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Discover the best family attractions beyond Disney in Orlando, from Universal and Gatorland to Kennedy Space Center, beaches and more.
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When you think about a family holiday in Orlando, Disney is probably the first thing that comes to mind, and for good reason; Walt Disney World has enough parks, attractions and entertainment to keep families busy for days.
But there is a lot more to Orlando than Disney, and taking a break from the usual theme park routine can be a great way to experience a different side of Florida.
From getting up close with alligators to learning about space travel, spending a day at the beach or enjoying the thrills of another major theme park, there are plenty of options for families of all ages.
If you're planning your Orlando itinerary and want to add something different, here are some of the best family attractions to consider.
Universal Orlando is an obvious choice for families looking beyond Disney, but it deserves its place at the top of the list.
With Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and the newer Epic Universe, there is a huge amount to explore. Younger children can enjoy family-friendly attractions and colourful themed areas, while older children and adults have plenty of bigger rides and roller coasters to choose from.
Harry Potter fans will also find plenty to keep them entertained, with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter spread across the Universal parks.
And if you don't want to spend an entire day in a theme park, Universal CityWalk is another option. With restaurants, shops and entertainment, it can be a good choice for an evening after a day of sightseeing.
Acre Cars provides private transportation around the Universal Orlando area, making it easy to get between your accommodation, the parks and CityWalk without having to worry about parking or driving.
SeaWorld is another popular choice for families and offers something a little different from the traditional theme park experience.
Alongside its roller coasters and family rides, the park has a strong focus on marine life, with aquariums, animal habitats and educational experiences.
There are attractions for a range of ages, so it can work particularly well for families with children who have different interests. One person can enjoy the thrill rides while another can spend time discovering the animals and exhibits.
If you want to make your Orlando holiday about more than rides, SeaWorld is well worth considering.
For something that feels distinctly Floridian, Gatorland is hard to beat.
Known as the "Alligator Capital of the World", Gatorland gives visitors the chance to see thousands of alligators and crocodiles, as well as a variety of other wildlife.
There are live shows, animal encounters and walking trails, while older children and adventurous adults can try the Screamin' Gator Zip Line, which takes you over the alligator habitats.
It's also a good option if you want to experience something that feels very different from the big theme parks.
A visit to Gatorland can easily be combined with other activities around the Orlando and Kissimmee areas, and private transportation means you don't have to worry about finding your way around unfamiliar roads.
If you're travelling with younger children, LEGOLAND Florida can be a great addition to your vacation.
The park is particularly suited to children aged around 2 to 12, with rides, shows, building activities and attractions based around the world of LEGO.
There is plenty for children to get involved with, and the overall pace can feel a little more manageable for younger visitors than some of the larger theme parks.
LEGOLAND also has its own water park, which can be a welcome choice on a hot Florida day.
It's located in Winter Haven, so it is further from the main Orlando attractions. This is where arranging private transportation can be particularly useful if you don't want to hire a car just for one day trip.
Not every family attraction in Central Florida involves roller coasters.
Around an hour from Orlando, depending on traffic and your starting point, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers something completely different.
Families can discover the history of NASA and space exploration, see the Space Shuttle Atlantis, explore the Saturn V rocket and learn more about current and future space missions.
For children who are fascinated by space, it can be one of the highlights of the entire holiday. Even if your family isn't particularly interested in science or space before visiting, there is something impressive about seeing the spacecraft and launch facilities in person.
It is also a great option for a day when you want to get away from the theme parks.
Kennedy Space Center also sees rocket launches from its numerous launch pads throughout the year, with launches taking place at all times of day and night.
Launch dates and times can change at short notice, with weather being one of the biggest reasons for a launch to be scrubbed. In fact, around half of all scrubbed missions are weather-related.
This is where private transportation can be especially convenient. We can help you find the best viewing spot, advise you on when to arrive and take care of the journey, even if the launch is scheduled for 3 am.
Orlando may be known for theme parks, but you're never too far from some of Florida's beautiful coastline.
For a family day by the sea, Cocoa Beach is one of the most convenient options from Orlando. You can spend the day on the sand, enjoy the Atlantic Ocean and explore the area around the famous Cocoa Beach Pier. It's also only a short drive from Kennedy Space Center!
