Best Family-Friendly Rides at SeaWorld Orlando

Orlando is considered the theme park capital of the world, and travelers visiting the region should be looking beyond Disney and Universal to see a family-friendly destination like SeaWorld Orlando.

While the animal exhibits, live shows and seasonal events make SeaWorld an ideal destination, the abundance of family-friendly rides at the park makes it the perfect vacation spot for children and parents of all ages.

The best option after entering SeaWorld is Shamu's Happy Harbor, a play area designed to bring out the inner adventurer in children. The attractions include a frog hopper-style giant crab ride known as the Flying Fiddler, a play area designed to look like a pirate ship (dubbed the Fun Ship) and two teacup-style rides, one based on jellyfish named the Jazzy Jellies and a more mild version called Swishie Fishies.

In addition, guests will also be able to enjoy a three-level net climb that features crawl through tubes and colorful slides, a 19-foot tugboat that sways side-to-side (called the Ocean Commotion) and an aquatic-themed Sea Carousel topped by a massive 45-foot-wide pink octopus.

For travelers looking to get a good view of Shamu's Happy Harbor, the theme park offers a ride on the Seven Seas Railway, as well as the coup de grace of the play area: The Shamu Express roller coaster.

Who doesn’t want to ride inside a roller-coaster car shaped like an orca whale?

READ MORE: Now's the Time to Vacation at SeaWorld and Discovery Cove

Another family-friend ride at the theme park is Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin. The attraction transports passengers to the icy world of Antarctica and allows guests to choose a mild or wild version of this trackless, motion-based simulator experience.

Winter may not be the best time for water rides, but SeaWorld offers families the chance to enjoy the Flamingo Paddle Boat rides. Young and old visitors alike will board the flaming-shaped paddle boats and tour the theme park’s large central lake.

There is an abundance of rides suited for the younger children, but at some point, the older kids and even the adults need a thrill. That’s where SeaWorld’s bigger thrill rides take center stage, including the hypercoaster Mako, the floorless Kraken Unleashed and the Manta flying coaster with its aquarium exhibit queue.

Regardless of which attractions you and your family choose to ride, there are ample options at SeaWorld Orlando.

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