florida Rides

Masters of Flight Legoland Florida
Masters of Flight Legoland Florida

Legoland Florida is one of the best theme parks for little kids and big kids to visit.   There is so much to see and do at the park including thrill rides, chill rides, character meet and greets, and spectacular shows.  It is one of my kiddos favorite theme parks in Florida.

Let’s dive in and take a look at all of the totally awesome Legoland Florida rides!  The Legoland Florida theme park has ten sections each with its own unique Lego theme.

In this post, the rides are organized by thematic section.

Pro-Tip:  Be sure to stop by the infographic at the park entrance so you can see which rides your kid(s) can ride based on their height(s).

Legoland Florida Rides by Section

Fun Town

Fun Town is where you’ll find the first attractions.  A two-level carousel called Grand Carousel and the Wells Fargo Fun Town Theater which features 4D films.

Grand Carousel

Grand Carousel is a double decker slow moving carousel ride that your kids will absolutely love. The ride is outfitted with animal statues and benches.  The second floor tends to fill up pretty quickly.

Pro-Tip:  Save the carousel for last!  Head to the back of the park, instead, to take advantage of shorter lines.  Many visitors are tempted to hit up the carousel first thing since it is the first ride in the park.  

Ride Requirements:  Riders below 48″ must be accompanied by an adult or  a responsible person 14 years or older.

The Grand Carousel Legoland Florida

Heartlake City

Heartlake City opened in 2015 and centers around the Lego Friends series.  It has 1 ride- Mia’s Riding Adventure, a theater, and a heart-shaped fountain with Lego brick instruments.

Mia's Riding Adventure

If your little one is a thrill seeker, you won’t want to miss this one!  Saddle up and join Mia for a riding adventure!  On this spinning ride, you’ll travel forward and backward on a circular platform that sits on a U-shaped track.

Ride Requirements:  Riders must be 48″ or higher.

Duplo Valley

This area was designed with toddlers in mind.  It hosts two rides Duplo Train, and Duplo Tractor, an air-conditioned playground called Duplo Farm, an outdoor playground, and a toddler splash pad.

Duplo Train

A slow moving train coasts along gentle bends on this toddler friendly ride.

Ride Requirements:  Riders below 34″ must be accompanied by an adult.

Duplo Tractor

Cruise around the Duplo farm in this slow moving tractor ride.  The tractor moves along a track going around smooth turns.

This was one of the first Legoland Florida rides that our family enjoyed together.  The boys are obsessed with vehicles these days so it was perfect for them!

Ride Requirements:  Riders below 42″ must be accompanied by an adult or a responsible person 14 years or older.

Duplo Tractor Legoland Florida

Lego Kingdoms

Journey back into medieval times at Lego Kingdoms.  The Dragon is a remodeled roller coaster from the park’s Cypress Garden days.  Here, you’ll also find a toddler friendly ride called The Royal Joust, a small circular rollercoaster called Merlin’s Challenge, and a playground known as The Forestmen’s Hideout.

This was our family’s favorite of all the Legoland Florida rides!

The Dragon

This super awesome (and totally hilarious) indoor/outdoor roller coaster offers a look into the life within the enchanted Legoland castle.  

The Royal Joust

This ride is perfect for little ones.  Mount a Lego horse and travel across medieval Legoland.  

Merlin's Challenge

This was our family’s favorite Legoland Florida ride!  Climb aboard a Lego train and cruise around this fast, spinning circular rollercoaster.  

Land of Adventure

You’ll find a treasure chest of fun in this Ancient Egyptian themed section.  Don’t miss Beetle Bounce, Coastersaurus, Lost Kingdom Adventure, Safari Trek, and Pharaoh’s Revenge- a super fun playground.

Beetle Bounce

The line for the Legoland Florida ride moves super fast!  The Beetle Bounce takes riders on a bouncy flight on an obelisk.  Riders are lifted 15-feet into the air and dropped quickly down.  Our oldest (7) and our youngest (4) loved this ride!

Coastersaurus

Travel through a prehistoric jungle filled with life-sized lego dinosaurs on this classic Legoland Florida ride.  This junior coaster is perfect for kids that aren’t quite tall enough or old enough for the more intense thrill rides.  

Since the coaster is designed for young riders, grown-ups might find the carts a little cramped.

Lost Kingdom Adventure

This is another one of our favorite Legoland Florida rides!  Riders travel back to ancient Egypt in search for treasure on this dark, indoor ride.  As you’re coasting through Egypt, you’re equipped with a laser blaster for protection.  Shoot at targets to see how many points you can acquire!

Safari Trek

Board a slow moving off-road vehicle and travel through the African plains.  See if you can spot giraffes, elephants, lions, and more!

The Lego Movie World

This section is centered around The Lego Movie.  There are three main attractions here including Masters of Flight, a flying theater attraction, Unikitty’s Discodrop, and Battle of Bricksburg a super wet family-fun ride.

Masters of Flight Legoland Florida

Masters of Flight

Climb aboard Emmet’s Triple Decker Couch and magically get transported into the LEGO MOVIE Universe.  You’ll soar to Cloud Cuckoo Land, MIddle Zealand, Pirate’s Cove, and more in this flying theatre.  Be prepared to experience mist, wind and smells on this super fun Legoland Florida ride!

Unikitty's Discodrop

This ride is very similar to Beetle Bounce.  Riders are taken on a bouncy flight that spins around in circles as it bounces you up and down.  

Battle of Bricksburg

You’re almost guaranteed to get wet on this family-fun water ride!  Hope on our boat and coast around the town of Bricksburg defending it against evil Duplo alien invaders.

Lego City

A Lego Mustang at Legoland Florida

Cruise into the heart of Lego City for trunk loads of fun! Kids can act like grown-ups and drive almost every vehicle imaginable!   Here you’ll find Ford Driving School, Ford Jr. Driving School, Flying School, Boating School, and Rescue Academy.

Ford Driving School

Kids 6-13 climb into cars for this “real-life” driving experience.  After navigating around the other absolutely insane drivers, kids receive their official LEGOLAND driver’s license.

Ford Jr. Driving School

This scaled down version of the driving school is for kids 3-5.  They get to cruise around a smaller, less chaotic road course.  At the end of their driving test, they will receive their very own driver’s license.  

Flying School

This ride is perfect for thrill seekers!  Take flight and soar on this iconic Legoland Florida ride.  You’ll twist, turn, and glide through the air on a steel coaster.  

Boating School

This is the quintessential Legoland Florida ride!  Visitors get to captain their very own speedboat.  Using the gas pedal and steering wheel, you’ll be in total control of our boat. 

Kids love this ride!    There are Legoland employees guiding captains so they can safely navigate the water.  The rides duration depends on the rider’s control, but it usually lasts between 4 and 7 minutes.  

There are several boats, however, so the line moves rather quickly.

Rescue Academy

Ring the alarm!  There’s a fire!  It is up to your family to rush to the fire, put it out, and make your way back to the station.  This ride is very hands on. It requires quite a bit of energy, strength, and teamwork to make the firetruck move.  This was our family’s least favorite Legoland Florida ride.

Lego Technic

In this section you’ll find Technicycle, a pedal-powered spinning machine that propels you into the air, The Great Lego Race coaster, and AQUAZONE Wave Racers.

Technicycle

The faster you peddle, the higher your paraglider will travel on this wild and crazy peddle-powered spinning machine.

The Great Lego Race

Lego masters!  Start your engines!  The Great Lego Race puts riders in the center of an action-filled road race on this super thrilling rollercoaster.

AQUAZONE Wave Racers

It wouldn’t be a Legoland Florida ride without a bit of water!  Cruise over the water in your own water craft!  As soon as the racers start moving, you have the ability to control your Wave Racer.  Steering the wave racer can help you avoid blasts of water- otherwise, prepare to get wet!  

Pro-Tip:  There are two different platforms on the Aquazone Wave Ravers, so the line moves faster than you may think.

Imagination Zone

This zone features 2 spaces where kids can get creative!  At Build & Test kids can build race cars and zip lines, and Lego Mindstorms  is an exhibit where they can build robots. At WB Games Zone kids can play video games.  There is one ride, Kid Power Towers, where guests hoist themselves to the top and free-fall to the bottom.

Kid Power Towers

On this unique ride, passengers hoist themselves to the top of a Lego tower for sweeping views of Lake Eloise and the entire park.

Checking Out the Legoland Florida Rides

Many people think Legoland Florida is in Orlando however, it is actually in the town of Winter Haven just southwest of Orlando.  It’s about 36 miles, or an hour away from Disney World.

Address:  1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven, FL 33884

If you’re driving, Legoland Florida is easily accessible via I-4 (via Orlando or I-75 (via Tampa).  

Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure!

For future reference, be sure to save our post “Totally Awesome Guide to Legoland Florida Rides”!   Pin one of the images below to Pinterest.  Go ahead and follow 5 Suitcases on Pinterest while you’re at it!

Be sure to also check out our Legoland Secrets and our review of the Legoland Hotel.

Be sure to give us a like on Facebook or follow us on Instagram  for more travel tips and tricks. See you next time!

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Florida Orlando SeaWorld Orlando United States

Ultimate Guide to the 2024 Seven Seas Food Festival at SeaWorld

Antarctica Empire of the Penguins at SeaWorld Orlando

Foods and families alike will love the annual Seven Seas Food Festival at SeaWorld Orlando!  The event takes place each year and features global cuisine and drink pairings that will blow your mind.  The Seven Seas Food Festival includes rock, country, Latin, and throwback concerts at special times such as Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day, and Cinco de Mayo.  The event is included in your ticket price, however, there are upgrades available to help you enjoy the total experience.

Seven Seas Food Festival 2024

The event takes place on select dates between February 2, 2024 and May 19, 2024.  It overlaps some of the biggest party holidays including, Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day, and Cinco de Mayo.

Visitors can choose from over 200 food and drink options including 50+ unique food choices, 75+ craft beers, and 75+ wine and cocktail selections.  These flavors are expertly paired to offer your palate a tantalizing experience.

Culinary Marketplace Hours

Thursdays and Fridays: 11:00 a.m. – Park Close
Saturdays and Sundays: 11:00 a.m. – Park Close

 

The Seven Seas Food Festival is set up going around the lagoon.  28 different stops wrap around the lagoon from the entrance way to the Glacier Bar.  If you work your way around the lagoon, you’ll end your visit near the performance space.  

Seven Seas Food Festival Food and Drink Menu- 2024

The below menu is in number order starting at #1 and ending at #24.  The foods in bold are the ones we tried and have rated.

1. Flamecraft Bar

Features 13 rotating draught beers. 

