Spending time and doing fun things with your child helps to build a strong relationship with them. You can spend time together as part of everyday activities, or you can make special time for play, games and visiting attractions to experience together. We discovered some fun things to do together this summer- from museums and gardens to boats and escape rooms.
But by far, a day at a water park was the most fun. If you are looking for a fun way to to spend a day with your family, you are sure to make a splash with Aquatica Orlando!
Our favorite Florida Water Park: Aquatica Orlando
This unique and action-packed waterpark has 13 water rides, 2 lazy rivers, a wave pools and children’s water playgrounds! Not to mention, it’s the only location in the United States where you can see Commerson’s Dolphins- so save time for the trainer talk.
The majority of the water rides are designed to allow groups of people to ride together as opposed to single riders. Riding water slides together, jumping waves in the pool, and floating down the lazy river was incredibly fun and memorable for everyone. And if you have littles, the all new Turi’s Cover water play area with it’s own kid-sized wave slide is designed specifically for the youngest ones in the family.
Tips for spending a full day at Aquatica
- Check out the map either before you arrive or as soon as you arrive and pick the central spot for the rides you think you will spend the most time at. This way you can snag some lounge chairs there to rest in throughout the day and utilize it as a family meet up spot.
- Get a locker as soon as you arrive, closet to the area you will grab chairs at. Three Self Service ALL-Day locker rental locations are located within the park. And two different sizes to choose from. There are also picnic lockers if you want to store food for having a picnic right outside the park entrance.
- Ditch the worry for carrying around cash or credit cards and go all day with a Cashless Wristband. At any ticket booth, Guest Relations or the Information & Reservations Counter and sign up with cash or a credit card to receive your wristband. Then scan it at any shop or restaurant to make a purchase. Quick and easy!
- If you have children that can ride some rides but not others due to height, you can have their height checked at our concierge cabana. Colored wristbands and signs will indicate which attractions are accessible to each guest based on their height. Those under 48 inches are required to wear a life vest and must be accompanied by a supervising companion.
- If you have waited for a long time and they shut down the ride for any reason, stop by the Guest Relations desk and they will issue you a one time fast pass to the ride when it reopens.
- Bring your own towels. Otherwise you will have to rent them or purchase souvenir ones.
So many water rides!
I was impressed by the number of high quality water rides at Aquatica Orlando. We came up with our top three favorite water attractions:
KareKare Curl is a group raft ride (2-5 riders) where you experience a feeling of weightlessness and it was one of our favorites! Ray Rush – the newest member of Aquatica’s water slides gives you a three-way rush of excitement and another of our favorites. And Roa’s Rapids that is not your ordinary lazy river! – we probably spent a combination of 90 minutes in here throughout the day! We love wave pools, so Cutback Cove & Big Surf Shores made honorable mention in our favs list.
Even though my kids are on the older side, they still enjoyed Walkabout Waters for some energetic playtime and space to run around in water. Turi’s Kid Cove is the newest update and great for the littles. Mine said it looked so fun but they were too big to play in this area. My son was able to help a family out by going with a toddler down the Tamarki Twirl, mini version of the of a big wave slide.
Other Rides: Reef Plunge ~ Riptide Race ~ Taumata Racer ~ Ihu’s Breakaway Fall ~ Omaka Rocka ~ Tassie’s Twisters ~ Whanau Way ~ Walhalla Wave ~ Loggerhead Lane
Business Information
Aquatica is located just across the street from SeaWorld on International Drive off the Beachline Expressway (FL 528), 10 minutes south of downtown Orlando and 15 minutes from Orlando International Airport.
There is a parking fee and it’s not cheap – $30 on our most recent visit (July 2023).
Hours of Operation vary depending on the time of year, so make sure to check their calendar before planning your visit.
Aquatica Orlando
Water Play Way,
Orlando, FL 32821
phone: (407) 545-5550
website
A water park is a fun way to make an end of summer splash! You can create a day full of excitement, thrilling screams and non stop laughing together. But whether you plan a day at one of Florida’s awesome water parks, remember to seek out opportunities for your family to just have fun together!
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Disclosure: Our experience was complimentary but the opinions, fun and tips expressed are all my own. This is not a sponsored post.
I completely agree that spending quality time with your child is essential for fostering a strong relationship. It’s wonderful to hear about the fun activities and experiences you have discovered together this summer.
This is a fun place and definitely the best time since it’s summer and has more water. Thank you for sharing about this place with us.
I’m sure my kids will love this place so much. Our place is too hot and they always want to go to a water park.
It seems like a perfect spot for a family. I love that kind of place and for sure my daughter would enjoy that place as well!
Ohh, this looks so incredibly fun. I don’t live in the U.S., but when I plan a trip to Orlando in the upcoming months I need some great activities, and this definitely fits the bill. I love water parks, but I’ve never been to one with so many rides. Can’t wait! Thanks for all the helpful info.
Your water park adventure sounds like an absolute blast! Your vivid descriptions and helpful tips make it easy for families to plan a thrilling day at Aquatica Orlando. Your enthusiasm and genuine joy shine through, making readers excited to create their own unforgettable memories. 🌊🏊♂️🎢
I live a few hours from Orlando so this is totally drivable for me. This Waterpark looks like a blast. My son would love it.
That’s not far from me. I should take the trip one of these days because it looks like fun.
It sure looks fun! What a wonderful experience you had. Aquatica sure has a lot of amenities that the whole family will enjoy. It’s a kid-friendly resort that we would definitely consider visiting.
Aquatica Orlando sounds like a great Waterpark! I love lazy rivers! They are so much fun.
Wow, this an amazing post. I have been looking for a place to spend my next vacation either in the USA or Canada. I think this place is the ideal place for my family’s vacation, my kid Anna will love the water park.