As soon as we turned into Water Play Way from International Drive, I knew we were in for a fun day at Aquatica Orlando, SeaWorld’s water park!
Even before we were able to park, I could see people enjoying a ride on the Ray Rush. I recognized it because I had watched a YouTube video about this waterpark in anticipation of my visit and I wanted to make sure I was able to maximize my time.
We chose general parking and it was only a short walk to the entrance, and so after our tickets were scanned, we walked right into the park.
The first thing we did was to find a spot to drop off our bags and towels. We brought our own towels although the park has some for rental at Kiwi Trades Gift shop.
We did not reserve a cabana although we saw that you could do so for a fee. We just found a general seating area and left our towels and other items that we did not want to drag along as we walked around.
That said, there are lockers throughout the park and so if you are not comfortable leaving your items on the chairs, then you should use the lockers to secure your items.
Loggerhead Lane
It was an extremely hot April day and so we thought it would be a great idea to just seat back, relax and enjoy the lazy river at Loggerhead Lane, and we were right!
We waited for people to come out and had over floating tubes and once we had ours, we were on our way. It was awesome, so awesome that we went around twice! I was tempted to go a third time but realized I would be pushing it.
Walkabout Waters and Turi’s Kid Cove
From Loggerhead Lane, we walked over to Walkabout Waters. Since we had children in our group, it was a good opportunity for them to run around and enjoy the splash from this interactive play zone.
It has water cannons, slides, and a huge tipping bucket that drenched everyone in its path. I even saw a few adults enjoying this area.
If you are with little children, then they will also enjoy Turi’s Kid Cove, which has palms that drip water, buckets, and loads of water bubbles.
Tassie’s Underwater Twist
Tassie’s Underwater Twist reminded me of a ride I took in Atlantis in the Bahamas. It was also a two-rider one with the bigger person seating behind. I didn’t have a fast pass so I waited quite a bit for this one but it was worth it.
I just remember screaming really hard when the ride first starts and then when it gets to the middle and you see the sea creatures that was the best part! Just beautiful!
Ihu Breakaway Falls
This area has four different slides with different colors –orange, green, purple and blue.
Let me give my disclaimer here, this one is not for the weak! Three of the slides drop you but the purple one does not. Before you can try this one you must climb 126 steps to get to the top. It’s intimidating at first, I am not going to lie and when you hear the screams it’s tempting to go back down using the stairs, but the truth is the first time you do it is the scariest and then you are tempted to go again.
Taumata Racer
If you are competitive like I am, then you would love Taumata Racer. At first, I was not too keen on the idea of going headfirst down a giant slide but once I got into it, it was fantastic.
So how this one works is that you lie on a mat and go headfirst down a slope. It’s great especially if you visit in a group because you can compete against each other.
Ray Rush and Walhalla Wave
Two great rides to take if you are in a group, are the Ray Rush and Walhalla Wave. The Ray Rush as well as the Walhalla Wave are rafts that can fit a group of people at a time, so unlike most floating rides that fit just two people this one can fit up to four people.
KareKare Curl
The KareKare Curl can fit two to five rides. There are no single riders for this one. It does have a height requirement (48 inches) so keep that in mind. This ride lunches you up a vertical wall.
Other Attractions at Aquatica
- Reef Plunge: Glide through a colorful underwater world filled with dolphins, sharks, and fish.
- Big Surf Shores & Cutback Cove: Two adjacent wave pools with different surf styles.
- Omaka Rocka: High-speed fun with splashy turns inside giant flumes.
- Roa’s Rapids: A fast-flowing river adventure—no tube needed!
- Whanau Way: High-speed raft slides in four unique colors.
- Riptide Race: Face off against friends in the tallest dueling racer slide around.
Dining Options at Aquatica
I was surprised how quickly I felt hungry after only a few rides. Our original plan was to enjoy a lot more rides, have a snack in between, and dinner afterwards. That plan failed massively! We ended up eating lunch at the park and grabbed some delicious ice cream from Rita’s.
