Aquatica?? Worth it?? How does it compare to Disney's water parks?

[edk35]

We are going to WDW in July. My husband and the boys ages 16 and 10 want to go offsite to try either Aquatica or Wet n Wild or both. They are still planning on going to Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach too. The guys will be using the Military Salute ticket so it was only 25 bucks to add 4 days of water parks to their tickets. A REAL BARGAIN. We can get discounted wet n wild tickets for 34 each at Shades of Green so they all three can go there for 134 bucks. The cheapest I can find for Aquatica is online for about 41.95 a person. SOG does not sell a discounted Aquatica ticket.


We don't usually go anywhere offsite. So we know nothing about these water parks. We have been to Sea World twice with the last time being in Nov. 08. We went to Universal in Jan. 09.

Any suggestions????

 

[edk35]

 

[mikehn]

From a childs point of view, Aquatica is going to be just as fun as any waterpark. From an adult point of view, the Disney waterparks offer a much better selection of adult beverages. That is an important consideration when you are spending a hot sunny day at the park. So there, you have my opinion.

 

[edk35]

From a childs point of view, Aquatica is going to be just as fun as any waterpark. From an adult point of view, the Disney waterparks offer a much better selection of adult beverages. That is an important consideration when you are spending a hot sunny day at the park. So there, you have my opinion.

 

[kirstenb1]

I haven't been to Aquatica, but up here, at Busch Gardens, military get in free. I think it's called Salute to the Heroes. You might want to see if Aquatica does that.

 

[bokolo]

We haven't been to the Disney waterparks, but did go to Aquatica in April. We did the Universal, Sea World, Aquatica tour this year since last year we did the Disney land/sea (parks then cruise). My kids (10, 8, 6) loved Aquatica...especially Roa's Rapids---a "lazy" river with a great current. We were at Aquatica 2 days opening to closing and the kids never got tired of it. On our next trip to WDW we will include a day at their waterparks.

 

[livndisney]

We avoid Wet and wild. Too many trouble makers and traffic is a nightmare.
We have been to Disney waterparks and Aquatica. We enjoy Aquatica. The lazy river has "rapids" and a cave you can float thru and see fish. They also have lots of slides including one that goes through the dolphin tank.

 

[Rowlf]

Aquatica is more waterparky, while the Disney water parks are more Disneyey.

I'd choose Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach any day over Aquatica, but I have had two fun days at Aquatica in the past year!

 

[disgrl]

Just my opinion, but we feel like Aquatica has a much better kids section than either Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon. Our DS is almost 3. Prior to having kids we enjoyed Typhoon Beach the best.

 

[edk35]

Update..... we are at WDW now.....leaving tomorrow for Vero beach. DH and DS went to Wet n Wild and said it was a waste of money. Live and Learn. However they and our younger son went to TL and BB and loved it as usual.

Didn't try Aquatica this trip.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Too bad about W&W. I've seen on Travel Channel that it's supposed to be pretty good. We love Disney's TL and BB that I find myself comparing all other waterparks to them, and failing in comparision. Recently went to Wild Rivers in Irvine, California and was disgusted with their bathrooms and not happy with some of their water attraction policies.

I'm thinking of doing DC this year and we are thinking of doing Aquatica as our extra park. WE did DC in 2007 and did BG that time.

My only concern is if we do TL and BB will we still want to do Aquatica? Will we be disappointed aftger comparing it to Disney? We do love DC and SW here in nearby San Diego.

FYI, my DD10, loves the Ski Patrol area at BB for older kids. She could probably spend 1/2 the day there-just doing the zip lline and crossing on the ice flows. I think the Tikes Peak area for smaller kids is pretty good too-better than the one at TL, IMHO. That being said my favorite park is still TL-love the Wave pool and CnG. Last year we did TL twice and BB once. Usually we do each park once.

 

[edk35]

My kids like TL over BB and like TL and BB over Wet n Wild. I am not sure about Aquatica since we didn't go there this trip. Maybe do Aquatica first then the Disney water parks.

 

[DOOM1001]

Wet n Wild has very good slides but the park itself is not as nice as the Disney parks or Aquatica you can however find cheaper ticket deals than the other parks,I have no problems going to WnW.I've always liked the Disney parks,they have nice themes,cool lazy rivers and more trees and shaded areas.BB has better slides than TL but TL has a better wave pool.I just recently went for the first time to Aquatica and my only negative about the park is that it's not as big in size as the Disney parks,Aquatica however has many things I actually preferred over the Disney parks such as the dining options,there just seemed to be more choices available,you have the cookout all you can eat all day option,Mango Market has many fast grab and go items to choose from and the other restaurant has a more typical Busch Gardens CS menu and in my opinion Busch and Sea World CS places have always had better food than the other major parks.Aquatica also seems to have much more merchandise to choose in the stores as well as around the park.The two kids areas in Aquatica I think are superior to the ones at Disney,the Walkabout Waters area is even fun for adults.Roa's Rapids is a unique "fast" lazy river and one of my favorites at the park.The slides are comparable to BB,the only things I didn't like are the way you get your tube for Tassies Twisters which seemed to be confusing to many,also Whanau Way was a bit short,the rest of the slides like Omaka Rocka and Taumata Racers are great.Right now I probably have Aquatica and BB as my two favorites in Orlando.

 

[edk35]

Thanks...

Actually my husband and oldest son did go to Wet n Wild for one day on our trip. They said it was OKAY...preferred the two Disney water parks. They especially like Typhoon the best. They spend more time there than BB. Thanks for the replies.

Maybe next trip we will try Aquatica.