SeaWorld’s water park: Aquatica

Opened in 2008, Aquatica takes water parks to the next level. Many of the traditional elements of outdoor water parks are here, but Aquatica manages to do them bigger and better.

For example, the park's lazy river is actually part of a larger ride called the Tassie Twister. There is an even larger river ride called the Roa Rapids, in which visitors in life vests can feel themselves being pulled along with the rapidly flowing current. Aquatica's beach and wave pool is also extensive, with plenty of sand and surf. The brightly colored Kids area is equally impressive, with multiple levels, slides, water cannons and oversized water dumping buckets.

Combining elements of its sister park SeaWorld, Aquatica features a unique attraction where riders can plunge through a clear tube and see dolphins swimming around them. The Dolphin Plunge is Aquatica's premier attraction, but younger visitors who don't make the ride's 48 inch height minimum can still see the dolphins in a special walk through aquarium.

For ticket information on Aquatica, visit the AquaticabySeaWorld.com Web site.