Orlando, Florida is not only for thrill-seekers or Disney fanatics. It’s also an excellent place for animal lovers to get up close to some incredible creatures.
From elephants and orangutans to Florida’s native alligators, there are so many opportunities to see hundreds of different species and discover more about them and their care and conservation.
Here are 10 of the best animal experiences in Orlando.
Attraction | Location | Animals |
Swimming with Dolphins | Discovery Cove | Dolphins |
Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin | SeaWorld | Penguins |
Serengeti Safari | Busch Gardens | Giraffes, zebras, ostriches, rhinos, antelope |
Dolphins Up-Close Tour | SeaWorld | Dolphins |
Adventure Hour | Gatorland | Alligators |
Boggy Creek Airboat Ride | East Lake or Southport | Alligators, herons, hawks, deer |
Stingray Lagoon | SeaWorld | Stingrays |
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge | Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge | Giraffes, impala, gazelle, ostrich, cattle, cranes, pelicans, geese, zebra, wildebeest |
Lory Landing | Busch Gardens | Lorikeets |
Kilimanjaro Safaris | Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park | Rhinos, antelope, elephants, giraffes, hippos, lions |
1. Swimming with Dolphins at Discovery Cove
Where: Discovery Cove
Animals: Dolphins! Plus, you’ll also see sharks, rays, eels, otters, marmosets, parrots, sloths, anteaters, and owls.
Low-cost option: Everyone with a Discovery Cove ticket can enjoy the animal experiences on offer, including walking amongst beautiful birds in the Explorer’s Aviary, swimming with shoals of tropical fish in The Grand Reef, and coming face-to-face with playful otters and marmosets in Freshwater Oasis.
Luxury option: You can add on a 30-minute dolphin swim experience when booking your Discovery Cove package. You can also add on SeaVenture, an amazing opportunity to walk underwater across the sea bed, surrounded by hundreds of exotic fish and plant life. Discovery Cove Ultimate Package tickets include entry to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and Aquatica for up to 14 consecutive days.
Experience: The Dolphin Swim Experience is a highlight of any trip to Orlando. It doesn’t matter whether or not you’re a strong swimmer - everyone can enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share the water with a playful dolphin. It’s certainly one to tick off your bucket list. The timing of your dolphin swim is allocated on a first-come first-served basis when you arrive at Discovery Cove so we’d recommend getting there as early as possible.
2. Meet the penguins at SeaWorld
Where: SeaWorld
Animals: Penguins
Low-cost option: You can see penguins in their habitat at the theme park with a SeaWorld ticket. Jump on board a snowmobile for Penguin Trek, a fun launch roller coaster through the vastness of Antarctica. At the end, you’ll discover a real penguin habitat. Don’t worry if you’re not a thrill-seeker - you can still see the penguins without riding the coaster.
Luxury option: There are a range of penguin experiences that allow you to get closer to these adorable birds, including the Ultimate Penguins on Ice Experience and the Penguins Up-Close Tour.
Experience: The Penguins Up-Close Tour is a 45-minute walking tour behind the scenes of Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin. Throughout, guests have the opportunity to learn from animal experts about these special birds and what it’s like to care for the penguins at SeaWorld.
You’ll be transported (metaphorically!) to Antarctica and step onto the ice with hundreds of penguins with the Ultimate Penguins on Ice Experience. Learn more about the five species of penguin that call the park home and learn more about them from an expert aviculturist.
3. Serengeti Safari at Busch Gardens
Where: Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay
Animals: Giraffes, zebras, ostriches, rhinos, antelope
Low-cost option: With a Busch Gardens admission ticket, you can see some of the 200 species that call the park home. While you’re in the park, ride the Serengeti Railway, a relaxing train ride where you can see the free-roaming herds of giraffe, zebra, antelope, and ostrich.
Luxury option: Add the Serengeti Safari as an add-on to get even closer to the animals.
Experience: As well as some of the best rides in America, Busch Gardens has one of the best animal experiences, too: Serengeti Safari. We recommend you book this tour early as it gets full, and it’s easy to see why.
You travel in safari vehicles across the 65-acre recreated Serengeti Plain, home to hundreds of African animals with plenty of up-close encounters to experience, including the chance to hand-feed giraffes!
There are plenty of photo opportunities on this one, so be sure to bring your camera.
4. Dolphin Up-Close Tour at SeaWorld
Where: SeaWorld
Animals: Dolphins
Low-cost option: You can visit Dolphin Cove, where a playful group of bottlenose dolphins live, which is included in the price of your SeaWorld ticket. Here, you can see the dolphins both above and below the surface of the water.
You can also watch the dolphins feeding at certain times during the day, although SeaWorld limits the number of visitors during feeding times as it’s such a popular event at the park and it can get very busy.
Luxury option: Add the Dolphins Up-Close Tour to your ticket to come face-to-face with the dolphins.