Specialty Cocktails:
Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri (Flor de Cana Rum, Strawberry)
Frozen Pina Colada (Flor de Cana Rum, Coconut
Frozen) Orlando Vice (Piña Colada and Strawberry Daiquiri)

 

2. Smugglers

Craft Brews:
Cloud Chaser by Crooked Can Brewery (Winter Garden, Florida)
Two Hearted IPA by Bells (Kalamazoo, Michigan)

Wines:
Moscato (Ca Montebello, Italy)
Riesling (Fulkerson Winery, New York)

3. Caribbean Moonshine Tasting

Specialty Cocktails:
Marmalade Mayhem
Cat 5 Coconut
Passionfruit Prohibition
Banana Breeze
PB&C Cannonball

4. Café De Mar

Food:  
Whiskey Maple Hog- Cinnamon roll with bacon and a whiskey glaze

Specialty Cocktails:
Frozen Orlando Vice (Piña Colada and Strawberry Daiquiri)
Strawberry Daiquiri 
Piña Colada

Wines:
Peach Moscato (New Jersey)
Sangue di Giuda (Italy)

5. French Market

Food:

Duck Confit- served with Tabais Bean
Escargot- Garlic butter, Crostini

Dessert:
Mini Creme Brulee- Rich Vanilla Custard, Caramelized Sugar

Wines:
Bordeaux Rouge-Comtesse de Malet Roquefort, France
Sparkling Wine Cremant de Loire Brut- J. de Villebois, France

6. All-American Market

Food:  
Cannonball Chicken Wings- Tossed in Cannonball BBQ Sauce
Lobster Mac & Cheese- Sharp cheddar mac and cheese, lobster, crispy shallot, green onion
Fried Pickles- Served with a Texas Petal Sauce

Craft Brews:
Veteran’s Pride APA- Wop’s Hops Brewing
Yuengling Lager

Specialty Cocktails: 
Strawberry Whiskey Smash (Jim Beam, Strawberry)

7. Polynesian Market

Food:
Lamb Ribs- roasted lamb served with Hawaiian Slaw, sesame seeds, pickle red onion and a BBQ sweet & sour sauce (GF)
Ahi Tuna Poke Nachos- Tortilla chips, wakame, furikake, spicy aioli, toasted sesame oil

Craft Brews:
Big Wave Golden Ale (Kona Brewing Co., Kailuna-Kona, Hawaii)

Specialty Cocktails:
Frozen Polynesian Summer (Captain Morgan Pineapple Rum, coconut cream, mango, pineapple)

8. North Atlantic Market

Food:
Classic Lobster Roll- Brioche, tender butter lettuce, garnished with micro celery
Prince Edwards Island Shrimp Fritters- PEI shrimp, succotash, fermented spicy aioli
Fish & Chips- fried cod, sidewinder fries, tartar sauce
Boston Cream Pie- Vanilla Pastry Creme, Chocolate

Craft Brews: 
Liberty Limeade 

Specialty Cocktail: 
Moose Juice (Canadian Club whisky, raspberry, cranberry, lemonade)

9. Coaster Cocktails

Specialty Drinks:

Pipeline (Henricks gin, Tito’s vodka, Bacardi rum, peach schnapps, orange juice, pineapple, grenadine)
Kraken (Tito’s vodka, Midori, green apple, pineapple juice) Mako (Milagro tequila, pineapple, blueberry, lime sour)
Ice Breaker (Spiced rum, passion fruit, lemonade, Sprite)
Penguin Trek (Non-Alcoholic) (Sprite, Blue Raspberry, Garnish with Silver Edible Glitter)

 

10. Sweet Sips

Food: 
Raz Dazzle Cupcake- Vanilla cupcake, raspberry filling, vanilla frosting, raspberry
Coco Loco Cupcake- Chocolate cupcake, chocolate filling, chocolate frosting, chocolate hard shell
Island Dream Cupcake- Pineapple cupcake, Malibu frosting
Orange Bliss Cupcake- Orange cupcake, Grand Marnier frosting
Passionate Cupcake– Passionfruit Cupcake, Passion Liqueur, Peach Schnapps Mousse, White Chocolate Straw)

Wines:

Riesling White Wine (Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville, Washington)
Peach Moscato Fruit Wine (Tomasello Winery, Hammonton, New Jersey)
Moscato d’Asti Sparkling Wine (Risata Wines, Piedmont, Italy)
Sangue di Giuda (Ca Montebello, Oltrepò Pavese, Italy)

 

Palermo Fontina Cheese Meatballs- Seven Seas Food Festival SeaWorld Orlando

11. Italian Market

Food:
Palermo Fontina Cheese Meatballs- Homemade meatballs with Fontina cheese and fresh herbs in Pomodoro sauce garnished with Garlic panzito
Mini Calzone- Ricotta, mozzarella, house made marinara sauce
Italian Cannoli- Mascarpone vanilla cream, cherry and pistachio crumbs

Craft Brews: 
Va Bene Italian Pilsner (Ivanhoe Park Brewing) 

Wine:
Pinot Grigio- Gabbiano, Italy
Chianti– Da Vinci, Tuscany

12. Italian Wine Tasting

Smooth Red Blend- Roscata, Italy
Tre Red Blend- Brancaia, Italy
Sweet Rose- Sonoroso, Italy
Sweet White- Sonoroso, Italy

12. España

Wine:
Cava Brut (Bodegas Pazo De Villarei, Valencia, Spain)
Abadia Do Seixo (Bodegas Pazo De Villarei, Rias Baixas, Spain)
Vendimia Seleccionada (Vega Del Rayo, Rioja, Spain)
Cermeno Vedimia Seleccionada (Covitoro Bodegas, Toro, Spain)

13. Sweet & Sour

Specialty Cocktails:

Jalapeño Margarita (Jalapeño tequila, Triple Sec, lime sour)
Strawberry Margarita (Rock N Roll strawberry tequila, Triple Sec, strawberry lime sour)
Watermelon Margarita (Milagro Tequila, Triple Sec, watermelon, lime sour)
Mango Margarita (Milagro Tequila, Triple Sec, Mango, Lime Sour)

14. Irish Market

Food:
Bangers and Mash- Guinness Sausage, Boursin Mashed Potatoes, Peas, Gravy
St. Patrick’s Day Nachos- Crispy Potato Chips, Corned Beef, Cheese, Red Cabbage
Jameson Donut- Chocolate Jameson Mousse, Chocolate Icing, Candy Orange

Craft Brews:
Guinness Draught (Guinness Brewery, Dublin, Ireland)
Strongbow Cider

Specialty Cocktails:
Irish Cold brew Latte (Jameson Cold Brew, coffee, cream, simple syrup)

15. Mediterranean Market

Food:

Walking Gyros- Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Tzatziki Sauce
Moroccan Grilled Lamb Chop- Boursin whipped mashed potatoes served with tzatziki sauce, micro celery garnish (GF)
Baklava- Flaky filo dough layered with honey drenched walnuts (Vegetarian)

 Specialty Cocktails:

Mediterranean Sangria (Red sangria, red wine, cranberry juice, orange juice, lime)

Wine:
Akakies Sparkling Rose (Kir-Yianni, Greece)
Assyrtiko (Mylonas Winery, Greece)

16. Indian Market

Food:

Garlic Naan with Chickpea Curry- Tomato Cream Stew, Peas, Chutney
Chicken Tikka Masala- Tomato Cream Sauce, Peppers, Jasmine Rise

Dessert:

Jalebi- Indian Funnel Cake with Wildflower Honey

Beer:

Kingfisher Premium Lager

Cocktail: 

Mango Mojito- Bacardi Light Rum, Mango, Lime, Mint

17. Asian Market

Food:
Tempura Battered Sushi- California Roll, Deep Fried, topped with Masago, Eel Sauce
Deep Fried Dumpling- Asian vegetables served atop Ponzu sauce (Vegetarian)
Bing Su- Salted caramel ice cream topped with caramel popcorn and caramel

Craft Brews:
Asahi (Asahi Brewery, Osaka, Japan)

Specialty Cocktails:
Elderflower Mule (Tito’s Vodka, Elderflower Liqueur, Ginger Beer, Lime)

Wine:
Shimizu-No-Mai Pure Snow Sake (Takashimizu Brewery, Akita, Japan)
Kobai Plum Wine (Gekkeikan, Kyoto, Japan)

18. Waterway Bar

Food:
Penguin Pretzel

Craft Brews:  
Featuring 12 rotating draught beers

Specialty Cocktails:
Frozen Jack & Coke
Frozen Pina Colada 
Frozen Lime Margarita

Wine:

Chardonnay (Juggernaut, Sonoma Coast)

19. Mama's Pretzel Kitchen

Featuring 8 rotating draught beers.

20. German Market

Food:  
Bratwurst- Smoked bacon and cheddar brat, pretzel bun, sauerkraut served with beer infused cheese
Footlong Pretzel on a Stick- Choice of: chocolate, sprinkles or cinnamon sugar (Vegetarian)

Specialty Cocktails:
German Blood Orange Mule (Monkey 47 Gin, Blood Orange Ginger Beer, Orange Slice)
Sparkling Strawberry Punch Mocktail (Sparkling spritzer, strawberry)

Wine:
R Riesling (August Kesseler, Germany)

21. Beer Graden

Craft Beer:
Golden Road Mango Cart
Kona Hanalei
Blond Belle Isle- Brewlando
Wicked Weed Burst Sour Strawberry Kiwi
Hazzle Little Thing- Sierra Nevada
Island Beats Tropical IPA- Lagunitas Brewing

Wine:
The Stag (St. Huberts, Paso Robles)

22. Gulf Coast Market

Food:
Cajun Shrimp and Grits- Cheddar stone grits, royal red shrimp, andouille sausage, roasted tomatoes, green peas
Boudin Balls- Cajun Rice Balls with Ground Pork & Chicken, Remoulade Sauce
Beignets- Cinnamon sugar, Whipped Cream

Craft Brews:
Purple Haze (Abita Brewing Co., Covington, Louisiana)

Specialty Cocktails:
Hurricane (Bacardi Dark Rum, passion fruit, orange and lime juices)

 

23. Mexican Market

Food:

Taco al Pastor- Mazina tortilla, chipotle ancho adobo chicken, grilled pineapple nappa cabbage, onion, and cilantro
Mexican Street Corn- Queso fresco with cilantro avocado crema garnished with tajin (GF, Vegetarian)
Dulce de Leche Mini Cake– Sweet Moist Milky Cake with Caramel

Craft Brews:
Modelo Especial (Grupo Modelo Brewery, Mexico City, Mexico)

Specialty Cocktails:
Frozen Pitaya Punch (Bacardi Rum, Triple Sec, dragon fruit, cranberry, lime)

24. Glacier Bar

Food:
Seven Seas Bougie Donut- Strawberry cheesecake filling, strawberry buttercream, brown sugar crumble

Craft Brews:
Featuring 6 rotating draught beers

Specialty Cocktails:
Spicy Piña Margarita (Milagro Tequila, spicy pineapple, lime sour)
Sparkling Mojito (Flor De Caña silver rum, club soda, mint)

Wine:
Bin No. 27 Port (Fonseca, Portugal)

Picanha Steak- Seven Seas Food Festival SeaWorld Orlando

25. Brazilian Market

Food:
Picanha Steak – Cilantro chimichurri, three bean salad (GF)
Pão De Queijo- Brazilian cheese bread, Guava Dipping Sauce
Galinhada- Marinated Chicken Thigh, Saffron Rice

Craft Brews:
Easy Fridays Lager (Hidden Springs Ale Works)

Specialty Cocktails: 
Frozen Guava Mint Caipirinha (Cachaca, guava, mint, coconut water, lime juice)

Wine:
Reserva Malbec (Don Genaro, Mendoza, Argentina)

26. Half Pipe Pavillion

Peach Lemonade (non-alcoholic) Peach Puree, Lemonade
Tito’s Lemonade– Tito’s Vodka, Lemonade, Basil
Cucumber Mint Lemonade- Tito’s Vodka, Lemonade, Cucumber, Mint
Strawberry Lemonade- Tito’s Vodka, Lemonade, Strawberry

27. Caribbean Market

Food:
Smoked Jerk Chicken Slider-  smoked chicken on a brioche bun with pineapple slaw and cilantro
Mojo Pork Tostones– Cilantro Garlic Sauce, Pickled Onion
Rum Cake- Topped with Whipped Cream

Craft Brews:
Cerveza Palma 

Specialty Cocktails:
Coconut Mojito- Bacardi Light Rum, Coconut, Lime, Mint
Caribbean Sunset- non-alcoholic (orange, lemonade, Sprite, grenadine)

28. Veggie Market

Food:

Veg’d Out Sandwich- Soybean Chicken Patty, Brioche Bun, Green Goddess Sauce, Arugula, Tomato
Taco ‘Bout It– Plant Based Chorizo, Pico de Gallo, Lettuce, Crema
Lil Fruit Tart– Lime, Mango, Dairy-Free Custard, Lavender

Cocktails:
Strawberry Lemonade (Non-alcoholic)- Lemonade, Strawberry

Wines:

Pinot Noir 
Sauvignon Blanc

Sampler Lanyard

If you’d like to try several different food and drinks, you may want to consider purchasing a sampler lanyard.  You can save up to 40% with a 10 sample lanyard or up to 50% with a 15 sample lanyard.  

10 sample lanyards cost $70 each and $15 sample lanyards cost $85 each.  Lanyards can be shared by multiple people.

