These are Florida’s best theme parks, according to top US 2024 guide

The Sunshine State is known worldwide for its theme parks and is home to the most visited amusement park in the world.

Summer is coming and that means vacation time for many. Do you already have plans?

Of course, many of us would like to say, “Yes, we already have our tickets to France, Italy, or Greece”, but the reality for most of us isn’t that far or fancy.

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But it doesn’t matter, because you don’t have to go far to have a good time. US News and World Report compiled a list of “The 19 Best Amusement Parks in the US for 2024,” and five of them are in Florida.

The media company took into consideration rides, accessibility, food, and affordability, among other things.

Florida is known worldwide for its theme parks. In fact, it’s home to the most visited amusement park in the world, Magic Kingdom (Walt Disney World). In 2022 alone, over 17 million people visited Magic Kingdom, according to data from Statista.

These are the Florida amusement parks featured in the “Top 19 Amusement Parks for 2024” list:

Walt Disney World Resort

One of the most famous theme parks never disappoints. Four different theme parks make up the larger Walt Disney World Resort, in Orlando. These are Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. 

New offerings include shows like the “Finding Nemo” spectacular and the “Fantasmic!” musical. Some new rides are Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and TRON Lightcycle / Run.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

This spring, Busch Gardens will introduce Phoenix Rising, a suspended coaster that will reach speeds up to 44 miles per hour. The park also recently unveiled the Serengeti Flyer, the world’s fastest and tallest ride of its kind, at 135 feet high and 68 mph.

Other exciting rides at this park are a triple-launch roller coaster, a family-friendly spin coaster, a 335-foot drop tower, and a whitewater rafting ride among others.

Busch Gardens also has a water park, a full zoo with more than 200 species of animals, live music, and “Sesame Street” characters.

Universal Orlando Resort

One of this theme park’s newest interactive attractions is the Villain-Con Minion Blast, which transports guests to the biggest criminal convention on the planet. Guests will try to join the Vicious 6, a notorious group of supervillains. The experience includes 30 minutes of new animated content. 

Also, a DreamWorks-themed land is slated to open this summer with fan-favorite characters from “Shrek,” “Trolls,” and more.

Families can enjoy family-friendly rides based on other famous characters from movies and TV series such as “Harry Potter” and “Despicable Me.” Universal’s Islands of Adventure also features popular characters. In Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Theme Park, guests will find slides and pools. 

Legoland Florida Resort

This Winter Haven theme park has a new interactive attraction called Ferrari Build & Race Experience, which allows fans of all ages to speed towards the checkered flags. Visitors can also build a LEGO Ferrari completely out of LEGO bricks and other LEGO elements.

LEGO fans can enjoy life-sized Lego creations, about 40 themed rides, and shows with their favorite characters. The park plans to open a new sea life aquarium this fall.

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Fun Spot America

If you’re on a tight budget, this is a great option for a more affordable theme park in the Orlando area. Fun Spot America has smaller roller coasters, drop rides, spin rides, a Ferris wheel, and a premium go-kart track for families. One of its novelties is a huge Unicorn taco sundae, which is made with scoops of ice cream, topped with whipped cream, gummy bears, sprinkles, and cherries in a cotton candy shell.