Unbelievably, one year has gone by since Aquatica opened its high speed water slides, exhilarating wave pools, tranquil beaches, and fun animal habitats. The water park, located across the street from SeaWorld Orlando, celebrated its one year anniversary this past Saturday, and though the park has gotten older, you’d never know it from the amount of fun it offers through countless underwater adventures and awe-inspiring animal exhibits.

One of the most fun and exciting water parks in Orlando, Aquatica has 3.3 million gallons worth of water in wild slides, river rapids, wave pools, steep water drops, and interactive playgrounds. But even though quantity is important, it’s the quality of these attractions and the thought put into them that makes them truly incredible. Take the Dolphin Plunge, for example, which takes riders down 250 feet of clear tubes, underwater, through Aquatica’s Commerson’s dolphin habitat. It’s definitely one of the park’s more breathtaking experiences, as it makes guests feel like they’re swimming in the water along with the dolphins.

Aquatica also has something for everyone, with slides ranging from the fast and furious Taumata Racer, which speeds riders down a 300-foot slide in and out of tunnels, to the laid-back and relaxed Loggerhead Lane, a lazy river that floats guests past incredible animal habitats – including a 10,000 gallon habitat filled with thousands of exotic fish. There’s even the four-seater raft ride Walhalla Wave for families, and little ones will love Kata’s Kookaburra Cove, a 79,000-gallon water wonderland filled with fountains, rides, and slides.

However, even all this watery fun isn’t what makes Aquatica a unique park that’s sure to be successful for years to come. One year ago when the park opened, executive vice president and general manager of the park Dan Brown said, “No one creates animal adventures like SeaWorld, and this exciting twist is one of the many distinctions that makes Aquatica not only new to Orlando, but also new to the world.”

That twist still keeps Aquatica on top of the pack, as park visitors are able to enjoy animal encounters with a wide variety of mammals, birds, and marine creatures. On any given day, a park guest might run into a Giant Anteater, a Laughing Kookaburra, a Roseate Spoonbill, and a massive Sulcata Tortoise. The park also features habitats of Commerson’s dolphins, macaws, and African Cichlids.

And all these features have gotten more fun since, in preparation for another great year, the park has refreshed itself with new paint and added new umbrellas, new sidewalk misters, new landscaping, new lounge chairs, and new signage that will help children figure out attractions are most appropriate for them. An extra ticket booth and expanded walkways are also being added near the entrance so that guests can come in and start having fun that much sooner.

So if you haven’t experienced Aquatica, give the park a belated anniversary present by making it part of your weekend plans. Check out discount Aquatica tickets on OrlandoFunTickets.com to start your exploration of a great Orlando water park that’s only one year young.