The best way to escape Orlando’s scorching weather is by visiting one of the many water parks. There are more than half a dozen to choose from, and they are home to some of the world’s best water rides. In this ultimate guide, we’ll take you through park-by-park and show you the best rides each one offers. Just use the menu below to hop straight to each water park.
Orlando’s 4 big water parks
Aquatica
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
Disney’s Blizzard Beach
Universal’s Volcano Bay
Resorts in Orlando with water parks
Reunion Resort
Encore Resort at Reunion
Let’s get started with our review of the best waterparks in Orlando.
Aquatica
With wave pools, beaches, and high-speed water slides, this one-of-a-kind water park is home to some of the world’s most thrilling H2O-based attractions. Aquatica promises unlimited fun in the sun for every member of the family, with plenty of both gentle and extreme rides. The gentle rides are perfect to ensure your little ones also get to join in the fun, which makes this Orlando water park one of the best for toddlers. Take a look at some of the rides Aquatica has in store…
Ihu’s Breakaway Falls
Get ready to brave Orlando’s tallest, steepest, and only multi-drop tower slide of its kind. At nearly 80 ft tall, Ihu’s Breakaway Falls is where you’ll face your biggest fears. Stand in the see-through capsule and wait for the floor to drop out from beneath your feet. Free-fall through the air at super speeds – the real question is, will you be brave enough to try it again?
Big Surf Shores & Cutback Cove
Guests can catch a wave in the world’s only side-by-side wave pools. Filled with a combined 860,000 gallons of water, these enormous pools deliver very different experiences. If you want a slow, gentler experience, there is a calmer pool available. For the big waves and the high-adrenalin thrills, the second pool is sure to sweep you off your feet.
Omaka Rocka
Grab an inflatable and experience weightlessness as you speed down flumes into massive tunnels on Omaka Rocka. Settle some friendly rivalries with an exhilarating race straight to the bottom. Can’t decide once and for all who won? Looks like you better go back to the top and do it all again!
Roa’s Rapids
This adventure river zips guests through 1,500 ft of rapids, past geysers, and through waterfalls at an exhilarating speed. Plunge through swirling whirlpools, splashing waves, at immense speeds that are certain to have you giggling. Just hold on tight so you don’t get separated from your friends – this ride will have you zooming along without a care in the world.
Loggerhead Lane
For fun at a much slower pace, take a trip on this lazy river, passing exotic birds and tanks of colorful fish. This is the perfect ride for those looking to kick back and really enjoy their experience, and you’re certain to be wowed as you take in the sights.
Good to know
There are plenty of places to eat and drink at Aquatica. Try the Waterstone Grill, which serves an assortment of sandwiches and salads, desserts, and drinks. Alternatively, head to the Mango Market, a grab-and-go restaurant serving picnic baskets full of tasty lunch items. At Banana Beach, an all-you-can-eat buffet, you’ll find pizzas, hot dogs, pulled pork, baked chicken, and yummy desserts.
Aquatica is open all year round. For specific hours of operation, more information about the rides, and to buy tickets at the best rates, please get in touch with our concierge team, or head to the Aquatica website by clicking the button below.
Typhoon Lagoon water park
One of two water parks run by Disney, Typhoon Lagoon is a great place to escape on a hot and sunny day. Part of the Disney World parks, Typhoon Lagoon was built with magic and exhilarating fun for all the family in mind. The lazy river and water slides provide excitement wherever you look, and you will be raring to go from the moment you arrive, which makes it one of the best waterparks in Orlando. Here are the best rides to check out when you arrive.
Bay Slides
Side-by-side slides offer gentle thrills and spills for younger visitors (there’s a maximum height limit, which means parents have to wait at the bottom). The smallest of your family members can join in with the fun, and you won’t be able to help but smile back when you spot their beaming little grins making their way down.
Crush ‘n’ Gusher
Pair up on this multi-passenger, rollercoaster-style raft ride as you zoom through the 400-ft-long tubes and create a big splash in the water. One of the most iconic rides at Typhoon Lagoon, make sure you don’t miss this heart-pumping, adrenalin-inducing ride!
Humunga Kowabunga
Hurtle 214 ft downhill for a 5-story free fall in the dark until you reach the big surprise! Tweens, teens, adults and kids will love the thrills and chills this attraction brings. This one is not for the faint-hearted, so make sure you brace yourself and get ready for one of the scariest water slides you’ll ever come up against!
