Sunny days, waterslides, and dolphins–if that sounds like a perfect day, SeaWorld Orlando’s Aquatica waterpark is a prime vacation destination for you! This unique and action-packed waterpark has 13 water rides to try, plus 2 wave pools and 2 children’s water playgrounds. Not to mention, it’s the only location in the United States where you can see Commerson’s Dolphins!
However, there’s no denying that any waterpark gets crowded during the summer months, especially in a popular vacation destination like Orlando, FL. If you don’t know what to expect or how to handle the crowds, it can be an extremely frustrating day instead of a fun one.
So, based on our experience here in June, I wanted to share everything we wished we knew and learned along the way so that you can maximize your day at this awesome park!
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Take a Quick Tour of Aquatica On YouTube
How to Make the Most of a Busy Day at Aquatica Orlando
Be at Aquatica When It Opens
This is a pretty standard strategy for any theme park, but being in line when the park opens will put you way ahead of the crowd. Things get bogged up very quickly at security, so do yourself a favor and be there when it opens. You’ll beat the rush and be able to hop onto a couple of rides with no wait times, which you’ll definitely appreciate later.
Get a Cabana
I know some people are against paying for any extras at theme parks, but hear me out. The cabanas at Aquatica come with a lot of perks, and I really wish I had spent the $70 on one because of the time and convenience we would have gotten back.
Cabana rentals include towels, lockers, a ceiling fan, a private, shaded place to relax, 12 complimentary water bottles, a 20% discount on merchandise, and in-cabana food and beverage service (which you can have scheduled for delivery).
Here’s why that’s such a great deal. Unless you have someone willing to walk around all day with your stuff, you have to buy at least one locker, which costs $20. It has enough room for 2 people’s towels, water, shoes, and wallets. If you have more than 2 people, you’ll probably spend $40 on lockers. Then, you have to spend tons of time standing in line for food and drinks, even if all you want is a cup of water. Additionally, shaded seating is sparse around the park, so you’re out all day in the sun, which is exhausting.
In my opinion, the cabanas are completely worth it for 1) the time you save waiting in food lines, 2) the included locker and towels, 3) and the private space to lay down and get out of the sun. Plus, you’re only paying $30-$50 extra for all that convenience over a standard locker.
*Note: Someone mentioned in the comments that cabanas can cost up to $300 in the heavy tourist season, which definitely makes this option far less cost-effective. I’m a big fan of keeping theme parks cost-friendly, so try to book your cabana well in advance, and don’t sweat it if they’re not in your budget that day.
Leave Aquatica (or Chill in Your Cabana) in Mid-Afternoon
There is a definite point between noon and 3 pm when the park is packed. Whether we were standing in line for food or a ride…we were standing for a long time. Not to mention, it gets scorching hot! We didn’t make much progress during that time period because everything just took so much time and energy. We finally resigned ourselves to floating around Loggerhead Land until the Commerson’s Dolphin trainer talk at 3:30.
BUT, around 3 p.m., the park started to clear out. As we stood near the park entrance for the dolphin talk, the crowds heading for the exit grew steadily as the parents with small children made their way out. (We noticed a similar trend every day at SeaWorld as well, around 7 p.m.)
From that point on, the lines were noticeably shorter, and we were able to hit about 6 of the rides, chill in the wave pool, and go around Roa’s Rapids several times before we left around 6:30 (in time to enjoy another 2 hours at Sea World with no crowds).
I highly recommend that you use the time period from 12:30 to 3 p.m. to go back to your hotel or cabana and take a nap so you can enjoy the less-crowded evening rather than giving up at 3 p.m.
Head Right to Ray Rush
The longest line we stood in was for Ray Rush, even though it was the last ride we did that day. This 4-person raft ride has an extensive line all day long, even through the evening. We saw the shortest line about 30 minutes after opening and when we hopped in at 5:30 p.m. At that point, it took us almost an hour to get to the front, even after most of the crowds had dispersed.
If you’re interested in this ride, head straight there to claim a spot in line to minimize your wait. If you don’t want to try this one out but are interested in Kare Kare Curl, I’d recommend the same strategy for that ride as well.
Wear Your Flip Flops Between Rides
When we started, I left my sandals in our locker. However, once that Florida sun hit its peak, my feet were on fire! It felt like stepping on a stove, and I was in quite a bit of pain (so dramatic, I know). Additionally, walking around with wet feet on the rough concrete just tore my soles apart, and they’re still recovering 6 weeks later.
