Is Aquatica worth it?

[FanOfStitch]

I was thinking of going to Aquatica in Sept, but I keep hearing about how crowded it is and how long the waits are for the slides. Is it worth going to Aquatica or should I save my money and use my WDW PAP and go to TL?

 

[jackieleanne]

We are planning to go in September to I can't see it being busy especially if you go on a week day as kids on both sides of the Atlantic are back at school.

 

[ufmurphy]

We visited Aquatica this past Tuesday. We arrived at about 8:45. We hit the dolphin slide first and waited about 10 minutes, the "toilet" ride next and waited about the same. Next we rode the 2 man Whanau Way slides repeatedly with little to no wait. Our friends arrived at 10:45 and were allowed into the park. The longest wait was for the Walhalla Wave (not worth it to us) about 30 minutes. It was overcast that day and rained for a bit off and on after lunch. We loved the park. We thought it was beautiful, you didn't have to walk far between rides, the rides were fun and if you get tired of the lines jumping in the silly Roa's Rapids will bring a smile to anyone's face.

 

[jerseygal]

I've been following the threads and up until this one I decided to wait till next trip...Maybe I'll re-think it...I was going to do Disney TL/BB instead
but I'll keep watching the line feedback!

Universal has a great offer of Wet and Wild now included....
Maybe that is one of the reasons for less lines at Aquatica??????

Aquatica does seem fun though!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Capt_BJ]

Our opinion ... and who cares about that?

We have passes to AQ this year, but I'd be surprised if my gang asked for them again next year. IMHO, the only thing AQ has over the other parks right now is 'new' and that's gonna wear off fast. My son has already decided that he prefers Wet n Wild and goes there on his own dime...(I think WnW has the most intense water rides overall)

Each of the parks has something that's different, which is to say that AQ just ain't the hands down winner for us. The wave pool is, for us, a disappointment. For now, you are bound to a very early arrival if you want to get in at all, and the rides aren't better than other parks but the lines are often longer. And let's not even begin to compare food . The "fast river" is our favorite @ AQ, but how does it compare to TL's wave pool (big enough for surfing lessons)?

It's new, and clean and for some "not Disney" but for us about equal, certainly not a hands down winner.

OH - without a doubt....if the weather says rain expect the crowd at AQ to be WAY down. Fortunately it seldom rains all day anywhere in Fl, but an overcast day can make a day at any of the waterparks a MUCH less crowded experience. Just be firmly flexable....

 

[FanOfStitch]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm still kind of on the fence. On the one hand I would like to go because it is new and sounds kind of fun (the toilet bowl ride sounds awesome) but on the other hand, I've looked a map and it doesn't look like there are a lot of different things to do and I've heard more than one story about big crowds and long lines. I have about 45 days to make a decision so I look forward to more opinons!

 

[Capt_BJ]

the toilet bowl ride sounds awesome

As an example to what I said....AQ's toilet bowl can't hold a candle to the two variations of the theme at WnW....

see http://www.wetnwildorlando.com/index.html

and look at Brain Wash and Storm ..... AQ's seems like the kiddie pool in comparison. At AQ my raft gets stuck before we make it out the chute from the bowl every time..... Now STORM .... THAT's a toilet bowl!

 

[FanOfStitch]

As an example to what I said....AQ's toilet bowl can't hold a candle to the two variations of the theme at WnW....

see http://www.wetnwildorlando.com/index.html

and look at Brain Wash and Storm ..... AQ's seems like the kiddie pool in comparison. At AQ my raft gets stuck before we make it out the chute from the bowl every time..... Now STORM .... THAT's a toilet bowl!

Thanks for the link. I see what you mean about Storm! One of these days I'll make it there. I would probably have to work up the courage to get on it.

I think I've decided to hold off on Aquatica for now. I read another post today about the lines and other stuff so I think at some point I will try Aquatica, but I think I will wait until the "newness" wears off.