Aquatica Orlando, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment’s third waterpark in the United States, has been a huge success ever since it opened in 2008. It’s so popular, in fact, that it has even been crowned one of the Top 5 Water Parks in the USA and Top 15 Water Parks in the World by Tripadvisor and the #1 Best Outdoor Water Park by USA Today’s 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards. From exhilarating water slides and rivers that splash past actual dolphins and exotic tropical fish to thrilling wave pools and aquatic playgrounds made with kids in mind, Aquatica offers something for swimmers of all ages and skill levels.
If you’re thinking of heading to Aquatica Orlando on your next vacation, slip on your water shoes and swimsuit and keep reading as we explore everything you need to know about the park’s can’t-miss water rides, as well as parking, operating hours, tickets and more. Alright, let’s dive in!
A Splash Course on Aquatica Orlando, SeaWorld’s Water Park
With 44 water slides, pools and rivers to cool off in, 84,000 square feet of sandy beaches for soaking up some rays and relaxing, and even a few marine animal encounters spread across its 60 acres, Aquatica Orlando is a watery theme park made for adrenaline junkies, sun seekers and animal lovers alike. Although you will find several different waterparks in Central Florida, like Universal Orlando’s Volcano Bay and Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach at Walt Disney World, and animal-inspired theme parks like Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Aquatica’s sister parks, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, nothing combines the best of both worlds quite like Aquatica.
The only thing that even comes close is Discovery Cove, an all-inclusive day resort and another of Aquatica’s partner parks where blissful relaxation and incredible animal interactions take center stage. Unlike Discovery Cove, however, which is all about snorkeling with colorful fish, swimming with adorable bottlenose dolphins and generally unwinding in a tropical paradise, Aquatica Orlando prioritizes watery thrills with marine animal experiences as a delightful bonus. At this premier water park, guests come face-to-fin with aquatic creatures like Commerson’s dolphins, leopard sharks and vibrant fish as they zip down a body slide or float past on a tube—and that’s only scratching the surface.
The other big differentiating feature between Aquatica and Discovery Cove is the theming. While Discovery Cove is designed to feel like an island oasis, Aquatica is specifically influenced by the flora and fauna of the South Pacific. So, as you make your way from one thrilling ride to the next, you’ll be enveloped by lush tropical plants (60,000 of them, to be precise) and greeted by mascots styled after creatures from the likes of New Zealand and Australia, such as birds Kata the kookaburra and Roa the kiwi. Sounds like a ton of fun, right? Read on for some things to keep in mind when planning your visit.
Going to Aquatica Orlando
Before you can careen down a water slide, body surf in a wave pool or float down a lazy river, you need to get to Aquatica Orlando first. Here’s everything you need to know when it comes to making a visit.
Aquatica Parking
There is plenty of parking available for those who are driving. General parking for Aquatica is priced at $30 for cars and motorcycles and can be bought either online through the Aquatica website or directly from a parking toll booth onsite. However, as the lot has been known to fill up, particularly on those especially hot summer days, we highly suggest you purchase parking in advance. For those who would like a closer spot or for visitors driving an RV, preferred parking and RV parking are offered for $40 per vehicle, subject to availability.
Aquatica Hours
Thanks to Central Florida’s year-round pleasant weather, Aquatica Orlando is open 365 days per year. Hours vary from day to day and season to season, with the park opening as early as 9 AM and closing at 5 PM or later, depending on the day and time of the year. Be sure to check the schedule online or through the Aquatica app when planning your visit.
Aquatica Orlando Tickets & Add-Ons
Like other SeaWorld Parks, Aquatica Orlando offers an array of ticket options, ranging from basic single-day tickets and multi-day, multi-park packages to a Fun Card that covers unlimited visits to both Aquatica and SeaWorld (blockout dates apply) and annual passes. On top of that, guests can also choose to add on a variety of upgrades, such as pre-paid parking, All-Day Dining and Quick Queue, Aquatica’s line-skipping service. Or for those who really want to splurge, VIP perks like private cabanas and a behind-the-scenes tour featuring the Commerson’s dolphins are also available.