Experience: There’s nothing like interacting with such a beautiful, intelligent animal. Short of swimming with dolphins or seeing them jumping out of the water alongside a boat in the wild, this is the next best thing.
You’ll learn how SeaWorld cares for these amazing mammals, keeping them happy and active. You’ll get to feed and splash with them while a photographer captures these unforgettable moments.
5. Adventure Hour at Gatorland
Where: Gatorland
Animals: Alligators
Low-cost option: You can see gators in the park for just the Gatorland admission charge.
Luxury option: For just a small additional charge, you can join an Adventure Hour tour and get closer to the alligators.
Experience: Get as close as you dare to Florida’s most famous resident (no, not Mickey Mouse!) in one of Orlando’s oldest theme parks. This special behind-the-scenes tour gives you access to areas otherwise inaccessible to guests, like the Alligator Breeding Marsh.
The whole park is dedicated to these gnarly gators, as well as a few other species to enjoy. The Night Shine experience is also a great little nocturnal treat, as you come back after hours in the dark. Shine your torches over the water to see hundreds of glowing eyes heading your way!
6. Boggy Creek Airboat Ride
Where: East Lake or Southport
Animals: Alligators, herons, hawks, deer
Low-cost option: Ok, so it’s not the same as actually being there, but you can explore Boggy Creek for free with their virtual reality app – you don’t even need to leave the sofa!
Luxury option: Experience the classic Florida airboat tour.
Experience: There’s nothing like getting onto an airboat, zooming across the marshes in the heart of Florida, and seeing wildlife in their natural habitats. You’re bound to spot a gator or two, and there are plenty of chances to spot other home-grown animals, too.
Keep your eyes peeled for herons, hawks, and roaming deer, each spectacular in their own way. Boggy Creek Airboat Rides operates from two locations and offers several different tours, including an incredible night-time ride, but each tour is a real southern treat.
7. Stingray Lagoon at SeaWorld
Where: SeaWorld
Animals: Stingrays
Low-cost option: Visiting the lagoon is free with your SeaWorld ticket.
Luxury option: Buy a feeding tray to feed these gentle sea creatures.
Experience: Stingray Lagoon is a popular attraction on every visit to SeaWorld. People can spend an hour (or even more!) playing with these friendly creatures. If you choose to feed them, they’re very keen, so be careful they don’t suddenly splash your face as you lean over!
8. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Where: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Animals: Giraffes, impala, gazelle, ostrich, cattle, cranes, pelicans, geese, zebra, wildebeest
Low-cost option: You don’t need to stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to visit. You can walk around and see the animals or have a meal here.
Luxury option: Stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and wake up to wildlife!
Experience: If you are head over heels about animals, then it’s hard to think of anywhere better to stay than in a savannah-view room at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Wake up early to spot the grazing wildlife from the comfort of your balcony.
Disney even put a Wildlife Field Guide in your room to help you with your animal spotting. Guests also have the option to take part in special programmes at the hotel led by animal specialists. It’s nothing short of breath-taking to just relax and watch these amazing animals roam.
9. Lory Landing at Busch Gardens
Where: Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay
Animals: Lorikeets
Low-cost option: Lory Landing is free with your admission ticket.
Luxury option: There’s just a small additional cost to hand feed the lorikeets.
Experience: Lory Landing is a great little walk-through area full of these friendly (if a bit cheeky!) little birds. If you pick up a pot of nectar for a small cost on the way in, these little guys will be your best friend forever – or at least until they’ve finished every drop!
Also walking around with you in this unique habitat are hornbills, pheasants, and many more spectacular birds. Be sure to also add Jambo Junction to your list while you’re at Busch Gardens. Here, you can meet some incredibly cute sloths and lemurs.
10. Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Where: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Animals: Rhinos, antelope, elephants, giraffes, hippos, lions
Low-cost option: Kilimanjaro Safaris is free with park entry.
Luxury option: Add an Up Close with Rhinos tour. This hour-long guided adventure gets you closer to the park’s white rhinos. You’ll learn more about them and the challenges they face in the wild.
Experience: Jump on board a safari jeep and break out the binoculars as you embark on an 18-minute expedition across the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. On second thoughts, leave the binoculars at home – you won’t need them!
Over 34 different African species roam around you, and no two rides are the same. Along the way, your knowledgeable guide will give you all the info you need about the land and its inhabitants.
Want to experience these amazing animal encounters for yourself? Have a look at our great value Orlando theme park tickets.
Summary – 10 of the best animal encounters in Orlando
- Swimming with dolphins at Discovery Cove
- Meet the penguins at Seaworld
- Serengeti Safari at Busch Gardens
- Dolphin Up-Close Tour at SeaWorld
- Adventure Hour at Gatorland
- Boggy Creek Airboat Ride
- Stingray Lagoon at SeaWorld
- Visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Lory Landing at Busch Gardens
- Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
