9 Florida’s Amusement Parks Worth Visiting Besides Disney and Universal

Florida is famous for its world-class theme parks, but the magic doesn’t stop at Disney and Universal.

Beyond the gates of these mega-resorts, you’ll find a treasure trove of unique amusement parks that offer thrilling rides, fascinating wildlife encounters, and unforgettable family memories.

From roller coasters that twist through lush gardens to water parks where gators reign supreme, these hidden gems showcase Florida’s diverse entertainment landscape.

Whether you’re seeking adrenaline-pumping adventures or relaxing days surrounded by natural beauty, these nine parks deliver experiences that rival the big names without the overwhelming crowds.

1. SeaWorld Orlando

Where ocean meets adrenaline, SeaWorld Orlando creates a distinctive blend of marine education and theme park excitement.

This Orlando landmark has evolved significantly over the years, expanding its offerings to include some of Florida’s most impressive thrill rides alongside its famous animal exhibits.

The Mako hypercoaster earns its name honestly, reaching speeds of 73 miles per hour and standing as Orlando’s tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster.

Riders experience the sensation of a shark hunting its prey as they navigate 200 feet of airtime hills and tight turns.

Not to be outdone, the Kraken floorless coaster dangles riders’ legs freely as they barrel through loops and corkscrews.

Marine life remains at the heart of SeaWorld’s identity, with expansive habitats showcasing dolphins, sea lions, penguins, and countless fish species.

The park’s approach emphasizes conservation and rescue efforts, with many of the animals being rehabilitated individuals who cannot return to the wild.

Educational presentations throughout the day teach visitors about ocean ecosystems and the challenges facing marine animals in today’s world.

Families with young children gravitate toward Sesame Street Land, where beloved characters come to life through interactive attractions and meet-and-greets.

The area features kid-friendly rides and a spectacular parade that delights the youngest visitors.

Seasonal events add extra layers of entertainment, from summer concerts to holiday celebrations featuring millions of twinkling lights.

SeaWorld’s commitment to blending education with entertainment creates meaningful experiences that spark curiosity about the ocean world.

Address: 7007 Sea World Dr, Orlando, Florida

2. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Sprawling across 335 acres of Tampa’s landscape, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay stands as one of Florida’s most unique entertainment destinations.

This park masterfully blends heart-pounding thrills with the wonder of wildlife, creating an experience that appeals to adventure seekers and animal lovers alike.

Nine world-class roller coasters snake through the property, each offering its own brand of excitement.

The park’s signature attraction, SheiKra, sends riders plummeting 200 feet straight down at 70 miles per hour, while the Iron Gwazi hybrid coaster claims the title of North America’s tallest and fastest hybrid coaster.

What sets Busch Gardens apart from typical theme parks is its commitment to animal conservation and education.

Thousands of animals representing over 200 species call this park home, living in carefully designed habitats that mirror their natural environments.

Guests can observe majestic cheetahs, playful orangutans, and towering giraffes throughout their visit.

The Serengeti Plain offers an especially breathtaking sight, where zebras, rhinos, and antelopes roam freely across an expansive savanna.

Beyond rides and animals, the park features live entertainment that transports visitors to different corners of the world.

Colorful performances celebrate various cultures, while seasonal events like Howl-O-Scream transform the park into a haunting Halloween destination.

Families appreciate the variety of attractions suitable for younger children, including gentle rides and interactive play areas.

The combination of thrills, wildlife encounters, and immersive theming creates a full-day experience that leaves visitors wanting to return.

Address: 10165 N McKinley Dr, Tampa, Florida

3. Gatorland

Nothing says Florida quite like coming face-to-face with thousands of alligators and crocodiles, and Gatorland delivers this quintessentially Floridian experience in spectacular fashion.

Self-proclaimed as the Alligator Capital of the World, this 110-acre wildlife preserve has been thrilling visitors since 1949.

The moment you pass through the park’s famous giant gator mouth entrance, you enter a world where prehistoric reptiles rule.

Gatorland houses over 2,000 alligators and crocodiles, ranging from hatchlings small enough to fit in your palm to massive specimens stretching over 13 feet long.

The breeding marsh walkway allows visitors to observe these magnificent creatures in a natural setting, basking in the sun or gliding through murky waters.

Alligator wrestling shows provide jaw-dropping entertainment as trained handlers demonstrate their skills and share fascinating facts about gator behavior.

These presentations aren’t just spectacles but educational experiences that foster respect for these ancient reptiles.

Adventure seekers can soar above the park on the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line, which offers bird’s-eye views of the sprawling habitats below.

For those preferring to stay grounded, the Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure takes guests on a wild ride through natural Florida wetlands.

