It’s summertime and that means it is officially water park season!
With everyone looking to escape the high heat and humidity, water parks in Florida are not hard to find- you just want to make sure you pick a good one!
Luckily, the Sunshine State has plenty of family-friendly options for all ages and interests.
(Check out these other water parks near Philadelphia for even more kid-friendly fun!)
Whether it’s your first time at a water park or you’re looking for something new to do in Florida this summer, we’ve got you covered with these 8 water park picks.
The faster we get started, the faster you can cool off and enjoy some good old fashioned family fun!
Here we go!
1. Adventure Island
Tampa, Florida
Adventure Island water park is home to America’s first dual tailspin waterslide, the Solar Vortex!
Experience quick turns and rapid descents on this thrilling family raft slide.
You can even reach sliding speeds of up to 20 miles per hour!
Take a relaxing float around the lazy river or play around in the 17,000 square foot wave pool.
Adventure Island water park has something for every age group and thrill level!
Fabian’s Fun Port and Splash Attack are great spots for younger kids to splash around, while the older thrill seekers can enjoy an epic free-fall on Vanish point or the high-speed Caribbean Corkscrew.
If you’re looking for some food or snacks after swimming under Florida’s hot sun, you’ll have plenty to choose from.
Adventure Island offers pizza, burgers, tacos, churros, chicken strips, fries- you name it!
There’s also a delicious grill that serves up tasty favorites like grilled chicken, steak, and fajitas.
Wash it all down with a cold beverage and head back out for more fun in the sun!
At this water park, there are plenty of rides, slides, and yummy meals to go around!
2. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
Orlando, Florida
If you’re looking for a water park experience sprinkled with a little Disney magic, take a ride through Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon!
As home to one of the largest wave pools found in North America, there is plenty of excitement to go around!
You’ll also find that there are a wide variety of hotels and Walt Disney World resorts nearby this great water adventure spot.
At Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, there are 12 different water rides that will delight guests of all ages! Choose from the Crush ‘n’ Gusher, Humunga Kowabunga, Storm Slides, Keelhaul Falls, and many more.
Little one’s can splash around at Ketchakiddee Creek and take aim with a kid-friendly water cannon on the S.S. Squirt Tugboat.
There’s also the Crush ‘n’ Gusher leisure pool, which is great for swimmers of all ages!
Feeling hungry after all that splashing? You won’t be for long! At Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, there are ten delicious places to find food and drinks- including two quick service restaurants, five snack stands, and three bars.
To top it all off, there are also beverage refill stations all across the water park.
With so many great attractions at Typhoon Lagoon, it is hard to pick a favorite!
3. Rapids Water Park
Riviera Beach, Florida
This water park has one goal in mind- to bring you water fun your whole family will love!
At Rapids Water Park, you’ll find water slides for all ages. From thrill rides to family rides to kid rides, this Rapids Water Park has it all!
At this Florida water park, you can choose from 42 wet and wild slides and attractions!
Get down and splash around at the Splish Splash Lagoon water play area or enjoy some refreshing time on the quarter mile long Lazy River.
If you’re looking to catch a couple of waves, you’ll love the FlowRider surf simulator and the 25,000 square foot Big Surf wave pool! Just be prepared- Big Surf waves can reach as high as 6 feet tall!
If you are more of a daring water slide rider, be sure to hop on the giant funnel ride Big Thunder.
Another thrilling favorite is Black Thunder, which takes you on an exciting ride through rapid twists and turns in complete darkness!
If you enjoy feeling that stomach-dropping sensation, Pirates Plunge is the ride for you.
There are also plenty of places to grab a snack or drink throughout this Florida water park, so that you’ll never go hungry.
And if you accidentally forget something like your towel or sunglasses, you can stop by the Tobago Trading Post for anything you might need to make your water park experience a successful one!
4. Disney’s Blizzard Beach
Orlando, Florida
Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park offers attractions for the whole family and for all different thrill levels.
This themed water park features a unique snowstorm theme, making it possible for you to enjoy the summer heat while also relaxing on a frosty ‘Blizzard Beach’!
At Disney’s Blizzard Beach, you’ll find 7 water slides, a chairlift ride, kiddie play area, lazy river, and a wave pool.
From the high-speed Summit Plummit with a crazy 12-story drop to Teamboat Springs, a family whitewater raft ride- you’re sure to have a blast!
Come hungry because there are plenty of great places to grab a quick snack, yummy meal, or refreshing drink throughout this water park. You’ll love this snowy summer wonderland!
5. Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Theme Park
Orlando, Florida
Volcano Bay is surely a water park enthusiasts dream! This Florida park is great for single riders, groups, and even families with little ones.
With plenty of slides and water rides to choose from, you’re sure to have a wet n’ wild time!
This water park has a tropical theme with a giant volcano towering in the middle of it all. Get ready for a screaming fun time on the Kala and Ta Nui Serpentine Body Slides, where you’ll be dropped into the tube slides through a door in the floor.
The Krakatau Aqua Coaster is a blast for riding together as a group of four or check out the Maku for a high-speed six-person raft ride.
Looking to chill and go with the flow? Waturi Beach is the perfect place to swim, splash, and relax next to the shimmering water.
You’ll also love the Reef leisure pool, complete with peace and a lovely private waterfall.
PLUS, all the rides at Volcano Bay Water Theme Park feature a Virtual Line. No more long waits and baking under the hot sun while standing in line!
You simply tap in to reserve a ride time and then you can swim, splash, float, eat, shop, or relax until it’s your time to ride!
We didn’t forget about the food! Volcano Bay has over 60 tasty and unique menu items to choose from, not to mention menu items inspired by the South Pacific.
You won’t have to miss out on any fun flavors and kid-friendly dishes at this water park!
6. Sun Splash Family Waterpark
Cape Coral, Florida
Sun Splash Family Waterpark in Cape Coral is a water lovers paradise!
In fact, it’s the largest water park found in Southwest Florida.
With 14-acres of water attractions and something fun for everyone, you’re sure to have the time of your life!
Ride a single or double tube through the dark tunnels of Cape Fear or speed down the Zoom Flume from a 30-foot-high tower!
Here you’ll also find the X-celerator, which is classified as the most extreme ride in the park! It’s the steepest and fastest attraction at Sun Splash Family Waterpark, dropping riders down a five-story tall open chute slide at speeds of up to 30 mph!
For a bit less extreme fun, families can cool off together in the family pool and splash under the gentle shower of the mushroom-shaped Rain Tree.
Young water park adventurers will also love the gushers and geysers found in Pirate’s Cove!
There’s also a sandy volleyball court!
As for food, you can munch and snack your heart out at the Calypso Cafe, Tiki Express, and the Ice Cream Shop.
You’ll find hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, wraps, Italian ice, and much more to enjoy!
7. Discovery Cove
Orlando, Florida
If you’re looking to see a variety of marine animals and wildlife, Discovery Cove water theme park is your number one choice for water park fun.
This water park is located right next door to SeaWorld Orlando and is an absolute dream!
Discovery Cove features attractions that are a bit different from the usual slides and swimming pools.
Here you can swim with dolphins, relax on white sandy beaches, snorkel with tropical fish, or get up close and personal with sting rays.
You can see sharks, walk with flamingos, hand-feed colorful birds, and much more. Book a dolphin swim and you can even get a kiss from one of their sweet snouts!
This park also offers all-inclusive food and drink, so no need to bring your own. You can walk up to any one of the many snack bars and grab a lemonade and a pretzel- anytime and as many as you can eat!
They also provide unlimited sunscreen and towels.
Fill your day with animal encounters and snorkeling adventures or relax under a cabana and take a swim in one of the tropical lagoons- the choice is yours. Either way, you won’t regret it!
8. Weeki Wachee Springs
Spring Hill, Florida
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park has been entertaining since 1947!
With that many years of exciting experiences, this park knows how to make your day an unforgettable one!
You can enjoy splashing, swimming, and snorkeling. You can even watch as mermaids perform, dance, and delight underwater!
Weeki Wachee Springs has a bunch of different wonders and attractions all rolled into one wonderful park!
You can paddle or take a boat tour down the Weeki Wachee River, watch the underwater mermaid show, or splash the day away at Buccaneer Bay!
Buccaneer Bay features a sandy white beach, crystal-clear spring water, and two tremendous waterslides!
You’ll love the rush of adrenaline you feel while sliding down the Cannonball and Pirate’s Revenge flumes. Lil’ Mates Caribbean Cove is the perfect water play area for little ones.
You and your family are sure to have a great day at the bay!
Time to Splash the Day Away!
If you are looking for a way to cool off, escape the Florida heat, or just have some family fun in the sun, these 8 water parks should fit the bill.
Be sure to check out Destinations Travel Guide for even more exciting summer adventures! Happy splashing!
