Best Of 2023

Best Reason to Brave the Crowds at Walt Disney World: Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind
Epcot’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind | photo by Seth Kubersky

If Space Mountain was your favorite Disney ride growing up, this coaster is definitely for you. Cosmic Rewind is the smoothest roller coaster ever and seriously makes you feel like you're soaring through the galaxy. And because it's themed to Guardians of the Galaxy, there's a rad soundtrack of '70s and '80s hits to accompany you on your journey to save the world. (Of the six possible song choices on this ride, the absolute best is "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears, we will not be taking questions.) This attraction gets extra bonus points for an indoor queue that is not only a great way to escape the heat, but also so perfectly themed that we finally understand why some rides deserve to have pre-show areas.

EPCOT, disneyworld.disney.go.com

Best of Orlando 2023: Attractions and Recreation

Best of Orlando 2023: Attractions and Recreation
Best Theme Park Ride
Photo by Seth Kubersky

1st: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, disneyworld.disney.go.com

2nd: Jurassic World VelociCoaster, universalorlando.com

3rd: Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, universalorlando.com

Best Attraction That's Not a Theme Park
Matt Keller Lehman

1st: Gatorland, gatorland.com

2nd: Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens, centralfloridazoo.org

3rd: Cypress Cove Nudist Resort, cypresscoveresort.com

Best I-Drive Attraction
Photo via ICON Park/Facebook

Best I-Drive Attraction

1st: ICON Park, iconparkorlando.com

2nd: Fun Spot, America fun-spot.com

3rd: Gods and Monsters, godmonsters.com

Best Place for Family Fun
Photo courtesy Walt Disney World/Facebook

1st: Walt Disney World, disneyworld.disney.go.com

2nd: Orlando Science Center, osc.org

3rd: Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens, centralfloridazoo.org

Best Water Park
Photo via Universal Orlando Resort

1st: Universal's Volcano Bay, universalorlando.com

2nd: Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, disneyworld.disney.go.com

3rd: Aquatica, aquatica.com/orlando

Best Arcade
Photo courtesy Arcade Monsters/Facebook

1st: Arcade Monsters, arcademonsters.com

2nd: Player 1 Video Game Bar, player1orlando.com

3rd: Andretti Indoor Karting and Games, andrettikarting.com/orlando

Best Theme Park
Photo via Adobe

1st: Universal Islands of Adventure, universalorlando.com

2nd: EPCOT, disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/epcot

3rd: SeaWorld Orlando, seaworld.com/orlando

Best Axe-Throwing
Photo courtesy The Trap/Facebook

1st: The Trap, theaxetrap.com

2nd: Stumpy's, stumpyshh.com/orlandofl

3rd: Epic Axe Throwing, epicaxethrowing.com

Best Bowling Alley
Photo by Daniel Newcomb via Splitsville Lanes.