Last July, we packed our bags and headed to the Sunshine State for a summer adventure as a family of four. Florida had long been on our bucket list, and this trip covered everything we wanted to do. Theme Parks, easy family fun, shopping, eating and moments of downtime that reminded us why it’s such a brilliant destination for all ages.
We’ll say it loud and proud: we are proper Disney people. The parks, the movies, the merch, you name it, we are on board. We have visited Disneyland Paris a few times recently, but it had been over 20 years since we visited Florida, so this was the first visit with our kids. You can imagine the excitement when the plan was announced last year on Christmas Day.
I don’t need to tell you how good the theme parks are in Forida. If you’ve been there then you know, and if you haven’t, I suggest you train your algorithm to show you the highlights. Florida offers not only Disney but Universal, SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, water parks and so much more. On this most recent trip, we were gently reminded that there is so much more than castles, coasters and character meet-and-greets.
Yes, Walt Disney World still felt magical and Universal Orlando Resort delivered its usual thrill-factor. But alongside our Disney and Universal days, we made time to explore some of the standout attractions on International Drive, and they more than held their own. This part of the trip proved that you don’t need a park ticket or a full day commitment to have memorable Florida fun.
ICON Park: Easy, Entertaining and Surprisingly Relaxed
A visit to ICON Park fitted perfectly into our plans. It’s lively without feeling overwhelming, and everything is walkable, which makes it ideal for a half-day or a relaxed evening.
The highlight has to be The Wheel at ICON Park. Stepping into the air-conditioned capsule was a welcome break from the heat, and once we started rising above the skyline, the views really did impress. Orlando stretches out in every direction, and it gives you a completely different perspective on a city we thought we already knew well.
Right next door, SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium delivered an unexpectedly calm and immersive experience. It’s beautifully done, with thoughtfully designed exhibits and a stunning underwater tunnel that feels genuinely transportive. It’s also fully indoors, making it another great option when the Florida heat is at its peak. We could have easily spent a full day here.
WonderWorks: Five Floors of Indoor Fun
WonderWorks Orlando is exactly what Florida does best, playful, a little bit mad, and brilliantly entertaining. The upside-down building alone sets the tone, and is a attraction and photograph opportunity in itself, but inside it’s five floors packed with hands-on attractions, illusions, challenges and activities that appeal to kids, teens and adults alike.
Because it’s entirely indoors, it was the perfect choice for a day when we wanted to avoid the heat without sacrificing fun. You can dip in and out of activities at your own pace, making it feel refreshingly pressure-free compared to the big parks.
That evening, we stayed on site for the Magic and Comedy Night, and it turned out to be a real highlight. The show was genuinely funny, cleverly interactive and relaxed, with unlimited pizza, salad, beer and soft drinks included in the ticket price. It felt like great value and a lovely way to wind down after a busy day.
Getting Around: The I-RIDE Is a Game-Changer
One thing we would wholeheartedly recommend if your staying on International Drive is pre-buying the I-RIDE Trolley. It’s affordable, easy to use and takes so much of the stress out of getting around International Drive.
We used it regularly for trips to the outlet malls at either end of International Drive, as well as for visiting SeaWorld Orlando and ICON Park. The stops are frequent, the route is straightforward, and it removes the need to worry about parking or driving in unfamiliar traffic. For visitors staying in this area, it’s an absolute no-brainer.
These experiences added balance to our trip. They were fun, memorable, and often far better value than expected. Florida may be world-famous for its theme parks, and rightly so, but places like ICON Park, WonderWorks and the I-RIDE show just how much variety the state has to offer.
We’ll never stop being Disney and Universal fans, that love runs deep. But this trip reminded us that Florida isn’t just a destination for theme park lovers. It’s a place of contrasts: high-energy and slow-living in equal measures and sith something for everyone.
So if you’re planning a Florida holiday, by all means book the parks. But leave room in your itinerary, and your expectations for the rest of what this remarkable state has to offer. You might just find that some of your favourite memories happen well beyond the turnstiles.
We purchased all of our park tickets, attraction passes and I-RIDE trolley passes through Attraction Ticket Shop. Having everything organised in advance took away so much of the stress and meant we could focus on enjoying our time together, confident that transport and entry to the attractions were all taken care of. It’s a route we’d happily recommend to anyone planning a similar Florida adventure.
