Best Water Parks in Orlando

Think barreling down a staggeringly steep water slide toboggan-style, neck and neck with seven friends. Think river rides that take you through swirling waters and past Old Faithful-style geysers. If you're booking a Florida visit in the summer, temperatures soar, and hitting the water parks—with or without the kids—is one of the "it" things to do in Orlando to cool off.

Aquatica Orlando

Enter SeaWorld's Aquatica Park as if you were walking into a foreign country, because it will be unlike any park you’ve ever experienced. Its lushly landscaped 60 acres include 80,000 square feet of beach area, an array of exotic fish and animals, plus rides ranging from mild to extreme. The rides include 36 water slides and six rivers and entice with names like Walhalla Wave, Taumata Racer, Dolphin Plunge and Big Surf Shores. Aquatica is open all year long, and its state-of-the-art water heater automatically adjusts the water temp to the weather.

Wet 'n Wild Orlando

The first-ever water park—Wet ‘n Wild—has been keeping water-loving thrill seekers cool since 1977. Despite its classic age, the theme park keeps things in the fun zone by changing its rides with exciting new technology. Try Der Stuka to experience a free-fall drop down a virtually vertical, six-story slide, or go for Brain Wash, an extreme tube ride to share with friends. Families can have fun too with options for little ones like Blastaway Beach, a huge water play area containing a six-story castle and some 150 water cannons, soakers, jets and waterfalls.

Discovery Cove

Discovery Cove thrills not with fast rides but from allowing guests to get up close and personal with nature. You and your kids can take a dip with dolphins in Dolphin Lagoon or check out the Grand Reef’s 2.5 acres of fun where you can snorkel or even walk on the sea floor with over 10,000 sea creatures! Splash around in the Freshwater Oasis, with its rainforest canopy above and a crystal clear lagoon below, where you can wade or swim with friendly otters and marmosets. Discovery Cove can be expensive—but many think it’s worth the memorable experience.

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon

What happens when a typhoon destroys a tropical paradise? You’ll find out — and more — when you and your family gather at Typhoon Lagoon, the most visited water park in the world. What packs 'em in? The Disney reputation may help, but check out these attractions: the Crush 'n Gusher, where super water jets send you soaring; the Humunga Kowabunga, where you zip along through enclosed slides at 39 miles per hour; Castaway Creek boasts 2,100 feet of continuous river, where you travel by inner tube through rain forests, open grottoes, waterfalls and caves.

Disney's Blizzard Beach

According to ancient Disney lore, a freak snowstorm in Florida once caused some developers to want to cash in on a ski resort. But the snow quickly melted, creating amazing ski jumps and lifts just as fun as a sled ride down a slippery hill in the winter. At Blizzard Beach, you can take these lifts up "Mount Gushmore" and careen down on different rides. The most famous of them is Summit Plunge, where you drop 120 feet at speeds up to 60 miles an hour. Looking for more ideas of what to do during your Florida trip? Check out our Orlando travel guide.