Remember that ticket prices are subject to change based on when you decide to visit, with prices increasing on the weekends and during the busy season and decreasing on weekdays and over slow periods. Aquatica Orlando admission can be bought in advance online or directly from a ticket booth at the park. Alternatively, if you would like to experience the best that the park has to offer and save some cash at the same time, you can also purchase your Aquatica Orlando tickets from your friends here at Park Savers. Thanks to our partnership with authorized ticket seller Undercover Tourist, you can save between $50 and $180 per ticket just by buying your Aquatica tickets through us. Cha-ching! Click here to purchase your discount Aquatica Orlando tickets today.
Make a Splash with Aquatica Orlando Water Slides, Wave Pools, Lazy Rivers & Aquatic Playgrounds
Ready to find out about all the wet and wild fun that awaits you at Aquatica Orlando? Whether up-close animal encounters with dolphins and sharks on the Reef Plunge water slide or catching some big surf at one of the two wave pools, these Aquatica Orlando rides offer an ocean of family-friendly fun.
Cutback Cove & Big Surf Shores
Unique to Aquatica Orlando, Cutback Cove & Big Surf Shores are the park’s side-by-side wave pools. While Big Surf Shores can be more mellow, with the waves ranging from high to low, neighboring Cutback Cove is all action all the time. So, if you’re done hanging ten but still looking for some milder thrills, simply take a break from Cutback Cove and head next door to Big Surf Shores instead. (During the slow season, only one wave pool might be open. Refer to the Aquatica app for ride closures.)
Height Limit: None
Ihu’s Breakaway Falls
On Ihu’s Breakaway Falls, splash down Orlando’s steepest multi-drop tower in a thrilling free-fall that is sure to leave your heart pounding and you ready for more. As Ihu’s Breakaway Falls is a body slide, remember to keep your arms and legs crossed as you plummet down for the sake of both your safety and aerodynamics.
Height Limit: At least 48″
KareKare Curl
Climb aboard a raft with space for two to five riders (no single riders, please!) and get ready to feel as if you’re floating on this pulse-racing ride. Coined after the world-famous waves of KareKare Beach in Auckland, New Zealand (“KareKare” literally means “waves” in New Zealand’s native Maori language), KareKare Curl stretches 361 feet and features a wall that takes riders soaring up 35 feet followed by a feeling of weightlessness before splashing back down.
Height Limit: At least 48″
Loggerhead Lane
Kick back and relax in a tube as you float by schools of exotic fish, past Commerson’s dolphins, and beneath refreshing waterfalls and sprinklers on this serene lazy river. With its cool water and laidback vibes, there’s no better way to escape the heat for a while than with a trip down Loggerhead Lane.
Height Limit: None, though life jackets are highly encouraged for guests less than 48″
Omaka Rocka
Rock out on Omaka Rocka, an exciting tube slide that sends you speeding down flumes before rocketing out into giant funnels where you’ll slide to and fro, banking high from one side to the other. Surprise splashes make sure that you’re drenched by the time you reach the bottom.
Height Limit: At least 42″
Ray Rush
For a fully loaded water adventure the whole family will love, don’t miss Ray Rush. After being launched by high-speed water jets, your raft will twist and turn through a colossal water sphere before finishing strong on a pair of giant manta wings (Ray Rush? Get it?), which will swoop you high and low for an experience that is completely different every time.
Height Limit: At least 42″
Reef Plunge
There is no Aquatica water slide that is more iconic than Reef Plunge. And with good reason! One of the most popular rides and best body slides at Aquatica Orlando, Reef Plunge immerses riders in an enchanting underwater world, complete with dazzling views of marine life like fish, leopard sharks and Commerson’s dolphins. Don’t be surprised if you want to go on again and again.
Height Limit: At least 42″
Riptide Race
Battle it out to the bottom with your family and friends on Riptide Race, two-person tube slides that just happen to be the world’s tallest dueling racer. After making your way to the top of the 68-foot slide tower, you’ll make a dash to the splash, hurtling down 650 feet of slide toward the finish line. Low walls separating the twin slides let you keep an eye on the competition.
