SeaWorld Aquatica Waterpark in Chula Vista is a one-stop-shop for family entertainment.
“Aquatica is the perfect place for families to enjoy their summer,” said Carlos Cuevas, vice president of Aquatica at 2052 Entertainment Circle. “We really have something for everybody.”
Aquatica’s set to make a splash for a fourth season starting Memorial Day. The water-themed amusement park offers a compelling mix of high-speed thrills, a relaxing beachside resort atmosphere and up-close animal encounters.
New this year are even more guest conveniences and enhancements. Park upgrades include a new conveyer lifting rafts up to the top of Aquatica’s most-popular thrill slide, Tassie’s Twister.
Cuevas stressed guest’s “comfort” is paramount at Aquatica.
“Both our Lazy River and Wave Pool attractions are heated to 78 to 82 degrees,” he said adding the amusement park currently has 22 cabanas serving small groups of four to six people where “adults can relax and enjoy some privacy while their kids play.”
Cuevas noted cabana guests are served food and drinks by attendants.
New water park amenities this year also include more shade added in both beach and kid’s play areas, Cuevas said.
Aquatica attractions include:
• Big Surf Shores: Guests swim in more than 500,000 gallons of water on a 43,000-square-foot white sandy beach allowing visitors to relax on lawn chairs or in nearby cabanas.
• Walkabout Waters: This four-story interactive and colorful outdoor attraction features slides, hoses, jets and geysers.
• Kata’s Kookaburra Cove: Children’s free-swim area in a kooky, quirky cove.
• Slippity Dippity: Toddlers splash the day away exploring this attraction’s kid-sized slides.
• Loggerhead Lane: Guests can swim or float along in an inner tube down a winding 1,250-foot long lazy river with playful fountains.
Rides/Slides:
• Tassie’s Twister: Plunge down a 75-foot water slide in a multi-person raft through thousands of gallons of swirling water before dropping into a six-story funnel.
• Taumata Racer: A high-speed racing water slide on six side-by-side lanes down a 375-foot slide, around a 180-degree swooping turn, and in and out of tunnels before racing them across a finish line.
• Whanau Way: Boasting a 60-foot water slide complex featuring six slides, four enclosed and two open air.
• HooRoo Run: Two enclosed and two open-air slides await for a thrilling descent down this 80-foot ride.
• Woohoo Falls: Adventurers embark on one of three water slides with speedy twists and turns, including one in the dark for those up to the challenge.
• Kiwi Curl: Guests can ride down one of three 60-foot-tall water slides.
• Walhalla Wave: This 78-foot ride is designed for families to enjoy together in a gigantic tube.
Park animal exhibits include more than a dozen Caribbean flamingos, as well as a habitat with dozens of freshwater turtles featuring under- and above-water viewing.
Cuevas noted park amenities also include a quick-queue, front-of-the-line pass cutting down on ride waiting times. He added there are also three main restaurants to choose from offering everything from burgers and Mexican food, to chicken and pizza and pasta.
“New this year we’re adding an Italian ice cart,” Cuevas said adding, “We also offer a unique variety of mostly local craft beer, both on draft and in cans.”
Aquatica is open daily May 27 through Labor Day weekend, then will be open on weekends between Sept. 10 and Oct. 9.
Single-day admission is $44 for ages 10 and older; $38 for ages 3–9; free for children under 3. A season Splash Pass costs $44 (does not include parking); a premium season Aquatica Pass costs $89 (includes admission, parking and discounts on food and merchandise); memberships for both SeaWorld San Diego and Aquatica San Diego are available and start at $179.
