Aquatica Orlando is SeaWorld's water park, across International Drive, and it stands apart from the Disney and Universal water parks in one way: it mixes slides with animals. On one of its slides you shoot through a clear tube in the middle of an aquatic habitat, and the lazy river passes a fish habitat. It also has a huge white-sand beach and two wave pools side by side. This guide covers how much Aquatica Orlando tickets cost with prices from its website as of November 11, 2026, which rides suit which ages, how to get there and how it compares with the city's other water parks.
What you need to know
- Fixed-date one-day ticket. $39.99 on the official site (list price $114.99).
- Parking. From $35 per car, extra.
- Hours. They change through the year; in winter some days it closes or opens for fewer hours. Check before you go.
- Where. On International Drive, across from SeaWorld Orlando.
- Who it suits. Families, especially with kids 4 to 14; there are areas for little ones and big slides for teens.
Ticket prices
Aquatica belongs to United Parks & Resorts, like SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, and almost always has a discount off the list price. These were the published rates in November 2026:
| Ticket | Price | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| One day, fixed date | $39.99 | Valid only on the chosen day |
| One day with all-day dining | $74.99 | An entrée, a side or dessert and a drink every 90 minutes |
| Any day | $82.99 | One visit within 6 months |
| SeaWorld + Aquatica | $86.99 total | Second visit within 14 days of the first |
| 2027 Aquatica Fun Card | $89.99 | Unlimited visits in 2027, with blockout dates |
The comparison that matters: the fixed-date ticket costs less than half the any-day one. If you can commit to a date, buy it that way; Orlando's summer rain comes in the afternoon and rarely ruins a whole water-park day.
The SeaWorld combo at $86.99 total is the best deal if you were planning to see the marine park anyway; it works out to under $45 per park. And if you're paying for Discovery Cove, its "+parks" packages can include Aquatica at no extra cost.
What's at Aquatica: rides by age
For thrill-seekers. Ihu's Breakaway Falls has capsule slides: you stand inside, the floor drops away and you fall almost vertically. KareKare Curl launches you on a tube into a funnel that climbs a wall. Riptide Race is a racing slide where you compete against the person next to you.
The animal slide. Reef Plunge, formerly Dolphin Plunge, is the one everyone wants to try: you descend through a clear tube that crosses a habitat with marine animals. You go by fast, so you sense them more than see them; the fun is in the idea.
For the whole family. Ray Rush and Walhalla Wave are multi-person raft slides with medium thrills. Loggerhead Lane is the lazy river, which passes through a grotto with a view into a fish habitat. The two wave pools, Cutback Cove and Big Surf Shores, sit side by side, surrounded by the white-sand beach of more than 7,000 square meters.
For small children. There are play areas with small slides, sprays and dumping buckets, in very shallow water. Kids who don't meet the height for the big slides have plenty to fill a day.
Each slide has a minimum height and some a maximum weight; they're posted online and at each ride's entrance.
What's the best water park in Orlando?
Orlando has three major ones, each strong in something different:
- Volcano Bay (Universal). The most modern slides and a virtual queue system with no physical lines. Requires separate Universal admission.
- Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach (Disney). Disney theming and, at Typhoon Lagoon, one of the largest wave pools in the country. They're more expensive.
- Aquatica (SeaWorld). The best price, the best sand beach and the animal element. Ideal for families with school-age kids.
On a tight budget, Aquatica is the logical choice. If you want cutting-edge slides and are already going to Universal, Volcano Bay.
How to get to Aquatica
Aquatica is at 5800 Water Play Way, off International Drive, across from SeaWorld. From I-Drive hotels it's 5 to 10 minutes by car or Uber. From the Disney area, about 20 minutes on I-4. From Orlando's airport, about 20 to 25 minutes.
Without a car, the budget option is the I-Ride Trolley, which runs along International Drive and stops near SeaWorld and Aquatica. Some hotels in the area offer park shuttles; ask at the front desk whether they're included or paid.
An ideal day at Aquatica
Arrive 30 minutes before opening and stow your things in a locker. Head first to Ihu's Breakaway Falls and KareKare Curl, which build lines by mid-morning. Then Reef Plunge and the family rafts. Around noon, when the sun bites and lines grow, switch to what has no wait: the lazy river, the wave pools and the beach. Eat early, before 12, to avoid packed counters. The afternoon is for repeating your favorites as the crowds start to leave.
If you'll come back more than once in the year, look at the combined SeaWorld and Aquatica Fun Card, which in November 2026 cost $144.99 for unlimited visits to both parks in 2027, parking not included.
When to go
Aquatica operates nearly year-round, but in winter hours are reduced and some days it may close; the pools are kept warm, but the air can be 15 °C (59 °F) in the morning. The ideal season is April to October. In July and August the park fills up and the heat is intense; arrive at opening and do the big slides first.
Summer afternoon thunderstorms force rides to close while lightning is nearby, sometimes for an hour. That's another reason to favor the morning.
Tips to avoid overspending
Rent a locker on arrival: those near the wave pools go fast. Bring water-resistant sunscreen and apply it before you go in; inside it costs triple. Wear water shoes: the pavement burns at midday. Private cabanas are expensive but, for large groups, guarantee shade and a fixed base for your things. And if you'll eat inside, compare the price of the ticket with all-day dining: with two meals and drinks, it pays for itself.
Frequently asked questions
How much is admission to Aquatica Orlando?
The fixed-date one-day ticket cost $39.99 on the official site in November 2026; the any-day ticket, $82.99. Parking is extra.
What is there at Aquatica Orlando?
Slides such as Ihu's Breakaway Falls, KareKare Curl and Reef Plunge, two wave pools, a lazy river, a white-sand beach and areas for young children.
What is the best water park in Orlando?
It depends: Volcano Bay has the most modern slides, Typhoon Lagoon a huge wave pool and Aquatica the best price plus the animal element.
Is Aquatica open year-round?
Almost, but in winter it has reduced hours and some closed days. Check the calendar on its website.
How much is parking at Aquatica?
From $35 per car and $38 for preferred parking, depending on the season.