The park also houses other native Florida wildlife, including snakes, birds, and the occasional bobcat.

Unlike massive theme parks, Gatorland maintains an old-Florida charm that feels authentic and unpretentious.

Families appreciate the reasonable admission prices and the ability to see everything in a relaxed half-day visit.

Address: 14501 S Orange Blossom Trl, Orlando, Florida

4. Legoland Florida

Built on the grounds of the historic Cypress Gardens, Legoland Florida transforms imagination into reality for families with young children.

This Winter Haven park specifically targets kids aged 2 to 12, creating an environment where little ones feel like the attractions were designed just for them.

More than 50 rides, shows, and attractions fill the 150-acre property, all themed around those iconic plastic building blocks.

Miniland USA represents one of the park’s most impressive features, showcasing American landmarks and cities recreated entirely from Lego bricks.

Over 50 million Lego pieces form detailed replicas of places like New York City, Washington D.C., and even Kennedy Space Center.

The intricate details captivate adults as much as children, with moving vehicles, interactive buttons, and hidden surprises throughout.

Rides cater perfectly to the target age group, offering just enough excitement without overwhelming younger visitors.

The Dragon coaster provides a gentle introduction to roller coasters, while the Flying School suspended coaster appeals to slightly older kids ready for more thrills.

Interactive attractions encourage creativity and problem-solving, like the Lego Ninjago ride where guests use hand gestures to defeat virtual enemies.

The park’s water park, included with admission during summer months, features slides, a lazy river, and a massive bucket that dumps water on squealing children below.

Parents appreciate that everything feels manageable, with shorter wait times and a less frantic pace than larger theme parks.

Kids leave exhausted but happy, often clutching new Lego sets from the enormous gift shop.

Address: 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven, Florida

5. Fun Spot America Orlando

Sometimes the best adventures come in compact packages, and Fun Spot America Orlando proves this point brilliantly.

This family-owned park delivers classic amusement park fun without requiring a full day or draining your wallet.

Four towering go-kart tracks dominate the skyline, including multi-level courses that twist and turn high above the ground.

Racing enthusiasts love the challenge of navigating these elevated tracks, with some reaching four stories tall.

The Vortex track features a unique spiral design, while the Conquest track tests drivers with sharp turns and elevation changes.

Beyond go-karts, the park offers legitimate thrill rides that rival those at larger parks.

White Lightning, a wooden roller coaster, delivers surprising intensity with its steep drops and rapid turns.

Freedom Flyer, a suspended coaster, swings riders’ legs freely as they soar through the air.

The SkyCoaster presents the ultimate test of courage, launching up to three riders 300 feet into the air before releasing them into a pendulum swing.

Screams echo across the park as brave souls experience this unique combination of skydiving and hang gliding.

Younger children aren’t left out, with a dedicated kiddie area featuring gentler rides and attractions scaled to their size.

The arcade buzzes with activity, offering hundreds of games from classic favorites to modern video games.

What makes Fun Spot special is its pay-per-ride option, allowing visitors to enjoy just a few attractions without purchasing full admission.

This flexibility appeals to locals and tourists looking for a few hours of entertainment rather than an all-day commitment.

Address: 5700 Fun Spot Way, Orlando, Florida

6. Daytona Lagoon

Tucked along Florida’s famous coast, Daytona Lagoon offers a refreshing combination of water park thrills and classic amusement attractions.

This entertainment complex understands that variety keeps families happy, so they’ve packed multiple experiences into one convenient location.

The water park section provides essential relief from Florida’s intense summer heat with its collection of slides, pools, and splash zones.

The Kraken’s Revenge slide tower features four different slides, each offering varying levels of intensity.

Brave souls tackle the near-vertical drop slides, while others prefer the winding tube rides that twist and turn before splashing into the pool below.

A massive wave pool generates rolling waves that mimic ocean conditions, perfect for body surfing or simply floating along.

Little ones splash safely in the shallow kiddie area, complete with pint-sized slides and interactive water features.

When you’ve had enough water, the dry attractions await just steps away.

Go-kart tracks challenge drivers of all skill levels, with both single and double-seater karts available.

The elevated track provides an extra thrill as racers zoom around curves high above the ground.

Miniature golf courses offer a more relaxed pace, featuring tropical theming and challenging obstacles that test putting skills.

The massive arcade houses hundreds of games, from vintage classics to cutting-edge virtual reality experiences.

Laser tag battles take place in a multi-level arena where strategy and quick reflexes determine victory.

Daytona Lagoon’s location near the beach makes it an ideal addition to a coastal vacation, providing entertainment when you need a break from sand and surf.

