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Waterpark Thrills

A confirmed coward takes on three Florida waterparks

By Missy Kavanaugh

> Adventure Island, Tampa
> Wet ’n Wild, Orlando
> Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon

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You may think that waterparks are all the same, right? Think again. No longer the push-off-and-stop-in-the-middle slides of my childhood, today’s waterparks are big business, especially when humidity and rising temperatures drive visitors and residents alike to the nearest swimmin’ hole.

I recently got a firsthand glimpse when my 7-year-old daughter Savannah and I visited three of Florida’s finest. And this confirmed coward can tell you, there was no stopping in the middle.

Adventure Island, Tampa

Adventure Island is a sister park to Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa, FL. We quickly spotted a pair of pink tunnel slides at the other end of a huge pool—each ended abruptly several feet from the water. Steeling my shaky legs, I made my way to the top. It was a LONG way down. Muttering a quick prayer, I pushed off. A second later I hit the water—fanny first. I looked back at my first conquered slide and deftly pulled my bathing suit back into place.

Next, we tried the Key West Rapids, a two- to three-person flume ride. From the top, we slid down sideways, backwards and frontways, screaming and laughing through the three legs of the slide. Our stomachs caught up with us at the third pool, before we were propelled forward down the final leg, an ominous drop into the finishing pool. Next we tried the Rambling Bayou and joined other guests floating lazily along the current, soaking up the afternoon sun on the winding river that carried us through a covered “rainforest” of mist and past gorgeous bougainvillea, bamboo and palm trees.

It’s a great park, with something for everyone: slides that range from thrilling to moderate to mild, a children’s interactive water playground, and plenty of places to eat and drink

Wet ’n Wild, Orlando
Kids can conquer The Bubble at
Wet ‘n Wild, Orlando.

The next morning found us in the wave pool at Wet ’n Wild in Orlando. Its swells create huge breaking waves, and I couldn’t resist the opportunity to teach my daughter how to body surf.

A quick tour made it clear that this park is serious about thrill seeking. Two attractions, Brain Wash and The Storm, hurl riders through winding enclosed tunnels before shooting them into wide spaces, where they either shoot to and fro (Brain Wash), or wildly circle a sink-like hole before being deposited into a fog-filled tub below (The Storm). Savannah and I proudly acknowledged our cowardice and moved on past a couple of men screaming like little girls as they shot down the vertical, 76-foot Bomb Bay body flume.

I next decided to face my fear on the Mach 5 slides, which reminded me of the ones from my childhood, only much higher—and much faster. I hadn’t expected the intense drops and sharp turns that shot me up onto the banks of the slide. It was unnerving, and totally exhilarating.

Wet ’n Wild is reminiscent of an old boardwalk, complete with surf shops and ice cream stands. There’s a children’s play area and plenty of thrill rides to keep your daredevils busy.

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
The Bubba Tub at Wet ‘n Wild, Orlando.

As we approached Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, a lush winding path opened up to a wide expanse, at the center of which stood a huge stone pinnacle with the wreck of a ship perched atop. Below glistened a wide blue lagoon that looked so refreshing beneath the mid-morning sun. That is, until it erupted into a huge wall of water that set off a round of cheers, screams—and frenzied swimming. We couldn’t wait to join in. Typhoon Lagoon also has a lazy river you can meander along. Its long course takes you through shady caverns and beneath rushing waterfalls.

Next we hit upon a submerged vessel jutting from a very deep body of water. Schools of fish, sea rays and, yes, sharks glided by, along with guests decked out in masks and snorkels. I donned mask and snorkel and set out on a journey across the saltwater pool. I let myself float in harmony with the fish beside me and the ray gliding just beneath my legs—close enough to reach out and touch had I dared.

Typhoon Lagoon carries with it the attention to detail that is Disney’s hallmark. Everything from budding flowers to the rope bridges traversing the winding lazy river on which friendly lifeguards stood smiling and waving.

Go get wet this year!

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