The best non disney waterpark in Florida

[Goofey Drool]

We have two boys who love the waterparks. We are looking for the best waterpark in florida to spend a day. My favorite park is typhoon lagoon but this year we want to try something new. In your opinion which is the best and why.

 

[pattyw]

Typhoon Lagoon used to be my favorite as well. But-- last Aug we tried Aquatica- Sea World's new water park and loved it!! The waterslides are wonderful and we loved the wave pool. Of course, the wave pool isn't like Typhoon , but I liked it because sometimes the waves get much too intense at Typhoon. They also have a lazy river and another lazy river which goes pretty fast!!

 

[Brian Noble]

Acquatica for a more "themed" experience. Wet-n-wild for slides slides slides.

 

[samepoohdifferentday]

Aquatica

 

[KayR]

Definitely Aquatica if you want a themed park. They will be adding a new ride, Omaka Rocka, which I believe will be completed sometime in March.

http://www.stayatemeraldisland.com/blog/?p=48

If the boys are ride junkies, then Wet N Wild for more thrill rides.

-Kay

 

[Goofey Drool]

Thanks so much... It sounds like Aquatica will be our choice. Just curious, is there a waterpark on the gulf side of Florida thats worth checking out?

 

[KayR]

There is Adventure Island near Tampa. I have never been, so can't comment if it is worth the trip

http://www.adventureisland.com

HTH

-Kay

 

[So_Money]

Acquatica, but in my opinion Disney's Typhoon Lagoon is the best. I do not like Wet n' Wild at all.

 

[TotoToo]

Acquatica, but in my opinion Disney's Typhoon Lagoon is the best. I do not like Wet n' Wild at all.

If you like theming over the actual water attractions then one of the Disneys or Aquatica probably win. But for a pure, great water park Wet N' Wild is often listed in the top three in the world and for good reason. No theme, not much atmosphere but great water rides. And well heated pools (the Disneys are always too cold for us despite the claims of being heated. I think its all the shade around them. Haven't tried Aquatica except in summer so don't know if they are adequately heated or not).

 

[DOOM1001]

Thanks so much... It sounds like Aquatica will be our choice. Just curious, is there a waterpark on the gulf side of Florida thats worth checking out?

Adventure Island in Tampa is right next to Busch Gardens and is a nice waterpark,it has a good amount of slides, a good lazy river and wave pool and some thrilling slides,however it's not a what would be considered a destination waterpark as you won't find nowhere near the amount of tourists as you would at the Orlando waterparks,it's basically a good local waterpark for the Tampa and surrounding areas.My first visit was probably 7 years ago,before that I had always seen it from the street and skyride at Busch Gardens and it didn't seem to be that great,but on my first visit I was surprised as to how nice and lush the park was with a Key West theme.As far as the other Orlando parks I would suggest Aquatica,especially with the new slide coming soon but I do like Wet n Wild to have a more thrilling day,Wet n Wild even has a lake where you can knee-ski,which I've yet to find at the other waterparks.

 

[sameyeyam]

Don't forget the NON-theme park waterparks in Florida. There are many county parks that have smaller sized, really nice, bargain priced waterparks. Just take a look at where you are going to be and then check the local parks & recreations departments to see what is available.

No, they are not Typhoon Lagoon, but they also have much lower entrance fees...think $4-$8 for many of them and your kids will still have just as much fun

 

[Emilysmom]

We loved it! We planned to go for 1 day and went for 6 days! We finally told our 5 year old that we we going to Sea World for one day. On the way out, one of the cast members asked her how her day was, and she replied "well, I wanted to go to Aquatica but my parents made me come here instead." I was so embarassed! She still talks about it a year and a half later!

 

[Sue M]

We enjoyed Aquatica. If you go, the all you can eat all day at Banana Cabana is a great deal. Nice theme, not as nice as WDW water parks, but very nice. They have 2 rivers, one slow moving (and shorter then WDW) and one fast moving which is a hoot. No tube, but you can use life jackets which makes it easier to float.
There was so much water spray on the clear tube, I didn't see any fish!

Haven't been to Wet & Wild, but hear they have the more extreme slides.

 

[tedjohn09]

Bravo!!!Aquatica!!!