Fun in the sun has only one meaning for most families with young kids: visiting water parks. If you are planning a trip to Florida this summer, you will probably want to see as many water parks as possible and, there is no shortage of them in the Sunshine State.
Of course, no two water parks are created equal so, to help shorten your search for the perfect water park spot, here are the top four places to stay in Florida with the best-ranked water parks. One important point before beginning: be sure to pack sunscreen!
Kissimmee
OK, so this place has a name that sounds like it is out of a bad romance novel but, when you visit Kissimmee, you can visit some of the best water parks that the states has to offer, all while staying somewhere equally fun, like Westgate Kissimmee.
So, for the water parks, there is Aquatica at Sea World, Discovery Cove, and Disney’s Blizzard Beach. If you have a kid who loves dolphins (or if you do) then the optimal place to go to is Discovery Cove, as here, you are able to swim with them. Now that’s a lot of fun and not an experience that you can get at every water park!
Orlando
As a peak tourist spot in Florida for kids and their parents, Orlando has a host of water parks to help you cool off after a day in one of the many theme parks!
One of the most popular is Universal Volcano Bay, which caters for everyone. From the waterslides to the lazy river, there is an ideal water-based ride for everyone, crowned with the two-hundred-foot volcano slide, which is fun and exhilarating at the same time.
As this park is so popular, it is advised to visit during the off-season, as the last thing you want is to be stuck in a queue with kids in the hot sun!
Lake Buena Vista
On the doorstep of Disney, there is lots of water-based fun to be had around Lake Buena Vista. The most famous water park in this location is Castaway Creek, which merges the natural elements of the Florida landscape with lazy rivers, slides, and a natural canopy.
If you have kids who are not fans of huge slides or a lot of noise, or if you have children with sensory issues who love water, Castaway Creek is noted to be relaxing when compared to other water parks and also has rafts and winding rivers. So, it’s the perfect way to destress after a hectic day at Disney.
Riviera Beach
Yes, the beach is a natural source of water-based fun, but if you are staying at Riviera Beach and want to have some fun at a water park, then you have to head to Rapids Water Park.
Marketed as a halfway point between the intensity of Volcano Bay and Castaway Creek, this water park is suitable for older kids as well as those who don’t necessarily want to slide down a two-hundred-foot slide!
It does have over forty slides, but also has a relaxing lazy river and it uses the natural trees and plants of Florida to create a relaxed vibe.