International Drive Theme Parks and Attractions

Unlike other CoCo Key water park resorts, which all feature indoor parks (and are located in places where it can get mighty cold in the winter), the Orlando location offers an outdoor water park. Part of it is, however, covered by a canopy which offers some protection from nasty weather. The relatively small CoCo Key may not offer the number or variety of slides and attractions found at the area's larger water parks, but it generally doesn't get overcrowded like the bigger parks either.

More of an old-school amusement park than a theme park, Fun Spot offers a couple of roller coasters, including the well-regarded White Lightning woodie, spinning thrill rides, kiddie rides, and one of the world's tallest (at 250 feet) SkyCoasters, a bungee jump-like attraction.

Visible from virtually any vantage point along International Drive (and just about everywhere else throughout Orlando), you can't miss The Orlando Eye, the 400-foot observation wheel. It is the centerpiece of the I-Drive 360 entertainment, shopping, and dining complex. Other major attractions include Madame Tussauds Orlando and Sea Life Orlando Aquarium.

If Go-Karts are your thing, the NASCAR-themed attraction should rev you up. The indoor facility offers a half-mile-long track, and the karts accelerate up to 45 mph. There is also a large arcade and a restaurant at the attraction.

The small "thrill park" offers three featured rides: Slingshot, a reverse bungee attraction that Magical Midway brags is the world's largest, the 230-foot tall swing ride, Starflyer, and the drop tower ride, Space Blast. Other features include Go-Karts, bumper cars, a carousel, and an arcade.

Scheduled to open in 2017, the Skyplex entertainment complex will feature Skyscraper, the world's tallest roller coaster. It will also offer an observation tower (for coaster wimps who would nonetheless want to check out the 570-foot view), dining, simulator rides, an arcade, and other attractions.

The Starflyer at Magical Midway (listed above) rises an impressive 230 feet. But the Starflyer at Vue at 360, which is scheduled to open in late 2015 or early 2016, will go nearly three times as high. At 420 feet, it will be the world's tallest swing ride.

Housed in an unusual building that appears to have been ripped from its foundation and tossed upside down, the indoor "edu-tainment" attraction has many exhibits including a 4D simulator ride, lazer tag, and a ropes challenge course.