New water slides coming to Central Florida's Aquatica, Adventure Island

October 12, 2017, 10:30 AM · SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is bringing two major new water slides to its Aquatica and Adventure Island parks in Central Florida next year.

At Aquatica in Orlando, Ray Rush will combine several water slide experiences into one ride. From the park's press release:

First, riders will be launched at 33 feet per second with water jets designed to propel rafts into the first of several enclosed tube sections. Next, riders will swirl into a colossal translucent sphere which spins the raft around the slide walls before entering another enclosed tube section. Finally, riders will drop into an open-air halfpipe that resembles the shape of a manta ray. Rafts will soar back and forth on the wings of the manta before entering the final enclosed tube section that ends with a splash.

Ray Rush
Concept art courtesy SeaWorld

Ray Rush will have a height restriction of 42 inches and accommodate four riders per raft. It will open next spring and replace HooRoo Run, which will close on October 31.

At Adventure Island in Tampa, Vanish Point will offer a choice of two ways down from its 70-foot tower: a pair of 425-foot drop slides, or a more traditional 455-foot slide.

"These unique ride paths give guests options on how they want their thrills delivered," Stewart Clark, president of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island, said in a statement. "Whether you choose to have the floor drop from beneath your feet, or race to the bottom on a looped slide, the only way down once you get to the top is a wild ride that gets your heart pumping."

Vanish Point will open in March 2018.

Replies (2)

October 12, 2017 at 1:51 PM ·
Why not just leave hoo roo run open and build this slide as an additional attraction? I hate when theme parks close existing rides to replace them with rides. Still leaves the same amount of attractions in the park.
October 13, 2017 at 5:52 AM · Aging rides have to be replaced over time because of maintenance costs and declining interest. Aquatica is essentially trading one multi-person raft slide for a new/better one. I view this as an upgrade that will be occurring in the "off-season", and should not dramatically affect lines for other slides with fewer guests in the park during the winter months.

This article has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.

Park tickets

Weekly newsletter

New attraction reviews

News archive