Hi all - We have tickets for Seaworld/Busch Gardens and Aquatica this year. Never been to any of those parks. I'm just wondering how Aquatica compares to Typhoon Lagoon? I read the water is warm which will be a bonus for DH. I also read you can't take any food in. Does that include bottled water? We love water parks and it is nice that with our tickets we can go as many times as we like during our visit. We are travelling with a 15,13 and 9 year old. Thanks. Calena
Aquatica compared to Typhoon Lagoon
- Thread starter calena
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ajaysmom825
Earning My Ears
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- Feb 12, 2010
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- 70
Hi there! Aquatica is an awesome experience. My family and I have gone there 2 times now and have not been disappointed. It is a must do for us each time we visit Orlando.
A couple of things:
Aquatica offers an all-you-can-eat & drink (soda, lemonade) wrist band that I recommend. The price is $19.95 for adults, $11.95 for kids. The place where you eat at is somewhat close to the kids area. You are able to get drinks throughout the park at various locations. The food offered is fruit, hot dogs, mac n cheese, burgers, pudding, and a few other items, which is escaping me right now.
I would also recommend getting a chair close to the kids area first thing. The kids area is towards the back of the park and fills up quickly. We always purchase our lockers first, then get to the kids area quick.
Once settled, we make our way over to one of the most popular rides: Dolphin Plunge. This ride is AMAZING. There are two tubes that cross over each other, with a clearing that shoots through a lagoon of dolphins swimming arounnd. This is ride that might have to be done a few times in order to see the dolphins, but it is worth it.
I've been to Typhoon Lagoon and I love Disney with all of me, but Aquatica knocks it out of the park. There is so much to do and the food option is a great choice for snacks, lunch, snacks again, and dinner.
A couple of things:
Aquatica offers an all-you-can-eat & drink (soda, lemonade) wrist band that I recommend. The price is $19.95 for adults, $11.95 for kids. The place where you eat at is somewhat close to the kids area. You are able to get drinks throughout the park at various locations. The food offered is fruit, hot dogs, mac n cheese, burgers, pudding, and a few other items, which is escaping me right now.
I would also recommend getting a chair close to the kids area first thing. The kids area is towards the back of the park and fills up quickly. We always purchase our lockers first, then get to the kids area quick.
Once settled, we make our way over to one of the most popular rides: Dolphin Plunge. This ride is AMAZING. There are two tubes that cross over each other, with a clearing that shoots through a lagoon of dolphins swimming arounnd. This is ride that might have to be done a few times in order to see the dolphins, but it is worth it.
I've been to Typhoon Lagoon and I love Disney with all of me, but Aquatica knocks it out of the park. There is so much to do and the food option is a great choice for snacks, lunch, snacks again, and dinner.
Capt_BJ
So Many Times
- Joined
- May 17, 2005
- Messages
- 3,520
a few dissenting views on Aquatica - we had a pass for opening year and perhaps they've worked out some kinks but in our opinion:
- ages of your kids suggest they will spend NO time in the 'kids area' which is aimed at the pre-teen. I'd not worry about sitting back there.
- the all you can eat is a good deal IF your kids plan to eat more than once, and as an alternative you can pay all-day price of a one visit price for a bit less (and pass holders remember to get a discount. However we've found the food choices to be disappointing - very 'group picnic fare' (in addition to what was noted there are a BBQ chicken drumstick; and beans as I recall). Most disappointing: no fries, or chips, or a salad bar or selection other than lettuce tom' and onion intended for the burger. {be on the look out for the seasonal 'other' all you can eat plan that applies to all food venues .. but different pricing as well}
- AQ says no food inside but water in a backback seems to be OK. No coolers; but you can go out to your car and use pic' tables in the parking lot.
- I found the Dol' slide disappointing as did my crew; and most of the attractions very run of the mill. I found the wave pool at AQ a significant disappointment in general and especially as compared to TL . The "fast river" is a hoot tho and we spend a lot of time relaxing there...(a clone of the one in the water park associated with Bush Gardens Williamsburg)
- As compared to TL: to us at best a draw and maybe not as good. Opening year AQ had an advantage of new and clean, but lacked from speed of operation (possibly overcome by now) and also had the problem of being closed / full to capacity within an hour of opening on most summer/break days. If we wanted to go it meant be in line at the parking lot well b4 the park opened, especially once they instituted opening 1 hour early for pass/adv ticket sales. OR waiting 'til mid to late afternoon when the early crowd began to leave and the doors would (might) re-open. They are expanding and are not as new now so not AS bad but at DW you have the option of one of the other water parks if one is full.