Hanson at Seven Seas Food Festival, 2023 SeaWorld Orlando

2024 Concert Line Up for the Seven Seas Food Festival

  • February 3- Kool & the Gang
  • February 4- Josh Turner
  • February 17- Gente de Zona
  • February 24- Hanson
  • February 25- Newsboys
  • March 2- Gloria Gaynor
  • March 3- Night Ranger
  • March 16- Corey Kent
  • March 23- Blood, Sweat, & Tears
  • March 24- Warrant
  • March 30- Natalie Grant
  • March 31- Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
  • April 6- Grupo Niche
  • April 7- Owl City
  • April 13- Hoobastank
  • April 14- Chris Janson
  • April 20- Gavin DeGraw
  • April 21- Jason Derulo
  • April 27- Chris Lane
  • April 28- Ludacris
  • May 4- Relient K
  • May 5- To Be Announced
  • May 11- To Be Announced
  • May 12- All-4-One
  • May 18- To Be Announced
  • May 19- To Be Announced 



    You can purchase reserved seating on the SeaWorld Orlando website if want to ensure decent seats for the show

    The concert lineup for the Seven Seas Food Festival is slowly trickling out.  This list will be updated as more acts are announced.

Special Events

Mardi Gras

  • SELECT DATES, FEB. 8 – 18

    • POP-UP PARADE – The Wild Arctic Plaza will come to life as entertainers, bead captains, stilt walkers, and musicians bring the Mardi Gras spirit to SeaWorld during this special pop-up parade.

      Select times from 12:30 – 6 p.m.

    • LIVE MUSIC – Immerse yourself in the music of New Orleans as our live band brings Cajun and jazz classics to Orlando.

      Select times from 12:30 – 6 p.m.

    • STREET PARTY – The sights and sounds of Bourbon Street will take over Wild Arctic Plaza with a DJ, street performers, and a dance party.

      Select times from 12:30 – 6 p.m.

    • GULF COAST FLAVORS – Enjoy classic Gulf Coast flavors as part of our Seven Seas Food Festival including beignets, po’ boys, and southern libations.

St. Patrick's Day Celebration

Dates Unreleased

  • STREETS OF GREEN – Make your way to the Irish Market Plaza at select times to see lively entertainers, amazing stilt walkers, and more.
    Select times from 12:30 – 6 p.m.
  • TIMELESS TUNES – Lose yourself in Irish melodies as traditional musicians bring their beautiful sounds to Orlando throughout the day.
    Select times from 12:30 – 6 p.m.
  • TASTES OF IRELAND – Take your Seven Seas Food Festival voyage to the Emerald Isle for classic recipes like corned beef hash and toast the day with a Guinness Irish Stout. See what’s new on the menu, 11:30 a.m. – park close.
    11:30 a.m. to park close.

Save Our 2024 Guide to SeaWorld Orlando's Seven Seas Food Festival

For future reference, be sure to save our guide to SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival.   Pin one of the images below to Pinterest.  Go ahead and follow 5Suitcases on Pinterest while you’re at it!

If you’re interested in seeing manatees in the wild, check out our post on one of our favorite state parks:  Blue Spring State Park or read our post about the 12 Best Places to see Manatees in the Wild.

Be sure to give us a like on Facebook or follow us on Instagram and Twitter for more travel tips and tricks. See you next time!

Categories
Florida Orlando SeaWorld Orlando United States

All You Need to Know About Visiting SeaWorld Orlando with Kids

The kids examining rays at SeaWorld Orlando

Our three kids are obsessed with thrill rides and sea animals, so a trip to SeaWorld Orlando was inevitable for us.  I had reservations about visiting the park, but I was pleasantly surprised by everything the park has to offer.  Over the last couple of decades, the park has grown from more than aquariums and animal shows.  It’s now a mecca for rollercoasters and thrill rides and home to some of the most unique rides in all of Orlando, Florida.

In this post, we’ll break down all of the attractions and ocean-themed fun by age group so you can see just how much SeaWorld Orlando has to offer!

The kids examining rays at SeaWorld Orlando

Getting Around SeaWorld Orlando

The rides and attractions of SeaWorld Orlando encircle a lagoon at the center of the park. 

If you’re traveling with little kids, you may want to head to Sesame Street, first.  There are signs posted around the park showing you how to get- how to get to Sesame Street.  Just past the entrance (when you see the first coaster), head right down a path and follow it to Sesame Street Land.

If you’re a mission to tackle some of the most insane coasters in Orlando, you’re going to want to head left.

We suggest hitting up Sesame Street Land, or a few of the coasters, before heading to the animal shows, encounters, and aquariums.

It’s easy to do a lot of unnecessary walking at SeaWorld Orlando- since the attractions circle a lagoon, you’ll have to backtrack if you don’t do the attractions as you come to them.

The Animals of SeaWorld

Thousands of animals call SeaWorld Orlando home.  Here, you can get up close and personal with dolphins, whales, rays, octopus, sharks, penguins, fish, and more!

Be sure to take a look at the daily schedule to see what shows and learning experiences are available during your visit.  Choose from Dolphin Days, Orca Encounter, Sea Lion High: The New Class, Pets Ahoy, and Ocean Discovery.

Dolphin Cove

Dolphin Cove is a 700,000 gallon lagoon that is houses a pod of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. This is one of the largest interactive dolphin pools in the world.  If you pay for a dolphin feeding/encounter, it will take place here.

Pro-Tip: Dolphin feeding tends to draw a large crowd, so plan on going first thing in the morning.

Visiting with a mama dolphin and her calves in the Dolphin Nursery

Dolphin Nursery

Is there anything cuter than a baby dolphin?  We think not!  The Dolphin Nursery is home to new dolphin mommies and their calves.  

Pro-Tip: This is one of the most popular attractions in the park.  It is located right near the entrance of the park.  If you’re interested in visiting, stop by right as you enter the park.  If the area is closed off that means there’s a dolphin in labor or one that has just given birth.

Jewel of the Sea Aquarium

Located next to the Journey to Atlantis ride, this aquarium boasts jellyfish illuminated by an interactive backlight.

Manatee Rehabilitation Area

Each year countless manatees are injured by boats and ships, or malnourished when their food source is wiped out.  Florida zoos, aquariums, and SeaWorld Orlando take in these gentle creates to rehabilitate them and release them- when it’s possible to do so.  

In the rehab area, you may be able to wish these creatures a speedy recovery and learn how you can help keep them safe.

Manta Aquarium

Our favorite spot to watch the marine animals was the Manta Aquarium.  We watched in amazement as thousands of graceful animals danced in front of our view.  

Pro-Tip:  Hit up this aquarium before or after you ride Manta.  The aquarium is air conditioned and is a great spot to take a break for the Florida heat.

Pelican Preserve

Located near the Manta Ride and Manta Aquarium, these outdoor exhibit is home to several rescued pelicans.

Antarctica Empire of the Penguins

I’m going to be very honest with you- we were really disappointed with this exhibit.  We waited in line for 40 minutes to see the penguins…and it was literally just tank with penguins.  Perhaps we should have done our research, because we though that it may be a ride (considering the line).  

Don’t get me wrong, the penguins were a lot of fun to watch, but the line was really long considering it was just another aquarium.

Antarctica Empire of the Penguins at SeaWorld Orlando

Shark Encounter

Surround yourself by sharks, barracuda, eels, and venomous fish in the world’s largest underwater acrylic tunnel!    The 60 foot tunnel is an absolute must-see!

Stingray Lagoon

Stingray Lagoon is another popular animal attraction.  This habitat showcases over 200 stingrays- some of them as large as 5 feet in diameter!  Don’t miss the opportunity to feed and touch these gentle creatures!

Turtle Trek

This habitat offers underwater viewing rooms that give visitors an up-close-and-personal view of turtles.  Follow a sea turtles journey their sandy nest to the ocean.

Wild Arctic Habitat

Learn all about belugas, walruses, and harbor seals in this freezing cold habitat!  

SeaWorld Orlando with Toddlers and Pre-Schoolers (+ Family Rides)

Believe it or not, there is plenty to do with young kids at SeaWorld Orlando!  Although our boys (age 5) weren’t tall enough for the rollercoasters, they still had loads of rides they could experience in Sesame Street Land.

We got to meet Elmo and Abbi Cadabby at Sesame Street Land!

Rides for Toddlers and Pre-Schoolers

Abby's Flower Tower

With a bit of magic from Abby Cadabby’s wand, you’ll be sent up, up ,up in a colorful flower pot on Abby’s Flower Tower.  This ride gives you great views of the hustle and bustle of Sesame Street.

 Height Requirement: 42″

Big Bird's Twirl 'n' Whirl

Hop into one of Big Bird’s nests and twirl ’round and ’round on this family-fun ride!  Riders control the speed of the spinning with a steering wheel at the center of the nest.

Height Requirement: 36″

The kiddos on the Cookie Drop ride at SeaWorld Orlando

Cookie Monster's Cookie Drop!

Buckle up and hold on tight as you bounce up and down on Cookie Monster’s Cookie Drop!

Height Requirement:  42″

Elmo's Choo Choo Train

All aboard Elmo’s Choo Choo Train!  Be on the lookout for butterflies, caterpillars, and Twiddlebugs on this family-friendly ride.

Height Requirement: 36″

Infinity Falls

Climb aboard a circular raft and prepare to get drenched on this family water ride!  Explore tropical ruins filled with breathtaking waterfalls, surprise geysers, and flowing fountains before plunging down one of the tallest drops of its kind into a pounding waterfall!  Infinity Falls is the world’s tallest river rapids attraction!

Height Requirement:  42″- 77″

Pro-Tip:  Plan on wearing clothes and shoes that will dry easily if you’re going to ride the water rides.  Use a dry bag or rent a locker to keep your items dry.  Hit up the ride early in the day for the lowest waits- and time to dry off.

There are family dryers available for an additional charge.

Journey to Atlantis

This family-friendly flume rollercoaster transports you to the mythical paradise known as Atlantis.  You’ll explore dark passageways in the sunken city before being catapulted 60 feet out of the city gates into the waters below.

Height Requirement: 42″

Pro-Tip: Try to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon for shorter wait times- this is one of the most popular rides at the park!  Avoid queueing up for the ride after one of the shows lets out- people tend to catch a show and then do the ride since it is close to the Whale and Dolphin Theaters.

Rubber Duckie Water Works

If your little one isn’t up for the larger water rides, or isn’t tall enough, they can still have fun splashing about in the Rubber Duckie Water Works- an outdoor splashpad.

Slimey's Slider

This is my favorite ride in all of Sesame Street Land (who am I kidding…it’s my favorite in the entire SeaWorld Orlando theme park!).  This exhilarating swoop and swivel ride spins, rocks, and slides!  

Height Requirement: 42″

Resting our feet on the Sunny Day Carousel

Sunny Day Carousel

This classic ride is perfect for young kids and family’s alike. 

Guests under 42 inches tall must be accompanied by a supervising companion (at least 14 years old) standing next to the rider on the inside of the Carousel to ride. One supervising companion (at least 14 years old) per child under 42 inches. Hand-held infants are only permitted to ride on the bench seats.

Pro-Tip:  Ride the carousel during the Shamu show times for the shortest wait times!

Super Grover's Box Car Derby

If your kiddo isn’t quite tall enough for some of the larger coasters (listed in the section below), they’ll be happy to know there’s a kid-friendly coaster in Sesame Street Land!  Super Grover’s Box Car Derby is a family-friendly coaster full of hills, twists, turns, and small dives!

Height Requirement: 38″

SeaWorld Orlando with Big Kids and Teens

Our adrenaline junkie daughter was super stoked to see how many thrill rides there are at SeaWorld Orlando.  The rollercoasters there are insane– some of the best in Orlando!  If you’re older kids like thrill rides, this is definitely the place for them!

Rides for Big Kids & Teens

Ice Breaker

The Ice Breaker is SeaWorld’s first launch coaster.  It features four airtime filled launches (both forwards and backwards!) and a reverse launch into the steepest beyond vertical drop in Florida! The ride has a series of exhilarating twists, turns, and airtime hills that will send your heart racing.

