Some of the top waterparks in Orlando combine wildlife and the natural world into their attractions. Consider the amazing Dolphin Plunge at Aquatica, where you may speed through a dolphin pool while riding a flume! Other amusement parks provide a more interactive experience, letting you enjoy yourself while learning more about rare marine species.
There are also a lot of traditional slides & flumes. The variety and appeal of Orlando’s water parks make them perfect for families.
Waterparks in Orlando
You are fortunate that cooling off at the Frog Pond is simple peasy because Florida experiences warm temperatures almost all year long. One of the water parks in Orlando is the ideal location for that. As you ride an exhilarating water coaster or drift in a tube down a leisurely river, revel in the gorgeous sunshine. Just remember to bring sunblock!
To assist you in organising a splashin’ good time, we’ve put together this list of top waterparks in Orlando.
Due to the (mainly) heated waters, the Orlando water parks are perfect not only during the hot summer months but all year long. What are you still holding out for? Prepare for your trip now!
1. Volcano Bay
Happy water lovers! For those who enjoy spending their days splashing about in the sun (or cooling down in the shade), Universal’s Volcano Bay is a paradise. There is never a bad time to go because the heated waters allow it to be open all year. One of the best waterparks in Orlando.
If you’re wanting to unwind on a lazy river or dare one of the numerous heart-pounding water slides that tumble down the 200-foot-tall Krakatau volcano, Universal Studios’ third park in Orlando has something for everyone.
There’s no chance you’ll be bored here with an astonishing 21 distinct attractions, and that’s without even counting the performances and eating choices! So, Volcano Bay is worth a visit if you’re searching for a waterpark that’s a little different from the others.
This park exudes classic Universal detail, whether you’re looking for kid-friendly splash pads, thrilling waterslides (of which there is undoubtedly no shortage), or possibilities to get your hair wet. The park is themed within tropical islands & volcanoes, like stepping through the mountains of Hawaii.
The Kopiko Wai Winding River is great for families and a favourite attraction for tourists who just want to unwind on a lazy river ride while enjoying the sunshine. You’ll have a tonne of options for thrill sides.
Among the best waterparks in Orlando. Stomach-churning adrenaline is never too far away at Ko’okiri Body Plunge, which will send you hurtling down into pools below, Kala and Ta Nui Serpentine Body Slides, where a trap door suddenly vanishes under your feet to reveal a pair of intertwining tubes, and Punga Racers & sparks a little competitive edge in visitors of all ages.
Then, following some splashing around in Waturi Beach’s wave pool (the ideal place to take a photo in front of), There are several options for dining when it’s time to refuel, including quick nibbles, sit-down restaurants and takeaway that can be enjoyed in the extra-comfy rentable cabanas.
Speaking of breaks, one fantastic aspect of Volcano Bay is that, in contrast to the major theme parks in Orlando, such as the Disney complex & Universal Studios, there are rarely big lines! To avoid queues at all three Universal Parks during busy times, think about purchasing a Universal Express Pass.
2. Discovery Cove
Discovery Cove is unquestionably one of Orlando’s undervalued water parks and a wonderful gem. Why is this park so unique? Well, it is an all-inclusive day trip, for starters. This means that everything is taken care of once you enter the gates, including your food, drink, snorkelling gear, and even towels.
Without having to think about a thing, you can simply unwind by the pool or the artificial beach and take in the breathtaking scenery (hint: for maximum relaxation, head straight for the tranquil Wind-Away River, which winds through cascading waterfalls & sand beaches before relaxing in a breezy hammock with a drink in hand). One of the best waterparks in Orlando.
Its exclusivity is another key selling factor. You’ll frequently have the place to yourself (well, aside from the dolphins! ), as Discovery Cove only allows 1300 visitors each day. This ensures that you will have a more individualised experience with employees who are always available to make your day special. You also won’t have to wait in queues for hours, of course!
In terms of rides and attractions, it’s less about the roller coasters and more about the one-of-a-kind experiences, such as swimming with bubbly bottlenose dolphins, and Explorer’s Aviary while learning all about the diverse creatures that call this place home thanks to the exhibits there.