- Here's a real curve ball for ya. As my kids have gotten older they've come to prefer Wet and Wild! The oldest of the water parks it has the most 'aggressive' attractions if you have a team of thrill seekers
my 2 cents and not saying don't go - just managing expectations.
- ages of your kids suggest they will spend NO time in the 'kids area' which is aimed at the pre-teen. I'd not worry about sitting back there.
- the all you can eat is a good deal IF your kids plan to eat more than once, and as an alternative you can pay all-day price of a one visit price for a bit less (and pass holders remember to get a discount. However we've found the food choices to be disappointing - very 'group picnic fare' (in addition to what was noted there are a BBQ chicken drumstick; and beans as I recall). Most disappointing: no fries, or chips, or a salad bar or selection other than lettuce tom' and onion intended for the burger. {be on the look out for the seasonal 'other' all you can eat plan that applies to all food venues .. but different pricing as well}
- AQ says no food inside but water in a backback seems to be OK. No coolers; but you can go out to your car and use pic' tables in the parking lot.
- I found the Dol' slide disappointing as did my crew; and most of the attractions very run of the mill. I found the wave pool at AQ a significant disappointment in general and especially as compared to TL . The "fast river" is a hoot tho and we spend a lot of time relaxing there...(a clone of the one in the water park associated with Bush Gardens Williamsburg)
- As compared to TL: to us at best a draw and maybe not as good. Opening year AQ had an advantage of new and clean, but lacked from speed of operation (possibly overcome by now) and also had the problem of being closed / full to capacity within an hour of opening on most summer/break days. If we wanted to go it meant be in line at the parking lot well b4 the park opened, especially once they instituted opening 1 hour early for pass/adv ticket sales. OR waiting 'til mid to late afternoon when the early crowd began to leave and the doors would (might) re-open. They are expanding and are not as new now so not AS bad but at DW you have the option of one of the other water parks if one is full.
- Here's a real curve ball for ya. As my kids have gotten older they've come to prefer Wet and Wild! The oldest of the water parks it has the most 'aggressive' attractions if you have a team of thrill seekers
my 2 cents and not saying don't go - just managing expectations.
We went to Aquatica shortly after it opened and were quite disappointed especially with the dolphin slide, the queues were horrendous for everything. We decided to try again when we went in July this year and enjoyed it much more, the fast river is probably our favourite followed closely by the family raft ride. I wish they would install lift/elevators on some of the slides as they have at Typhoon Lagoon on the Crush'n'Gusher as my son who is disabled would be able to access them a lot easier. I don't think we have a favourite water park, we tend to visit them all on our trips.
MinnieGi
DVC/BWV
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- Nov 3, 2001
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- 4,264
Last June my kids and I had passes for three days to Sea World and Aquatica. We all really loved Aquatica. We would spend the day at Sea World and then in the late afternoon/early evening go over to Aquatica. This worked out really well for us as Aquatica was packed during the day but really started emptying out in the evening and the lines became walkups. It was also cooler in the evening but still hot just without the blaring day sun & the water felt refreshing. Aquatica was a great way to end our days!! Hope you enjoy!
SandrA9810
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2005
- Messages
- 9,392
You can definatly get a good feel for the park by going after 3pm. And depending on how tolerant of the sun you are, it should help you from getting burnt crisp.
Last summer, I went all the time. At least once a week, if not more. Right now, I've been going over to Sea World for a couple hours after work.
The wave pool at Typhoon is top notch for Orlando. It was made to be the best wave pool, and that's why saturday mornings they hold surfing lessons.
Aquatica has the advantage that it has two pools. So if you have kiddos that aren't fond of the waves, they can hop over to the other side to stay out of it. It can produce good waves, but not that huge.
Dolphin Plunge, is a bit slow, and it does take a few tries before you see the dolphins. But they also have excelllent viewing on the lazy river, and by the entrance. They also have trainers come out at select times for feedings and tricks.
