Day Trip to 3 Theme Parks on your Anna Maria Vacation

Father, daughter and mother with their hands in the air on a ride

Did you know that Anna Maria Island is within driving distance of several theme parks in Florida? That’s right, and we have all the details to share with you and your family. Staying in one of our Anna Maria Island vacation rentals will keep you and your family close to the fun. Look below at three theme parks within driving distance of our beautiful island.

Busch Gardens Tampa

roller coaster high in the summer sky at theme park most excited fun and joyful playing machine

Busch Gardens Tampa is your ticket if you’re looking for an unforgettable memory at a local theme park. They are in North Tampa, only an hour from our beautiful island. Fun for the whole family, you’ll be able to enjoy rides for the thrill seekers and rides for the younger kids too. This park offers guests of all ages the chance to check out many different animals you’ll find here in Florida and some from other countries. And if you’re looking for a fun waterpark, check out their Adventure Island.

Legoland

a child girl in an amusement park in the summer eats cotton candy near the carousels in sunglasses, the concept of summer holidays and school holidays

Do you have a young child who loves to build with Legos? Then Legoland is your perfect ticket for a fun day at a theme park. They are in Winter Haven, which is about 2-hours from the island. Legoland is ideal for children 12 and under as they have perfect kid-sized rides. Legoland also offers a waterpark with “heated pools seasonally” and a wave pool, lazy river, body slides, and even a Duplo safari to enjoy. Think of this theme park to enjoy Legos as an adult without the chance of stepping on them in the middle of the night.

SeaWorld Orlando

Amusement park ride purple and red with palm trees

SeaWorld Orlando is another great theme park to visit for the day and is in Orlando, about a 2-hour drive from Anna Maria Island. This park is often overlooked by too many who visit the other theme parks in the area, but it is one we wanted to share with you. For the younger kids in the family, and as it says, sunny days keeping the clouds away is perfect as you can step on into Sesame Street Land and feel like you’re right in the TV show. If the bigger kids want something to do, there are plenty of rides such as Mako, Kraken, and Journey to Atlantis to check out. Plus, don’t forget to check out the different animals, such as the manatees, manta rays, and more.

Many other theme parks in the area would make great day trips; we wanted to share these. If you haven’t booked your next stay with us in one of our Anna Maria Island vacation rentals, now is the time. We can’t wait to hear which theme park was your favorite on your next stay with us!

Enjoy Spring Break on Anna Maria Island



It’s hard to believe that Spring Break will be here before we know it, and now is the time to start planning it. Getting away from life at home will allow both you and your family to recharge a bit, all while relaxing in the area. Staying in one of our Anna Maria Island vacation rentals will keep you and the family together. Let’s look below at what fun things you can do this spring break with the family!

Day Trip Fun

Enjoy Spring Break on Anna Maria Island

One of the best things about vacationing to Anna Maria Island this spring break is being close to several different amusement parks. Busch Gardens Tampa is located about an hour and a half from the island and is a quick trip to make. If you’re looking to travel a little more, then you can always head to Orlando, which is about a 2-hour drive from the island. Here you and your family can choose from Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Discovery Cove, Sea World, and Legoland. We do, however, recommend that you purchase your tickets before heading over to the parks, as Walt Disney World does require you to make Park Pass Reservations. No matter where you go for the day, know that you will be able to come back to your vacation rental and relax the rest of the week!

Play on the Water

Another great way your family can enjoy spring break this year is to enjoy time on the water. This year, either rent yourself a boat where you can sail along the coast and enjoy fishing, relaxing, and having a great time together. Suppose you’re looking for something a little more entertaining, then head on over to the Fun Life Waterpark, where you’ll be floating a long the water and enjoying some of the fun trampolines and slides into the water. There is so much to do on the water that these are just a few of the things you can do.

Enjoy a Day on the Beach

Enjoy Spring Break on Anna Maria Island

Spending time away from life at home is getting to walk to the beach from your vacation rental or driving over to the beach. Be sure to bring your beach chairs, towels, umbrella, sunscreen, and sand toys for the kids with you. If you’d like to get a book or two with you while you relax as the kids play in the sand. Bring your lunch down on the sand along with a cooler full of drinks to keep you and the family hydrated for the day. Make new memories as you spend time relaxing and enjoying your time together on the beautiful white sands of Anna Maria Island!

While there are so many other things that you can do while on vacation to Anna Maria Island, we wanted to share these with you. If you haven’t booked your spring break vacation to stay in one of our Anna Maria Island vacation rentals, now is the time. We can’t wait to see you and your family make new memories this spring break together!

Stay in an AMI Locals Vacation Rental While You Visit Local Theme Parks



Do you and your family have plans to visit one of the many theme parks located in Central Florida this year? We at AMI Locals have the details on when they are opening and how you can enjoy a relaxing vacation in a beach home too. Staying in one of our many Anna Maria Island vacation rentals will allow your family to enjoy some privacy along with the white sand beaches and the relaxing waves. Let’s look below at a few of the reopening plans with several of the theme parks located in the area.

Walt Disney World Parks

Stay in an AMI Locals Vacation Rental While You Visit Local Theme Parks

Walt Disney World has recently released its reopening plans, and we couldn’t be more excited to get back to the parks ourselves. On July 11th, Magic Kingdom Park & Animal Kingdom will be opening up. On July 15th, Hollywood Studios & Epcot will be opening back up along with the Food & Wine Festival kicking off a little early. To visit each park, you will have to have tickets or annual passes and use their reservation system to gain access to one park a day. Everyone over the age of 2 has to wear a mask within the park and will require each person in the party to have their temperatures taken. Disney Springs has already opened and is available for you to come and shop the day away before heading back to your vacation rental.

