Here are our top tips for getting the most out of your day at the Aquatica Orlando water park:
- Arrive at Aquatica early
- Book your Aquatica tickets in advance
- Wear the right swimwear
- Save money with the All Day Dining Deal
- Skip the line with a Quick Queue Unlimited Ticket
- What to pack for your day at Aquatica
- Ride the newest attractions first
- Check the height requirements for rides
- Aquatica is an autism-friendly water park
- Rent a cabana for total relaxation
- Get a cashless wristband
- Wear flip-flops for walking around
- Don’t miss the dolphins
1. Arrive at Aquatica early
Arriving early makes it onto our list of top tips as it’s so important when visiting any of the Orlando parks. Make sure you check the Aquatica Orlando opening times in advance and arrive just before the park is due to open so that you can be one of the first through the gates.
Aquatica is generally open from 10am until 5pm at a minimum and, during the summer, may be open as late as 9pm.
This is when the park will be at its quietest, giving you the chance to ride Aquatica’s most popular attractions without a long wait. You’ll also be able to reserve the perfect spot on the beach.
2. Book your Aquatica tickets in advance
Booking your tickets in advance is essential if you want to save money during your trip and, let’s face it, who doesn’t want that? By booking your Aquatica tickets before you travel, you can save money on the gate price.
When you book your Aquatica tickets with us at AttractionTickets.com, you can also benefit from special offers like free parking (which is currently $30 per day at Aquatica) and access to three incredible SeaWorld parks for the price of two.
3. Wear the right swimwear
It might seem obvious, but we’d recommend wearing comfortable swimwear for your visit to Aquatica. Go with a swimsuit rather than a bikini if you’re planning on racing down the water slides – you don’t want to lose anything on the way down!
Aquatica doesn’t allow any loose-fitting items (like cover-ups) on the slides, so make sure you pop these in a locker first. Swimwear with buckles, rivets, or any other sharp bits is also not permitted.
4. Save money with the Aquatica All-Day Dining Deal
This money-saving tip will come in very handy if you think you’ll get peckish during your visit to Aquatica… and with all that swimming and sliding, we’re sure you’ll work up an appetite! The All-Day Dining Deal lets you enjoy unlimited visits to the park’s Banana Beach restaurant throughout the day.
Here, you can pick up food, drinks, and snacks whenever you feel hungry, and you’re entitled to one entree, one side or dessert, and one regular-sized soft drink every 90 minutes. Once you’ve purchased your All-Day Dining tickets (this is included with all of our Aquatica tickets!) you won’t have to worry about paying for any food or drink at the park.
The menu includes a variety of tasty dishes including burgers, buffalo chicken fries, crispy fish burgers, hot and cold sandwiches and wraps, salads, as well as lots of delicious desserts.
5. Skip the line with a Quick Queue Unlimited Ticket
If you want to make sure you fit in as much as possible during your visit to Aquatica, it might be worth considering a Quick Queue Unlimited Ticket. As the name suggests, this gives you unlimited priority boarding on some of the park’s most popular attractions, including Ihu’s Breakaway Falls, Taumata Racer, and Omaka Roka.
The tickets even include one-time priority boarding for Aquatica’s two newest rides – Walhalla Wave and Ray Rush. Quick Queue Unlimited Tickets can be purchased when you arrive at the water park.
6. What to pack for a day at Aquatica
Sun cream, sunglasses, a hat, a refillable water bottle, and towels (for relaxing on the beach!) are just a few of the things you might want to bring along with you. Don’t worry if you forget, you can rent towels when you arrive but bringing your own will save you some money.
Of course, it’s important to bring the essentials, and with lockers located throughout the park, there are plenty of places to store your belongings. However, we also think it’s worth knowing what not to pack. After all, you don’t want to be laden down with things you don’t end up using.
You can’t bring your own folding chairs or inflatables, so don’t make the mistake of carrying these with you. By bringing a small bag, you’ll also save money on locker rental as the smaller-sized lockers are cheaper to hire.
