Photo TR: Aquatica's Passholder Sneak Preview

Today, Erik, Will and I checked out the annual passholder's sneak peak of Sea World Orlando's new water park, Aquatica. We had a fantastic day! Right now I am so tired and extremely sunburnt. This section is a general park photo overview. Scroll down to see my full review of the park.

Awesome!

So excited for more!

Although it looks AWESOME, the rides themselves look identical to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Chicago. I somehow expected more theming similar to TL or BB @ WDW.

I remember reading about the slides that go through the dolphin exhibit and the fish display on the lazy river (I think it's the lazy river...?). Those look awesome. Can't wait for the whole report!

Great pics so far. I'm really looking forward to see more.

The Dolphin slides look like a fun experience.

Looks like a great park! Nice pictures!

Part 1: Arrival & Entrance

As mentioned above, I attended a passholder's sneak peak of Busch's new water park in Orlando, Aquatica. I met up with my name twin, Erik Johnson and Will (WillMontu) from Gainesville. I had been looking forward to this since the park was officially announced a year ago. My only concern was, being a Floridian that we would freeze going to a water park in Feb. Luckily like the other Orlando water parks, the pools are heated. And it helped that the high was about 80 degrees.

Where should we go?

Once inside we were greeted by a cute kookaburra.

Pretty nice entrance.

Ticket area

Erik is super ready.

Fellow passholders ready to be one of the first to experience Aquatica.

An example on how colorful this park is.

A bridge leads to the entrance, complete with a lush tropical waterfall and rock formation.

Aqautica would not be a Busch park without beautiful landscaping featuring the Anheuser-Busch corporate symbol.

Welcoming the passholders to the sneak peek.

For fellow park map freaks, the front entrance area.

An overview of the entire park from Sea World's Sky Tower

Part 2 Dolphin Plunge

If you know anything about Aquatica, Dolphin Plunge is the park's unique signature attraction. The attraction features 2 enclosed tube slides that twist a couple of times in pitch darkeness. Then trough a clear section trough a Commerson's dolphin habitat. This is the most popular attraction in the park. And since it is one of the first attractions guests see once entering the park, it is a natural draw.

We rode this twice, once early in the morning and once in the afternoon. When we rode in the morning, the clear part of the tube was fogged up. But later in the day the tube was pretty clear. I think it is a neat idea, but you do travel through the dolphin part pretty fast. If you look to your side, you probally can see a lot better.

Honestly, I am not a big fan of enclosed body slides. But I love enclosed slides where you site on a raft. The Black Hole at Wet n' Wild is one of my all time favorites. I don't think I'm clostraphobic, but I do like that enclosed raft slides are usually a lot bigger. I feel more in control when riding on a raft, on a slide. Anyone else know what I mean? I probably sound pretty crazy! I think that is why I probably didn't enjoy Dolphin Plunge as I had hoped too. I think I was worrying how fast I was going and when I needed to hold my breath before hitting the spash pool.

After saying this, I will definitely check it out again. I now know what to expect and next time should be able enjoy it more.

One of the first attractions you see once entering the park.

First up, Dolphin Plunge.

One of three gift shops in the park.

Front area of the park, including Dolphin Plunge, Tassie's Twisters and Loggerhead Lane.

Part 2 Cont.: Loggerhead Lane

Loggerhead Lane is a pretty cool lazy river. The best part is that you are required to use a tube. This makes more of a "lazy river". You can just float along and not worry about annoying obnoxious kids splashing running/swimming through the river. The main difference of this lazy river is that it floats through 2 caves with aquariums. One cave features an underwater view of the Commerson's dolphin exhibit and Dolphin Plunge. The other cave features a large aquarium filled with many tropical fish. Yes, the aquariums could be a little bigger, but it was still awesome. How many lazy rivers even have aquariums? Thought this was a major plus for the park and puts this almost in the league with Disney's lazy rivers.

Pretty fishies

Erik wants to see some fishies

I know I am.

Will and Erik are you ready too see some dolphins?

Part 2 Cont.: Tassie's Twisters:

Tassie's Twisters are fun bowl slides that empty out into Loggerhead Lane. I have only been on one other bowl slide and that was Disco H2O at Wet n' Wild. I'm going to have to say even though I enjoyed Tassie's Twisters, Disco H2O is much cooler. Disco H2O has much more going for it: It is enclosed, has special effects, lighting, music and a pretty steep drop. I think Tassie Twisters is great for the family.