Universal Studios

Universal Studios has already opened its parks and has a similar system to gain entry to each ride. They, instead of making reservations for each day, are allowing people to enter the park, but it is based on first come first serve. Once the park has reached its new capacity, then you will not be able to gain entrance to the parks. The water park, Volcano Bay, is open, and while you are swimming, the face masks are not required, the central common areas they are. Also, while inside Universal Studios, they do have a U Rest, which is where you can take off your mask for a minute and remember to social distance.

SeaWorld

Stay in an AMI Locals Vacation Rental While You Visit Local Theme Parks

SeaWorld is open back as well, and they, just like Universal Studios, has the same concept. Aquatica is open as well, and they do not allow masks to be worn while riding the rides and swimming but do in the common areas. They have also launched a new reservations system just like Walt Disney World, and you will need to have some to gain entrance to the parks. If you, however, have date-based tickets, you don’t need to worry about using the reservation system. The parks are also opened for five days a week and are closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Legoland Florida

If you have younger kids and they love Legos, then head on over to Legoland for the day. They have been open since June 1st, and they are no requiring face masks to be worn by guests but are recommending them. If you forgot your mask, then you will be able to grab a complimentary one from the park. Legoland will be open from 10 am to 5:00 pm daily, and the waterpark will be open from noon to 4:00 pm. You will find that this is a great park for the younger crowd and will win you brownie points with each kid!

Busch Gardens Tampa

Stay in an AMI Locals Vacation Rental While You Visit Local Theme Parks

Busch Gardens Tampa and Adventure Island are open back to the public. They, just like many of the other parks, are implementing those who are two and older, will be required to wear face masks. There are relaxation areas where you can take a breather and not wear your masks or while eating or drinking. They also will be doing temperature checks when you enter the park, and if you have a fever of 100.4 or higher, you will not be allowed to enter the park.

Staying in one of our Anna Maria Island vacation rentals will allow your family to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. Some of the things that you may experience at your vacation rental is a private pool, beach access, and spending time with the family. We understand that going to a theme park can be fun but sitting back and relaxing at your rental is just what every family needs and wants.  We can’t wait to see you and your family as you come vacation with us and still have the exciting thrill of going to a theme park for a day or two!

Explore Sarasota on your Next Vacation to Anna Maria Island

Explore Sarasota on your Next Vacation to Anna Maria Island

When you go on vacation to Anna Maria Island you will probably want to explore many different things on the island or surrounding towns. From the white sands of Anna Maria Island, art events, local restaurants to finding a new family friendly activity to do. There is so much to do on Anna Maria Island while you are staying in one of our Water Access vacation rentals but there is so much more to do. Why not have a day exploring Sarasota on your next vacation to Anna Maria Island? You won’t be disappointed in what you find there.

It’s a Circus

Explore Sarasota on your Next Vacation to Anna Maria Island

The first stop that you and your family must go to in Sarasota would have to be to explore the Ringling Grounds. Here you can explore the three amazing museums that are on the grounds which happen to be the Ringling Circus Museum, Museum of Art with a Sculpture Park. If you venture to the end of the grounds you will find a breathtaking museum on the water that is known as the iconic Ca d’Zan Mansion. When you come visit the museums it’s a celebration of the Ringling Circus decades of influential history which you don’t want to miss.

Big Cat Habitat

If your family loves animals, then we suggest heading over to the Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary. Located on Palmer Blvd in Sarasota you and your family can visit the safe haven for big cats and other animals. This sanctuary features 3 large habitats that are complete with swimming pools and plants to help create a more natural environment. What a wonderful way to learn and see demonstrations on how to understand conservation preservation.

Save Our Seabirds

Explore Sarasota on your Next Vacation to Anna Maria Island

With so many different wildlife that you may see while you are on the gulf coast, you will want to go see the Save Our Seabirds Conservation Center. Located on the Ken Thompson Parkway adjacent from the Mote Marine Aquarium, you and your family can see the center that rescues and cares for sick wild birds. They will release them back into their natural habitats once they have had time to healed and if there is a bird that isn’t able to return to the wild, then they will be a part of their Wild Bird Learning Center. Save Our Seabirds sits on about 3 acres of land and houses over 150 birds. As an outdoor museum that is used for educational purposes, this can be a great field trip while you vacation on Anna Maria Island.

Bayfront Park

Do you and your family love the outdoors and want to see more of Sarasota? Then head over the Bayfront Park where you can enjoy one of Sarasota’s best outdoor recreation spots. Here you can hike, ride a bike or jog as there are plenty of paths for you to enjoy. There are also full amenities here that your family can take advantage of such as playgrounds, picnic tables, restrooms and wildlife viewing area. Don’t forget your camera or phone so you can take beautiful pictures of the bay and city. The park is open from 6 am to 11 pm every day.

While there are plenty of things for you to do in the Sarasota area on your next vacation, don’t forget about some of the amazing things you can do here as well. Anna Maria Island is a vacation destination that you must visit every year with your family! Staying in one of our beautiful Water Access vacation rentals will keep you where you want to be. We want your next vacation to be as magical as the first one here on Anna Maria Island!