I finally made it to Aquatica! It was great. My husband and I went on Saturday, just the two of us. We were a little apprehensive to go to a water park. I had been to Wet N Wild in Orlando many years ago as a teenager. It was fun for me at that [...]]]>

Aquatica

I finally made it to Aquatica! It was great. My husband and I went on Saturday, just the two of us. We were a little apprehensive to go to a water park. I had been to Wet N Wild in Orlando many years ago as a teenager. It was fun for me at that time, but I actually thought it was something that I would not care to do as an adult. But when Aquatica was being built last year and we started seeing advertisements about it, my husband kept saying we should go. He had never been to a water park before at all.

So we went. I thought that since it is October, it would be sort of cool outside, but boy was I wrong. It’s hotter than ever this October. But for a water park, that is a good thing. It took us a few minutes to get our bearings- find lockers, locate a park map, etc. Once we rented a locker and stored our food, shoes, clothes, and towels, we headed to our first ride. I have to admit, just looking at them, I was a little afraid of some of the rides, especially the ones that send you through a tunnel. So, for the first ride, I chose one that we could ride on together. There are a few rides that two people can go down together, on one big raft. We went on the one called Roo Hoo, which the ride announcement said means “goodbye” in Australian. It was very fun, hardly scary at all. So, once we had that first one under our belts, we were not afraid anymore, but excited and hurrying to the next ride.

We are in our mid thirties and we absolutely loved our time at Aquatica. The park hours are currently 10:00 am to 5:00 pm- just enough time to have lots of fun and get quite tired. We brought our own lunch and only bought a small snack there. Aquatica can be enjoyed by people of all ages. We even saw grandmothers there, lounging at the beach and keeping an eye on the family bags and strollers, while the parents took the kids on rides. We would definitely go again, especially when we have kids to enjoy it with.

I have heard rumors about Sea World being sold for about a year now. It appears the discussion is heating up, because yesterday there were news crews outside of Sea World and Aquatica. And sure enough, the six o clock news had a story about the possibility of a sale. So things [...]]]>

Sea World Orlando

I have heard rumors about Sea World being sold for about a year now. It appears the discussion is heating up, because yesterday there were news crews outside of Sea World and Aquatica. And sure enough, the six o clock news had a story about the possibility of a sale. So things must be getting serious. The company mentioned as the potential buyer is Blackstone Group, the same company that owns fifty percent of Universal Orlando. That would make things interesting in the theme park world.

Buying Sea World also includes the purchase of Aquatica and Discovery Cove. Anheuser Busch previously owned the three parks as well as all other Sea World locations throughout the country. If you remember, Anheuser Busch and all of these parks, as well as the two Busch Gardens theme parks were just purchased by a company from Belgium last year called InBev.

What sparked the new buzz over a potential sale is that Sea World called a company meeting for all employees, which was held yesterday. The media got wind of it and assumed it must be about the sale of the company. But according to witnesses, there was no announcement about an impending change of hands. Sea World is not confirming anything. Blackstone is not either. But with this much attention, something will probably take place soon. In my opinion, it can only mean good things for tourism in Central Florida. Any company who can and will spend billions to purchase something will probably take care of it and try to make it even better.

I have to get to Aquatica. Working directly across the street from Sea World, I watched the new water park going up, literally. From the higher floors in my company’s building, I could see the various water slides growing larger and larger. The slides and tubes are so colorful that the park [...]]]>

Sea World's Aquatica

I have to get to Aquatica. Working directly across the street from Sea World, I watched the new water park going up, literally. From the higher floors in my company’s building, I could see the various water slides growing larger and larger. The slides and tubes are so colorful that the park can’t help but look like fun.

So why haven’t I gone yet? Well, as I watched the park being built, I also watched the traffic around the entrance building up. Let me tell you, that place has been packed! Who knew another water park in Orlando could draw in that much business and so soon. The firs week of the park opening, the place was packed. There were many days when it was closed by noon because it was full. I heard from a friend who did go in the first couple of months it was open, that the lines were very long.

Well, school is back in, which means some of the crowds will be going home, leaving more room for the people who do get to go Aquatica. Now is the time to go, when the lines will be shorter, but it’s still hot enough to not have to walk around all day shivering.

I’m not really sure what to expect, but I read on their website, that you can see lots of exotic fish, and it wouldn’t be a Sea World park if there weren’t dolphins. One of the rides takes you on a lazy river surrounded by huge tanks that you can see right into. The tanks are filled with colorful, exotic fish. Of course there are the thrill rides, too.

Well, I’ll go and let you know how it is. Stay tuned for an update with tips and pointers that you can use when you get to go to Aquatica.

Orlando, Florida is one of the best vacation destinations for families. Sure, there’s Tahiti, Bermuda, Europe- all beautiful places to visit. But the amount of family activities and sights to see in the Orlando area are endless. It’s hard enough for a couple to choose a vacation destination, but add in [...]]]>

Space Shuttle Launch

Orlando, Florida is one of the best vacation destinations for families. Sure, there’s Tahiti, Bermuda, Europe- all beautiful places to visit. But the amount of family activities and sights to see in the Orlando area are endless. It’s hard enough for a couple to choose a vacation destination, but add in a child or two and pleasing everyone becomes next to impossible.

Some people think that if they’ve been to the big theme parks that the Orlando area has to offer, then they have done all that there is to do. Wrong. There are new attractions popping up in the Central Florida area almost every year, even in this economy. Sea World added a new water park this year called Aquatica. Universal’s Islands of Adventure is currently working on a new park within a park called The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

But besides the parks, there are so many other things to do in the area. Have you ever been on an airboat ride? An airboat is different from a regular boat in that it hovers above the water instead of sitting in the water. Why this is key is that it allows the airboat, filled with passengers, to take you to places that a boat could not, because of the depth of the water. As a matter of fact, airboats can hover over land, too.

My first airboat ride was awesome. Yes, the engine is loud, but you get earplugs to help diminish the noise. But with hearing somewhat disabled, your other senses become more acute, especially the eyes. And boy, what sights can be seen on those everglades and other wetlands of Florida. I have seen alligators up close and personal, in the wild. I also watched the space shuttle launch from an airboat one time and it was a moment I will never forget. We were surrounded by nothing but nature- no telephone poles or wires, no satellite towers, nothing manmade visible except for the boat we were riding in. And then, suddenly, a blast of light appears on the horizon and you see how far we have come as a species. The contradiction of nature untouched by man and the advanced technology of space flight was a real trip for the mind.

So don’t put off coming back to Orlando because you have been. With airboat rides, Kennedy Space Center, Fort Christmas, Port Canaveral and all of the cruise ports it can lead to, you could come back every year and not see and do it all. And I haven’t even mentioned the beach. Orlando can be your every year vacation destination. It was for my family as a child and I have so many wonderful memories because of it.