Sun and fun go hand in hand with Orlando water parks. No matter what time of year you visit, you’ll be able to get some serious splashing fun.

Whether you’re looking to hit zany adrenaline rush rides, or just float away on a relaxing lazy river, Orlando water parks have you covered.

Or uncovered and wet, as the case may be 🙂

Check out our Pick of Top Orlando Water Parks

Volcano Bay

Volcano Bay, operated by Universal Orlando, took Orlando water parks to a whole new level when it erupted in 2017.

The Waturi people of Volcano Bay brought us a new concept in water coasters, new ways for wait lines with Tapu Tapu and a whole new world of dining.

And Volcano Bay isn’t any old water park, it’s a themed water park. As soon as you hear Kia’Ora! Or welcome as we know it, you’ll be in a whole new world of happiness.

Legend tells us the Waturi people travelled the ocean looking for a place to call home and a mystical fish led them right to Volcano Bay.

Krakatu Volcano is the parks impressive looming central feature. At 200 feet, it’s Florida’s highest peak! Complete with cascading falls that turn fiery red at night.

Adrenalin junkies will love the 70 foot drop offered by the Ko’kiri Body Plunge. Or try the twin drops of Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides with clear tubes.

For a little more gentle relaxation head to Wave Village where families and littles ones can splash into the multi-directional wave pool at Waturi Beach or relax in The Reef.

Rainforest Village gives you a place to relax and play, with several rides and plenty of space to chill out.

River Village will be a magnet for tots who can splash away and play all day in Tot Tiki Reef or Runamukka Reef.

And if you’re feeling peckish, there are plenty of dining options offering excellent food featuring a rich island theme.

You can bling your day up with premium seating and cabanas.

Where: 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819
Web: Volcano Bay

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Typhoon Lagoon

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is a 60-acre themed water park – inspired by the legend of a typhoon, earthquake and volcanic eruption.

As the story goes, those events combined to create an inland sea with break waves (Typhoon Lagoon) and a towering watershed mountain (Mt. Mayday) with a stranded shrimp boat (the Miss Tilly) on top.

Twisting falls, roaring rapids and lazy rivers makes for a great day at one of our favorite Orlando water parks.

The Surf Pool is North America’s largest family friendly wave pool.

Little ones are catered for at Ketchakiddee Creek. It has 10 kiddy friendly water activities. Slides have been scaled down to give mini thrills. Shallows are awash with whimsical sculptures.

Thrill rides for big kids are

  • Gangplank Falls: 300 foot family raft ride.
  • Humunga Kowabunga: 214 foot slide through caves at 30 mph.
  • Crush n’ Gusher: 420 foot ride with three different options in a two person raft.

Miss Adventure Falls is a fast-paced waterslide journey. It takes you on an aquatic conveyor belt that chutes you into action.

Keel Haul Falls and Mayday Falls which are “soft foam” slides.

Slides less likely to fray your nerves are:

  • Storm Slides: A body slide through caves, gentle waterfalls and geysers and
  • Castaway Creek: A 2100 foot lazy river raft ride with or without inner tubes through forests, past geysers and a waterworks area.

And while all around you lose their heads at the amazing array of activities, you can lay back on the white sandy beach and relax.

Plenty of food and beverage options are available at several locations

Where: 1145 East Buena Vista Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32830
Web: Walt Disney World – Typhoon Lagoon


Blizzard Beach

This Orlando water park starts with a great legend.

The story goes that after a freak snow storm, Blizzard Beach was created as a ski resort on top of Mt. Gushmore. But this is Florida and, as the snow started to melt, it was transformed into a frosty fun Orlando water park offering a ton of fun for all the family.

Newer than Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach has more adventurous slides and a few more things for the little ones.

Slides to keep the adrenaline flowing are:

  • Downhill Double Dipper side-by-side tubes where you can race against friends or family.
  • Runoff Rapids are three different water slides that can be done solo or with another person.
  • Slush Gusher is a 90 foot long, high speed water slide.
  • Snow Stormers: Lay on your stomach for any one of the three different waterslides.
  • Toboggan Racers: Race against 7 other contestants on the hilly slalom course.
  • Summit Plummet: Dare you take on the 120 foot almost vertical drop at Mt. Gushmore?

Easier family attractions are:

  • Teamboat Springs whitewater raft ride.
  • Gentle one acre wave pool at Melt-Away Bay.
  • Cross Country Creek lazy river that goes round the entire park.

Specifically for youngsters are the Ski Patrol Training Camp, an activity play area and Tike’s Peak with its’ tame slides and splash in the shallows environment.

Where: 1534 Blizzard Beach Drive, Orlando, FL 32836
Web: Disney’s Blizzard Beach

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Aquatica

Apart from being a thrill and family ride water park, Aquatica also has a Conservation Cabana. This features numerous animals including Commerson’s Dolphins and African Spurred Tortoise who hail from the Sahara Desert.