Height Limit: At least 42″
Roa’s Rapids
With choppy white waters, swirling whirlpools, rough tides and gushing geysers, Roa’s Rapids boasts thrills and chills around every corner. This not-so-lazy river whisks you along at a speedy clip, making your journey even more exciting. Roa’s Rapids has two openings, so you can make an early exit or stick around for another circuit or two.
Height Limit: None, though life jackets are highly encouraged for guests less than 51″
Tassie’s Twisters
Looking to make an especially exciting entrance into the Loggerhead Lane lazy river? Float on over to the Tassie’s Twisters water slide. From the island in the middle, hike to the top of the slide tower, where you’ll climb into a two-person tube. Then, hold on tight as you zoom down the slide and into a giant bowl, spinning around and around before splashing down in Loggerhead Lane.
Height Limit: None, though life jackets are highly encouraged for guests less than 48″
Taumata Racer
This thrilling ride is for all of the speed demons and adrenaline junkies with a competitive streak. Just like the name suggests, Taumata Racer pits eight racers against each other. After slipping on top of a slick mat, you’ll rush headlong down a staggeringly steep hill in a mad dash for the finish line.
Height Limit: At least 42″
Turi’s Kid Cove
Families traveling with little ones won’t want to miss Turi’s Kid Cove, an aquatic playground overflowing with pint-sized thrills. Opened in spring 2023, Turi’s Kid Cove features everything from watering palms and spraying jets to water bobbles and tipping buckets. There’s even a miniature wave slide called Tamariki Twirl for aspiring thrill seekers to enjoy. A convenient location between Mango Market and Big Surf Shores and loads of nearby seating make this the perfect place to hang out.
Height Limit: None
Walkabout Waters
Spanning 15,000 square feet and soaring up to 60 feet tall, Walkabout Waters is another aquatic play area brimming with kid-friendly fun. Featuring dumping buckets, bubbling jets and plentiful tubes and towers for exploring, this fanciful rain fortress offers tons of opportunities for adventure.
Height Limit: None
Walhalla Wave
Jump in a raft big enough for you and up to three others on this raft ride adventure. One of the most family-friendly raft slides at Aquatica, Walhalla Wave sends you zipping down six stories through a pitch-dark maze of twists and turns. Keep in mind that the Walhalla Wave slide tower features Ray Rush, too. So, make sure that you are in the right line.
Height Limit: At least 42″
Whanau Way
Offering four times the fun, Whanau Way is a quadruple slide tower where each route features a unique high-speed experience. Whether you climb aboard the double tube with someone else or go down solo, we guarantee that you’ll want to try each slide at least once.
Height Limit: None, though life jackets are required for guests less than 48″
Aquatica Orlando Dining & Shopping Locations
Whether you need to refuel or you’re looking for a souvenir to take home, you’ll find what you need at one of the Aquatica dining or merchandise outlets.
Aquatica Restaurants
All that fun in the surf, sun and sand will surely work up quite an appetite. No worries! Aquatica Orlando has you covered with a buffet of restaurants and pool bars that will satisfy your every craving, cooking up everything from sandwiches and salads to ice cream and refreshing cocktails. If you like, you can even skip the line and save some time by placing a mobile order through the Aquatica app.
For those who tend to get especially hungry, consider upgrading your day with the All-Day Dining Deal. Priced at around $25 each for children ages 3 to 9 and $45 each for adults, this dining plan is valid at select restaurants and comes with either an entree, side or dessert every 90 minutes. That’s as much food as you want all day long for one low price. Now, without any further ado, let’s dig into the details of what’s on offer at each delicious destination.
