Aquatica vs. Adventure Island vs. Disney Water Parks?? - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Old 01-24-2010, 03:02 PM   #1
stobaugh6
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Aquatica vs. Adventure Island vs. Disney Water Parks??

We are going to Orlando the beginning of May and I have 2 days set aside for water parks. I am thinking 1 Disney park and 1 Anheuser park, but that isn't set in stone. We have 6 kiddos, including a 2 1/2 year old and 8 month old (when we will be vacationing). I would love to get opinions or suggestions on which 2 parks we should go to. Keep in mind that we have season passes to Aquatica and Adventure Island, so those 2 parks wouldn't cost us anything. I am not planning on getting the "water parks and more" added onto our disney tickets, so the disney water park would cost us more. Thanks for the help with this!!
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Old 02-26-2011, 06:15 PM   #2
brendanluc
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I share your question. I will be going with a 4 year old and am trying to figure out if I should head to Aquatica or Typhoon Lagoon. I have been to typhoon and liked it but I don't remember how much stuff it had for the little ones. It seems like aquatica has a larger kids section but that just be the way the map looks. Has anyone been to both to comment?
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Old 02-27-2011, 10:38 AM   #3
modisney
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AB doesn't own them anymore, they were sold along with Sea World when InBev took over it I'm not mistaken. We've been to both. Between them, I'd skip the drive to Tampa for Adventure Island and go with Aquatica. It's newer and larger. Both are very similar though. Adventure Island has a "island/caribbean"feel to it. Aquatica's theme is "down under". Adventure Island is more of a locals park, Aquatica's is more tourists. Adventure Island has a mix of slides with and without mats/tubes. I think all but one at Aquatica have them. Adventure Island has one lazy river with the option to walk or tube through. Aquatica has two; one for floating, one for walking. Both have splash areas with dump buckets, Aquatica's is larger with more to do and more buckets. Both have smaller play areas for little ones. Aquatica's beach area is larger and the park seems to be built around it. Adventure Island's beach area is much smaller. Both have life vests for little ones. Aquatica has 2 wave pools, Advenutre Island has 1. Being newer, Aquatica's changing area is still doable. The changing area at Adventure Island is yucky. Both have cabanas for rent and with a real little one with you, you may consider it. It's pricey but gives you a "home" base with a fridge, a fan, privacy if needed, a small locker. Look at the website for the complete list of amenities and the price. I think I remember thinking the food was a bit more at Aquatica. Aquatica is a nice, family experience and I think you'd have a lot of fun there.
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Old 02-27-2011, 10:49 AM   #4
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Wow! Thanks for all the info Modisney. You've given me something to think about for the next time we go.
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Old 02-27-2011, 03:36 PM   #5
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We enjoyed Aquatica, and loved the lazy river- the one you walk or float around. No tubes, so we used life vests supplied, it was easier to float along with them. At Aquatica we got the all-day meal deal at Banana Cabana? if my memory serves.
Never saw anything in the see-thru tube, water kept spraying in my eyes, lol.

Although Aquatica was fun, we still think the WDW parks are better. Esp the theming. But this was a Universal/SeaWorld vacay, so we had the combo tickets for SW & Aq. It was also during Tropical Storm Fay, wow! I wondered if we would ever get to Aquatica
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Old 02-27-2011, 07:40 PM   #6
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We have done both Aquatica and Typhoon Lagoon with a 4ish year old. He loved them both and for different reasons.

Kids under 48" are required to wear a life jacket in all areas at Aquatica.

Here are our reviews: Williams Family: Aquatica--SeaWorld's Water Park

Williams Family: Typhoon Lagoon

We would go back to either of them in a heart beat!
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Old 03-01-2011, 08:40 AM   #7
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Out of your options, the two I would pick would be Blizzard Beach and Adventure Island. While I love the theming of the Disney water parks, Adventure Island always feels like it has so many more slides to me. (and it has Everglides, which is probably my favorite water slide anywhere!)
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