Florida Has Some of the World's Best Water Parks (2024)

You already know that Florida is the theme park capital of the world. And you're well aware that the state also has some wonderful roller coasters. But, dd you know that the state also boasts some of the planet's coolest water parks? It’s true.

Among the very best are Aquatica at SeaWorld Orlando, Volcano Bay at Universal Orlando, and the two parks at Disney World, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. What's more, a few of Florida's water parks are the only ones in the U.S. that are open throughout the year. (Well,outdoorwater parks anyhow. There are indoor water parks in other parts of the country that are open year round).

Most of the bigger water parks are located in Central Florida near the major theme parks, but there are places to get wet throughout the state. Parks are arranged alphabetically.

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Adventure Island in Tampa

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Adventure Island is a largepark located nearBusch Gardens Tampaand operated by the same owner, SeaWorld Parks.Attractions includetube slides, body slides, toboggan slides, a speed slide, mat-racing slides, family raft rides, a wave pool, an interactive water play center with splash bucket, an activity pool, a lazy river, volleyball courts, and play areas for younger kids.

Adventure Island requires separate admission from Busch Gardens Tampa, but the park offers discounted package deals that combine admission to any combination of the water park plus SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, and/or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

For 2022, the park will be welcoming the new attraction, Rapids Racer. Two rafts will compete in side-by-side slides. Adventure Island will also repurpose its Wahoo Run family raft ride with a new soundtrack and synchronized lights and rename it Wahoo Remix. The park will expand its operating calendar in 2022 and remain open year round.

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Aquatica in Orlando

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Aquatica is a huge, highly themed park located nearSeaWorld Orlandoand operated bySeaWorld Parks. Attractions includetube slides, body slides, raft slides,bowl rides, mat-racing slides,family raft rides, wave pools, activity pool, a lazy river, an action river, live animals, interactive water play center, and play areas for younger kids.

Aquatica requires separate admission from SeaWorld Orlando (and from Discovery Cove, SeaWorld's dolphin experience park). As with Adventure Island, the park offers discounted package deals that combine admission to any combination of the water park plusSeaWorld Orlando, Adventure Island, and/or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.Aquatica is open year round.

In 2022, Aquatica will remodel its Dolphin Plunge water slide and rename it Reef Plunge. Passengers will soar in clear, acrylic tubes through an underwater habitat filled with sharks, dolphins, schools of sardines, and other sea life.

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Big Kahuna's in Destin

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Big Kahuna's is a good-sized park with a lazy river,aFlowRidersurfing attraction,speed slides, body slides, a wave pool, a kids interactiveplay area, mini-golf, and a Skycoaster.It is open seasonally.

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Blizzard Beach in Lake Buena Vista at Walt Disney World Resort

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One of twoWalt Disney Worldwater parks, (the other is Typhoon lagoon, listed below) Blizzard Beach is a large, well-themed park. Attractions include an enormous speed slide (which just may be the most thrilling attraction in all of Disney World), a lazy river, a wave pool, a mat racing slide, tube slides, body slides, a family raft ride, and interactive water play areas for younger kids.

Blizzard Beach requires separate admission from the theme parks. When both water parks are open, a daily pass allows guests admission to both parks in the same day. The water park is open year round, although it does close for a couple of weeks in the winter for an annual refurbishment.

Buccaneer Bay in Weeki Wachee Springs

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Located inWeeki Wachee Springs State Park, the small water park offerswater slides, speed slides, a lazy river, and a large, spring-fed pool.Buccaneer Bay is open most of the year, but takes a break from early February through mid-March. The park is includedin admission to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, which also includes the famous mermaid shows.

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CoCo Key Orlando Water Resort in Orlando

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CoCo Key is a medium-sized park that offersbody slides, tube slides, an interactive water play center, a zero-entry toddler pool, and a teen pool. It is open to registered hotel guests as well as to the general public based on availability.CoCo Key is open year round.

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Daytona Lagoon in Daytona Beach

Daytona Lagoon is a medium-sized parkwithan interactive kids' water play area, wave pool, tube slides, body slides, speed slides, and lazy river. Part of a family entertainment center, the facility also offers go-karts, a rock wall, laser tag, and mini-golf. The fun park is open year-round. The water park is open seasonally.

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Island H2O Live in Kissimmee

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Opened in 2019, Island H2O Live is a major park and yet another option to get wet and wild in Central Florida. Its attractions include a near-vertical drop speed slide, a half-pipe slide, a mat-racing slide, a lazy river, a bowl slide, a wave pool, and an area for younger children. Located at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville Resort Orlando, the complex also includes a hotel, a spa, and a shopping, dining, and entertainment district. The water park features DJs and live music and includes lots of social media-friendly opportunities.

Continue to 9 of 16 below.

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Legoland Florida Water Park in Winter Haven

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Legoland Water Park is medium-sized withtube slides, body slides, racing slides, a speed slide, a wave pool, a lazy river, an interactive water play center, and play areas for younger kids.It requires separate admission from Legoland and can only be purchased in combination with passes to thetheme park. The water parkis open seasonally.

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Rapids Water Park in West Palm Beach

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Rapids Water Park is a large park with a lazy river, wave pool, children's play area, funnelride, FlowRider surfing ride, launchcapsule slides, family raft rides, multi-lane mat-racing slide, body slides, tube slides.It is open seasonally.

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Sam's Fun City in Pensacola

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Sam's Fun City is a medium-sized park with tube slides, body slides, activity pools, and a lazy river. The family entertainment center also includes go-karts, amusem*nt rides, mini-golf, and bumper boats. The water park is known as "Surf City." The dry rides are open year round. The water park is open seasonally.

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Shipwreck Island in Panama City Beach

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Shipwreck Island is a medium-sized park with a wave pool, lazy river, family raft ride, speed slide, body slides, tube slides, and a play area for kids. It is open seasonally.

Continue to 13 of 16 below.

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Shipwreck Island at Adventure Landing in Jacksonville Beach

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Shipwreck Island is a medium-sized park with an uphill water coaster, halfpipe ride, bowl slide, wave pool, lazy river, tube and body slides, and a kiddie cove. The family entertainment center also includes mini-golf, laser tag, a kiddie roller coaster, and go-karts.The dry rides are open year round. The water park is open seasonally.

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Sun Splash Family Waterpark in Cape Coral

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Sun Splash is a small park with waterslides, activity and family pools, otter slides, speed slides, an inner tube river, and a children's play area.It is open seasonally.

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Typhoon Lagoon in Lake Buena Vista at Walt Disney World Resort

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Typhoon Lagoon is a huge, highly themed park with a water coaster, a lazy river, body slides, tube slides, speed slides, a family raft ride, and an enormous wave pool.

Like Blizzard Beach, itrequires separate admission from the theme parks. When both of the water parks are open, a ticket allows guests admission to both parks in the same day. Typhoon Lagoon is open year round, although it does close for a couple of weeks in the winter for an annual refurbishment.

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Volcano Bay in Orlando at Universal Orlando

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Volcano Bay is a huge, highly themed park located at Universal Orlando. The centerpiece is a 200-foot tall volcano which includes theKrakatau Aqua Coaster. Other attractions include some of the world’s scariest speed slides (seriously!), family raft rides, a multi-directional wave pool, body slides, and tube slides. All guests get a complimentary Tapu Tapu wearable device which eliminates lines for the attractions. Volcano Bay requires separate admission from the theme parks.It is open year round.