Height Requirement: 54″

Kraken

Designed to mimic the mythological beast that terrified sailors for centuries, Kraken is Orlando’s only floor less roller coaster.  Riders feet dangle as the zoom across this exhilarating coaster at heights of 150 feet! 

Height Requirement: 54″

Mako

You guys!  Our 9-year-old is obsessed with this ride.  Mako is the tallest and fastest rollercoaster in Orlando!  This hyper coaster is known for it’s high speeds, deep plummets, and racing turns.  Named after one of the ocean’s fastest sharks, this coaster hits speeds of 73 mph.

Height Requirement: 54″

Smiley after riding Mako at SeaWorld Orlando

Manta

Soar like a manta on the only flying roller coaster of its kind in Florida!  The ride will send in in a head-first, face-down nosedive before you are sent spinning, gliding, and flying like a giant manta ray.  

Height Requirement: 54″

Pro-Tip: The lines are the shortest during the first hour of the park opening.  You cannot take anything with you on the ride, so unless you have someone sitting this one out- you’ll need to rent a locker to store your stuff.

Food Options at SeaWorld Orlando

No outside food, beverages, or coolers are allowed to be brought into SeaWorld Orlando, except you may bring a bottle of water or a refillable water bottle.

Breakfast is available at the Panini Bistro Cafe until 11 am.  

Eateries include:

  • Altitude Burgers -accepts All-Day Dining Deal
  • Captain Pete’s Island Hotdogs -accepts All-Day Dining Deal & mobile ordering is available
  • Coaster Coffee Company- serves Starbucks coffee, pastries, and treats
  • Dine with Orcas
  • Edy’s Ice Cream Parlor
  • Expedition Cafe -accepts All-Day Dining Deal
  • Flamecraft Bar- a full-service bar
  • Glacier Bar- serves Coca-Cola Freestyle, frozen drinks, and ice-cold beer
  • Lakeside Grill –accepts All-Day Dining Deal
  • Mama’s Pretzel Kitchen
  • Panini Shore Cafe -accepts All-Day Dining Deal & mobile ordering is available
  • Seafire Grill -accepts All-Day Dining Deal & mobile ordering is available 
  • Sharks Underwater Grill and Bar
  • The Sand Bar
  • Voyager’s Smokehouse-  -accepts All-Day Dining Deal & mobile ordering available
  • Waterway Bar- full-service bar
  • Waterway Grill-  -accepts All-Day Dining Deal & mobile ordering available

All-Day Dining Deal- if you purchase this package, you’ll be able to eat and drink all day.  Orders can only be placed once every 90 minutes at participating restaurants.  Receive 1 soft drink or tea, 1 entrée and 1 side or dessert.

Learn more at SeaWorld.com

Freezing in Antarctica! Visiting SeaWorld Orlando in the winter is a TOTALLY different experience! Many of the rides were closed because of the cold/wind.

Visiting SeaWorld Orlando in the Winter

On our first family visit to SeaWorld Orlando, we visited in January and it was freezing!  Without warning, every single rollercoaster was closed and we were told that due to the temperatures, most of the animal shows were unavailable.  We got to see the dolphin show, but all of the other animals were tucked away elsewhere.

Sunny Day Guarantee

If you’ve ever visited Florida in the summer, you know that afternoon showers are almost inevitable.  If it rains, some of the park’s attractions may be unavailable.  Whether it’s a mere sprinkle or a torrential downpour, stop by Guest Services and you can get a complimentary pass for a return visit.  The visit must be used within 1-year of the initial visit.  

This offer is not valid for complimentary tickets, 14 Day Length of Stay tickets and packages, Discovery Cove ticket packets, or for visitors who do not have their original admission ticket or order number.

Our Favorite Orlando Theme Parks Ranked

For Toddlers, Pre-School, & Young Kids

For Older Kids & Teens

Save these SeaWorld Orlando Tips and Start Planning Your Adventure!

For future reference, be sure to save these tips for visiting SeaWorld Orlando with your kiddos.  Pin one of the images below to Pinterest.  Go ahead and follow 5Suitcases on Pinterest while you’re at it!

If you’re interested in seeing manatees in the wild, check out our post on one of our favorite state parks:  Blue Spring State Park or read our post about the 12 Best Places to see Manatees in the Wild.

Be sure to give us a like on Facebook or follow us on Instagram and Twitter for more travel tips and tricks. See you next time!

Categories
Florida Orlando Peppa Pig Theme Park United States Winter Haven

Our 10 OINK-tastic Peppa Pig Theme Park Tips

The Kids Relaxing in Peppa Pig's house at Peppa Pig Theme Park- Florida

Hooray!  You’re going to Peppa Pig Theme Park!  Our Peppa Pig Theme Park tips will help your trip go as smoothly as possible.  We’ll tell you what to pack and what you can leave at home.  We’ll also suggest which rides to go on first, and share some insider tips.  If you wanted to, you could easily tack add on a day or two at Legoland Florida, since the two parks are located directly next to each other.

What is Peppa Pig Theme Park?

The Peppa Pig Theme Park opened, which opened in 2022, is Florida’s newest theme park attractions.  The sensory-friendly park is perfect for your toddler or pre-schooler.  The park has 5 oink-tastic rides, several play spaces, a splash pad, and other kid-friendly attractions.  The park can easily be paired with Legoland Florida, which shares the same parking lot.

Peppa Pig Theme Park Tips

Arrive Early

Like most theme parks, it’s best to arrive at the park early.  This way, you not only get the most bang for your buck, but you also beat a lot of the crowds.  When we visited Peppa Pig Theme Park, we arrived just before the gates opened.  After only 1.5 hours, we were able to do all of the rides that the park has to offer!  We noticed that Peppa Pig Theme Park seems to have a later crowd, by the time we left, the lines were long and the walkways were pretty busy.

Ditch the Stroller

Probably one of our most the most unconventional of our Peppa Pig Theme Park Tips, is to ditch the stroller.  Believe it or not, the park is actually quite small!  We brought our stroller to the park and didn’t end up using it at all!  We found that it was easier for us to park it in one place rather than continuously move it around.  We ended up parking our stroller in a central location (the Daddy Pig’s Roller Coaster ride) and just went back to the stroller whenever we needed to grab something.

Our advice is to either leave it behind or park it and use it to store your belongings.  

Pack Your Own Snacks & Drinks

The park allows you to bring in your own food and drinks.  If your visiting during the warmer months, be sure to pack plenty of water! We bought these snack containers for when we travel and have found that they work great for our family!

Some of the snacks we pack for theme parks include:

  • Fruit snacks
  • PBJs (Uncrustables work great!)
  • Peanut Butter Crackers
  • Muffins
  • Rice Cakes
  • Granola Bars
  • Nutri-grain Bars
  • Trail Mix
  • Dried Fruit

Plan on Eating Early

This is probably the one Peppa Pig Theme Park tip that will save you the most time!  The park has only one restaurant in it so you can imagine that it gets busy pretty quickly!  Plan on eating as soon as Miss Rabbit’s Diner opens to avoid crazy long tines.  We recommend the pizza and mac n cheese.  Be sure to save room for one of their fancy schmancy milkshakes!

Pack a Bathing Suit

What better way to beat the heat than to frolic around in the splash pad?  Bring a bathing suit (check out these Peppa Pig ones!), towel, water shoes, and sun screen!

Catch a Show

One way to make the most out of your day is to catch one of the shows.  Head to Mr. Potato’s Showtime Arena to join in on the fun.  Your little one can join Peppa and the gang in a bit of singing and dancing.  Be sure to arrive at arena a little early so you can snag a bean bag or a spot up close!

Meet & Greets

You’ll also find Meet & Greets in the arena.  Be sure to snap a photo with Peppa or George!

Work Counterclockwise

Another one of our time saving Peppa Pig Theme Park Tips is to work your way around the park counterclockwise.  This allows you to do the more popular rides before the crowds start rolling in.

Our suggested order is:

  • Daddy Pig’s Roller Coaster
  • Mr. Bull’s High Striker
  • Peppa Pig’s Balloon Ride
  • Granddad Dog’s Pirate Boat Ride and Sand Pit
  • Grampy Rabbit’s Dinosaur Adventure
  • Muddy Puddle’s Splash Pad
  •  Peppa’s Pedal Bike Tour
After you’ve hit all of these attractions up, we suggest catching a show, playing int he lay areas, or visiting the air-conditioned theatre.

Seek Shade!

Another reason we suggest doing the park in the above order is the lack of shade in the park.  The attractions at the top of our list offer little or no shade.  You’ll find shade at Peppa Pedal Bike Tour (there’s even an air-conditioning vent under the tunnel!) and at the Muddy Puddle’s Splash Pad.

Grab a Pin

If it is your first visit, or if you are visiting for a birthday, be sure to stop by Guest Services and ask for a special pin.

Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure

Be sure to give us a like on Facebook or follow us on Instagram and Twitter for more travel tips and tricks. See you next time!

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Categories
Florida Orlando Peppa Pig Theme Park United States Winter Haven

Peppa Pig Theme Park- Florida’s Newest (and TOTALLY ADORABLE!) Theme Park!

The Kids Relaxing in Peppa Pig's house at Peppa Pig Theme Park- Florida

Florida’s newest theme park is totally oink-tastic!  In early 2022, Peppa Pig Them Park opened its gates for the very first time.  The theme park is centered around the long-running pre-school animated series featuring the adventures of Peppa and her brother George.  The park is geared towards young children.  It features five rides, sensory play spaces, and other great attractions.

Peppa Pig Theme Park Entrance

Rides at Peppa Pig Theme Park

Daddy Pig’s Roller Coaster- The most THRILLING ride at Peppa Pig Theme Park is a kid-friendly coaster that is sure to make their heart race!  

Requirements: Minimum rider height is 36 inches.  Guests less than 42 inches must be accompanied by a responsible rider 14 years or older.

Note:  This ride closes down during rain showers.

The Kids Relaxing in Peppa Pig's house at Peppa Pig Theme Park- Florida
Grampy Rabbit's Dinosaur Adventure Ride at Peppa Pig Theme Park

Grampy Rabbit’s Dinosaur Adventure-  Grown ups can ride along with their little ones on this totally awesome dino quest! You’ll pass by smoking volcanoes, and travel through the prehistoric landscape.

Requirements:  Minimum rider height is 34 inches.  Guests less than 43 inches must be accompanied by a responsible rider 14 years or older.

 

Grandad Dog’s Pirate Boat Ride-  Take a leisurely boat ride with your little explorer.  Set sail for Pirate Island where you can dig for buried treasure, construct mighty fortresses, or play in the sand.

Requirements:  No minimum height requirement.  Guests 43 inches or under 4 years old must be accompanied by a responsible rider 14 years or older.-

Mr. Bull’s High Striker- Our kids absolutely loved this kid-friendly drop ride!  You and your family will be lifted straight up into the sky and thrusted back down to the Earth.  

Requirements:  Minimum rider height is 34 inches.  Guests less than 43 inches must be accompanied by a responsible rider 14 years or older.

Peppa Pig's Balloon Ride offers excellent views of the entire theme park!

Peppa Pig’s Balloon Ride-  You and your family can soar above this clouds with Peppa Pig in Miss Rabbit’s hot air balloon!  This aerial carousel ride offers the best views of the park and will surely leave your little one giggling with excitement!

Requirements:  No minimum height requirement.  Guests less than 51 inches must be accompanied by a responsible rider 14 years or older.

Note:  This ride closes down during the rain.

Other Attractions

Cinema- Take a break from the hot Florida sun to relax on a beanbag with your little piggies.  Enjoy some of their favorite episodes of Peppa Pig.

Fun Fair- Try your hand at some classic fair games.  When we visited, these games were in pretty bad shape and only included tossing hula hoops over posts.

George’s Fort- Your little ones will love searching through the hedge maze in search of who is making an unusual croaking noise!  Don’t worry- it’s just a frog!

Madame Gazelle’s Nature Trail- Join Madame Gazelle as you hunt for clues to to try to discover who has left tiny foot prints!  Can you solve the mystery?

