Aquatica, Orlando, Florida

Type of Attraction:                           Water Park
Date of Visit:                                      13th February 2009
Address:                                             Aquatica, 5800 Water Play Way, Orlando, FL32821
Website:                                             Click Here
Tickets:                                              Click Here


What a great day out! I am not really keen on water parks but it was fantastic, nothing like other water parks. There is something to suit everyone here and it was so much fun. The park is separated into many sections suitable for all ages. As it is a Seaworld park there is sealife scattered around the park, tropical fish aquariums, a couple of dolphins and a few small exibit tanks with starfish and urchins, but I expected a to see more than there was.

We played on the lovely white sandy beach, swam in the Big Surf Shores (simulated wave sea). Sam loved the Roa's rapids where we spent about two hours going round and round about 35 times in total (I would have preferred fewer!). The Roa rapids can be a little rough in places but there were some very small children loving every minute. If your little ones don't like water splashing in their faces then this is probably not the best ride to go on.

Kata's Kookaburra Cove is for younger children up to about age 6 where there are very tame slides and water chutes, water cannons, fountains to play under and boats to climb on. The deepest water in this area is less than half a meter deep so perfect if your kids cannot swim.

Walkabout Waters is for any age toddlers to adults. It is a 60 foot fortress covering 15,000 square feet. Throughout the fortress it has fountains, slides, water cannons, interactive tools and is great for kids to run a riot. If you have small children under 8 probably best to accompany them all the time it is huge and very easy to get lost in. I guess this depends on the confidence of your child though; Sam is a confident boy but panics if he cannot see me in very busy places.

Sam had to wear a life vest all day. For safety all kids under the height of 48 inches must wear those at all times and these cannot be substituted for arm bands. Much older kids wore them as well, even adults, I wore a life vest whilst going around the Roa Rapids as it was much more fun floating around rather than swimming and fighting the current.

I would not recommend going if you are just one parent with a baby and a younger child as the baby will make the day very restricting. You need to be hands on with youngsters here and cannot be if you have a baby with you too.

You can buy all you need for the day in the shops onsite, swimwear, buckets and spades, swim nappies, sunscreen, goggles, wetsuits etc. As expected it was all quite expensive though, so take all you can with you.

There are quite a few restaurants and snack bars dotted around. The price of food is similar to all the parks in Orlando, approx $8 for burger and chips and $3 for a soft drink.

Towels were $4 to hire (you can use your own) and lockers $10 for a small locker and $12 for a large locker, you get $5 back when you return the locker key.

On entry our bags were searched for glass bottles for obvious reasons. They also take away any sandwiches as you are only allowed to eat food bought in the park. We had our sandwiches hidden at the bottom of my backpack in a universal studios carrier bag so they were left undiscovered! You are allowed to take snacks in such as crisps etc. and small plastic bottles of drinks.

I would recommend this park to anyone. We are planning to go back next week before we come home.