Just got back from a two week trip to Florida (Kissimmee area).  Rich in the variety of things you can do with the family, but in particular you just cannot miss a visit to the theme parks.  If you are a lover of thrill rides, you can't get a better selection in one area than in Orlando.  My family and I go on a regular basis and each has something different to offer.

The Theme Parks -

Disney - Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and the water parks at Typhoon Lagoon & Blizzard Beach)

Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure

Sea World & Busch Gardens (Tampa)

On this trip we went to Sea World & Busch Gardens, Blizzard Beach, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. 

The highlights - front row on Manta - the new roller coaster at SeaWorld (pictured below).  You have a harness on chest and legs as you fly horizontally - quite a different feeling than the other rides.  Craken is also a favourite.

Hollywood RockIt - new roller coaster at Universal Studios.  This has a vertical launch just like a rocket (without the speed) and then a near vertical first drop.  There are several occasions where you slow down before another drop - which is unusual - but the main difference with this ride is that you chose music to listen to whilst on the ride.  6 different genres of music, and 6 artists to choose from in each genre.  If you don't select - it makes a random choice for you.

Shiekra at Busch Gardens is amazing.  This one suspends you at the very top of a near vertical drop for about 3 or 4 seconds before letting you fall.  There are three rows of seating and you get a different perspective and feeling from each row - so worth trying all three.

Duelling Dragons at Islands of Adventure gives you a choice of two tracks - Fire (red) and Ice (blue).  Two roller coasters set off at the same time in a race and whilst on different tracks, they pass close to each other on several occasions during the ride.  It is worth going on each one as the rides are very different - and also going on the front row seating.  The Hulk is also a must.  You are propelled at great speed out of a tunnel at the start of the ride.

The new Harry Potter World at Islands of Adventure is under construction and is due to open some time next year - and what you can see of Hogwarts looks fantastic.  Duelling Dragons will become part of that area of the park.

Can't wait for my next trip!