6/24/2010 Aquatica Splash-Up

June 26, 2010 Denise

It’s hard to believe that it’s been over two years since I’ve been to Aquatica, when I was invited to a service industry event by Orlando Fun Tickets prior to the grand opening. That was one of my most popular articles (the first being my Cinderella’s Castle Suite stay) with over 200 photos. It was too cold to do anything else that day! I was on Twitter last week when an invite for the Splash-Up event at Aquatica was announced. We signed up quickly, I’d wanted to get back there since I first visited – but being in Orlando, there is so much to do and limited time and funds to do it all.

Upon arrival, there was a sign for the Splash-Up and we were given a few items such as a combo sunblock/lip balm and pen. We also had a wristband which was good at their all-you-can-eat restaurant, the Banana Beach Cookout. The reception was to start at 4pm and we had until 7pm to play in the park after that.

We were walked to the Splash-Up reception at the Banana Beach Cookout. I’d not eaten there the first time I visited, and it was nice to get to try it out. The food is pretty standard picnic fare – burgers, hot dogs, chicken drumsticks, barbecued pork, corn, salads. For $19.95, it’s a really great value for all-you-can eat if you are staying a full day in the park. Fountain drinks (Pepsi products) are included and there were brownies for dessert.

An anteater and kookaburra were waiting in the wings for everyone to meet:

The Vice President of Aquatica came and spoke with us for a few minutes, and then we were able to take pictures of and with the animals. We were told that there was a new after 2pm pass for Florida Residents which only costs $2.00 more than the regular price. I looked it up online and it doesn’t include parking – the best bet for anyone with a car is to have one guest with a standard annual pass. The passes for Sea World/Busch Gardens/Aquatica are a really great value! There are 38 attractions at Aquatica, and not nearly enough time in a day to see them all. My favorite that we tried was probably Roa’s Rapids, it’s a unique attraction with swift currents (no tubes) and incredibly warm water on the day we visited.