Roa River - It is the coolest lazy river in Orlando. Although it's not that lazy... It's like a rapids current that pushes you around. And if stay to certain sides, the water can move you even more quickly. It is also the warmest of all the pools because of the high flow of water, so this is where I always start out. You don't get a tube, but you can use a life vest if you want it a bit more relaxing.
Lazy River - It's slow, it's lazy, and there's a few sprayers. It also splits into two paths, one takes you past a fresh water fish tank, and the other takes you past the dolphin plunge.
Tassie Twister - The entrance to this is in the lazy river, so grab your tube with you. It dumps you into a bowl, and you spin around a few times before getting sent out the bottom and back into the river. It's a bit more fun when it spits you out backwards.
Racers - there's 8 lanes, and it definatly gives you a good free falling feeling. But it does not compare to the speed slides at Typhoon or Blizzard.
Family slides - There's two of them, one that's more of a straight line with dips as you go down, and the other that zig zags you down to the bottom. (the stairs for this and the one above are about 9 flights, I think it's the tallest of them all).
whanua way - They've actually taken out two of the slides and put in two new slides on the platform. The green and yellow still exsist. It's not scary scary, but it's a good tube slide. The new one looks really interesting.
Walkabout waters is a lot of fun. I spent most my time between here and Rao. The slides aren't that great, but it's a fun place to climb around and get ahold of dunking buckets and soak unsuspecting people below you. And a lot of parents seem to enjoy standing under the huge buckets waiting for them to dump.
Blizzard has a cool pre-teen area, but Disney is way too strict on the heights. So if your kids are tall for their age, expect them to get the boot. But blizzard has a lot of cool speed slides, which also means lots of wedgies.
Typhoon has crush n gusher, which is a lot of fun. And there's a ton more shade. The idea of the shark tank is cool... but way too cold for me to get into. I could only do it once.
Aquatica is a lot of fun after about 5-6pm when almost every one goes home, and you have the whole park to yourself. Just be sure to be in shape for the stair climbing. It took me a couple weeks of constantly going before I didn't get winded climbing the racers. I'm hoping Sea World hasn't gotten me out of shape, but I can't do much in the winter. I can walk a theme park no problem, do it all day long, but climbing stairs is another story.
Last summer, I went all the time. At least once a week, if not more. Right now, I've been going over to Sea World for a couple hours after work.
The wave pool at Typhoon is top notch for Orlando. It was made to be the best wave pool, and that's why saturday mornings they hold surfing lessons.
Aquatica has the advantage that it has two pools. So if you have kiddos that aren't fond of the waves, they can hop over to the other side to stay out of it. It can produce good waves, but not that huge.
Dolphin Plunge, is a bit slow, and it does take a few tries before you see the dolphins. But they also have excelllent viewing on the lazy river, and by the entrance. They also have trainers come out at select times for feedings and tricks.
Roa River - It is the coolest lazy river in Orlando. Although it's not that lazy... It's like a rapids current that pushes you around. And if stay to certain sides, the water can move you even more quickly. It is also the warmest of all the pools because of the high flow of water, so this is where I always start out. You don't get a tube, but you can use a life vest if you want it a bit more relaxing.
Lazy River - It's slow, it's lazy, and there's a few sprayers. It also splits into two paths, one takes you past a fresh water fish tank, and the other takes you past the dolphin plunge.
Tassie Twister - The entrance to this is in the lazy river, so grab your tube with you. It dumps you into a bowl, and you spin around a few times before getting sent out the bottom and back into the river. It's a bit more fun when it spits you out backwards.
Racers - there's 8 lanes, and it definatly gives you a good free falling feeling. But it does not compare to the speed slides at Typhoon or Blizzard.
Family slides - There's two of them, one that's more of a straight line with dips as you go down, and the other that zig zags you down to the bottom. (the stairs for this and the one above are about 9 flights, I think it's the tallest of them all).
whanua way - They've actually taken out two of the slides and put in two new slides on the platform. The green and yellow still exsist. It's not scary scary, but it's a good tube slide. The new one looks really interesting.
Walkabout waters is a lot of fun. I spent most my time between here and Rao. The slides aren't that great, but it's a fun place to climb around and get ahold of dunking buckets and soak unsuspecting people below you. And a lot of parents seem to enjoy standing under the huge buckets waiting for them to dump.
