Theme Parks & Water Parks in Lake Buena Vista, FL (2026)

Looking for the theme parks & water parks near you in Lake Buena Vista? Here are 6 theme parks and water parks worth the trip, starting with Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT, with what each one does best and how to get there.

6 picks · Updated October 2026

1
Magic Kingdom Park

Attraction in Walt Disney World, $$$$
Walt Disney World's original park and the one most first-time visitors want to see. Cinderella Castle, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion and TRON Lightcycle / Run fill the day, and it ends with a nighttime parade and castle fireworks.
- Theme park
- Family
- Kids
- Visitor favorite
Website for Magic Kingdom Park (opens in a new tab)Directions to Magic Kingdom Park (opens maps)
2
EPCOT

Attraction in Walt Disney World, $$$$
Half thrill rides like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Test Track, half World Showcase, a lakeside loop of 11 country pavilions with dining and shops. It is the Disney park that works best for adults and couples.
- Theme park
- Family
- Visitor favorite
- Date idea
Website for EPCOT (opens in a new tab)Directions to EPCOT (opens maps)
3
Disney's Hollywood Studios

Attraction in Walt Disney World, $$$$
Home to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Toy Story Land, plus Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster for older kids. Stay late for the Fantasmic! evening show.
- Theme park
- Family
- Kids
- Visitor favorite
Website for Disney's Hollywood Studios (opens in a new tab)Directions to Disney's Hollywood Studios (opens maps)
4
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Attraction in Walt Disney World, $$$$
Rides and live animal habitats share the same park here. Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest and Avatar Flight of Passage in Pandora are the big draws, and walking trails like Gorilla Falls slow the pace down.
- Theme park
- Family
- Kids
- Visitor favorite
Website for Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park (opens in a new tab)Directions to Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park (opens maps)
5
Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park

Attraction in Walt Disney World, $$$
Disney's ski-resort-themed water park, with the Summit Plummet speed slide, a chairlift up the mountain, a wave pool and Tike's Peak for small children. Hours typically run 10am to 5pm and vary by season.
- Water park
- Outdoor
- Water
- Family
Website for Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park (opens in a new tab)Directions to Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park (opens maps)
6
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park

Attraction in Walt Disney World, $$$
Closed for refurbishment as of late Oct 2026; check the Disney park calendar for reopening. When open, its huge Surf Pool wave pool, Crush 'n' Gusher water coaster and heated water make it a favorite.
- Theme park
- Water park
- Near Disney
- Family
Website for Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park (opens in a new tab)

How to choose between Disney, Universal and SeaWorld

Start with who is in your group. Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom suit young children best, while EPCOT leans toward adults who want food, drink and World Showcase. Hollywood Studios is the Star Wars and Toy Story park. Universal's three parks skew toward older kids and teens, with Islands of Adventure carrying the biggest coasters and Epic Universe adding Super Nintendo World and the Ministry of Magic. SeaWorld blends coasters with marine animals and Sesame Street Land, and it is the easiest of the three resorts to reach from International Drive. If you only have a day or two, pick one resort rather than splitting time across all three.

About this list

Every place here is a locally run business in Orange County with its own website, which we checked for hours, menus and contact details. We leave national chains off our best-of lists and favor places with a clear specialty.

This page covers 6 theme parks and water parks in Lake Buena Vista. You'll find them in Walt Disney World.

Where menus list prices, most of these sit in the $$$$ range, with a handful at $$$.

About Lake Buena Vista

Lake Buena Vista in southwest Orange County is home to Walt Disney World's resorts and Disney Springs, along with nearby hotels and restaurants.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best theme park in Lake Buena Vista?

It depends on your group. Magic Kingdom is the classic choice for families and first-time visitors, Islands of Adventure has the biggest coasters, and EPCOT suits adults who want food and culture with their rides. Universal Epic Universe is the newest park and a strong pick for Nintendo and Harry Potter fans.

How many theme parks are in Lake Buena Vista?

Walt Disney World has four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Universal Orlando has three: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Epic Universe. SeaWorld Orlando adds another, and water parks such as Blizzard Beach, Aquatica, Typhoon Lagoon and Volcano Bay are on top of that.

Which Lake Buena Vista theme park is best for young kids?

Magic Kingdom is the usual first pick for young children, with classic rides, a nighttime parade and castle fireworks. Animal Kingdom's safari and animal trails work well for little ones, and SeaWorld's Sesame Street Land and Seuss Landing at Islands of Adventure give preschoolers rides sized for them.

Are Lake Buena Vista water parks open in the winter?

Some are, with shorter or seasonal hours. Blizzard Beach typically runs 10am to 5pm with hours that vary by season. Typhoon Lagoon is closed for refurbishment as of late October 2026, and Volcano Bay has a maintenance closure from Oct 26, 2026, with reopening planned by Apr 1, 2027, so check each park's calendar before you go.

What is Universal Epic Universe?

Epic Universe is Universal Orlando's newest theme park. It is built around five worlds, including Super Nintendo World with Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, the Harry Potter Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon's Isle of Berk and a Dark Universe monster land, all connected by the Celestial Park hub.