In the middle of our vacation planning I learned that Walt Disney World was changing the features of their long-standing FastPass system.  As off-site visitors our options to enjoy their most popular attractions were limited at best and non-existent at worst.  For the amount of money it takes to get a group this size to WDW, we were unwilling to gamble with the possibility that we would not be able to experience our favorite attractions.  We had already booked our vacation house and our 4-night cruise.  Switching to a longer cruise was cost-prohibitive, but no one wanted to shorten our Florida stay.  Our answer to this pickle was to replace our would-be WDW touring days with days at other theme parks.  We were able to purchase passes that allowed us unlimited admission to Aquatica Waterpark, Busch Gardens, and SeaWorld over a 14-day period.  These lovely passes cost roughly 60% of what we would have paid for WDW passes.  Yay!  What is more is we purchased John an annual pass from a sister park, Sesame Place (hmmmm – why does that sound familiar?) for $30 more than what the rest of us adults paid and it allowed us free Preferred Parking and 10% off all purchases. 

 

SO – after we slept off the long drive we woke ready to don bathing suits and sunscreen.  (Anyone want to guess how much sunscreen we used in two weeks?) 

After a quick breakfast we headed to Aquatica Waterpark next door to SeaWorld. 
This waterslide actually goes THROUGH a tank with Commerson’s dolphins!  Daddy and the big four went on this.

The “problem” with waterparks is that the more fun you are having the less likely you are to have a camera handy….

 

After lunch Daddy and the big four hit waterslide after waterslide.  Mommy, Nan, Johanna, & Katriel hit the “beach” by the wave pool.  We had brought along some sand toys and enjoyed a few hours of swimming and playing here.  Johanna thrilled herself by burying me in the sand and washing it off, over and over.  I figured it cost less than professional exfoliation, and I embraced our time together. 

Katriel almost fell asleep in the wave pool with me, so when we hit the shore I wrapped her up and she fell asleep in my arms.  It was the first of many snuggle naps of our vacation. 

It was such a great park.  I wish we could have found a way to spend another day there.  In my opinion it was much nicer than the Disney-owned waterparks.