Aquatica Capacity?

[Manymice]

Hi everyone,

We're going to Aquatica for the first time and I was wondering how soon the park closes each day for reaching capacity? How early will we need to get in line to get into the park? We are going on a Saturday and Sunday.

Thanks for any info that you can share!

 

[SandrA9810]

You'd rather be at a water park than a theme park for the fourth??? I would think seeing the fireworks and such would be time better spent than in the water... sorry personal opinion.

Usually around 11-2pm they close the gates. After 2pm most morning people start to leave. I personally find that the majority of people leave by 5-6pm with a park opening at 9am with roughly 8hrs in the water. I'd much rather get there in the afternoon say 1-2pm and stay till park closing at 10pm. the worst of the heat is over by 4pm and from 5-10 you'll have a less likely chance of getting a really bad sunburn. And playing in the water at night is fun too. Not to mention with heavy crowds leaving by 6 it's easier to get on the slides, but of course that means climbing 6-7flights of stairs at once... sometimes it's nicer to wait in line because you don't get out of breathe by the top.
An employee told me that last year's 4th was the only day they closed to capacity.

 

[Manymice]

Thank you for all of the great information! We will not be down there this weekend for the 4th, we'll be down next weekend. I've been reading your posts on this board and we've really been using the information that you've shared to plan our time! Thank You!!

We've been to SW many times, but we're really excited about Aquatica. If you don't mind, I'd like to ask one more question? How hard is it to keep track of each other as a family (we have two kids 8, 12) while in the park? We heard on the news this week about an employee at Aquatica molesting 3 young girls and it completely creeped me out! I'm used to the Disney thing where everyone is together for everything - not sliding away from each other

 

[bearzabout]

I think it is very easy to get separated there. I lost my hubby a few times before we got our bearings.

The bathrooms have two exits on either end and it is easy to pop out the wrong door. On my favorite attractions, Roas Rapids, the water along the edges moves much faster than the middle so it is easy to loose sight of a family member.

Expect that the kids will want to do some attractions that you may not want to do.

I'd just come up with a plan to meet if you do get separated.

I absolutely loved Aquatica and can't wait to return. Some tips: some rides require that eyeglass wearers strap them on. Wear wave walker shoes to protect your feet from the heat and rough pool surfaces. Arrive early if you want a chair in the shade.

Have fun!

 

[InLoveWithDOTS]

We heard on the news this week about an employee at Aquatica molesting 3 young girls and it completely creeped me out!

OH MY GOD! I am horrified! I guess there are bad people everywhere!

 

[RabFlmom]

You'd rather be at a water park than a theme park for the fourth??? I would think seeing the fireworks and such would be time better spent than in the water... sorry personal opinion.

Usually around 11-2pm they close the gates. After 2pm most morning people start to leave. I personally find that the majority of people leave by 5-6pm with a park opening at 9am with roughly 8hrs in the water. I'd much rather get there in the afternoon say 1-2pm and stay till park closing at 10pm. the worst of the heat is over by 4pm and from 5-10 you'll have a less likely chance of getting a really bad sunburn. And playing in the water at night is fun too. Not to mention with heavy crowds leaving by 6 it's easier to get on the slides, but of course that means climbing 6-7flights of stairs at once... sometimes it's nicer to wait in line because you don't get out of breathe by the top.
An employee told me that last year's 4th was the only day they closed to capacity.

I haven't really heard that they were closing due to capacity this year. Last year was their first year and they closed almost every day by 11. They would reopen in the afternoon after people left. There wasn't even a line of cars waiting to turn in when we were there last week.

 

[Capt_BJ]

concur - last year in the summer they were closing by mid morning almost every day. I gave up trying to go uless willing to be there for 'early admission' they instituted for pass holders and those with pre-purcheased tickets. Doing a walk up was almost impossible until school started.

But I've not seen or heard of any such problems this year:
a) fewer folks are spending the $$
b) it isn't the new kid on the block this year
these are facts...

and this one my opinion - many who bought passes last year for the 'new kid' discovered it was not better and sometimes not as good as the options already out there

I asked DD if she wanted to renew the passes - "no"

 

[NashvilleTrio]

We heard on the news this week about an employee at Aquatica molesting 3 young girls and it completely creeped me out!

Just wanted to clarify that it was a man visiting the park with his wife and child that was accused of molesting the girl's on Roa's Rapids.

http://www.wftv.com/countybycounty/19913437/detail.html

This will change how I think about this attraction. Roa's Rapids is a lot of fun, but there are occassions when it is almost impossible to avoid coliding with another guest.

 

[Capt_BJ]

a convicted pediofile told me his favorite hangout was Chuckie Cheeze .....

It happens .... I'm CERTAINLY not going to condone it .... I've spent probably 20 hours on the 'fast river' 'tween the VA and FL sites with my teen daughter. Don't ignore what happened. Don't FIXATE what happened either.

Sadly we need to stay closer and watch more today . . .

 

[livndisney]

Thank you for all of the great information! We will not be down there this weekend for the 4th, we'll be down next weekend. I've been reading your posts on this board and we've really been using the information that you've shared to plan our time! Thank You!!

We've been to SW many times, but we're really excited about Aquatica. If you don't mind, I'd like to ask one more question? How hard is it to keep track of each other as a family (we have two kids 8, 12) while in the park? We heard on the news this week about an employee at Aquatica molesting 3 young girls and it completely creeped me out! I'm used to the Disney thing where everyone is together for everything - not sliding away from each other

I had not heard about a molester at Aquatica-but they did arrest a molester at Disney's TL
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/19965900/detail.html

looks like they have busy at waterparks lately

 

[SandrA9810]

Wow I've never had a problem like that. And I go very often, and Roa is one of my favorite spots to be in. I've certainly had idiots run into me, and I've occasionally run into people. Mostly when they decide to get in front of me along the wall. I don't wear a vest so I go faster than those that do.
Most people also assume I'm around 16yrs old... adults and kids. Sometimes I say I'm 19 just so they don't think it's a huge shock I'm 25. I don't do it to be mean or anything, it's just some times they stop talking to me or something cause of my age. And 19 is a good excuse for doucing people in walkabout... they don't think a 25 yr old should be having that much fun.

And no matter what park you to go, you should always be weiry of creepy guys. It's nothing new for pedo's to get walked out. I'm sure every water park does thier best to prevent them from coming into thier parks.
But for the most, most guys wouldn't try something like that due to the amount of employees, security, and police in the park. I think I've seen at least one sheriff officer every time I walk into that park. You should be more weary of guys with camera.
AND NEVER change your child on one of those lounges. ALWAYS take them to the bathroom, whether it's a diaper change or putting on dry clothes. I don't think any parent wants to think of having naked pictures of thier child floating around on the internet.
I see it happen constantly and brits are known for changing. I had a whole family of 4 change in front of me, "hidden" behind a towel and you don't think some one couldn't see from the other side of the bush or at an angle walking up from the side??