There is a tiny island in the centre of Freshwater Oasis that is home to adorable marmosets that are uncommon to other Orlando tourist attractions. A mini-zoo is created when you add lively otters & sharp-toothed sharks that can be seen via glass enclosures.
Comes in the best waterpark in Orlando. Have a thirst? With an adults-only swim-up bar providing intoxicating cocktails to enjoy while you soak in the sun, Discovery Cove stands out from the other Orlando water parks.
Additionally, you can bet a penny that the entertainment will be top-notch because it is the sister park to SeaWorld Orlando & Aquatica Orlando. In addition to joining the straightforward Flamingo Mingle and indulging in an unending supply of refreshments & drinks, including beer & wine, eager guests have the option of going behind the scenes with the “trainer for a day” programme.
Tickets to Discovery Cove also give you entry to SeaWorld and Aquatica for two weeks around your reservation, which is great for frugal travellers trying to maximise their trip budget!
A 25-minute drive from the city centre and the airport, this watery haven is located just south of Orlando on I-Drive, halfway between the Universal & Disney resorts, putting it in the heart of the activity.
3. Water Park at Legoland
With more than 50 rides, shows, & attractions to enjoy on any given day, Legoland has long been a favourite with families travelling through central Florida. Let’s not forget about the kids at heart though.
At this well-liked theme park, there are always new and exciting things to keep the kids entertained. Despite being primarily geared towards children aged two to twelve, there is still enough live entertainment to keep the entire family busy for hours on end, especially if you’re a fan of the movies and toys. One of the best waterparks in Orlando.
While there are lots of things to do without getting wet, Legoland Water Park is a certain hit on those hot summer days. The water park, which is spread out over 5 acres, has a good selection of slides, flumes, and rides for people of all ages to enjoy. Small children can paddle around in the Joker Soaker, a wading pool with pop-up sprinklers and interactive play features like a giant bucket.
Among the best waterparks in Orlando. Additionally, there is a LEGO Wave Pool where you can enjoy some calm surf or just relax on a raft on the Build-A-Raft lazy river while soaking up the Florida sun.
Also, don’t miss the action-packed entertainment at Pirate’s Cove! The spectacular performance, which is life and features a variety of actors and iconic Lego characters (including Brickbeard), Wakeboarding, barefoot skiing, jump acts, and a jaw-dropping ski pyramid were among the remarkable display’s gravity-defying water routines.
Of course, it would be negligent of us to neglect Legoland itself while you’re at the park for those who prefer to remain on solid ground.
Children can splash around in DUPLO Valley and board the train that travels through countryside-themed scenery of LEGO-style farms and campgrounds in the park’s dry section, while guests of all ages can enjoy meeting the Lego Friends.
Winter Haven, between Orlando & Tampa, is where Legoland and its hotel can be found, distant from the majority of Orlando’s big tourist attractions. It is a 45-minute drive from each of these cities.
4. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, the most well-known of the Orlando water parks, is undoubtedly a hit because of its connection to the most visited theme park in the world.
There is no shortage of aquatic pleasure to be enjoyed here on any given day of the year, with something for everyone, from mild languid rivers and meandering tubing routes to hair-raising waterslides which will have you yelling down.
A family raft trip through man-made caves and flowing waterfalls called Miss Adventure Falls is a relaxing way to start the day. Then, with the 400-foot “water coaster” known as the Crush ‘n’ Gusher, it’s time to turn the thrill levels up a notch with the three nearly vertical body slides known as Humunga Kowabunga.
These slides will send you hurtling through the twists & turns of a rainforest while travelling at 30 miles per hour.
Grab an inner tube and float around the entire park on Castaway Creek, a meandering, 2000-foot-long lazy river, Grab an inner tube and cruise the Typhoon Lagoon while taking in the views and sounds of the surrounding jungle.
You can enter or exit at any of the 5 landings. Alternatively, you can unwind at the Surf Pool or at one of the numerous shores that dot the Typhoon Lagoon. One of the best waterparks in Orlando.
