Water Mania will cool you down.
Written: Jun 05 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Getting away from Disney. Fantastic on a hot day.
Cons: Paying for 'extras'. On a hot day could be very crowded.
The Bottom Line: If you don't mind paying for parking, admission, lockers, tubes, towels, and a refundable deposit, then this is a fun place. Be prepared for crowds.
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| Susie-34668's Full Review: Water Mania |
So was I missed? I have just come back from 8 days in Orlando. Of course I did the 4 Disney parks, SeaWorld, and the Outlet Malls, but I finally got to play at a water park.
Water Mania, on W Irlo Bronson Hwy (192). Can you believe a couple of years ago Len and I were given free passes to this place. We decided to go and even paid the $5 parking fee, at that time. Went in, and looked around. There were so many children there, running around, that we did a quick walk and decided to leave.
So what was different this time. We had spent 5 days doing the theme parks and our feet were feeling the strain. Our timeshare often gives us coupons or promotions. We had a free pass for one day, for us to 6 people. The representative who gave it to us, had said that he took his family and just did the 'lazy rides'. I didn't even know that there were any. He even suggested that we park in the huge parking lot at Shoney's restaurant. Now, I didn't tell you that. Although you will save $6 on parking.
I had already said to Len, that we would only stay a couple of hours, because I knew it wasn't his cup of tea. We parked way away from Shoney's, and walked the short distance to the entrance. We gave them our certificate and they wanted I.D., which we were happy to show them. Note. No security check.
From here we wanted a locker to put our clothes, shoes, and my purse in. I looked up at the board for prices and was amazed. Now families had already paid for parking, to get in, and here they wanted more money.
$4 for the small locker. $6 for the larger one. A $5 returnable deposit for each locker. Tubes for the rides were either $5 or $6 a piece, but it stated that you could wait in line for the limited free ones at each ride. There was also a charge for towels. By now I am feeling that tourists are wondering where their money was disappearing to.
We hired the small one and managed to get our bits and pieces in it. We then took our bags with towels and sun lotion and found a couple of chairs to put them on.
So we looked for the lazy river type ride. It was called CRUISIN' CREEK. We stood and watched dozens of kids and big kids laying, sitting, and holding onto the tubes. Others that didn't have them were just going with the flow of the river. It is circular so people could stay on as long as they wanted. We probably waited 5 minutes for the people ahead of us to get their tubes. Then 2 came together. We grabbed them and I jumped onto the edge of mine. Sat on it, then let my bottom slid into the middle of the tube. What perfection. I got ahead of Len, so grabbed onto the edges and waited for him. When he caught up he held onto my tube and we went around together. It was great fun. We must have floated along the 850 foot ride 5 or 6 times. When it was time to get off we weren't quick enough and passed the steps, where people were waiting. We let go of our tubes walked and floated back to the start. Everyone had fun on this ride. The water was around 3 feet 9 inches, which made us feel comfortable.
From here Len decided to lay out in the sun and dry off. I headed to the WHITECAPS WAVE POOL. The waves were in full swing when I got in. I loved swimming into them. I stayed around 5 feet depth, but the pool went up to 8 feet. People who went out to this depth on tubes were checked to make sure they could swim. Young children were not allowed out of their depth, even if they could swim. There were lifeguards checking them. I stayed in when the waves stopped, and waited for the next ones. By the time the second ones were completed, the pool was really full, so I decided it was time to leave.
These were the only 2 I tried out, but I did walk around the entire park and here are a few details about other rides.
WIPE OUT. This is were you use a body board and capture perfect waves.
THE DOUBLE BERZERKER. These are side by side slides that plunge 72 feet.
TWIN TORNADOES. These look amazing. They are flumes that turn and twist. You come down on a mat. This ride is 320 feet.
THE ABYSS. These are two slide that are completely closed in.
THE ANACONDA. This one is 14 feet wide, and is a family slide. It turns and twists for 400 feet of fun.
BANANA PEEL.
RIPTIDE.
For the children.
RAIN FOREST
RAIN TRAIN
ELECTRIC ARCADE
BIRTHDAY LAND
There is also a new ride called RAIN ROCK MOUNTAIN. I have no details on this one.
Coolers are allowed, but no alcohol. In an area called THE WOODS, there is a picnic area, which is shaded, and a playground for the children.
A little more about this water park.
The prices on the Epinions site are incorrect. It is not $25.95 for adults and children. The correct price is $19.95 + tax = $21.35 for adults. $16.95 + tax = $18.14 for children (3-9 years). 2 and under are free. They ask that little ones that are not potty trained use a swimming diaper (nappy). If you do not have one, they can be purchased from their shop. Season pass $49.95 + tax = $53.45. Parking $6.
If you go to the website www.watermania.com you can print out coupons. $6 off the adult price for up to 6 people, and $3 of the price of children's admittance for up to 6 kids.
The full address is 6073 W Irlo Bronson Hwy, Kissimmee, Fl 34747. They are open from March until October. In May the times were 10am to 5pm, but telephone first because they do change at different times of the year. The telephone numbers are 1-800-527-3092 and 1-407-396-2626.
Directions. This water park is by Marker 8 on W Irlo Bronson Hwy (192). It is east of the 192 entrance to Disney, and just half a mile from interstate 4 , exit 64A.
Hope I have given you some help if you are planning a Disney trip, and just want to get away from all the concrete for a day. This would be wonderful in the height of the summer season. However, I would assume it would be extremely crowded.
Thanks for reading and have a happy summer.
Susie.
Recommended:
Yes
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