Page 21 - 2024-2025 Travel Guide to Florida

Aquatica, SeaWorld Orlando’s water park, features high-speed water slides, exhila- rating wave pools, and 80,000 square feet of sandy artificial beaches to the delight of all ages. This one-of-a-kind water park plans to debut Tassie’s Underwater Twist, an immersive water slide in spring 2024. This attraction incorporates video projections, synchronized displays, and an orchestral score, simulating Australia’s Shark Bay seagrass meadow journey. Promising exhila- rating twists, it’s an experience crafted for thrill-seekers, leaving lasting family memories. Aquatica, celebrating its 15th year, highlights the slide’s 129-foot length with a bowl element, accommodating two- person inner tubes, adjacent to the Logger- head Lane lazy river.
BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is the undisputed king of coasters in West Central Florida with world-class coasters: Kumba, Montu, Iron Gwazi, and the newest Phoenix Rising set to launch in spring. Feel the rush of a legendary flight in this immersive family- friendly roller coaster that promises a blaze of excitement, inspired by the phoenix legend. For younger guests, the park offers two mellower rides, SandSerpent and Air Grover.
Of course, Busch Gardens Tampa is much more than roller coasters. It’s also one of the country’s premiere zoos.
At the park’s state-of-the-art Animal Care Center, guests can observe animal care first- hand and even take part in animal-care experiences ranging from nutrition and treatments to X-rays and surgeries.
UNIVERSAL ORLANDO
Universal Orlando Resort sets the stage for an enchanting experience with its upcoming themed land dedicated to DreamWorks Animation’s cherished charac- ters. Expect vibrant colors, interactive play areas, and attractions featuring favorites like Shrek, Trolls, and Kung Fu Panda. This 2024 addition underscores Universal’s dedication to immersive storytelling, promising unforgettable moments for guests of all ages.
Harry Potter fans will want to experience Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike
Adventure. Board magical motorbikes to fly far into the dark forest past Hogwarts Castle, towering trees and magical creatures, while dodging fierce beasts. At 50 mph, it will rocket you forward, sling you backward and drop you—with a free-fall vertical dropping you nearly 17 feet.
At Islands of Adventure, the Jurassic World VelociCoaster takes you for a high-speed dash as you feel the rush of the hunt racing alongside a pack of velociraptors, twisting and soaring above the land and water.
Guests can’t get enough of Volcano Bay, Universal Orlando’s third theme park. Unlike Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida, Volcano Bay, featuring Krakatau, the 200-foot volcano overlooking a South Pacific Island, is all about getting wet. The volcano is home to the park’s Krakatau Aqua Coaster, an exciting coaster that propels you upward and downward through the volcano’s interior peaks and valleys. Volcano Bay offers more than 30 experiences including a multi-directional wave pool with sandy beaches and twisting multi-rider raft rides. Take the Ko’okiri Body Plunge, a 70-degree, 125-foot fall through a trap door, or relax on the Kopiko Wai Winding River.
WALT DISNEY WORLD
With spectacular views, the Disney Skyliner aerial gondolas offer convenient connec- tions with four Disney Resort hotels, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot, via five stations.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you may find yourself shrunk to the size of a toy to explore the world of Andy’s backyard with your favorite Toy Story characters in Toy Story Land. This area also showcases Slinky Dog Dash—a family roller coaster. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a trackless dark ride located inside a replica of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. With conductor Goofy, be prepared for unexpected twists, slapstick gags and incredible transformations as Mickey and Minnie try to save the day. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge features two ride options: Being part of a six-person crew on “Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run” where you walk through a full-sized replica of the Millennium Falcon and then climb into the cockpit where Hondo Ohnaka leads a secret mission. A cast member hands each person their role assignment—a pilot, gunner or engineer. “Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance” is a massive, multi-platform attraction, unlike anything else at Disney World. Guests are in an epic battle between the
MAGIC KINGDOM PARK, WALT DISNEY RESORT ORLANDO • WALT DISNEY WORLD/KENT PHILLIPS
2024-25 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA 19