Aquatic vs. Disney Water Parks?? (cost factor)

[GoofyGirl75]

Hi all! My husband and I are thinking about doing Discovery Cove when we are there the last week of May, and we'll each get a free ticket for one of the SeaWorld parks. He doesn't want to do SW b/c he said he'll be tired of theme parks, but he did want to do BB or TL (which will mean full price 1-day tickets for all 4 of us.)

Sooo... it would be much cheaper to use those 2 free tix for Aquatica, and buy 2 for our kiddos ($40 each.)

VS. about $180 for Disney water park tix.


Any advice? How do the water parks compare?

 

[DOOM1001]

Aquatica is probably my favorite waterpark in Orlando right now.Both Disney parks are probably bigger in size and probably have more shady areas,especially TL.But both Disney waterparks have good points and some not as good points,for example most people love how beautiful and lush TL is,but the slides there are pretty mediocre,Crush n Gusher is great though.BB has the most thrilling waterslides of the three parks but I've never loved the layout of the park continuously going up the same stairs since the chairlift only gives you access to three slides.The wavepool at BB is also the worst of the three parks.The slides at Aquatica are probably somewhere in between TL and BB,some thrilling ones and also has a fast lazy river which is a lot of peoples favorite attraction.The theming at Aquatica is more colorful with a south Pacific theme,less trees than at the Disney parks but more palm trees.Both dining and shopping options are better at Aquatica than at both Disney parks.Even though I would put Aquatica ahead of the Disney waterparks,they're all fairly close and just offer diferent things at each making them all worth doing.

 

[tweety38]

We went to Aquatica for the first time in Oct. and it will not be the last time. We loved it. Had a great time. If it would save me a lot of money I would not hesitate going to Aquatica over the Disney waterparks.

 

[Helene]

My kids, DD 13 & DS 12, prefer Aquatica over the Disney water parks. They are once again asking to go back this summer. I'd save the money & give it a try. I do not think you will be disappointed

 

[LeslieG]

Another vote for Aquatica. Liked it better than the Disney water parks.

 

[SandrA9810]

I love Aquatica, I spent two summers going every other day there.

If you are going during the summer time, avoid the morning rush and noon time sun burn. You can get so much more done if you show up after 2pm. It doesn't seem like they'll be keeping the late hours this summer (used to be 10pm), but by 3-4pm, most people are burnt, hungry, and tired. So what would take you 2-3hrs to do in the middle of the day will only take an hour, since there's no lines.

I LOVE the Walkabout Waters, which is a huge water playground. And unlike Disney, every one can go in. Disney's very very strict about height/age limit of people in the "kid zone". I know it's to keep big kids out to give the little kids someplace, but I've never encountered a problem at Aquatica. My ex is not a thrill seeker and hates all things fast or scary, which is half the slides at BB and TL, she was much more content in a kid area, but would get yelled at by the CM's. So we just spent a lot of time in the lazy river.

Typhoon does by far have the best wave pool, but they also designed it to create waves big enough to surf in. Aquatica's is fairly decent. And they do have a much larger lazy river, but Aquatica has the Roa's Rapids which is just awesomeness all around.

The slides are fun, with some good for people who don't like the fast stuff and a couple for the more thrilling.

Save yourself the money and enjoy your time at Aquatica.