Granny Pig's Garden at Peppa Pig Theme Park

Grandpa Pig’s Greenhouse- This isn’t your average greenhouse!  Your little ones can explore Grandpa Pig’s Greenhouse as they climb, slide, crawl, and play on this super-fun interactive outdoor playground.

Mr. Potato’s Showtime Arena- Hop on over to the stage area to enjoy live shows and meet and greets!

Muddy Puddles Splash Pad- Be sure to pack your bathing suits!  There’s no better way to cool off than by jumping up and down in “Muddy Puddles”!  

Peppa’s Pedal Bike Tour and George’s Tricycle Trail-  Your little piggy will love showing off their bicycling skills on these super fun tricycles!

Peppa Pig’s Treehouse- Climb into the treehouse and join Peppa for a spot of tea!  This fun, interactive playground is a great spot to get out some energy before catching a show.

Pirate Island Sand Play- Dig for buried treasure or build your own sandcastle in this super cool sandbox!

Rebecca Rabbit’s Playground- Bounce, hop, jump, crawl, and climb like a little bunny in this outdoor active play area!

The Park's Restaurant

The park has just one restaurant, which fills up incredibly fast.  If you’re eating in the restaurant, we strongly suggest visiting it as soon as it opens.  The eatery serves up shockingly good pizza, mac n cheese, and sandwiches.  They also have super-fun (and super-sugary) milkshakes topped with cookies and sprinkles.

Know Before You Go

  • Arrive at the park as early as possible.  We got there just before the gates were opened and we did all of the rides, caught a show, did the attractions, and had 2 meet and greets within 2 hours.  The park gets busier later in the day.
  • The restaurant starts poppin’ around 11:45.  The earlier you can get there, the better. 
  • The park allows you to bring in your own drinks and snacks.
  • The park can easily be done in half a day.
The kids with Peppa Pig
  • If you have a toddler or pre-schooler, leave the stroller behind.  The park is so small that you can easily navigate it without a stroller.  We ended up just parking ours and leaving it somewhere.
  • There isn’t much shade in the park- which could be a huge issue in the summer.  Be sure to pack plenty of water and cooling aids.  Shaded/cool down areas include:  the theatre, the restaurant, the splash pad, the bicycle path, and the stage area.

Visiting Peppa Pig Theme Park

One LEGOLAND Way
Winter Haven, FL 33884

The park hours vary from day to day.  Be sure to visit the official website to confirm the opening and closing times.

Peppa Pig Theme Park Essentials

Our Thoughts on Peppa Pig Theme Park

Our kids really enjoyed Peppa Pig Theme Park.  The park itself was small and can easily be done in 1/2 a day.  Despite it being small in size, it is definitely still worth the visit– if you have young kids.  We found that with the theme park being on the smaller size, it was actually more inviting for our kids.  All of the rides were developed for young kids, so we didn’t really have to worry about whether or not the twin were tall enough for certain rides.  It’ll be interesting to see how the park develops and grows over the years.  

Pairing Peppa Pig Theme Park with Legoland Florida

Legoland and Peppa Pig Theme Park actually share the same parking lot, so it is easy to pair the two of them together. However, Legoland is massive and it will take you all day to do the park.  If you want to do both Legoland and Peppa Pig Theme Park, we suggest adding on at least another 1/2 day to your trip.

Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure

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Categories
Florida Florida State Parks Orlando Springs State Parks United States

12 Best Springs Near Orlando

Believe it or not, there is more to Orlando than Disney World, Universal Studios, Legoland, and SeaWorld.  Orlando is home to a ton of natural attractions, too. Some of the best springs near Orlando make for the perfect day trip from this super busy city.  

What better way to break up your days at the theme park than by spending some time in Florida’s crystal clear waters?

Florida is home to more than 1,000 natural springs.  It has more natural springs than anywhere else on the planet!  Not only are the springs drop-dead gorgeous, but they are super relaxing!  The springs are home to some of Florida’s iconic wildlife such as manatees, turtles, otters, and yes…alligators.  

The springs near Orlando were Florida’s original tourist attraction.  People would migrate from the north to relax in the cool Florida waters.  Silver Springs and de Leon Springs  were once some of the most popular tourist attractions in the United States.  

Today the springs offer visitors a space to swim, relax on an innertube, kayak, paddleboard, canoe, snorkel, scuba dive, and even enjoy a boat tour.

Silver Glen Springs

While some of these springs are near Orlando, others require a little bit of a longer drive.  The great thing about some of these springs is that you can often hit more than one spring a day.  For instance, Alexander Springs and DeLeon Springs are really close to each other.  You could easily hit one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.  No matter which spring you choose, you seriously cannot go wrong.  All of them make a perfect day trip from Orlando.

12 Best Springs Near Orlando

Wekiwa Springs State Park

It’s amazing to think that this gorgeous natural wonder is just 14 miles from downtown Orlando.  Wekiwa Springs State Park has fabulous emerald waters, lush tropical hammocks, and miles of trails for your to explore.

The entrance fee is $6 per vehicle.  Like many of the nearby springs, it’s suggested that you arrive early as the springs tend to hit capacity early in the day.  

The park is popular for swimming, snorkeling, diving, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and simply floating on an innertube.

You could easily spend the day at the theme park and unwind in the crisp cool water in the afternoon.

Wekiwa Springs State Park

Kelly Park/Rock Springs

Kelly Park/Rock Springs is 31 miles from Orlando.  This stunning oasis has some of the most gorgeous crystal clear water.  Kelly Park is a nature park that is popular for hiking, swimming, and camping. The lazy river run for Rock Springs starts in Kelly Park and continues over 8 miles outside of the park.  

The cost for Kelly Park is $3 for a car of 2 people or $5 for 3-8 people.  The park is super popular on warm days so we strongly suggest getting there early.  The park often reaches capacity early.  This is truly one of the best springs near Orlando!  We cannot wait to explore this park!

Blue Spring State Park

Blue Spring State Park

34 miles outside of Orlando, you’ll find one of our favorite hangouts- Blue Spring State Park.  This park is extremely popular on hot days so plan on getting there early!  

What makes it so popular, you might ask?  Not only is it close to the city, but it is literally the most perfect place in the world for tubing.  The natural lazy river is incredibly refreshing- especially during the heat of summer. 

The park is also popular for swimming, snorkeling, diving, paddling, hiking, and biking.  

The entrance fee is $5 per vehicle.  The park offers inner tube rentals at the park.

The park is equally impressive during the winter months.  When the thermometer drops, the park becomes a sanctuary for manatees.  You can expect to see anywhere between 25 and 500 manatees in the springs!

The Old Spanish Sugar Mill at De Leon Springs State Park

De Leon Springs State Park

46 miles miles away, you’ll find one of our favorite springs near Orlando!  De Leon Springs State Park is another site that was once a popular tourist destination.  The site was once home to the Ponce de Leon Springs Hotel and Casino which was popular with wealthy northern visitors.  

 By the 1950s the site featured tropical gardens, a jungle cruise, a tram tour, oh yeah… and a water skiing elephant.  

While the days of water skiing elephants are long gone, this place is still pretty rad.  It features a unique restaurant where you make your own pancakes, and a swimming hole the resembles a swimming pool.  

There are so eco-boat tours available where you can see what the park looks like from the river without having to get wet.

If you don’t mind getting wet, you can rent a kayak or canoe (or bring your own) and hit the water.  The cost to enter the park is $6 per vehicle.  This unique park is one of the best springs near Orlando and definitely worth the visit!

Alexander Springs

Alexander Springs is one of the largest and most accessible springs in the state.  It is the perfect place for families with young children.  Alexander Springs is 59 miles away from downtown is truly one of the best springs near Orlando. 

The park is well known for camping, swimming, snorkeling, hiking, and paddling.  The launch site really close to the swimming hole so it is easy to go back and forth between the two.  

Entrance fees are $7/person on weekdays and $10/person on weekends. 

Alexander Springs

Juniper Springs

68 miles from Orlando, you’ll find one of the most picturesque kayak trails in Florida.  The seven-mile route will take your breath away.  Juniper Springs is idea for swimming, snorkeling, paddling, and hiking.  Paddling is popular year round, so don’t feel like visits are limited to just the warm months.  

The cost to enter the park is $7/person on weekdays and $10/person on weekends.  There is a launching fee of $10/watercraft.

Silver Glen Springs

69 miles outside of Orlando you’ll find Silver Glen Springs.  Trust us, this park is well worth the drive!  The aquamarine water is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and floating. The water here is super clear and shallow making it perfect for children.  

Like Blue Spring, it is also a refuge for manatee during the winter months. 

Admission is $6 per person.

Silver Springs State Park

Although this park is 80 miles outside of the city, you should still definitely consider visiting it!  Silver Springs State Park was one the state’s first tourist attractions and one of the most unique springs near Orlando. 

 In the 1950s, more than 800,000 people a year would visit the park!  The park is famous for its glass bottom boats and kayaking trail.  It is also known for being the winter home to manatees. 

We suggest taking the glass bottom boat tour as soon as you enter the park, it’s a great way to get acquainted with the area.  The cost of the boat tour is $12 for adults.

Silver Springs State Park

Although there is no swimming permitted, the park is perfect for paddling.  The park offers rentals, or you can pack your own vessel.  The cost to launch is $4/vessel.  There is also an entrance fee of $2/person.

Rainbow Springs State Park

The name alone makes us want to check this place out!  83 miles away from Orlando you’ll find one of the most stunning springs the state has to offer.  The water here is sapphire blue and the swimming area is massive!  The park features some of the best hiking trails in Florida and features man-made waterfalls and beautiful natural gardens.  

The park is popular for hiking, snorkeling, tubing, paddling, and swimming.    The cost to enter is $2/person.  

Salt Springs

Salt Springs is one of the jewels of the Ocala National Forest.  Located just 85 miles from the city, this unique spring is home to freshwater and saltwater fish.  Blue crabs, turtles, and manatees also call these springs home.  Swimming, fishing, snorkeling, and hiking are all popular here.  Admission is $7 /person.

Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park

Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park

Gilchrist Blue Springs was rated the #1 Florida spring by our Instagram followers.    136 miles away from Orlando, you’ll find Florida’s newest state park- Gilchrist Blue Springs.  The park is known for paddling, swimming, and snorkeling.  

There are kayaks and canoes available to rent on the site.  If you go out for a paddle, be sure to wander past the ropes that mark off the swimming hole.  The river is absolutely remarkable!  

The cost to enter is $4 to $6 per vehicle.  If you make the drive from Orlando, we suggest also making a stop at nearby Poe Springs and Rum Island Springs to make the drive worth your while!  These are also great places to check out in the event that the park is at capacity when you arrive.  

Ginnie Springs

Ginnie Springs is 138 miles outside of Orlando, making it just over 2 hours away.  You would definitely need to dedicate an entire day to visiting this state park.  Ginnie Springs advertises itself as a “true slice of pure Florida”.  It is made up of seven springs and several caves.  These caves make the spring one of the most unique freshwater diving spots in the world.  Aside from diving, the springs are also popular for tubing, paddling, swimming, snorkeling, and hiking.  

Admission ranges between $15-$20/adult depending on the season.  Children ages 5-12 are $5.  Although this site is the furthest from Orlando, it is definitely worth the drive!

Are There Alligators in the Springs?

Something visitors need to understand about Florida is that alligators can be found in any fresh body of water. Our state is home to more than a million alligators that live in lakes, rivers, marshes, canals, springs, and even ponds at places like Disney and golf courses.

There is always the possibility of seeing an alligator in a fresh body of water. In fact, as Floridians we just assume that they are lurking around.

However, alligators don’t tend to like all of the splishing and splashing. Think of them as cranky old people. They’ll try to stay as far away from humans as possible.

Our Spring Essentials

Floats and Rafts

SportsStuff Noodler 2
River Run Inflatable American Flag 2 Person Tube Float with Cooler
Giant Flamingo Float
Giant Unicorn Float

More Fun Stuff!