There are quite a number of places to order from but the lines were a pain. I read you could skip the lines by using the mobile ordering through the Aquatica app at select restaurants but since this was not part of the original idea, I got stuck waiting on the queue and I have to say that was the worst part of the visit.
Some of the restaurants at Aquatica are listed below:
- Waterstone Grill: Burgers, seafood, and desserts.
- Mango Market: Sandwiches, salads, snacks.
- Trader Turi’s Tiki Bar: Cocktails and beers.
- Ke-Re’s Bar: Frozen drinks and more.
- Kiwi Market: Grab-and-go snacks.
- Motu’s Beach Bar: Frozen daiquiris, beers, and cocktails.
- Banana Beach Cookout (Seasonal): BBQ favorites.
- Papa’s Cantina (Seasonal): Empanadas and wings.
- Kura’s Beachside Panini (Seasonal): Fresh pressed sandwiches.
- Walkabout Pizza (Seasonal): Personal pizzas and wraps.
- Rita’s: Gelati and Ice cream.
A Few Quick Tips We Learned:
- Flip-flops or water shoes are a must — the pavement can get scorching. Initially, I took off my slippers since I did not want to have to track where I put them and was even enjoying the feel of the ground under my feet but then it started to get a little too hot and I had to walk back and put them up. Turns out there are slippers lockers at each ride so you can place them there and pick them up after each ride.
- Arrive early if you want first dibs on slides and lounge chairs.
- Bring your own towels unless you plan on renting them. It’s not free!
- Stay hydrated — it’s easy to forget when you’re constantly wet! We brought our water bottles and all of us ran out of water!
- Apply sunscreens and bring sunglasses, hat, and phone waterproof phone case.
Admission and Visiting Details
- Single-Day Tickets: Prices vary; check the official website for current rates and promotions.
- Multi-Park Tickets: Combine visits to SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and Adventure Island for bundled savings.
- Annual Passes: Options include benefits like unlimited admission, free parking, and guest tickets.
- Operating Hours: Typically open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with extended hours during peak seasons.
Ending the Day: Shopping and Sweet Treats
If you visit Aquatica Orlando with children, then chances are that you would be dragged through the Adaptations gift shop for souvenirs. They had everything from swimsuits and hats to cute Aquatica plushies. You can also buy a waterproof phone case for your phone , which you can hang around your neck and without fear of dropping your phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there ride restrictions?
Yes. Most rides require guests to be at least 42″–48″ tall. Life vests are strongly recommended for younger visitors.
Which rides allow multiple riders?
Slides like Ray Rush, Walhalla Wave, and Riptide Race let groups ride together.
How deep are the pools?
Depths vary. Big Surf Shores is more shallow, while Cutback Cove reaches up to 6.5 feet.
Is Aquatica accessible?
Yes! Aquatica offers wheelchair ramps, transfer chairs, sensory guides, and is a Certified Autism Center.
Are there showers?
Yes, along with lockers and restroom facilities across the park.
Can you wear shoes on slides?
Mostly yes—except on a few rides like Riptide Race, Omaka Rocka, Reef Plunge, and Ihu’s Breakaway Falls, where footwear must be removed.
Can you use GoPros on rides?
No, personal cameras aren’t permitted on water slides. One thing I did forget to ask is if you have the GoPro strapped to your body on the GoPro Chest Mount if that would be allowable. I figure since you can take you phone on the rides, maybe that might work.
Is Aquatica open year-round?
Yes! Most attractions are heated during cooler months, but rare weather-related closures can occur. If a ride is closed, there will be signs informing visitors.
Is Aquatica worth visiting compared to other waterparks?
If you’re visiting SeaWorld Orlando or simply love the mix of marine life and water rides, Aquatica is definitely a must-see!
Final Thoughts
Would I recommend a day at Aquatica Orlando? Absolutely. It’s perfect for families, friends, and anyone who wants a mix of high-energy thrills and calm, beachy relaxation.
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