I really want to visit this park. Even though it doesn't look close to the concept art.

--Jay

Part 3: Walkabout Waters and Roa's Rapids

Part 3: Walkabout Waters & Roa's Rapids

Walkabout Waters - All I can say is this is the most awesome water fortress attraction I have ever been in. It is huge! Not one, but two large buckets dump over the complex. There are many different flumes. And the best part is, unlike Splash Attack at Adventure Island, all the water effects - water guns, hoses, sprays, etc.. work! I guess it helps that it is brand new. This is a major plus for the park.

Part 4: Roa's Rapids-

Roa's Rapids was one of my favorite attractions of the day. Unlike the Loggerhead Lane lazy river, Roa's Rapids was anything but lazy! This has a super fast current! You really pick up speed when making the turns. In this river, tubes are not allowed, but life vests are provided. I wasn't surprised how many adults I saw wearing the life vests, because of the fast current. The river featured lots of waterfalls and fountains. Roa's Rapids is another major plus for Aquatica!

Another gift shop, Adaptations.

Part 5:

Wahalla Wave is hands down one of the best family raft slides I have ever been on! We hit the sides like crazy!

HooRoo Run is a fun family slide, but not anywhere as intense of the surprisingly steep drops on The Bubba Tub at Wet n' Wild.

Taumata Racer is a excellent open/enclosed head-first racing slide. You really move on these!

Because this has 8 slides, I assume that it will be the best attraction on a crowded day.

Like Riptide at Adventure Island, this is a cool attraction.

Next up: Taumata Racer.

HooRoo Run, was fun but not as cool as Wahalla Wave.

Wahalla Wave kicked ass!

Time to check out the 2 family raft slides, Wahalla Wave and HooRoo Run.

Banana Beach Cookout was a pretty good all-u-can eat buffet that was valid the entire day.

Part 5 cont.

Kata's Kookaburra Cove is a pretty nice children's area. Like the rest of the park, it is very colorful and features lots of slides for the little ones.

I love the fact that Walkabout Waters has medium sized slides and not just some 5 foot tall kiddie slides.

900 Posts!

--Jay

Roa Rapids looks like a more-intense, better-landscaped vesion of Water Country's Hubba Hubba Highway, which also has a pretty fast current.

Wave Pools

Aquatica consists of 2 side by side wave pools, Big Surf Shores and Cutback Cove. Both offer different wave cycles. The wave pools are surrounded by a huge beach filled with plenty of chairs for sunbathers and sand for the kids to play in. Also near the wave pools are the private Cabana rentals.

One of the private cabana areas

Looks Great. I noticed a clock on the left hand side of the wave pool, Does this tell when the next waves are coming?

^ yep, it is a clock that:

1. Tells when the next waves are coming.

2. The time.

3. The temp. of the water.

Whanau Way is a 4 flume slide complex. When we were at the park preview, you could only ride using a single inter tube. I have heard you can now experience this attraction on a single or double person inter tube. Overall these were fun slides.

The sun sets over Aquatica.

Another place to get a bite to eat.

Erik is all thumbs up for Whanau Way!

My Final Thoughts:

We had a great time at Aquatica. I think it is a great addition to Orlando. This park does have something for everyone. The park is very colorful. A lot of people have asked me if Aquatica is my favorite water park. My answer is no. I don't think I have a favorite water park. I love elements from all the water parks I have been to. Typhoon lagoon is awesome because of it's theme, it's kick ass wave pool and there are lots of hidden relaxing areas. Blizzard Beach's theme is the most elaborate and features lots of thrills. Wet n' Wild has my favorite attractions but totally lacks on a consist theme, shade and the last few times I visited, the park was kind of dirty. I'll always love Adventure Island, because this is my home water park. It has pretty good theming and has a lot of shaded areas. I really love White Water in Atlanta. It is a really big park and is set in the woods, which is different from the Florida parks.

With the exception of shade, Aquatica has captured a lot of elements of many parks. Thrills can be found with Dolphin Plunge, and the Taumata Racers. The whole family can enjoy pretty much everything in the park together. Again, the theming is very bright and colorful. I think visitors will really enjoy this park.

I plan on visiting Aquatica again in the next 2 weeks, so it will be intertesting to see if anything has changed. Thanks for reading!

When does the park officaly open to the public?

^It has been open since March 1st. The park has an official media grand opening on April 4th.