Inflatable Kayak
Inflatable Paddleboard (I swear by this one!)
Full-Face Snorkel Mask

Safety

Puddle Jumper Vest
Swim Vest
First Aid Kit

Skin Care & Insect Repellent

Coppertone Kids Sunscreen
OFF! Family Care Insect Spray
Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Bracelets

Towels & Swim Suits

Toddler Striped Hooded Poncho Towels
Women’s Boardshorts
Women’s 50+ SPF Shirt
Girl’s Roxy Rashguard

We hope this list compels you to get out there and explore the springs near Orlando!  After all, there’s much more to the Sunshine State than theme parks!  Grab a towel and a bathing suit, and get out there and explore the natural side of Florida!

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**Please note that this post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. All opinions are my own. Pinkie swear**

Categories
Florida Legoland Orlando United States Winter Haven

10 Helpful Legoland Florida Tips- Our Secrets Revealed!

Updated Miniland at Legoland Florida

Legoland Florida is a great place for a family vacation.  There is seriously something there for everyone! These Legoland Florida tips will help you maximize your time in the park.  The cool thing about Legoland Florida is that it is totally a park you can do in one day.  We spent about 8 hours in the park and we were able to fit in a majority of the attractions.  We even got to watch Brickbeard’s Watersport Stunt Show.  If you plan on doing the waterpark, you may want to consider adding a second day to the park.

We hope that they Legoland Florida tips help you plan out the perfect adventure for your family.  

Legoland Florida Tips- Before You Go

Getting to Legoland Florida

Many people think Legoland Florida is located in Orlando.  However, it’s actually situated about 30 miles outside of Orlando in the town of Winter Haven.  With Orlando traffic, Legoland is about an hour away (with traffic) from Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Disney World, and SeaWorld.  It’s also about an hour away from Busch Gardens Tampa.  This makes it super easy to combine Legoland with other central Florida theme parks.

When to Go

 Consider going before or after a major holiday.  We went the weekend before Thanksgiving and it was dead first thing in the morning.  By mid-afternoon the wait times were about 30 minutes, which isn’t bad at all.

Avoid the weekends, school breaks (including summer), and national holidays. 

Best Ages for Legoland Florida

Most visitors will agree that Legoland is geared towards a younger crowd- ages 2-12.  Our kids were 4 and 7 when we visited the park for the first time.  They loved Legoland Florida!  In fact, we must have heard our youngest say, “This is the best day ever!” at least 30 times.

There are several attractions that are appropriate for kids of all ages.  I was super impressed with the number of attractions that the boys could do.  At the time, they were 36″, but there was still plenty that they could do.  There were attractions that they could ride alone, but also rides that we could enjoy together.  It’s actually really neat to be able to stand on the sidelines and watch how much fun the kids are having on the rides.

The Duplo Fun Town area was a huge hit with the boys (4).  Our original plan was to head straight towards the back of the park and work our way back to the front.  As soon as we saw the Duplo rides, however, our plans were tossed into the wind.  They had so much fun on these toddler-friendly rides!

Our daughter is really into thrill rides.  While some of the rides were a little too meh for her, she still had an absolute blast and found plenty of rides that got her adrenaline pumping.

One thing I loved about Legoland is how thought-out the layout is. There are play areas available near many of the rides that have height restrictions.  When Ashley and Smiley would hit one of the older kids rides, the boys and I would hit the play areas or a ride created for  littles.

Accomodations at Legoland Florida

We stayed at the Legoland Hotel during our visit and our kids were blown away by the entire experience.  They may have even had just as much fun at the hotel as they did at the theme park.  

Along with the Legoland Hotel, Legoland Florida has two other on-property hotel options: Pirate Island Hotel and Legoland Beach Retreat.  The Pirate Hotel and the Legoland Hotel are attached to one another.  You have access to all of the same restaurants and amenities, regardless of whether you’re staying at the Pirate Hotel or Legoland Hotel.

You can read more about our stay at the Legoland Hotel here.

All of the properties offer an all-you-can-eat breakfast.  We filled up on breakfast to help get us through the morning at the theme park.  We also took snacks into the park with us so that we didn’t spend an arm and a leg on food in the park.

Our Littles at Legoland Hotel Florida

Legoland Florida Tips- While You're There

Welcome to Legoland Florida!

Arrive Early

We are early birds so we tend to get to theme parks early.  The parks hours change from day to day so it is important to refer to the park’s website to see when they will be open on the day(s) of your visit.  

When we visited, the park opened at 10 am.  We had time to have a hearty breakfast, and played at the hotel before visiting the park.  

Whenever we visit a theme park the first thing we do is… hit the bathroom!  There are bathrooms right outside of the gates at Legoland.  If you take care of this while you’re waiting to go in, it buys you some time before you have to take another bathroom break.

Know the Height Requirements

Pro-Tip:  Be sure to stop by the infographic at the park entrance so you can see which rides your kid(s) can ride based on their height(s).

The infographic on the left can be used to measure your kids.  Under each height, it specifies which rides they can go on.  We snapped a photo so we could see which rides they were eligible for.  This information is also available on the Legoland Florida app and on park maps.

I’ve heard, however, that sometimes they’ll even give you a wristband that says which rides they can go on.  That is GENIUS!  I wish that was an option when we visited.  

I wish we had a pen or a Sharpie packed so we could mark the rides on our map.

Collect a Special Pin

Did you know that you can get a special button if it is your first visit?  We went for the twins 4th birthday so we got birthday pins.  Just tell one of the employees at the front gate of any celebrations and you’ll hand you one of the pins or buttons.  We discovered that the Legoland Hotel also had access to these buttons.

Head to the Back of the Park First

Most theme park experts will tell you to head to the back of the park first.  This is almost always our strategy, as well.  Hit the popular rides first, such as Boating School, Ford’s Driving School and the rollercoasters before the lines get long.

Once you’re at the back, begin working your way towards the front.  Not only does this save you time in lines, but it also makes sense logistically.

Eating at Legoland Florida

The park allows you to bring in snacks and beverages (that are not in glass containers).  We packed juices, and PBJs (since they don’t require refrigeration), peanut butter crackers, and fruit snacks.

If you are staying at one of the Legoland Florida hotels, fill up on their all-you-can-eat breakfasts before heading over to the park.  You can also grab cereals from the grab-and-go section to bring with you into the park.

There are plenty of dining options within the park.  We are obsessed with Granny’s Apple Fries.  Our boys ask for chicken and fries every single day so we had lunch at Kick’n Chicken.  We were all super disappointed in our meal.

If you have a ticket that includes admission to the waterpark, and you’re visiting during the shoulder seasons, you may want to eat at one of the waterpark restaurants where the lines should be shorter.

The best deal in the ENTIRE park is the refillable souvenir cup.  For $16, you get unlimited refills at the Coca Cola Freestyle machines.  Even better?  It now includes Icees!

Pro-Tip:  There is a Publix (a popular Florida grocery store) across the street from Legoland Florida.  You can stop in to pick up some snacks before heading into the park.  The grocery store opens at 7 AM.  They are well-known for their sub sandwiches.

Legoland Florida Tips for Packing

Packing for Legoland is similar to packing for any other family theme park.  Our Legoland Florida tips include bringing along a backpack. 

We also packed a pair of undies and shorts, just in case.  We did notice the some of the bathrooms are spaced pretty far apart.  Grab a park map or download the park’s app so you know where to find the bathrooms for potty breaks.

As always, you should make sure you’re wearing proper shoes when you’re at a theme park.  Theme parks, in general, require a lot of walking and standing.

If you’re traveling with younger kids, you will probably want to have a stroller handy.  Our boys rarely ever use a stroller anymore, but we always bring one with us to theme parks so they can hop in and hop out throughout the day.  It was also handy for storing our bags.

Other Legoland Florida Tips for Packing:

  • Sunscreen: It’s Florida, lather up.
  • Cooling Aids: If you’re visiting during the hot months, consider packing a Cooling Towel or a fan
  • Umbrella: It rains almost every day during the summer. Pack an umbrella.
  • Portable Charger: Let’s face it, you’ll be taking a gazillion photos and probably be checking the app often! Pack a portable charger, or you’ll regret it.

Brickbeard's Watersports Stunt Show

In honor of Legoland Florida’s tenth birthday, the park has a brand new show called Brickbeard’s Watersports Stunt Show and it is AWESOME!  The thirty minute show is a great way to break up the day and gives you a chance to get off your feet for a few minutes.  The show features stunts by boaters, and skiers alongside Lego characters.  The show is full of super funny puns and adventure.  

The whole family enjoyed the spectacular presentation!

Shopping

There are several shops scattered throughout the park however, we suggest saving the shopping until the end.  The largest store is located right at the entrance/exit.  The Legoland stores feature several exclusive Lego items that you can only find at Legoland.

Trade Your Minifigures

This is probably one of the most common Legoland Florida tips.  However, if you didn’t know you can bring along a few minifigures for your kiddos to trade.  All of the Model Citizens (Legoland employees) have minifigures that they can trade.

Visiting the Water Park

The waterpark is located within the theme park but requires separate tickets and additional fees.  If you plan on doing the waterpark, you may want to consider adding a second day to the park.

Save These Legoland Florida Tips for Your Adventure!

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Categories
Florida Legoland Orlando United States Winter Haven

Everything is AWESOME at Legoland Florida

Welcome to Legoland Florida!

Legoland Florida is one of the newest theme parks to enter the Florida market.  They just recently celebrated their 10th birthday!  The theme park is located in Winter Haven, about 30 miles southwest of Orlando and 45 miles east of Tampa.   The complex features the theme park itself, a waterpark, three on-site accommodations (Legoland Hotel, Pirate Island Hotel, and Beach Retreat), and a brand-spankin new park based on Peppa Pig. 

The park was built on the former Cypress Gardens theme park.  Legoland Florida has preserved the timeless botanical gardens and re-themed the water park and several attractions to go along with the Lego brick theme. 

The park is most definitely geared towards kids, but you’ll want to pay close attention to the ride requirements before queuing up.  We suggest measuring your kids ahead of time and researching which rides they can go on, or measure them at the entrance of the park and refer to the infographic (and map) to determine which rides they can enjoy.

Pro-Tip:  Be sure you pack a pen or a marker in your bag so you can mark up your park map with rides your kids can go on.

Legoland Florida Rides

The Legoland Florida theme park has ten sections each with its own unique Lego theme.  The sections are rather small, in comparison to Disney, but there is still plenty to do.

In this post, we’ll explore the various sections of the park and list out the rides and main attractions in each. We’ll further explore the rides and go into more detail about them in an upcoming post.

Pro-Tip:  Be sure to stop by the infographic at the park entrance so you can see which rides your kid(s) can ride based on their height(s).

The Beginning

Naturally, the entrance to the park is known as The Beginning.  This section does not have any attractions however, this is where you’ll find the primary gift shops, some restaurants, and administrative buildings such as guest services.

We suggest skipping this part of the park when you enter and hitting it on your way out so that you don’t have to tote your shopping bags around the park.  Prepare to be amazed by The Big Shop!

Fun Town

Fun Town is where you’ll find the first attractions.  A two-level carousel called Grand Carousel and the Wells Fargo Fun Town Theater which features 4D films.

Pro-Tip:  Be sure to grab Legoland’s #1 snack while you’re here!  Granny’s Apple Fries are legit!

The Grand Carousel Legoland Florida

Heartlake City

Heartlake City opened in 2015.  It has 1 ride- Mia’s Riding Adventure, a theater, and a heart-shaped fountain with Lego brick instruments.

We opted to hit up Duplo Valley a second time and skipped this section entirely- with the exception of the kids posing with some of the Lego Friends character statues.

Miniland USA

This section just underwent an extensive remodel.  Miniland USA features scaled models of Washington DC, New York City, Las Vegas, Florida, and more.   It is extremely impressive!

It was cool to see what the Legomasters are capable of.  There are lots of moving objects, and interactive elements mixed in as well.  Throughout the displays, there are buttons that you can push to get parts of the exhibit to move.  In the Florida section, you’ll even find a rocket launch at the replica of the Kennedy Space Center.

Being a huge American History nerd, I was drawn to the mini-version of DC’s National Mall.  

