Splash Into Summer
By Nicole Naser
It’s day four of your week-long Orlando vacation. You’ve covered every inch of most of the major theme parks. You’ve stood in the hot Florida sun waiting for your turn on some major thrill rides while clutching your water bottles tightly. Now it’s time to cool down at Orlando’s soaking wet water parks.
Mind-numbing
With over 30 acres of giant slides, fast flumes, and world-class thrill rides, Wet n’ Wild should be high on your water park checklist.
The low-down on action: Brainwashing used to be a bad thing—until they turned it into a ride! Brain Wash plunges you 60 feet into a gigantic funnel where you’ll be climbing the walls again and again! Or you can help bring disco back on the Disco H2O—a four-person tube ride that sends you back to the ‘70s with groovy sounds and flashing lights.
Moving on… For more sports-type action, see how long you can last on a kneeboard as you’re pulled around a half-mile lake. Half the battle is in actually making it off the platform with your kneeboard!
What’s in it for the kids? Miniature versions of your favorite rides will keep the kids happy at the Kid’s Park. Older children can climb and bounce their way down Bubble Up, a huge inflatable bubble surrounded by three feet of water.
What’s colder than cold?
Not cooled down yet? I bet you never thought you’d see winter in Florida until you’ve been to Disney’s Blizzard Beach.
The low-down on action:
Only the bravest should shiver their way down Summit Plummet, the world’s tallest and fastest free-fall body slide. You’ll soar at 55mph down the snowy slopes of Mt. Gushmore. Then grab an inner tube and race down side-by-side speed slides on the Downhill Double Dipper. On the Slush Gusher, you can go with the flow on Mt. Gushmore’s slushy slopes.
Moving on…
Melt-away Bay is the place to seek refuge after a day of thrilling mountain chills. Take a swim, float along, or catch a waterfall or two.
If you want to see the entire park without moving a muscle, relax in an inner tube as Cross Country Creek carries you along.
What’s in it for the kids?
For the little ones, Tike’s Peak offers a snowy oasis of body slides, an inner tube ride, a wading pool, and frosty fountains. There’s also an area especially for pre-teens—Ski Patrol Training Camp.
Calm before the storm
Long before Blizzard Beach came along, there was Typhoon Lagoon. With so many diverse attractions in one water park, no wonder it’s considered one of the best!
The low-down on action:
You’ll be swimming with the sharks at Typhoon Lagoon’s Shark Reef. Head over to the Surf Pool for body-surfing or simple wave-jumping. You can even take surfing lessons in this giant wave pool before or after operating hours! For even more speed, try navigating the enclosed flumes of the Humunga Kowabunga, where you can’t see where you’re going till you get there!
Moving on…
The longest ride in the park, Mayday Falls, will send you through caves and waterfalls as you splash your way down a mountain. For some family fun, jump onto a giant, 4-person inner tube at Gang Plank Falls.
What’s in it for the kids?
Kid-sized adventure awaits at Ketchakiddee Creek, where kids can find mini-rapids, an interactive leaky tug boat, fountains, slides, watery whales and slippery seals.
Orlando’s Newest…
Orlando’s newest water park, Aquatica, puts Commerson’s dolphins right in the water alongside you.
The low-down on action:
For a thrill ride like no other, take the Dolphin Plunge. Race against black and white Commerson’s dolphins as you shoot down an enclosed tube on the most popular ride in the park. But for the biggest thrill, dive head-first down Taumata Racer, a high-speed competitive mat ride where you can race against seven other people!
Moving on…
This water park has a lazy river with a twist. If you swim across Loggerhead Lane to the island in the middle, you can climb a tower that leads to Tassie’s Twisters. From there, you’ll jet down a tube into a giant bowl for a dizzying spin before getting thrust back out into Loggerhead Lane.
What’s in it for the kids?
Kids can’t pass up the 60 foot tall rain fortress, Walkabout Waters. 15,000 square feet of interactive watery playground thrills will definitely keep little ones busy.
If you dare…
What’s more fun than gator wrestling? Getting soaked at Gator Gully Splash Park. Gatorland, the “Alligator Capital of the World,” has opened this unexpected water park as a place to cool down after a long day of gator interaction. Spreading out over a quarter of an acre, this watery wilderness features dueling water guns mounted on the backs of gators, a bucket tree, and giant egrets spilling water from their beaks. Not to mention all the additional animal exhibits! So if you want a unique water park with all the a chance to meet Florida’s native wildlife all in one, Gator Gully Splash Park is the place to be.
With all of Orlando’s thrill-filled water parks, you’ll be sure to beat Florida’s heat wave this summer.
By Orlando Today Nicole Naser