Aside from the famed wave pool and rides, which generate 6-foot surges at the deep end, the park is decorated in classic Disney style with detailed embellishments around every turn of its straightforward circular plan.
Check your watch because the Miss Tilly ship, which is perched atop Mount Mayday, will spew a fountain of water into the air once every 30 minutes from its interior.
Additionally, Singapore Sal’s, the on-site store where the lockers and changing facilities are located (so you won’t have to tote your possessions about all day), has a wide selection of souvenirs.
Comes in the best waterparks in Orlando. After a long day of sliding and swimming, do you feel hungry? Exactly right! Leaning Palms offers substantial amounts of traditional American cooking for a filling supper, and Happy Landings Ice Cream, featuring its rainbow cones on top, guarantees a photo opportunity that will brighten your social media page.
Typhoon Lagoon is around 25 minutes from the airport and quite close to most of the Orlando area, just off Disney’s main property and next to the free-to-roam Disney Springs neighbourhood.
5. Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park
Blizzard Beach Water Park, the second of the two adored Disney water parks, debuted in 1995 and is the more modern of the two. It honours a ski resort that was transformed into a water park.
Blizzard Beach, which is whimsically themed around an epic snowstorm that left behind a ski resort, absolutely nails the atmosphere and provides some truly unique rides that don’t fear embracing the fusion of hot & cold. One of the best waterparks in Orlando.
Similar to Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach offers a variety of activities for visitors of all ages, from calm slopes for those who simply want to float along in a tube and enjoy the year-round Florida sunshine to nerve-wracking beanie runs down Mount Gushmore.
Take your pick, adrenaline junkies: the Slush Gusher, with its two dips and 90-foot drop, is all about high speed & high thrills and will send you hurtling down Mount Gusmore at up to 35 mph. To compete for bragging rights, friends and family can race down freezing slopes on the family-friendly 8-lane Toboggan Racers.
There are many places to eat throughout the day, from Lottawatta Lodge (a full-service restaurant) to Avalunch (a counter-service establishment) that serves a variety of quick sandwiches, salads, as well as nachos that you can take enjoyment of on one of the numerous deck chairs or cabanas).
Among the best waterparks in Orlando. Adults, be sure to stop by the Polar Pub for a cool cocktail, as the frozen margaritas are perfect for sweltering summer days.
Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park is located at the southernmost part of the Walt Disney World Resort, a little further inland than Typhoon Lagoon, right next to Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course, and just around the corner from the less well-known ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
6. Aquatica Orlando
Due to its wide variety of creative, outrageous, water-themed fun, Aquatica—often overlooked in favour of its bigger sister, SeaWorld—regularly leaves guests of all ages beaming ear to ear (and completely saturated).
There are 42 slides, rivers, & lagoons at Aquatica Orlando, which was opened in 2008 and is located on the SeaWorld premises. With a delightful southern Pacific theme that includes Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and the traditional Pacific islands, the park offers a variety of body slides, raft slides, lazy rivers, wave pools, and kid-specific splash zones, so there is an itinerary waiting for thrill-seekers, sunbathers, and everyone in between.
Additionally, with Australian and New Zealand mascots like kookaburras, turtles, & dolphins all over the park, the whole family can spend the day at Aquatica while discovering some of the incredible animals that live in the South Pacific. Among the best waterparks in Orlando.
You’ll enjoy the rides, I can tell you that much. There’s no better place to experience those momentary butterflies in the stomach than Ihu’s Breakaway Falls. But things don’t stop there! Additional highlights include the relaxing and well-liked Loggerhead Lane sluggish river, and the thrilling family raft ride HooRoo Run.
Which plunges riders 48 vertical feet of open as well as closed sections into cool pools below, Stingray Falls, which takes visitors through an underwater grotto where huge glass windows let you see rays and fish up close, & Walhalla Wave, a special four-person raft with a zero-gravity wall that gives riders the feeling of floating in the air.