Castaway Creek
Float away on this blissful lazy river, which takes you on a tour around the entire water park. Paddle along the current as you lay on your rubber ring, drifting under waterfalls, rope bridges and a canopy of tall trees. This is the perfect ride for those who need to calm their heart back down after tackling one of the humungous water slides, so kick-back, and enjoy the slower pace of life on Castaway Creek.
Good to know
There’s no shortage of dining options at the waterpark. Try Typhoon Tilly’s, a shipwreck-inspired restaurant serving fried shrimp, fish baskets, and BBQ pork sandwiches, or stop off for a spot of ice cream at Happy Landings. It offers root beer floats, sundaes, and more. Another option is to drop into Lowtide Lou’s for a selection of wraps, sandwiches, and frozen cocktails.
Operating hours are subject to change and vary throughout the year.
Blizzard Beach water park
Themed like a wintry ski resort, Blizzard Beach offers beaches, calming rivers, ‘snowy’ slides, and brightly-colored play areas. Here’s a quick overview of some of the best water rides Disney’s Blizzard Beach has to offer.
Downhill Double Dipper
Ready, steady, go! With these side-by-side slides, you can race against your friends to see who can reach the bottom first. Plummet 50 ft downhill at top speeds and disappear through a black hole.
Runoff Rapids
Choose between 3 different inner-tube slides for an instant water rush. These one-of-a-kind water flumes each offer a different experience from the next.
Chairlift
Ride up to Mount Gushmore on colorful wooden chairlifts with umbrella canopies. The slow-moving lift gives you a scenic view of the park and ends at the Green Slope, a prime location for even more attractions.
Summit Plummet
Blizzard Beach’s most extreme ride, Summit Plummet has a near-vertical drop and is one of the world’s tallest and fastest free-fall body slides. This sheer 120-ft drop is perfect for thrill seekers.
Good to know
Looking for a sweet snack? There’s a kiosk within the water park serving up sundaes, waffle cones and frosty desserts. You can also visit the snowmobile next to the chairlift ride for simple snacks. Another option is to take a snack break with either a hot dog, a beer, or a salad at the ‘Avalunch’ stand. You can book tickets to the park and get up-to-date opening hours by contacting our concierge team.
Volcano Bay at Universal Orlando
Redefining the water park experience, Volcano Bay is the best water park in Orlando for adults. It offers attractions to suit every member of the family and is split into four areas, Rainforest Village, River Village, Wave Village and, of course, The Volcano. These are the rides you can look forward to…
Krakatau Aqua Coaster
Experience dark twists and turns in the volcano before plunging through a waterfall on a four-person ‘canoe’.
Waturi Beach
Surf’s up! Head down to the beach for a swim or splash around in the sparkling lagoon, set at the foot of Krakatau volcano.
Honu ika Moana
Prepared to get drenched on these two twisting multi-person slides. Honu reaches new heights whilst ika Moana sprays water directly at guests from the center of the raft.
Taniwha Tubes
These 4 twisting slides are inspired by trees’ twisting roots. Riders can enjoy all 4 twisting tracks, but be prepared to get completely soaked on the way down as tiki statues spray big jets of water!
Resorts in Orlando with water parks
Reunion Resort water park
Cool down and make a splash in Reunion Resort’s water park – located just 5.5 miles from Walt Disney World. The surrounding tropical gardens and tall palm trees create the best place to relax after a day at the theme parks. Float along the lengthy lazy river or get your heart racing with the 110-foot water slide – there’s entertainment for all ages. Take shade in the lounge areas with a cocktail at hand whilst the younger guests enjoy Reunion’s water fun.
The nearby splash park is the best water park in Orlando for a 5-year-old, located next to the Sandy Ridge communal pool. With a swirly slide, playground, and water fountains, there’s lots of fun to be had.
Dining
The food and beverage service on-site is open Monday through Sunday, 11 am- 4.30 pm (times may vary). It’s an easy-access eatery for snacks and beverages when visiting the water park.
Encore Resort at Reunion water park
An aqua paradise isn’t far away if you stay at the Encore Resort at Reunion. With more than 2 million gallons of water, it isn’t just any ordinary water park. Whether looking for thrills or relaxing water fun, there’s plenty to choose from. Drift down the lazy river or be adventurous, trying out the Tsunami and Aqua Drop water slides. For younger kids, there’s even a Surfin’ Safari splash zone to cool down from the Orlando sun.
Dining
If you get hungry when at the water park, nearby is Bis Grill, the best place to refuel with a snack or two.
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