Duplo Valley

Duplo Tractor Legoland Florida

This area was designed with toddlers in mind.  It hosts two rides Duplo Train, and Duplo Tractor, an air-conditioned playground called Duplo Farm, an outdoor playground, and a toddler splash pad.

Our boys are obsessed with trains, tractors, construction trucks, rescue vehicles, etc so this section was perfect for them.We enjoyed this part of the park so much that this is where we started and ended our day.  The lines are typically extremely short making it easy to ride these rides multiple times.

Lego Kingdoms

Journey back into medieval times at Lego Kingdoms.  The Dragon is a remodeled roller coaster from the park’s Cypress Garden days.  Here, you’ll also find a toddler friendly ride called The Royal Joust, a small circular rollercoaster called Merlin’s Challenge, and a playground known as The Forestmen’s Hideout.

The boys loved The Royal Joust but our daughter (almost 8) was rather bored with it.  We all were huge fans of Merlin’s Challenge.  We took advantage of the playground, as well.  The kids really seemed to enjoy it.

Land of Adventure

You’ll find a treasure chest of fun in this Ancient Egyptian themed section.  Don’t miss Beetle Bounce, Coastersaurus, Lost Kingdom Adventure, Safari Trek, and Pharaoh’s Revenge- a super fun playground.

The Lost Kingdom Adventure is an indoor ride that would be perfect to escape into in the event of rain or extreme heat.  The ride is comes equipped with laser guns that you aim and shoot at targets to collect points.  It’s a lot of fun.

The Lego Movie World

Masters of Flight Legoland Florida

This section is centered around The Lego Movie.  There are three main attractions here including Masters of Flight, a flying theater attraction, Unikitty’s Discodrop, and Battle of Bricksburg a super wet family-fun ride.

We skipped Battle of Bricksburg since it cooler out and we didn’t want to spend the day wet however, it looked like a ton of fun!  

Lego City

Cruise into the heart of Lego City for trunk loads of fun! Kids can act like grown-ups and drive almost every vehicle imaginable!   Here you’ll find Ford Driving School, Ford Jr. Driving School, Flying School, Boating School, and Rescue Academy.

A Lego Mustang at Legoland Florida

Pro-Tip:  The Rescue Academy attraction requires way more physicality than it looks!  Guests have to pump a two-sided lever to get get their fire truck to race across the track to the “fire”.  Then, run out, put out the fire, and maneuver the fire truck back to the finish line.  It’s a work out.

Lego Technic

In this section you’ll find Technicycle, a pedal-powered spinning machine that propels you into the air, The Great Lego Race coaster, and AQUAZONE Wave Racers.

Imagination Zone

This zone features 2 spaces where kids can get creative!  At Build & Test kids can build race cars and zip lines, and Lego Mindstorms  is an exhibit where they can build robots. At WB Games Zone kids can play video games.  There is one ride, Kid Power Towers, where guests hoist themselves to the top and free-fall to the bottom.

This is a great area to hang out in the event of rain or extreme heat!

Pro-Tip:  Kid Power Tours requires you to use your muscles to hoist yourself up to the top of a tower.  It requires quite a bit of effort.

Some of the attractions that were originally part of Cypress Gardens have been re-themed, renovated, and renamed.  The wooden rollercoaster once called Triple Hurricane was renamed to Coastersaurus.T  he Okeechobee Rampage coaster was renamed to The Dragon.  An inverted coaster called Swamp Thing was renamed Flying School and

Brickbeard's Water Stunt Show

We cannot recommend this live-action water ski show more!  The show is performed a couple of times a day on Lake Louise.  The show stars Lego characters and a handful of water skiers and boaters. It is awesome!  The show was humourous and full of a ton of action. 

We were impressed by the athleticism and how closely the boats maneuvered towards one another at high speeds.

The show lasts about 30 minutes.  It was a nice way to break up our day and rest our feet for a few.

Restaurants at Legoland Florida

There are a handful of restaurants scattered around the park.  The serve up kid favorites such as cheeseburgers, pizza, tacos, sandwiches,  fried chicken, popcorn, and ice cream.  

We ate at Kick’n Chicken Co. and were not impressed.  We ordered a family size bucket of the hand-breaded chicken tenders and some fries. The chicken was stringy and tough.

The park permits you to bring food items that do not require heating and drinks, as long as they are not in a glass container.  We packed juices, sandwiches, and peanut butter crackers for snacks. 

Pro-Tip:  There is a Publix grocery store right across from the park.  You can easily stop by there to grab some snacks to bring into the park before you begin your day.  The store opens at 7 AM.  

If you are unfamiliar with Publix, they are well-known for their sub sandwiches which we lovingly refer to as “Pub Subs”.

Legoland Florida Water Park

Believe it or not, the Legoland Water Park is open year round! USA Today named it one of the best waterparks in the USA.  It includes a lazy river, 14 water slides, and play areas.

The Legoland Water Park was originally part of Cypress Gardens.  The original park had five rides.  When the waterpark was acquired by the Legoland corporation (Merlin Entertainments), they added a sixth attraction for toddlers called Duplo Splash Safari.  

Admission to the water park requires the purchase of a ticket to the theme park in addition to a seperate ticket for the Water Park.  

Pro-Tip:  If you are visiting Legoland Florida during the shoulder season, and your ticket includes the Legoland Water Park add-on, consider grabbing lunch at the Water Park.  You’ll find the lines are much shorter than in the main park.

The hours and days are seasonal, so be sure to refer to the official website for specific information.

Legoland Florida Tips for Packing

Packing for Legoland is similar to packing for any other family theme park.  Our Legoland Florida tips include bringing along a backpack.

We also packed a pair of undies and shorts, just in case.  We did notice the some of the bathrooms are spaced pretty far apart.  Grab a park map or download the park’s app so you know where to find the bathrooms for potty breaks.

As always, you should make sure you’re wearing proper shoes when you’re at a theme park.  Theme parks, in general, require a lot of walking and standing.

If you’re traveling with younger kids, you will probably want to have a stroller handy.  Our boys rarely ever use a stroller anymore, but we always bring one with us to theme parks so they can hop in and hop out throughout the day.  It was also handy for storing our bags.

Other Legoland Florida Tips for Packing:

  • Sunscreen: It’s Florida, lather up.
  • Cooling Aids: If you’re visiting during the hot months, consider packing a Cooling Towel or a fan
  • Umbrella: It rains almost every day during the summer. Pack an umbrella.
  • Portable Charger: Let’s face it, you’ll be taking a gazillion photos and probably checking the app often! Pack a portable charger, or you’ll regret it.
 

Visiting Legoland Florida

Many people think Legoland Florida is in Orlando however, it is actually in the town of Winter Haven just southwest of Orlando.  It’s about 36 miles, or an hour away from Disney World.

Address:  1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven, FL 33884

If you’re driving, Legoland Florida is easily accessible via I-4 (via Orlando or I-75 (via Tampa).  

If you are flying, you can fly into either the Tampa International Airport or the Orlando International Airport.  The Tampa airport is about 60 miles away and about an hour drive.  Whereas the Orlando airport is about 52 miles away and will take you about an hour (depending on Orlando traffic).  Either way, you’ll most likely want to pick up a rental car to make your way from the airport to the theme park.

The Legoland Hotel

Our Littles at Legoland Hotel Florida

About 130 kid-steps away from Legoland Florida, you’ll find the Legoland Hotel and the Pirate Hotel.  Seriously, staying at the hotel totally makes the experience.  It is a kids-dream come true!  

While Pirate Hotel is centered around…well…pirates, the Legoland Hotel has several different thematic rooms.  Each room comes with a seperate kids sleeping area with a bunk bed and a pull-out trundle.  The grown up section has a cozy king-size bed.

The hotels are combined and share 3 restaurants, several play spaces, 2 pools, a miniature golf course, and more!

The other lodging option is the Legoland Beach Retreat.  Lego brick inspired beach bungalows are grouped together.  Each grouping shares and outdoor play area that is within view of the backyard patio so grown-ups can kick up their feet and relax while their kids play.  There is also an awesome beach-themed resort-style pool.

All of the rooms have a separate kid’s sleeping area.  

Legolands World-Wide

Legoland Florida is just one of many parks in the Legoland chain.  There are eight other Legolands scattered across the globe.  The other parks are located in:  New York, California, Denmark, Germany, Italy, The UK, Malaysia, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates.  Future parks are scheduled to open in Belgium, South Korea, and China.

Legoland Florida is the second largest Legoland park after Legoland Windsor.  The park sits on 145 acres and features more than fifty rides, shows, attractions, shops, and restaurants. 

Can I Combine Legoland with Another Theme Park?

Many visitors from out of state combine a trip to Legoland with a visit to another theme park.  The Disney World complex, Universal Studios (along with Islands of Adventure), SeaWorld, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay are all about an hour away from Legoland.  You could easily stay at the Legoland Hotel and visit one of these other parks.  

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Updated 3/5/2024

Categories
Florida Hotel Review Legoland Orlando United States Winter Haven

The Super AWESOME Legoland Hotel Florida

Resort Style Pool Legoland Hotel Florida

This year we celebrated the boys 4th birthday with a trip to the Legoland Hotel.  The kids were over the moon the entire weekend!  Staying at the Legoland Hotel was icing on the (birthday) cake for our trip.  It truly helped make the trip one that the kids will remember for years to come.

One of the biggest perks of staying at the hotel (aside from free parking) is how close it is to the Legoland Florida theme park.  The hotel is 130 kid-steps away from the entrance!  Another cool thing is the fact that every room comes with a seperate kid’s sleeping area.  The kid’s sleeping area has a bunk bed, a pull-out trundle bed, a tv, and space for them to build sculptures with their Lego bricks

Our Littles at Legoland Hotel Florida

The hotel is literally a kids dream come true.  The entire place is kid-friendly.  There are play areas all throughout the hotel including a massive one between the BRICKS Restaurant and Skyline Lounge just off the main lobby. Even the restaurants are kid-friendly fun spaces.

The elevators are also super awesome!  As they transport you to your floor, music plays, disco balls spin and strobe lights flash for an elevator dance party.  We convinced the kids that they elevator would only move if they were dancing so every time we stepped into it, they danced their little hearts out.  It was totally adorable!

Every single kid that we saw at the hotel wore a massive smile.  They all seemed to be having the time of their lives.  The play area was super lively.  The main floor of the hotel has an open floor concept so the lobby, play area, Skyline Lounge, and BRICKS Restaurant are all connected.  Because of this, the noise from the play area carries over to the restaurants and lobby making the entire first floor quite loud.

Types of Rooms

The Legoland Hotel features 152 rooms and suites, each extensively decorated with a Lego theme that your kids will love.  

Kingdom

Grab your crown and royal scepter and back to medieval times with the Kingdom Rooms!

The Kingdom rooms sleep up to five.  There is a seperate children’s sleeping area.  The room includes Lego models, a treasure chest of Lego for your kids to enjoy, and an in-room-treasure hunt.

Kingdom Room Legoland Hotel Florida

Adventure

Enter if you dare!  These Ancient Egyptian themed rooms are decorated with thematic sarcophagus, hieroglyphics, and more!  The Adventure Rooms sleep up to five.  There is a seperate children’s sleeping area.  The room includes Lego models, a treasure chest of Lego for your kids to enjoy, and an in-room-treasure hunt.

Pirate

Argh!  Be it a sea adventure ye be craving?  Grab yer shovel and follow the map to the hidden treasure!  X marks the spot in the Pirate rooms.  

The Pirate room sleep up to five.  There is a seperate children’s sleeping area.  The room includes Lego models, a treasure chest of Lego for your kids to enjoy, and an in-room-treasure hunt.

LEGO Friends

Grab your BFF, your favorite jammies and prepare for the ultimate slumber party (pillow fights optional!). 

The LEGO Friends rooms sleep up to five.  There is a seperate children’s sleeping area.  The room includes Lego models, a treasure chest of Lego for your kids to enjoy, and an in-room-treasure hunt.

LEGO Movie

Everything is awesome in the LEGO Movie theme rooms! 

The LEGO Movie rooms sleep up to five.  There is a seperate children’s sleeping area.  The room includes Lego models, a treasure chest of Lego for your kids to enjoy, and an in-room-treasure hunt.