One of the best waterparks in Orlando. And starting in 2022, Reef Plunge will be a brand-new attraction at the park! Visitors to the redesigned Dolphin Plunge attraction may now race through a realistic coral habitat packed with sharks and other aquatic life after sliding through colourful hoops!
Grab a book and rest on the 80,000 square feet of constructed beaches for those who like their thrills a little chillier (pun intended). With so many places to unwind, it rarely feels crowded. For those who are of legal drinking age, ratchet up the vacation mood by stopping at Ke-re’s Bar or Motu’s Beach Bar before a hearty empanada meal at Papa’s Cantina.
Disney World and Universal Studios are both about 20 minutes away from SeaWorld’s Aquatica Orlando, which is situated immediately next to the sister park, SeaWorld, on International Drive.
7. Island H20 Live! Waterpark
Island H20 Live! is a next-generation social media-inspired water park that is all about the modern and high-tech, the internet, and, of course, the rides. It is quite different from the countless Orlando water parks.
Streaming and publishing are essentially required at the first water park of its sort to embrace the cutting-edge theme. This modern attraction is significantly more involved than those that came before it because riders can personalise their ride experiences with their favourite music, lighting effects, and colours owing to cutting-edge wristband technology! Among the best waterparks in Orlando.
However, Island H20 Live!, another attraction, embraces modern living as well. Its utilisation of technology sets it apart. This is one water park that truly embraces the 21st century, whether it’s through the use of a special app that enables visitors to post images and videos directly to their social media accounts while in the park or the capability to order food and drinks using your phone right from your lounge chair.
One of the best waterparks in Orlando. Of all, even if you’re not social media-obsessed, there are lots of things to discover at the 20 various attractions suitable for all ages that are dispersed throughout 12 acres of beautiful land. The 326-foot-trap-door streamed body slide and the boomerang-style Hashtag Heights are two of the attractions that top the thrill ride scale and will send your heart pounding.
The 20 different family-friendly attractions spread out across 12 acres of picturesque terrain offer a wealth of things to discover, even if you are not a social media addict. Two of the attractions that rank at the top of the thrill ride scale and will make your heart race are the 326-foot trap-door streaming body slide and the Hashtag Heights, which is designed like a boomerang.
8. Nona Adventure Park
Nona Adventure Park is a local favourite that offers a unique—and just as exciting—waterpark experience. It is off the main path and frequently disregarded in favour of the big boys closer to I-drive.
This outdoor activity hub is tucked away in Orlando’s Lake Nona neighbourhood and features two major water park attractions: a diversified, obstacle-filled aqua park and a wakeboarding course that will challenge both novices and experts. Among the best waterparks in Orlando.
The 60-foot climbing tower, which serves as the entrance to one of Orlando’s biggest and most thrilling ropes courses, is a major attraction. Three 50-foot climbing walls can be found here, along with a double sky ropes course, where you may compete with your friends for the best bragging rights!
Head over to the Nona Wake Zone, where you can participate in one of two distinct challenges if the thrills and spills of Wipeout aren’t enough of a challenge for you.
Comes in the best waterparks in Orlando. The 320-foot-long cable system makes it possible for newcomers to learn the ropes to gain a feel for the activity without having to go at excessive speeds or heights. Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, move on to the 2,500-foot advanced course for a true adrenaline rush at speeds of up to 19 miles per hour.
After conquering the wakeboarding zones, aqua park, and ropes courses (is anyone else exhausted at the thought of doing all of these in one afternoon? ), visit the restaurant to reenergize before exploring the pro store to discover more about water sports and purchase a keepsake.
Final Note
With dozens of outstanding waterparks in Orlando and the unquestioned title of “Theme Park, Orlando has long drawn thrill-seekers, sunbathers, and travelling families in search of vacation fun in the Florida sun.
One of the water parks in Orlando is the ideal location for that. As you ride an exhilarating water coaster or drift in a tube down a leisurely river, revel in the gorgeous sunshine. Just remember to bring sunblock!
To assist you in organising a splashin’ good time, we’ve put together this list of Orlando’s top water parks.
Last Updated on August 23, 2024 by Ayaz Pathan