What to bring | What not to bring |
Swimwear | Snacks and drinks (get the All Day Dining Deal instead) |
Towels | Fold up chairs |
Flip flops or sliders | Pool inflatables |
Sunglasses | |
Sun cream | |
Sun hat or cap | |
Reusable water bottle – water fountains are available around the park |
7. Ride the newest attractions first
Aquatica has so many incredible attractions and exhilarating water slides that you’ll want to try them all. We’d recommend riding the most popular and newest attractions first, though, as these are the rides that are likely to be busier.
Popular rides like KareKare Curl, Ihu’s Breakaway Falls, and Ray Rush are the attractions we’d suggest you brave first.
8. Check the height requirements for the water slides
Aquatica is a great place to visit for a fun, family day out, and it’s one of the top water parks in Orlando. If you’re planning on visiting with children, we’d recommend checking the height requirements for the attractions in advance so that you know which attractions your party can ride.
Knowing this information in advance will help ensure that no one is disappointed on the day as well as making sure it’s worth visiting the park. You can find out all the height requirement details on the Aquatica website.
When you arrive at the park, your children can get measured and they’ll get a coloured wristband which indicates which rides they can go on.
9. Aquatica is an autism-friendly waterpark
Aquatica is now a Certified Autism Center. The park received this distinction in 2019 and was the first in the world to be officially accredited as an autism-friendly water park.
If anyone in your party has special requirements, you can be reassured with the knowledge that the Aquatica team has completed staff-wide autism sensitivity and awareness training. There are also areas around the park where you can relax if you need to take a break, including a quiet room with adjustable lighting and comfortable seats.
10. Rent a cabana for total relaxation
If you want total relaxation during your day at Aquatica, you can rent a cabana. They come in different locations throughout the park and are available in various sizes. With each cabana, you get rental towels, a locker, a ceiling fan, a refrigerator with 12 complimentary bottles of water, 20% off merchandise, and an in-cabana food and beverage service.
This is a fantastic option if you have someone in your party who doesn’t really like water rides, as they can still enjoy their day to the fullest. You’ll feel like you’re on a Caribbean island, rather than in the middle of a water park!
11. Get a cashless wristband
When you arrive, head to a ticket booth, guest relations, or the information and reservations counter to get a cashless wristband. You’ll need cash or a credit card to get one. You’ll then be able to use the wristband to pay at any shop or restaurant.
This means you can keep your hands free and store your valuables in your locker during the day. You won’t have to keep going back to it, and there’s no fear of accidentally jumping in the pool with your wallet in your pocket!
12. Wear flip-flops for walking around
Remember, when you visit Aquatica, you’ll be walking between rides on the concrete, which has been warmed by the Floridian sun and can end up scorching your feet and being quite painful.
Bring some flip-flops or sliders to walk around in to save your soles. Most of the rides have slots at the entrance where you can leave your shoes before going on them.
13. Don’t miss the dolphins
Aquatica has a pod of Commerson’s dolphins that call the park home. It’s the only place in the USA where you can see these adorable black and white dolphins, so be sure to make time for the dolphin trainer talk.
The talk happens a few times a day, and the trainer gives fun facts about the dolphins while they show off some of their natural behaviours.
If you really love sea creatures, you can book a unique private tour to get a behind-the-scenes look at how the dolphins are cared for. The tour ends with an unforgettable close-up meeting with these playful cuties – a highlight of any holiday.
FAQs
Where is the best place to sit in Aquatica?
There are plenty of places to sit in Aquatica. You can sit around the rides and attractions so you can keep an eye on your family while relaxing at the same time. If you have little ones, Walkabout Waters is a great spot to base yourself near the shallow waters. Older children, teenagers, or adults will love the beachfront chairs near Cutback Cove and Big Surf Shores.
How many days do you need in Aquatica?
We recommend spending a full day at Aquatica Orlando. If you want to visit the sister parks, SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, and Busch Gardens, you will need more days. Again, we recommend one full day per park to make the most of it.
Can you leave and come back to Aquatica?
Yes, you can leave and come back to Aquatica during the day. Re-entry may be limited if the park is very busy or at capacity.
Is the water heated at Aquatica Orlando?
Yes, during the cooler months, some of the pools have heated water.
A water park is an excellent addition to any Orlando itinerary. If you want to experience one for yourself, have a look at our great value Aquatica tickets.