Pirate Island Hotel

Ahoy Mateys!  The newest addition to the Legoland Florida hotels is the Pirate Island Hotel.  The rooms are decorated to the max!

The rooms sleep up to five.  There is a seperate children’s sleeping area.  The room includes Lego models, a treasure chest of Lego for your kids to enjoy, and an in-room-treasure hunt.

All Rooms Include:

  • King size bed in the adult sleeping area
  • Separate kids sleeping area with a bunk bed, pull out trundle bed and entertainment unit
  • Welcome Treasure Hunt with LEGO prize
  • LEGO bricks to build during your visit
  • 2 TVs
  • Mini-Fridge
  • Keurig
  • Hairdryer
  • Safe
  • Toiletries

Pro-Tip:  The hotel rooms do not have a clock.  You will need to use your cell phone or a travel alarm clock to keep track of the time.  

Legoland Hotel Restaurants

The hotel has three different restaurants; BRICKS Restaurant, Shipwreck Restaurant, and Skyline Lounge.  Each eatery offers a unique family-friendly dining experience.

BRICKS Restaurant

Bricks Family Restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner.  

For breakfast, the restaurant offers up an endless all-you-can-eat family-style breakfast.   They serve hot traditional breakfast options, fresh fruit, cereal, etc.  Breakfast is free for hotel guests.

From 5 to 8, the restaurant features an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring traditional American foods.

Bricks Restaurant Legoland Hotel Florida

Shipwreck Restaurant

Shipwreck Restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner.  

For breakfast, the restaurant offers up an endless all-you-can-eat family-style breakfast.   They serve hot traditional breakfast options, fresh fruit, cereal, etc.  Breakfast is free for hotel guests.

At dinner, the restaurant serves up a 3-course family style feast!  The menu is all-you-can-eat  meals such as the Pirate Platter (beef brisket, BBQ pork, spare ribs, rotisserie chicken, smoked sausage, and sides), Seadog Skillet (flank steak, pork tenderloin, blackened fish, rotisserie chicken, shrimp, and sides), or a plant based skillet.

Skyline Lounge

This super hip restaurant serves up traditional American food for lunch and dinner.  They also have a full bar which serves up my favorite gin from the St. Augustine Distillery.  We sat down to a delicious steak dinner with cocktails and mocktails on our first night at the hotel.  It was a lovely way to kick off our birthday vacation.

Skyline Lounge at Legoland Hotel Florida

Pro-Tip:  There is a Publix grocery store across the street from Legoland Florida.  You can load up on snacks to munch on in the room, poolside or by the park.

Legoland Hotel Amenities

The Legoland Hotel property rests on the banks of Lake Eloise. There is a beautiful boardwalk that offers stunning views of this picturesque lake.

The main attractions on the property are the heated resort-style pool and the waterslide.  The maximum depth of the pool is 4 feet, although most of the pool is less than 3 feet.  While we were there, there were 5 lifeguards on duty the whole time (2 at the water slides and 3 at the pool).  The pool was filled with large LEGO bricks for the kids to play with in the water.

Our kids favorite things about the Legoland Hotel-

Scoop- “the pool”

Stinky- “the (water)slide and the pool”

Smiley-  “the play area and the pool”

We couldn’t keep the kids out of the play areas!  Their favorite was the large play area just off the main lobby and the pirate playroom in the Pirate Hotel.

  • Free breakfast
  • Heated resort-style pool
  • Waterslide
  • Miniature Golf Course
  • Firepit
  • Character Meet-and-Greets
  • In-Room Treasure Hunts
  • Elevator Dance Party
  • Play Spaces
Play Area Legoland Hotel Florida

Visiting the Legoland Hotel Florida

Many people think Legoland is in Orlando however, it is actually in the town of Winter Haven just southwest of Orlando.  It’s about 36 miles, or an hour away from Disney World.

Address:  1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven, FL 33884

Visiting Other Theme Parks from Legoland Hotel

You can easily visit the other Orlando theme parks while staying at the Legoland hotel.  While we were staying at the hotel, we met several people who were splitting their time between Legoland and other parks.  Disney World, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios are all about an hour away.  

Our Thoughts on the Legoland Hotel

The Kids

The Grown-Ups

Our kids were obsessed with the Legoland Hotel.  We barely spent any time in our room at all.  We spent most of our time in the play areas, and took advantage of the heated pool.  The water slide was fast and lots of fun!

 When we weren’t playing with LEGO in the play areas, they were playing with them in the room.  

The hotel could use a couple of more amenities for kids to do.  Laser tag, for instance, would be a huge hit at the hotel.  Maybe even a dancing room (to continue the party from the elevator).

They gave the hotel 2 big thumbs up (each!).

The hotel was pretty great.  The rooms were a little tired and could use a little updating.  The TV in the kid area of our room didn’t work.  We reported it to maintenance and they were unable to fix it.  They offered us a free s’more kit for the fire pit as compensation.

The lobby is attached to a small play area and a large play area that is nearly always busy…and loud.  Get used to seeing kids running around everywhere as they shoot each other with LEGO guns.  We found the pirate play area in the Pirate Hotel much quieter.

It would have been nice if the mini-golf was free for hotel guests.

Seeing the kids so happy made it 100% worthwhile.  We looked at booking the hotel again the day after we got back from our trip!

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Disney Florida Orlando United States

13 Best Disney World Rides for Toddlers at the Magic Kingdom

Our First Family Ride at Disney- The Mad Tea Party!

Disney World is truly a place for everyone! Honestly, nobody is too young or too old to visit the House of Mouse. There is something there for everyone to enjoy. Many people think that toddlers are too young to enjoy Disney, but boy are they wrong! Since kids under the age of 3 get in for free, they are the perfect age to visit the theme park. In fact, Disney has a ton of rides that will be perfect for your toddler. We’ll be highlighting the Best Disney World Rides for Toddlers at the Magic Kingdom.

There aren’t just one or two rides that your toddler will love. We’ve come up with a list of 13 Disney World Rides for Toddlers!

Scoop and Stinky at Magic Kingdom

Best Disney World Rides for Toddlers at the Magic Kingdom

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Height Requirement: Any Height

Ya’ll! This is my favorite Disney World ride! Blast off into outer space and help Buzz defeat Emperor Zurg and his army of bad guys. This ride is just like being trapped in the middle of a live-action video game. You’ll board a two-seater spaceship equipped with laser guns which you’ll use to blast targets to earn points.

Pro-Tip: Seat your kids on the right to give them an opportunity to score more points. Or don’t and totally kick their butts!

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Height Requirement: Any Height

This high-flying, classic ride seats two passengers per elephant. You’ll soar high into the air and gently dip down. This ride is sure to bring out a ton of giggles!

The indoor portion of the ride queue is an air-conditioned play area that will help keep your kiddo occupied while you wait in line.

Pro-Tip: Get a FastPass+ for this ride early in the day. This ride is perfect for photo ops! You can also ride it later in the day when your toddler needs the ability to run around a little bit.

It’s a Small World

Height Requirement: Any Height

Like the Pirates of the Caribbean Ride (below), this iconic ride is a slow-moving indoor boat ride. Take a 10-minute, fully air conditioned, trip “around the world” in this fan favorite attraction. Yes…the song will get stuck in your head but the air conditioning and ability to kickback and relax will be an welcomed relief.

Pro-Tip: Use a FastPass+ and book this ride mid-day. It’s a great way to escape the heat.

Disney World Rides for Toddlers: Mad Tea Party Ride

Mad Tea Party

Height Requirement: Any Height

This was the first ride we rode at Disney World as a family. It was an amazing way to kick off our trip, and introduce our kids to the magic of Disney. On this two-minute ride, you’ll hop into a tea cup and whirl around. Sound sickening? It’s not horrible. Riders control the speed and direction of the tea cups— you’re able to make it slow down, if needed.

Disney World Rides for Toddlers: Aladdin’s Magic Carpet Ride

Magic Carpets of Aladdin

Height Requirement: Any Height

Similar to the Dumbo ride, the Magic Carpets of Aladdin bob up and down offering you aerial views of the park. The main difference between this ride and Dumbo is that Dumbo seats only 2 people whereas the Magic Carpets seat 4. Also, there is a joystick that allows you to control the up and down movements of the ride. Pretty rad, right?

Pro-Tip: Ride at night for absolutely spectacular views.

In Line at the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Height Requirement: Any Height

Seriously, this ride is a gift from the Disney gods! Your toddler will love it! The queue is lined with interactive play areas including drums, a super cool digital wall, and all kinds of Hundred Acre Wood inspired hands-on activities.

The ride itself is a six-seater honey pot “roller coaster” that stars Pooh Bear, Tigger, Piglet, and the gang. There are parts of the ride that are dark, but our toddlers didn’t seem to mind.

The ride is four-minutes long and the lines can get lengthy. With all of the interactive activities, your toddler probably won’t mind.

Peter Pan’s Flight

Height Requirement: Any Height

Climb aboard a flying pirate ship and venture off to Neverland with Peter Pan. This classic Disney tale comes to life as you fly to the home of the Lost Boys.

Pro-Tip: Get a FastPass+! This is one of the most popular rides at Disney. Book your Fastpass+ ASAP.

Pirates of the Caribbean

Height Requirement: Any Height

If your kids are anything like mine, they will love this ride. Our kids are obsessed with boats and pirates! I thought that this ride might be a little too dark and scary for the twins but they loved the slow-moving boat ride and the music that went along with it.

Yo-ho, yo-ho, it’s a pirate boat adventure ride for the entire family! Kids will love the pirate aspect of it and parents will enjoy it too! The ride lasts 8.5 minutes- that’s almost 10 minutes of relaxing in air conditioning.

Pro-Tip: Use a FastPass+ and book this ride mid-day. It’s a great way to escape the heat.

Note: There is a little waterfall drop at the end and the ride is dark compared to most other indoor rides.

Disney World Rides for Toddlers: Prince Charming’s Regal Carousel

Prince Charming’s Regal Carousel

Height Requirement: Any Height

Listen, I was honestly skeptical about taking the kiddos on the carousel. I mean, we have a carousel at home. But they absolutely loved the Prince Charming Regal Carousel. There is something magical about riding up and down on a gallant steed in front of Cinderella’s castle.

Pro-Tip: The ride lasts less than two minutes and the lines are fast-moving (which is great because it’s not shaded). Visit early in the morning or late in the day for a minimal wait.

The Barnstormer

Height Requirement: 35″

This popular Goofy-themed kid-friendly rollercoaster is a favorite with young kids.

Tomorrowland Speedway

Height Requirement: 32″ to ride, 54″ inches to ride solo

It’s time to hit the track! Zip around the Tomorrowland Speedway in a super awesome racecar! Kids will love the feeling of “driving” around the track.

Pro-Tip: Space Mountain is right next door. If you have someone in your group who is dying to ride Space Mountain, this is a great place for the younger kids to hang out until they are done riding!

Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover

Height Requirement: Any Height

Growing up this was one of my favorite rides at Disney. It still is, but now for a totally different reason. Parents, let me introduce you to the “Sleeper Mover”…ugh sorry, People Mover. This is the perfect place to unwind, sit down, relax, and possibly catch a quick nap. You’ll go on a slow, 10-minute ride through Tomorrowland. There are even some dark parts (BONUS!) to help your little one relax a bit more.

Pro-Tip: Space Mountain is right next door. If you have someone in your group who is dying to ride Space Mountain, this is a great place for the younger kids to hang out until they are done riding!

Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

Height Requirement: Any Height

Travel beneath the surface of the ocean as you join Ariel on her quest to meet her prince charming. You’ll join her for five-and-a-half-minutes on board a three-seater clamshell. Toddlers will love all of the vibrant colors, bubbles, and popular songs.

Our Disney Essentials

Mickey Mouse Backpack Safety Leash and Harness
Mickey Mouse Water Bottle with Straw and Lid
Coppertone Kids Sunscreen

As you can see, there are tons of Disney World rides for toddlers! Seriously, this is the perfect age to bring your little ones to Disney World.

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