After that, I paid closer attention and noticed that almost all of the rides had slots at the bottom for our shoes. Sometimes, they were full, but we could still set them on top of the rack or the concrete around the base. We made sure to utilize those the rest of the day, and it made a huge difference. I enjoyed myself more, and we made better time without dashing to the shade and bracing ourselves for the next step into the sun. I just wish I’d been smart enough to do it the whole time!
Don’t Be Afraid to Be Still
I tend to have a very “get it done” mentality. It’s hard for me to slow down and relax when I know that there’s a lot that I want to do. But in situations like this, the smartest way to have fun can actually be to stop trying so hard.
Thankfully, I have a husband who’s good at pointing out when I’m stressing over factors out of my control and offering a better solution. At Aquatica, that meant floating in Loggerhead Lane or Roa’s Rapids more than once because we were tired from waiting in lines. Or, just sitting in the shallows of Big Surf Shores and pausing to watch the Commerson’s dolphins playing in the water.
In my head, I had to push through and go from line to line, no matter how long they were. But that wasn’t smart (or healthy) with the sun and crowds. Knowing what we know now about the fluctuating crowds, I’m so glad we made ourselves step away from the lines to enjoy the more relaxing parts of the park before picking up where we left off.
Leave Time for a Dolphin Trainer Talk
One of Aquatica’s most unique aspects is its little pod of Commerson’s dolphins. They’re the only place in the U.S. where you can see these beautiful black and white dolphins. Out of all the dolphins we saw in SeaWorld’s parks, I felt like these guys had the most personality.
They were constantly playing with each other, and they were so friendly! These cuties would be in the shallows for minutes at a time, just floating around and spy-hopping to see the crowds. Then, one would swim right up to its buddy, and they’d suddenly be racing around the exhibit at jaw-dropping speeds and jumping out of the water. They were so fun to watch!
The Trainer Talk is a very casual event that happens a few times a day. The trainers give fun facts about the dolphins and ask them to show off some natural behaviors. However, the trainers never force the dolphins to perform; it’s all voluntary and reward-based training. At the talk we attended, the dolphins didn’t want to do anything but play with each other, and that was okay because it was still fun, and we learned some cool facts. In fact, it made me happy knowing that the dolphins had the choice to do what they wanted and felt comfortable making it.
But, in case they do feel like showing off on the day you’re there, make sure to schedule in time to see the Trainer Talk and see their big personalities shine!
Bonus Tip: Rides You Won’t Want to Miss at Aquatica
Like any waterpark, certain rides at Aquatica offer a lot more than others do. We wanted to try everything once, but I could’ve skipped a couple with no regrets. If you are short on time, here are the top 5 rides to prioritize:
- Ray Rush: This four-person raft ride includes a water-jet launch, steep drops, a water sphere, and an epic double wall you’ll slide up and down multiple times.
- Tassie’s Twisters: This one- to two-person raft ride takes you down a twisting slide before spitting you out in a giant bowl that you’ll circle around and around and around…before dropping straight down to the Loggerhead Lane.
- Kare Kare Curl: This epic two- to four-person raft ride shoots you down an enclosed slide…then back up 35 feet in the air on a giant waterfall!
- Dolphin Plunge: This single-rider enclosed slide takes you straight through the Commerson’s Dolphin exhibit!
- Walhalla Wave: This two- to four-person raft ride starts 6 stories high and takes you through a bunch of twists and turns in the mostly enclosed tube before ending with a giant splash.
For a relaxing break, be sure to hit Loggerhead Lane and go through it at least twice: once to float past the epic aquarium filled with bright fish and again to float past the Commerson Dolphins!
Closing Thoughts About Aquatica & Orlando
Aquatica can be an amazing experience or a terrible one…it really depends on your mentality and how you navigate the day. If you follow these tips, you should have that amazing experience and get your money’s worth!
You may notice that I did not recommend a Quick Queue…while they’re definitely convenient, they’re just so expensive that I can never justify them. I think you’d be far better off pacing yourself and putting the money toward a cabana. However, if rides and speed are the most important things to you, by all means, get the Quick Queue!
Do you have any questions about the park that I didn’t cover? Please feel free to drop them to me in the comments. I’ll be happy to answer them to the best of my knowledge/experience to help you have a great day!
If you’re planning a full Orlando vacation, don’t miss my other blogs on our adventures there, both at SeaWorld and Universal Parks! And don’t forget to sign up for the blog newsletter to get notified when I release more helpful posts like this!
Plan the Best Orlando Theme Park Vacation Ever!
A Complete Guide to SeaWorld Orlando 2021 for Adults
Best of the Park Guide to Islands of Adventure, Orlando
Best of the Park Guide for Exploring Universal Studios, Orlando
A Magical Day in Discovery Cove at Sea World
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