This is part 2 of my blog series on the “Splash-Up” hosted by Aquatica, SeaWorld’s waterpark in Orlando, Florida last week. In my first post, I talked about some of the unique things Aquatica has to offer guests, and then began sharing my impressions of the rides. In this post, I will pick up where I left off with the rides.
After I finished being funneled through the flumes of the Omaka Rocka, I decided it was time to check out what I call the “family slides.” Most of the rides at Aquatica are for a single rider or a pair of riders. Walhalla Wave & HooRoo Run, however, can take up to four riders at a time!
The Walhalla Wave is a twisting and turning flume ride that is sure to have you squeeling and laughing all the way through. As you take each new turn, the large raft washes up the side of the flume, increasing the thrill with each new “cut”. Then the raft enters a dark, enclosed tube with more twists and turns until it finally washes you and your riding companions into the landing pool. Since the raft is round and has no “front”, you can ride this slide over and over and it will never be the same ride twice.
HooRoo Run, which shares a lauch platform and landing pool with Walhalla Wave, is a straight flume with no turns. During the wicked-fast ride, three steep drops, each longer the the one before, accelerate you to a water-skimming landing in the pool six full stories below. Awesome. Hooroo, which means “goodbye” in New Zealand, is the perfect name for this slide. Sit down, hold on, and let the rest happen. Yeah baby!
The final ride of the day for me was the Taumata Racer. Taumata places eight riders side-by-side on mats. When the ride attendant give you the go-ahead, you line up at your slide and assume the start position. Then, when you are given the “go” command, you launch yourself into the tube along with your seven competitors in a race to the bottom. The slide starts out as a tube with a full 360-degree turn to either the left or the right. After the turn, all eight slides come back together, the tubes open up, and there is a mind-numbingly steep hill to the finish line! Each rider is timed, and the results of the race are shown for everyone to see. This ride is simply a hoot!
That wraps up my experience with the rides at Aquatica. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time during my short visit to try out Tassie’s Twisters, Roa’s Rapids, Loggerhead Lane, or the twin wave pools of Cutback Cove & Big Surf Shores. I will be sure to hit those attractions during my next visit to Aquatica.
Aquatica is a fantastic park with lots to do. There is something for everyone in the family, and many things for the entire family to do together. While I did not try them out myself, I am certain that my kids would simply love playing on the two areas designed just for the little ones in your family. I highly recommend this park, especially as part of a vacation that includes SeaWorld. SeaWorld Orlando is, by the way, our family’s favorite theme park.
In my final Splash-Up blog post, I will talk about the Splash-Up event itself. You all know my passion for new media, and SeaWorld’s digital media and customer relations staff is doing a fantastic job. Stay tuned.