Blizzard has a cool pre-teen area, but Disney is way too strict on the heights. So if your kids are tall for their age, expect them to get the boot. But blizzard has a lot of cool speed slides, which also means lots of wedgies.
Typhoon has crush n gusher, which is a lot of fun. And there's a ton more shade. The idea of the shark tank is cool... but way too cold for me to get into. I could only do it once.
Aquatica is a lot of fun after about 5-6pm when almost every one goes home, and you have the whole park to yourself. Just be sure to be in shape for the stair climbing. It took me a couple weeks of constantly going before I didn't get winded climbing the racers. I'm hoping Sea World hasn't gotten me out of shape, but I can't do much in the winter. I can walk a theme park no problem, do it all day long, but climbing stairs is another story.
Claire-Bear
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2010
- Messages
- 629
I'm in the same boat - trying to decide between the two 
I hadn't actually heard of Aquatica before today, although have been to TL and BB before and loved them. Is Aquatica very themed, like TL and BB? How does it compare in size and number of rides?
As I say, I do love TL and we were planning to go to it this summer (BF hasn't been before) although the fact there's now Aquatica has thrown a spanner in the works.
We're not over-excited about real thrill rides, prefering moderately fast slides, tubes, family rides, wave pool and relaxing. Which would you recommend for this? Which also has less queueing?
I hadn't actually heard of Aquatica before today, although have been to TL and BB before and loved them. Is Aquatica very themed, like TL and BB? How does it compare in size and number of rides?
As I say, I do love TL and we were planning to go to it this summer (BF hasn't been before) although the fact there's now Aquatica has thrown a spanner in the works.
We're not over-excited about real thrill rides, prefering moderately fast slides, tubes, family rides, wave pool and relaxing. Which would you recommend for this? Which also has less queueing?
T16GEM
<font color=blue>I must have a funnel cake when I'
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2003
- Messages
- 6,487
We went to Aquatica for 2 days in January (yes we had two warm days!) and we found it to be far better than TL, we went there a few days afterwards and it looked tired and dirty compared to AQ. We loved the Roas Rapids and the Tassie Twisters - which my DD4 renamed "the plughole"
We found them to be very strict on the no food - my friend had a family sized bag of chips and luckily I had some spare zip loc bags for the kids stuff as we had to split the bag down, they wouldn't let us take the whole bag in in the original packaging but it was ok to split between bags
We took frozen bottles of Mountain Dew and Coke and rolled them in our towels too.
We didn't get the all you can eat as this particular restaurant was closed when we were there, but we did eat in the flame grill and it was really good food, the cakes were also particularly good.
I see that you said you have got Busch Gardens tickets too, you will love BG if you like thrill rides , they are fantastic - be sure to get on the front row of Sheikra!
We found them to be very strict on the no food - my friend had a family sized bag of chips and luckily I had some spare zip loc bags for the kids stuff as we had to split the bag down, they wouldn't let us take the whole bag in in the original packaging but it was ok to split between bags
We took frozen bottles of Mountain Dew and Coke and rolled them in our towels too. We didn't get the all you can eat as this particular restaurant was closed when we were there, but we did eat in the flame grill and it was really good food, the cakes were also particularly good.
I see that you said you have got Busch Gardens tickets too, you will love BG if you like thrill rides , they are fantastic - be sure to get on the front row of Sheikra!
hunter.deal
Considering June - I know I'm late for planning
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2006
- Messages
- 86
Wow, this is my first day back on Dis board in search of vacation ideas for Orlando (non-Disney this time) and I think AQ might be on the list... Thanks for posting everyone the information feels so much richer than just reading the web adverts..
hunter.deal
Considering June - I know I'm late for planning
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2006
- Messages
- 86
I pulled the trigger for Nick hotel (3 + 2 deal) that comes with SeaWorld/Aquatica passes for the length of stay. Yahoo!!! Now to start planning our days out and putting some of these good posts to practice. I really like the idea of Seaworld in the morning up till 1pm or so then going over to Aquatica, I'm not familiar with the area though, how "easy" is it if i'm driving my own vehicle? Should I rely on Nick hotel shuttles instead?
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