- Banana Beach Cookout – BBQ-inspired favorites like ribs, burgers and pulled pork alongside salads and wraps near the entrance to Loggerhead Lane (open seasonally)
- Ke-Re’s Bar – Pizza and chicken tenders, as well as specialty cocktails, frozen concoctions, beer, wine and seltzer near the Riptide Race water slide
- Kiwi Market – Snacks like popcorn, chips, pretzels, churros and ice cream, along with soda, beer, cold brew and Frozen Jack & Coke near Kiwi Traders
- Kura’s Beachside Panini – Pressed Cuban-style sandwiches and paninis like Caprese and Chicken Pesto near Roa’s Rapids (open seasonally)
- Mango Market – Selection of light bites such as salads and wraps, as well as typical theme-park fare like hot dogs and chicken tenders near Kata’s Kookaburra Cove
- Motu’s Beach Bar – Specialty cocktails and frozen concoctions, as well as beer, wine and seltzer
- Papa’s Cantina – Boneless wings and empanadas in flavors like Beef & Cheese, Spinach & Artichoke, Buffalo Chicken and Hazelnut (open seasonally)
- Trader Turi’s Tiki Bar – Specialty cocktails and frozen concoctions, as well as beer, wine and seltzer
- Walkabout Pizza – Personal flatbread-style pizzas and wraps near the Walkabout Waters play area (open seasonally)
- Waterstone Grill – Burgers, sandwiches, wraps and chicken tenders, as well as beer and soda near Kiwi Traders
Aquatica Shops
No matter if you’re on the hunt for the perfect gift, an Aquatica souvenir, or simply a bottle of sunscreen to replace the one you left back in your hotel room, chances are you’ll be able to find it at one of the park’s two merchandise locations: While Kiwi Traders is your one-stop shop for items like sundries, toys, plushies and apparel, Adaptations is the place to go if you’re searching for beach-ready clothes, jewelry and accessories from brands like Billabong, Quicksilver, Reef and Roxy.
Aquatica Upgrades: From Cabanas to Quick Queue
Ready to take your day at Aquatica up a notch? Consider upgrading your visit with one of these next-level add-ons.
Loungers & Private Cabanas
As much as we love hanging out at Aquatica, finding a base of operations for the day can be a pain, especially on busier days. If you’d rather avoid the hassle of having to track down a cluster of shady beach chairs, you might want to reserve one of the premium seating loungers or cabanas instead. With prices starting at only $39 each, the shaded pairs of loungers are a great deal. Otherwise, for those wanting to splurge, an array of private cabanas is also available, ranging from the Roa’s Rapids River Views Cabanas and Walkabout Cabanas starting at $59 to the Ultimate Cabana starting at $199.
Alternatively, premium cabanas are an excellent mid-level option. With rates starting at $89 and going up from there depending on when you visit, each four-person retreat comes with free towels, a locker, a ceiling fan and a refrigerator stocked with six bottles of water, as well as comfy seating, an in-cabana food and drink service and even a merchandise discount. Best of all, as they’re located on the sandy beaches of a private island between Cutback Cove and Big Surf Shores, you’re in a prime position to explore the best that Aquatica Orlando has to offer.
Commerson’s Close-Up
Do you wish that you could spend some quality time with the playful Commerson’s dolphins that call Reef Plunge home? Then, you’ll definitely want to book this up-close animal experience that brings you face-to-face with the orca-colored creatures. Priced at around $30 and up, this incredible tour guided by a zoological expert comes with a behind-the-scenes look at their care, exclusive viewing and interactive opportunities and a professional photographer to capture the moment, as well as an 8×6 print of each participant.
Quick Queue
As you can probably guess, Aquatica Orlando can get packed during those crazy-hot summer days. That means more time spent in line and less time cooling off in the water. Fortunately, starting at only $29 for Quick Queue Unlimited and $39 per person for Quick Queue Unlimited Plus, you can beat the heat and save time with priority boarding on select Aquatica rides. (Note that Quick Queue is only available seasonally.)
Aquatica attractions with unlimited priority boarding include:
- Ihu’s Breakaway Falls
- KareKareCurl
- Omaka Rocka
- Reef Plunge
- Riptide Race
- Tassie’s Twisters
- Taumata Racer
- Whanau Way
Aquatica attractions with one-time priority boarding include (Quick Queue Unlimited Plus only):
- Ray Rush
- Walhalla Wave
Well, that concludes our guide to Aquatica Orlando. Have you ever had a chance to experience this theme park filled with watery fun? What’s your favorite Aquatica water slide? Let us know in the comments! Then, learn how you can save some money and score a discount with our Aquatica Orlando tickets.