Address: 601 Earl St, Daytona Beach, Florida

7. Silver Springs State Park

Natural beauty takes center stage at Silver Springs State Park, where crystal-clear waters have captivated visitors for over a century.

Located near Ocala, this park offers a different kind of theme park experience, one rooted in Florida’s stunning natural environment rather than manufactured thrills.

The Silver River flows from one of the largest artesian springs in the world, pumping out over 550 million gallons of pure water daily.

Glass-bottom boat tours have been the park’s signature attraction since the late 1800s, allowing passengers to peer into the underwater world without getting wet.

The water’s clarity is absolutely astounding, with visibility often exceeding 100 feet.

From the comfort of the boat, you’ll spot fish darting between aquatic plants, turtles gliding gracefully, and occasionally even alligators lurking along the river bottom.

The park’s history includes a stint as a tourist attraction that featured jungle cruises and even served as a filming location for numerous movies and television shows.

Today, it operates as a state park focused on conservation and education.

Kayaking and canoeing provide more intimate ways to explore the waterways, letting paddlers set their own pace and venture into quiet tributaries.

Wildlife abounds throughout the park, with monkeys occasionally spotted in the trees, descendants of populations introduced decades ago for movie filming.

Miles of nature trails wind through different ecosystems, from hardwood forests to sand pine scrub.

Birdwatchers bring binoculars to spot herons, egrets, and countless other species.

Silver Springs represents a gentler, more contemplative Florida experience, perfect for families seeking natural wonders over manufactured excitement.

Address: 1425 NE 58th Ave, Ocala, Florida

8. Fun Spot America Kissimmee

While its Orlando sibling gets more attention, Fun Spot America Kissimmee holds its own with unique attractions that thrill-seekers absolutely adore.

This location sits conveniently near the main tourist corridor, making it an easy addition to any Central Florida vacation.

The park’s crown jewel is undoubtedly Mine Blower, a wooden roller coaster that packs incredible intensity into a compact layout.

Don’t let its modest size fool you because this coaster delivers inversions, steep drops, and rapid transitions that leave riders breathless.

It’s the only wooden coaster in Florida featuring an inversion, making it a must-ride for coaster enthusiasts.

Go-kart racing remains a central attraction, with multiple tracks offering different experiences.

The Vortex track spirals upward in a cone shape, creating a dizzying sensation as drivers navigate the banked curves.

The Commander track provides a more traditional racing experience with straightaways perfect for reaching top speeds.

SkyCoaster enthusiasts will find another towering version here, offering that same heart-stopping combination of free fall and swing.

Groups of friends often challenge each other to try it, with plenty of good-natured teasing for those who chicken out.

The park maintains that family-friendly carnival atmosphere, with classic rides like the Ferris wheel offering panoramic views of the surrounding area.

Spinning rides, drop towers, and bumper cars round out the attraction lineup.

Evening visits hold special appeal as the park lights up, creating a magical ambiance enhanced by the Florida night air.

Like its Orlando counterpart, this location offers flexible ticketing options that let visitors pay only for what they want to experience.

Address: 2850 Florida Plaza Blvd, Kissimmee, Florida

9. Jungle Adventures Animal Park

Deep in the heart of real Florida wilderness, Jungle Adventures Animal Park offers an authentic glimpse into the state’s wild side.

Located near the tiny town of Christmas, this park celebrates native Florida wildlife and the unique ecosystems that make the state special.

Unlike polished theme parks, Jungle Adventures embraces a rustic, old-Florida atmosphere that feels genuine and unpretentious.

Alligators naturally play a starring role, with hundreds residing throughout the property in natural habitats.

The park’s most famous resident was Swampy, a massive alligator who lived to be over 70 years old and weighed nearly 1,000 pounds.

Daily alligator feedings and shows educate visitors about these remarkable reptiles while providing exciting entertainment.

Handlers share their extensive knowledge, dispelling myths and explaining the important role alligators play in Florida’s ecosystem.

Beyond gators, the park houses Florida panthers, black bears, bobcats, and various bird species, all native to the region.

These animals often cannot survive in the wild due to injuries or being raised in captivity, so the park provides them with permanent homes.

Nature trails meander through authentic Florida wetlands and forests, letting visitors experience the landscape as early settlers would have seen it.

Swamp boat tours glide through waterways, offering chances to spot wildlife in completely natural settings.

The park’s commitment to conservation and education shines through every aspect of the experience.

Families learn about Florida’s environmental challenges and the importance of protecting natural habitats for future generations.

Jungle Adventures provides a refreshing alternative to manufactured entertainment, celebrating the raw beauty of wild Florida.

Address: 26205 E Colonial Dr, Christmas, Florida