Theme Park Tours
Florida is home to some of the most iconic theme parks in the world, and many offer guided tours to enhance the visitor experience. Here’s a list of some of the main theme parks and the tours they offer:
1. Walt Disney World Resort (Orlando)
- Tours: Walt Disney World offers a variety of exclusive behind-the-scenes and guided tours, such as:
- Keys to the Kingdom Tour (Magic Kingdom): A 5-hour guided tour revealing backstage secrets of the Magic Kingdom, including access to the underground “Utilidor” tunnels.
- Wild Africa Trek (Animal Kingdom): A 3-hour private safari where guests walk across a rope bridge and get close to the animals in a guided adventure.
- Backstage Magic Tour: A full-day experience that explores behind the scenes at all four Disney parks, including visits to costume shops and ride maintenance areas.
- Location: Lake Buena Vista, near Orlando .
2. Universal Resort (Orlando)
- Tours: Universal offers several tours to enhance the visitor experience:
- VIP Experience: A guided tour with front-of-line access to rides and shows, behind-the-scenes areas, and personal guidance through Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.
- Exclusive Harry Potter Tour: Delve deep into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter with insider knowledge, front-of-line access, and exclusive backstage views of Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.
- Location: Orlando .
3. SeaWorld (Orlando)
- Tours: SeaWorld offers immersive, animal-centric tours:
- Behind-the-Scenes Tour: Offers a look at SeaWorld’s animal rescue operations, including sea turtles and manatees.
- Dolphin Encounter Tour: A chance to interact with dolphins and learn from trainers about how they care for these marine mammals.
- Penguin Encounter: Go behind the scenes of Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin and interact with these remarkable animals.
- Location: Orlando .
4. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (area info)
- Tours: Known for its wildlife and roller coasters, Busch Gardens offers a variety of tours:
- Serengeti Safari: A tour of the Serengeti Plain, allowing visitors to feed giraffes and see other African animals up close.
- Elite Adventure Tour: A customizable, private guided tour with front-of-line access to rides, animal encounters, and exclusive experiences.
- Location: Tampa .
5. LEGOLAND Florida Resort (Orlando)
- Tours: LEGOLAND provides fun, family-friendly experiences:
- VIP Experience: Offers front-of-line access, private character meet-and-greets, and an insider’s tour of the park, including the LEGO factory and other behind-the-scenes areas.
- Location: Winter Haven, near Orlando .
6. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (Titusville)
- Tours: This space exploration-themed attraction offers various tours:
- Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour: A behind-the-scenes tour that takes visitors to restricted areas of the space center, including the Apollo/Saturn V Center.
- Astronaut Training Experience: A hands-on experience that lets participants simulate astronaut training and space exploration missions.
- Location: Merritt Island, near Cape Canaveral .
7. Gatorland (Orlando)
- Tours: For fans of Florida’s alligators, Gatorland offers:
- Adventure Hour: A behind-the-scenes tour allowing visitors to get up close with some of the park’s largest alligators.
- Trainer for a Day: A unique experience where guests learn how to train and handle alligators with the help of professional trainers.
- Location: Orlando .
These tours provide unique and enhanced experiences, perfect for visitors looking for something beyond the standard theme park visit.