Aquatica is SeaWorld’s water park, and it is often voted one of the best outdoor water parks in America. It is unique because it combines high-speed water slides with real animal habitats.
You can slide through a pool filled with dolphins, float past exotic fish, or just relax on huge sandy beaches. It is a full-day park that is great for both thrill-seekers and families.
Important Updates for 2025 Visitors
- NEW Nighttime Event: In late 2025, Aquatica will debut a new evening event called “Illuminate.” It will feature glowing lanterns, special food, and night swimming on select dates.
- Newest Ride: If you haven’t visited since 2024, don’t miss Tassie’s Underwater Twist. It is a giant raft ride that uses digital projections to make you feel like you are sliding through a vibrant seagrass meadow.
- Cashless Park: Aquatica is 100% cashless. You must use a card or mobile payment (Apple Pay/Google Pay) for everything.
Here is a detailed guide to budgeting for tickets, food, and extras at Aquatica Orlando. You can add this section before the “Essential Amenities” section.
Tickets and Prices
Like SeaWorld, Aquatica uses “dynamic pricing.” Tickets are much cheaper if you visit on a weekday in September than on a Saturday in July.
Golden Rule: ALWAYS buy your tickets online at least 1 day before you visit. The price at the front gate is often $40 more per person.
1. Single Day Tickets
If you only want to visit Aquatica for one day:
- Online Price Range: Typically between $55 and $95 (plus tax), depending on the season.
- Gate Price: Can be as high as $130+ if you wait to buy it at the park.
- Child Discount: Children under age 3 are free. Ages 3+ usually pay the same price as adults for one-day tickets.
2. Multi-Park Tickets (Best Value)
Because Aquatica is owned by SeaWorld, bundling tickets is the best way to save money if you plan to do both.
- 2-Park Ticket (SeaWorld + Aquatica): Usually costs between $110 and $145 total. This is a fantastic deal, often bringing the per-day cost down to about $60.
- 3-Park Ticket: Adds Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (about 90 minutes away). Usually costs between $130 and $160 total.
- 14-Day Unlimited: For about $200–$220, you get unlimited visits to all four parks (including Adventure Island in Tampa) for two weeks, plus free parking.
3. Essential Extra Costs to Budget For
Unlike some all-inclusive water parks, Aquatica charges for several extras.
- Parking: Standard general parking is approximately $35 per car.
- Lockers (Essential): You will need one.
- Small: Approx $15–$20 for the day.
- Large: Approx $25–$30 for the day.
- Towels: Towels are NOT free. You must rent them for about $4–$5 each.
- Pro-Tip: Bring your own towels from your hotel to save $20 for a family of four.
- Quick Queue (Skip-the-Line):
- Prices start around $29 on slow days but can go over $80+ on busy summer days.
- It gives you priority access to major slides like Ihu’s Breakaway Falls and Ray Rush.
Opening Hours & Best Time to Visit
Unlike Disney water parks, Aquatica is open year-round.
- Is the water heated? YES. Aquatica heats its pools and slides to roughly 82°F (28°C) during cooler months.
- Typical Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (winter weekdays) or 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM (summer weekends).
- Best Time to Arrive: Arrive 30 minutes before opening.
- Morning Strategy: Go straight to Tassie’s Underwater Twist or Riptide Race first, as these family raft rides get long lines very quickly.
Must-Do Attractions by Visitor Type
Unique Animal Slides (Only at Aquatica)
These are the rides that make this park special.
- Dolphin Plunge: The most famous ride in the park. You slide quickly through a clear tube that goes underwater into a habitat filled with black-and-white Commerson’s dolphins.
- Tip: The slide is very fast, so it can be hard to see the dolphins. Look quickly as you enter the clear section! (Height: 48″)
- Reef Plunge: A slide that also has clear sections, letting you see leopard sharks and colorful fish as you zoom past. (Height: 42″)
- Loggerhead Lane: This is a lazy river, but it has a special section where you float slowly past a giant aquarium tank.
For Thrill Seekers
- Ihu’s Breakaway Falls: The scariest ride in the park. You stand in a clear pod at the top of a tall tower, and the floor drops out from under you. (Height: 48″)
- KareKare Curl: A high-speed raft ride that shoots you up a massive vertical wave wall. You will experience a moment of “weightlessness.” (Height: 48″)
- Ray Rush: A fantastic family thrill ride that combines three different slide elements: water jets, a giant glowing sphere, and a massive half-pipe. (Height: 42″)
For Relaxing & Families
- Roa’s Rapids: This is NOT a lazy river. It is an “action river.” The current is very fast and pushes you along without a tube. It is incredibly fun and you will want to do it many times. (Swim vest recommended for weak swimmers).
- Cutback Cove & Big Surf Shores: Two massive side-by-side wave pools. One usually has big, strong waves, while the other has gentler, rolling waves.
- Walkabout Waters: A gigantic rain fortress for kids with countless sprayers, slides, and a giant bucket that dumps water every few minutes.
Dining Guide: The “All-Day Dining” Deal
Just like SeaWorld, Aquatica offers the All-Day Dining Deal, and it is excellent value here.
- Cost: Approximately $45–$50 for adults and $25–$30 for kids (prices vary by season).
- How it Works: You get a wristband that lets you get one entrée, one side or dessert, and one drink once every 90 minutes.
- Where to eat: Banana Beach Cookout usually offers an all-you-care-to-eat buffet, which is a great, easy option for families on the dining plan.
- Important Rule: No sharing is allowed.
Essential Amenities & Tips
- “Weather-or-Not” Assurance: If rain or storms close the rides for more than 60 minutes during your visit, stop by Guest Relations. They will usually give you a free ticket to come back another day.
- Towel Policy: Towels are NOT free. You must rent them for about $4 each. Bring your own towels from your hotel to save money.
- Lockers: You will need a locker. Small lockers cost roughly $15 for the day, and large picnic lockers cost roughly $20-$25.
- Wear Water Shoes: The concrete paths get blistering hot in the Florida sun. Wear cheap flip-flops or water shoes when walking between slides.