Splash about in two side-by-side wave pools designed for the whole family. Ride the surf at Roa’s Rapids. Jump into a ring and drift down the lazy Loggerhead Lane. Have fun in Walkabout Waters.

Thrill rides include:

  • Shooting down a clear tube in the Dolphin Plunge.
  • Plummeting over the edge in the HooRoo Run.
  • A free-fall drop in Ihu’s Breakaway Falls

Specifically aimed at keeping kids of under 48’ cool in the heat of the day, Kata’s Kookaburra Cove is a fun play area involving a beginners body slide and water jets.

Towels and lockers can be rented and a wristband saves you carrying money with you in the park.

All-day dining, snacks and sweet treats alongside sandwiches, hamburgers, wraps, salads, kids’ meals and beverages are available at quick service outlets.

Where: 5800 Water Play Way, Orlando, FL 32821
Web: Aquatica by SeaWorld


Island H2O Live

If you are staying in one of our vacation homes in Kissimmee, this is right on your doorstep! Island H2O Live is a brand new water park created by Margaritaville Orlando.

It’s due to open mid June 2019 and will be Orlando’s most immersive and technologically advanced water park. Visitors will be able to customize and personalize their experience.

Social media will also be a big thing at Island H2O Live, with lots of ways for visitors to share experiences. Appropriately named slides include Hashtag Heights, Follow Me Falls and Profile Plunge.

There will be live DJ’s, pool parties and guest appearances.

Orlando Water Parks - H2O Live

Island H2O Live has over 20 experiences:

  • Drop slides for thrills
  • Lazy river for floating and relaxing
  • Raft Ride for families
  • Giant wave pool
  • Sports/Game Zone
  • Children’s play zones
  • Adults only lagoon

As you drive along the US-192 Highway to and from Disney, you can’t miss this water giant. Right next door is Sunset Walk.

Where: 3230 Inspiration Drive, Kissimmee, FL 34747.
Web: Island H2O Live!

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Discovery Cove

Discovery Cove might not be one of Orlando water parks in that sense. But it’s an awesome park and has water. How could it not make the list?

Discovery Cove is in its own category. It’s more exclusive than most parks as attendance is limited. It never feels really crowded.

It’s an all inclusive day covering all food and drink. When you take that into consideration, the hight ticket cost isn’t so bad for an incredible full day experience.

So lets start with the more unique aspects of the park. Dolphin Interactions. There are very few places that you can get up close and personal with these amazing creatures. Add this to your Orlando bucket list.

Orlando Theme Parks - Discovery Cove

We did it and totally loved every minute.

Take a dip in Grand Reef to swim and snorkel with tropical fish and rays.
Freshwater Oasis is where you’ll find playful otters and marmosets.
Head over to Explorer’s Aviery to see exotic birds or hand-feed parrots.
Ready to forget the world? Float your cares away on WindAway River.
Head over to Serenity Bay for a relaxing swim or soak up the sun on the beach.

As well as Dolphin encounters, there are several other upgrades you can splash out on.

  • SeaVenture is an underwater walking tour along the seabed wearing a bubble dive helmet. You’ll come face to face with sharks through an 8-foot-tall, 21-foot long panoramic window.
  • If you want to really get up close and personal with sharks, then SharkSwim is for you. Following a shark talk and training session, you’ll be able to swim freely alongside several species of sharks.
  • During Ray Feeding you’ll be able to feed Cownose and Southern Stingrays and thousands of tropical fish before venturing out on a private guided swim of The Grand Reef.

With animal encounters, water fun all day and exclusive experiences, Discovery Cove offers a unique day out for all ages.

Where: 6000 Discovery Cove Way, Orlando, FL 32821
Web: Discovery Cove


Adventure Island

Adventure Island, over in Tampa, can’t really be classed as an Orlando water park. But so many visit Busch Gardens, we had to include it.

Family friendly attractions include the 17,000 square foot Endless Surf Wave Pool. There’s an action packed adventure in Paradise Lagoon. A gentle float through a tropical forest on the Rambling Bayou lazy river. Splash Attack or Fabian’s Fun Port for great water fun.

Adrenaline rush rides include:

  • Colossal Curl. This funnel and wave ride takes up to 4 people on the same float.
  • Two riders can take the twisted Aruba Tuba or Calypso Coaster.
  • Go solo down the narrow dark tube that is the Caribbean Corkscrew.
  • Everglides involves a 72 foot drop, a floating toboggan and hydroplaning. Doesn’t take much imagination!

A volleyball complex on the white sands of Spike Park is available for the more energetic.

Add front of line access to your ticket to cut down on wait times. Cabanas and Chickee Huts are available for rent for a special treat.

Where: 10001 N Malcolm McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612
Web: Adventure Island

We hope you have some super splashing fun when you visit the Orlando water parks! Let us know which one you loved the most 🙂

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