Daytona Beach is another option, with its wide sandy beach, boardwalk and lively atmosphere.
If you're happy to travel further, Clearwater Beach on Florida's Gulf Coast offers soft white sand, warm water and beautiful sunsets. It makes for a very different day compared with the theme parks.
For families who want a break from queues, crowds and rides, a beach day can be exactly what you need halfway through a busy Orlando holiday.
Acre Cars offers transportation to a range of Central Florida destinations and beaches, so you can enjoy a day trip without having to navigate the journey yourself.
If you're looking for something to do without committing to a full theme park day, head to International Drive.
ICON Park is home to a variety of attractions, restaurants and entertainment, with the Orlando Eye observation wheel offering panoramic views across the area.
There are also attractions such as SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, which can be particularly enjoyable for younger children, as well as Ripley's Believe It or Not! for families looking for something a little unusual.
International Drive is also packed with restaurants and other activities, making it easy to turn a few hours into a full afternoon or evening.
Fun Spot America offers a slightly different amusement park experience and can be a good option if your family wants rides without committing to one of the huge resort parks.
There are roller coasters, go-karts, family rides and attractions for younger children, along with the classic amusement park atmosphere that makes it easy to spend a few hours having fun.
It's also worth considering if you have already spent several days at the larger theme parks and want something a little more relaxed.
Florida weather isn't always predictable, and having a few indoor activities in your plans can be a lifesaver if you get caught by an afternoon storm.
Dezerland Park Orlando is a large indoor entertainment centre with a wide variety of activities under one roof. Families can choose from go-karts, arcade games, virtual reality experiences and other attractions.
There's also a large collection of classic and movie cars, which can be particularly interesting for older children and adults.
The variety means different members of the family can find something they enjoy, even when everyone has had enough of theme parks for the day.
If you're happy to venture further from Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is another option worth considering.
The park combines major roller coasters with animal experiences and themed areas, making it a good choice for families who want a mixture of thrills and wildlife.
It's home to some impressive coasters, including Iron Gwazi, while the animal experiences offer a chance to slow things down between rides.
Tampa is a longer journey from Orlando, so this is one where arranging transportation in advance can make the day considerably easier. You can sit back and enjoy the journey rather than worrying about directions, traffic and parking.
One of the biggest challenges with an Orlando holiday is simply getting everyone from one place to another.
When you have children, bags, pushchairs and everything else that comes with a family day out, getting in and out of a rental car can become another job to add to the list.
Private transportation gives you the option to arrange your journeys in advance and travel directly between your accommodation and the attraction you're visiting.
It can also be particularly useful for day trips outside the main tourist areas.
If you're staying in a vacation home or villa, for example, you don't necessarily need to hire a car for your entire holiday just because you want to visit Kennedy Space Center, Clearwater Beach or one of the attractions further away from the main Orlando resort areas.
Acre Cars provides private transportation throughout Central Florida, including airport transfers, theme park transportation, vacation home and villa transfers, group transportation and journeys to attractions and beaches.
That means you can plan your vacation around what you actually want to see and do, rather than planning everything around having access to a rental car.
Don't know whether a rental car or private transportation is the right choice for you? Then this 5 minute read is for you!
Disney might be the main reason many families visit Orlando, but it doesn't have to be the whole holiday.
A few days at the theme parks can be balanced with wildlife at Gatorland, space exploration at Kennedy Space Center, a day at the beach or an afternoon exploring International Drive.
You could even venture further afield to Tampa for Busch Gardens or spend a day at LEGOLAND Florida.
With so many options within reach of Orlando, it's worth leaving a little room in your itinerary for something different.
And when you've got tired children in the back of the car at the end of a long day, being able to sit back and let someone else take care of the driving can make all the difference.
Acre Cars provides private transportation to Orlando's major attractions, resorts, beaches and destinations throughout Central Florida.
Whether you're arriving at Orlando International Airport, heading to a theme park or planning a day trip further afield, you can arrange your transportation in advance and leave the driving to us.
Click here to look at our full list of destinations and services to start planning your trip.