A Day at Aquatica Orlando
Aquatica Orlando holds a special place in our hearts because it was the first water park we went to together.
If you are a water park fan, you have plenty of options in Orlando from Universal’s Volcano Bay to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. While it usually isn’t a top-of-mind park, don’t count out SeaWorld’s Aquatica for a fun day in the sun.
Boasting a huge acreage (more than twice as large as Volcano Bay) there are plenty of places to sit, swim and slide. Water parks are easier for families to attend and Aquatica is no different. In fact, Aquatica Orlando is the first water park in the world to be designated as a Certified Autism Center!
Arriving and Getting Started at Aquatica Orlando
We give this tip a lot when visiting the theme parks, but the earlier you can get your day started the better off you’ll usually be. This is definitely the case when it comes to water parks because you want to have the best opportunity for finding chairs together and in the shade. It’s also especially true with Aquatica Orlando because we’ve noticed the park hits capacity often and early.
Another issue with getting to Aquatica Orlando is its location. The park is located on International Drive, right off State Road 528 (which connects to Interstate 4). If you’re coming on a weekend in the summer, expect a lot of traffic delays getting into the parking lot. Even if you aren’t coming via the highway and are coming on more local roads like Central Florida Parkway, there is still Aquatica-related traffic jams all around. They aren’t impossible to navigate, but they are more noticeable as the morning goes on.
Lockers
Lockers are always a good idea at a theme park. We’ve gone to Aquatica countless times and (knock on wood) we haven’t had anything bad happen, but you just never know. You may balk at the extra price, but would you rather shell out an extra $15 bucks or run the risk of your wallet getting stolen?
There are a few places where lockers are available to rent. We recommend consulting a park map ahead of time to see where you think you may be spending the most time so you can pick a locker area that is most convenient. The locker prices are $15 for a small locker and $20 for a large locker.
Cabanas and Premium Seating
Like most of Orlando’s water parks, there are opportunities for upgraded seating. There are premium loungers, similar to the premium seating options we tried at Universal’s Volcano Bay. A pair of loungers with a built-in locker unit comes with a shaded canopy.
There are a few options for cabanas that can fit between four and 10 guests, depending on which one you choose. As with the premium loungers, the cost of the cabanas is dependent on availability. A weekend in the middle of summer is probably going to be more expensive than a random weekday in February.
Aquatica Orlando’s Rides, Slides and Tubes
A waterpark is only as fun as its rides and Aquatica Orlando has a bunch of them. Not only are there a lot of rides to choose from, but most of them are great for families and single-riders alike. It’s rare to have a place that accommodates groups big and small because the newer the park/ride, the harder it is to find something for single riders or groups of two.
The marquee thrill-seeking ride at Aquatica Orlando is Ihu’s Breakaway Falls. This classic plunging ride literally drops you into your tube for a high-speed slide. This is a perfect ride for thrill-seekers and should definitely be skipped if you have a fear of heights, darkness or high speeds. If you enjoy a fast ride but want a bit more control, there is a slide on the top of Ihu’s Breakaway Falls that acts as a regular slide and doesn’t have the floor drop out from under you.
Aquatica Orlando’s two newest rides, Kare Kare Curl and Ray Rush, feature larger rafts and cannot be ridden by parties less than three. Having rides like these is certainly fun for families and larger parties, but tends to neglect couples or single-riders. We first noticed this at Volcano Bay and don’t think it’s a coincidence that Aquatica Orlando’s two newest rides follow this trend as well.
There are two lazy rivers to play in, one of them is a classic relaxing ride while the other is a more thrilling current. Unfortunately, both rivers have our least favorite feature — constant waterfalls or fountains. Why oh why can’t there be a lazy river that actually lets us be lazy?
Food
Aquatica Orlando has three main dining options — Banana Beach Cookout, Mango Market and Waterstone Grill. Each of the restaurants basically has the same food, just presented a bit differently. Banana Beach and Waterstone Grille are your classic “grab a tray and pick what you want” theme park dining experience, and Mango Market is a grab-and-go store that reminded us a lot of the dining halls back in college. Aquatica Orlando’s dining is fine but not spectacular.
The Verdict
The Orlando Sentinel recently voted Aquatica as Orlando’s #1 waterpark, which is an amazing feat considering the stranglehold Disney has in the hearts and minds of the city. However, if you stop and look at what Aquatica has to offer it makes sense. It’s one of the biggest water parks in the city and has a great variety of rides for everyone in the family. The only thing lacking in the park is a better variety of food options.
It’s easy to get Disney fever in Orlando and just as easy to want to gravitate toward the latest and greatest (like with Universal’s Volcano Bay), which means you may miss out on something great. Aquatica in Orlando is one of those great things. The park is big enough to never seem overcrowded, fun enough for the whole family and easily on the more affordable side. If you’re looking for a water park experience but want something different than the obvious, head over to Aquatica Orlando.
