6 Thrilling Amusement Parks Jacksonville FL | UNATION

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6 Thrilling Theme Parks to Road Trip to from Jacksonville

What makes the 904 so great? Well, Jacksonville happens to be a road-trippable distance away from a variety of fun amusement parks.

Disney World

Everyone knows what they say about Disney World: it’s the happiest place on earth! With that being said, how could you not want to take an exciting day trip to Orlando from Jacksonville It’s only a 2 1/2 hour drive after all! Disney World has 4 different parks to choose from including Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. From all your favorite Disney character’s and rides at Magic Kingdom to food and booze from around the world at Epcot, there is truly something for everyone at these parks! If you still aren’t convinced, you can get a discount for simply being a Florida resident. Also, it’s important to be aware that operating hours differ at each park!

Our favorite rides and attractions

Check out our favorite rides and attractions to enjoy when you visit Walt Disney World!

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Race through a haunted gold mine inside of Thunder Mountain - perfect for fans of all ages!

GotG: Cosmic Rewind

This ride is one of the largest enclosed coasters & features a revers launch & 360 views!

Expedition Everest

Explore the legend of the Forbidden Mountain with fast drops, high speeds, & creatures!

TRON Lightcycle / Run

Known for thrilling visuals & big drops, this ride will transport you to another world!

SeaWorld

If you want to immerse yourself in an exciting aquatic world, then we recommend taking a day trip to SeaWorld! This amusement park is also located in Orlando so that’s only a 2 1/2 hour drive from Jacksonville. Here you can come face-to-face with amazing animals like penguins and sharks in addition to riding roller coasters and attending plenty of live shows! SeaWorld specializes in marine animal care, conservation, education, research and rescue. Therefore, it’s the perfect place to learn more about our environment and marine life all while having fun!

Our favorite rides and attractions

Make the most of your trip to SeaWorld with our favorite rides and attractions!

Mako

Experience Orlando’s tallest & fastest coaster known for its high speeds & deep dives.

Aquatica Water Park

From thrilling waterslides to animal experiences, this is one of America’s #1 waterparks!

Universal Studios

At Universal Studios in Orlando, you can experience a number of exhilarating rides from saving mankind with Transformers to soaring above Hogwarts with Harry Potter. With many kid and adult attractions alike, this amusement park is a great place to bring your family. Again, that’s only a 2 1/2 hour drive from Jacksonville for a day full of excitement! Plus, Universal is known for its thrilling Halloween Horror Nights, which just so happens to be right around the corner! All we’re going to say is bring your friend group to this amusement park during Halloween Horror Nights and see who can make it the longest without screaming. Spoiler alert: it’s hard not to!

Our favorite rides & attractions

Check out our favorite rides and attractions to enjoy when you visit Universal!

Jurassic World VelociCoaster

Feel the rush of the hunt with Universal Island of Adventure’s VelociCoaster.

The Incredible Hulk Coaster

Unleash your inner Hulk with this iconic coaster! This thril ride launches at 67 mph.

Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure

Experience Hogwarts like never before with Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure!

Volcano Bay

Relax or get your heart racing at this iiconic water park, perfect for summertime fun!

Wild Adventures

Located in Valdosta, GA, Wild Adventures is only a 1-2 hour drive depending on where you live in Jacksonville. While Wild Adventures is only open on the weekends, it is worth the trip considering that it’s a theme park, water park, concert venue, and zoo all wrapped up into one location! This fun destination started out as a weekend horse farm owned by a local family. It then transformed into an exciting amusement park complete with thrill rides, concerts, and animals. It’s a really cool experience to visit Wild Adventures and see how far they’ve come and how much they continue to grow!

Check out more can't-miss attractions

From fast passes to park hopping, we've got you covered when it comes to theme parks in Florida!

Attraction

Busch Gardens Tampa: Entry Ticket with Optional Quick Queue

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: where…

From$89

Attraction

Adventure Island Tampa Bay: Fast Track

From$41.53

Attraction

SeaWorld Orlando: Multi-Park Pass + Free All-Day Dining

From$153.6

Attraction

SeaWorld Orlando: Fast Track Ticket

From$88.18

Attraction

Discovery Cove: Entry Ticket

From$214.58

Photo credit Busch gardens

Busch Gardens

Enjoy all your favorite thrills and adventures at Busch Gardens. There is so much to explore at this iconic Tampa Bay theme park. As one of North America’s largest accredited zoos, get up close and personal with gorgeous animals and adorable cuddly creatures. Thrill seekers, you can enjoy exciting roller coasters like the Cheetah Hunt and Kumba! This theme park has something for everyone – so be sure to head to Busch Gardens the next time you are craving an adventure!

Our favorite rides & attractions

Check out our favorite rides and attractions to enjoy when you visit Busch Gardens!

Tigris

Inspired by a tiger's agility, this coaster has a 150-foot skyward surge & reaches 60 mph!

Cheetah Hunt

Experience the speed of the Cheetah with the park’s longest thrill ride attraction!

Amusement Parks to Road Trip to from Jacksonville

Whether you want to spend time with family or hang out with your friends, doing so at an amusement park is an exciting way to change things up. So, pack up your car and check out these 6 amusement parks near Jacksonville! For more exciting places to visit in Jacksonville, be sure to check out our Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok! We love sharing all the fun stuff to do in Jax and hearing back from you!

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Curated by

Becca McCandless

Duval Native | Sunshine State ☀️ | Aspiring Plant Mom 🌱