My son and I were invited to Sea World Orlando’s Aquatica water park this last week. They are now giving swimming lessons at the park for $45 for passholders and $50 for the general public. You will receive 5 lessons that last 45 minutes each. The classes are limited to 6 students and you will always have the same teacher. You have the option to take the 5 lessons either consecutive Monday through Friday or for 5 Saturdays and there is a graduation at the end. Aquatica has a great environment for teaching and making it a fun experience.  

Kids heading to swimming lessons at Aquatica

Aquatica offers preschool aquatics, parent & child aquatics and Levels 1-5 of the Red Cross Learn to Swim program. To register for swimming lessons at Aquatica visit AquaticabySeaWorld.com.

Disclosure: Aquatica invited my family to the park for the day to inform us about the swimming lessons. All opinions are 100% ours.

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We checked in for the event and were guided to the Banana Beach Cookout, where we would be having dinner. Banana Beach Cook-Out is an all-you-care-to-eat restaurant featuring traditional burgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken and classic side items.

After eating we were greeted by Aquatica staff and informed about the new After-2 p.m. Pass. For slightly more than the cost of a single day’s admission, guests can enjoy Aquatica after 2 p.m. throughout the rest of 2010. With no blackout dates and unlimited admission to Aquatica after 2 p.m., Orlando’s coolest beach is a hit for all ages time after time. Whether it’s tiny tots splashing around in Kata’s Kookaburra Cove, teens sliding down Tamauta Racer or adults relaxing on the laid-back beaches, guests can enjoy Aquatica all year long. This is a great deal for Orlando area residents.

Loggerhead Lane

Then we were free to explore the park. Wanting to take things easy after eating we headed to Loggerhead Lane, the lazy river ride which takes you past some beautiful fish tanks. Loggerhead Lane was the shortest lazy river ride I’ve ever been on. It was also very crowded with lots of people and lots of empty tubes floating a long. Now we were ready to try something a little more adventurous so we headed to Roa’s Rapids. This adventure river zips guests through 1,500 feet of rapids, past geysers and through waterfalls at a speed three to four times faster than a typical waterpark river. Roa’s Rapids quickly became a family favorite, I can’t even tell you how many times we rode it. There are no tubes allowed on this quick moving river, though life jackets are available, you just pick your feet up and float along. I’ve never been on a ride like this and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Omaka Rocka-photo courtesy of Aquatica

Next we walked around the park to check out the slides…and burned the bottom of our feet on the HOT walkways. Aquatica does have the occasional spritz of water shooting out onto the walkways but there aren’t enough to keep from burning your feet. What Aquatica does have, that I haven’t seen at any other waterpark, are sneaker keepers at each ride. You know, like at a McDonald’s Play Place, we didn’t know this and our shoes were on the other side of the park when we realized this. Also, I probably wouldn’t have left my Crocs laying around with all the other shoes so here is a hint…when you visit Aquatica wear cheapo flip-flops to keep your feet from burning.

We looked at Omaka Rocka, Walhalla Wave & HooRoo Run but the lines were soooo long we chose not to ride. Instead we headed over to the 2 wave pools Cutback Cove and Big Surf Shores. Wave pools are classic waterpark fun and you have to have some fun bobbing in the waves. Our next stop was Walkabout Waters, even though my boys are 15 and 17 they LOVED playing here. I think it has something to do the being able to dump water on stranger’s heads, hee hee.

Walkabout Waters-photo courtesy of Aquatica

Next Ron and Aaron rode Dolphin Plunge while Jordan to another few laps on Loggerhead Lane. Then we finished our day with a few more trips around Roa’s Rapids. We had a fun time at Aquatica, though the park closing time of 7pm seemed awfully early on a Florida summer day. We will be back, some day…when public school is in session and the lines aren’t so long.

If you are planning a trip to the Orlando Area, check out Aquatica, a single-day ticket  for ages 10 and up is $47.95 (plus tax).

Disclaimer: My family and I enjoyed 3 hours at the waterpark as guests of Aquatica. We received dinner and a few small gifts while attending the event. All opinions are 100% mine.

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