Orlando's theme parks at a glance
Orlando is not one park but several resorts side by side. Walt Disney World has four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom. Universal Orlando has three theme parks, Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Epic Universe, plus the water park Volcano Bay. Universal counts all four as its parks, so you will see both numbers.
SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove and Aquatica have their own tickets with their own rules. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is a day trip to the coast, not a park in the middle of town. This is an independent guide. It has no connection to Disney, Universal, SeaWorld, Visit Orlando or any park operator, and it does not sell tickets. Always check tickets and conditions with the operator or an authorized seller.
How the parks are organized
Names get mixed up often. This is what belongs together.
| Operator | Theme parks | Water parks | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walt Disney World | Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom | Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach | Basic tickets cover one park a day, Park Hopper tickets several |
| Universal Orlando Resort | Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe | Volcano Bay | Park-to-Park tickets cover several parks a day |
| SeaWorld Parks | SeaWorld Orlando | Aquatica | Discovery Cove is a separate day resort with its own packages |
| Day trips | Kennedy Space Center, LEGOLAND Florida, Busch Gardens Tampa, Gatorland | – | All need their own ticket and a drive from Orlando |
Our picks: Orlando tickets
Disney World tickets, Universal Orlando and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Universal Orlando tickets for 1 to 14 days
Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure with park-to-park access, including the Hogwarts Express. Epic Universe only with the All Parks or the 1-Day Park-to-Park PLUS 1-Day Epic option. The provider says it is not for residents of the UK, USA or Canada.
Check availability →
Walt Disney World tickets, one park per day
One theme park per day for the number of days you choose, with shows, parades and fireworks where offered. Transport between the parks and selected hotels is included; parking, water parks and a second park on the same day are not.
Check availability →
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex admission
Entry to the Visitor Complex with shows, exhibits and most attractions, the Apollo/Saturn V Center and 3D films. A guided tour, astronaut training, transport, food and drinks are not included.
Check availability →Orlando theme park tours and day trips
Park-day tours, Kennedy Space Center trips and other excursions from Orlando, with live prices and availability.
Start with the big decisions
Most trips come down to three questions: which tickets, which resort and when.
Orlando theme park tickets compared
Disney, Universal, SeaWorld and Kennedy Space Center: ticket types, 2026 starting prices and what is extra.
Disney vs Universal
Park counts, ticket types, queue passes, hotel perks and parking side by side.
Weather and the best time to visit
Monthly temperatures, summer rain, hurricane season and holiday weeks.
From the airport to the parks
Shuttles, the LYNX bus, ride share, rental cars and the Disney Skyliner.
Where to stay
The Disney area, International Drive and Kissimmee compared by location.
The parks, one by one
Each park has its own page with rides, shows, hours and tips.
Walt Disney World
Reservations, Early Entry, Lightning Lane and parking across the four parks.
Magic Kingdom
TRON Lightcycle / Run, Tiana's Bayou Adventure, Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion.
EPCOT
Four areas, 11 countries in World Showcase and the Food & Wine festival.
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, Toy Story Land and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster with the Muppets.
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Avatar Flight of Passage, Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safaris.
Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Express Pass and CityWalk.
Epic Universe
Five worlds, open since 22 May 2025, with its own entrance and parking.
SeaWorld Orlando
Coasters, animal areas and Discovery Cove, which is booked separately.
Orlando water parks
Volcano Bay, Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach and Aquatica, with their 2026 maintenance dates.
Kennedy Space Center
Hours, the bus tour, tickets and the drive from Orlando.
What to know in autumn 2026
Changes that older guides do not have. Status as of 20 October 2026, so check the operator's calendar for your dates.
Volcano Bay goes into maintenance
Universal's water park is planned to close for maintenance from 26 October 2026. Two Universal pages give different latest reopening dates, 24 March and 1 April 2027, so treat both as plans. Typhoon Lagoon at Disney also shows a refurbishment, while Blizzard Beach lists regular hours.
Water parks →New and changed rides
Big Thunder Mountain reopened on 3 May 2026 after a rebuild. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets opened on 26 May 2026. DINOSAUR at Animal Kingdom was announced to close on 2 February 2026, so do not plan around it.
Hollywood Studios →Events that need their own ticket
The Magic Kingdom Halloween party is a separate ticket and is shown as sold out this year. The Christmas party runs on selected evenings from 8 November to 22 December 2026. EPCOT's Food & Wine festival runs from 27 August to 21 November 2026.
Magic Kingdom →Hurricane season is not over
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November. That is no reason to stay away, but it is a reason to check the forecast and the cancellation terms of what you book.
Best time to visit →Beyond the big resorts
Other days out that fit around a theme park week. Prices are advertised starting prices in 2026, before taxes and fees.
Kennedy Space Center
On the coast in Merritt Island, with a one-day ticket at $77 for ages 12 and up and $67 for ages 3 to 11. The park is closed on 26 November and 25 December 2026. Parking costs $15 per car.
Kennedy Space Center →LEGOLAND Florida
It lies in Winter Haven. The operator gives a drive of roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour from Orlando, so check the time from your own hotel. Standard parking starts at $35 plus tax.
Busch Gardens Tampa
A one-day ticket is advertised from $61.99. A free shuttle runs from selected Orlando pickup points to guests with valid admission, but you must reserve it. A no-show without cancellation by 5:00 am costs $10 per person.
Gatorland
Open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, with free standard parking. Admission is $34.99 for ages 13 and up and $24.99 for ages 3 to 12. Outside food and coolers are not allowed.
Orlando theme parks: frequently asked questions
How many theme parks are there in Orlando?
Walt Disney World has four theme parks and Universal Orlando has three, plus water parks at both. SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove and Aquatica are separate. No single count covers every attraction, so it helps to decide first which resort you want to spend your days at.
Is Epic Universe open?
Yes. Epic Universe opened on 22 May 2025 with five worlds: Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk and Dark Universe. Universal's 2026 multi-day tickets can include repeat visits, so check the product name.
Do I need a park reservation for Walt Disney World?
Dated one-day and multi-day tickets do not need a separate park reservation. Other ticket types, such as annual passes, military or group tickets, can still require one. Check this when you buy.
How much does parking cost?
In 2026 standard car parking is $35 per day at both Disney and Universal. Preferred spots cost more: $50 to $60 at Disney and Universal. Registered guests of Disney resort hotels park at the theme parks at no extra charge. Kennedy Space Center charges $15 per car.
Can I visit Disney and Universal on one ticket?
No. Each operator sells its own tickets, and a ticket from one does not work at the other. The page on Disney vs Universal compares what each system includes.
Is this the website of Disney, Universal or SeaWorld?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to the park operators, Visit Orlando or Kennedy Space Center. Park names are used only to describe the places. Prices shown were published by the operators in 2026 and can change, so check the current price before you buy.