Make sure you have a splashing time in Orlando!

If the Florida sun is getting too much for you, and you enjoy hurtling down water chutes, swimming or even just relaxing on hot, sandy beaches, a trip to Orlando’s water parks should certainly be on your itinerary! Below are five of the main parks that you might want to visit for a splashing good time, where you will make memories that will last a lifetime. So don’t delay, pack your towels and swimming gear and lets dive right in…

Disney is no stranger to water parks, operating two separate sites in Orlando – Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. As these are both popular, especially in the holiday period, it is common for them to reach capacity, so to avoid queues you should arrive as soon as they open, or get there around 2pm when the first visitors are leaving.

When considering your holiday plans, remember that Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon close over the winter months for refurbishment, although one will always be open! It’s worth checking before you travel if either park is shut to avoid any disappointment.

Typhoon Lagoon was the second water park to open in 1989 at Walt Disney World, with over two million visitors passing through its gates every year. On the 61-acre site there are 11 water attractions and a variety of eateries which surround the iconic centrepiece to the park, the shrimping ship Miss Tilly. The story behind the park is that a typhoon, earthquake and resulting tidal wave created an inland sea and caused Miss Tilly to be stranded on top of Mount Mayday, the origin for many of the parks slides and rides.

There is sure to be something for everyone here; why not catch the waves at Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool, the main wave pool of the park, where 6ft high swells roll onto the beach? Or, if you want, experience some high-octane thrills hurtling at speeds approaching 40mph down Mount Mayday whilst dropping some 66m (216ft) in darkness on Humunga Kowabunga! Even if you are travelling with young children there is plenty to do – why not spend some time over at Ketchakiddee Creek – a play area designed especially for toddlers, which includes ten differing aquatic activities.

Disney’s most recent Orlando water park, Blizzard Beach opened in 1995 and is designed as a ski resort that melted in the Florida sun to become the current water park. From the top of Mount Gushmore which can be reached by chairlift, you will be ready to slip and slide your way down the water chutes!

The flagship attraction is Summit Plummet, the site’s most extreme ride where you will fly downhill from one of the tallest and fastest freefall waterslides in the world! Do you dare take the plunge? Or get all of the family involved for a white-water rafting ride down Teamboat Springs, which launches guests along a twisting and turning series of dropping waterfalls in rafts seating up to six people. Then, take a break and watch the kids have fun over at Tikes Peak, an area especially for younger children, featuring gentle slides and a fun water play area.

Over at Universal, scale the iconic 200ft tall Krakatau, the volcano that streams waterfalls during the day, and glowing lava effects at night. It also presides over the four themed areas of Universal’s Volcano Bay, a tropical paradise theme park designed for the whole family. This park offers a unique experience to its visitors with the Tapu Tapu wrist band, which allows you to ‘tap in’ to join a virtual line and avoid queuing. This then frees you up to grab a bite to eat, or enjoy some of the attractions where you don’t need to check in. You can even jump straight onto the attractions with the ‘Ride Now!’ signs.

Head to River Village to drift along Kopiko Wai Winding River, a picturesque lazy river where you can float through the tropical landscape and beneath the lava rocks of Krakatau.

If you are feeling particularly brave, ride the Ko’okiri Body Plunge, a speed slide that drops you through the volcano, or revisit Krakatau on the Aqua Coaster, one of the flagship attractions of the park, a four-person canoe that rockets up inside the volcano and plunges down a series of twisting drops. These are both really popular attractions, so well worth prioritising with your Tapu Tapu, as you will probably want to go on them more than once!

Carry on the exotic theme as you head to Aquatica, and enjoy its Southern Pacific-themed attractions! A sister park to SeaWorld and Discovery Cove with some attractions passing through animal habitats, Aquatica offers an amazing experience to its guests. The park’s most popular attraction, for example – Dolphin Plunge sends riders rushing in a tube through a pool containing a pod of black and white Commerson’s dolphins who were originally from SeaWorld San Diego, and who might even race against you!

If you are looking for something more thrilling, do you dare brave the free-fall Ihu’s Breakaway Falls? Stand in a breakaway box and wait to see who drops first into the flumes that snake down to the pool at the end!

Test out the new Ray Rush waterslide, a manta-ray-themed slide which opened in May this year, and combines a family raft ride with drops and plenty of splashing fun!

Even the younger guests will find plenty to keep them amused as you head over to Walkabout Waters, to explore the colourful rain fortress filled with slides and fun things to do.

Suited to the younger members of your party, and the big kids amongst you, don’t forget to pay a visit to the LEGOLAND Water Park, which was created especially with 2-12 year olds in mind. A little further away from the main parks and less busy than the other sites we’ve mentioned already, there is still plenty for families with young children to do here. Wade in the LEGO Wave Pool, or get competitive with siblings as you race down the water slides in the Twin Chasers, before hurtling down the chutes at Splash Out. It wouldn’t be a LEGO park though if there wasn’t the chance to build – and the Build-a-Raft River will let you unleash your creativity as you design your own LEGO vessel while you drift along the 1000-foot long river, against a background filled with LEGO models, flowers and palm trees.

As with the two Disney parks, LEGOLAND Water Park is closed during the winter months as well as for periods over the spring and autumn, so double check that it is open before heading out!

Whichever of these parks you decide to visit we’d love to hear from you and see your photos of your trip. Do you have any good tips for future visitors to the parks?