Let's face it.... it is HOT in Central Florida especially during the summer months (I'll talk later about the ideal times to come to Central Florida).

Get out of the heat and into Orlando's Water Parks!

Theme parks, attractions, International Drive can get exhausting as well as HOT! There are many different water parks to choose from to help get you out of the sun.

Before jumping in the water here are some tips to remember when going to the water parks

• Bring change for lockers, keep all valuables including keys, money and cameras in locker
• Bring dry change of clothes to wear for ride home
• Waterproof sunscreen
• Plastic swim diapers for infants and toddlers
• Either get to water park early to get good spot near lockers and beach area or...
• Get to park after lunch between 2:00-4:00- most people leave by then
• Bring extra towels
• You can bring coolers however; you can purchase food and drinks as well
• Bring large water bottles that can be refilled
• Bring snacks such as nuts and energy bars that can tolerate the heat
• Footwear that you can easily slip on and off such as flip flops or water shoes
• Sunglasses and or Hat!
• If your group splits up, be sure to have a set meeting place and time
• Follow age and height restrictions. Size and coordination can be critical to certain rides
• Pay attention to kids

WATER PARKS IN ORLANDO

SUN SAFETY

Do as I say.. not as I do!

• Drink lots and lots of fluids (water is best) throughout the day
• Reapply waterproof sunscreen every two to three hours or after getting out of water
• Bring an extra t-shirt to wear over your bathing suit
• Wear hat and sunglasses

If you do get sunburned here are some remedies to help relieve the pain

• Drink lots of water
• Take tylenol to reduce swelling and pain or over the counter spray pain reliever
• Take a cool, not cold, bath
• Apply aloe vera gel or lotion (non petroleum-based)
• wear loose fitting clothing
• Stay out of sun until burn goes away (good luck with that!)

FUN WATER PARK FACTS

Wet 'N Wild, Orlando, Fla., by George Millay (b.1929, d.2006) (creator and founder of Sea World); WWA officially proclaimed Millay as "Father of the Water Park Industry" in 2004 and awarded him with the Association's first-and only, to date-"Lifetime Achievement Award."

Tallest, fastest single-person, free-fall waterside in the world: 120-foot tall "Summit Plummet," Blizzard Beach, Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Largest wave pool in the U.S.: Typhoon Lagoon, Orlando, Fla. at 115 feet wide by about 395 feet long, it is the largest in terms of bather capacity, annual visitors, water volume and wave height.

POPULAR TOP-WATER PARK LISTS:

Best water parks in U.S.(according to The Travel Channel, 2006)

• 1. Schlitterbahn Waterpark, New Braunfels, Texas
• 2. Blizzard Beach at Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
• 3. Raging Waters, Sam Dimas, Calif
• 4. Water Country U.S.A., Williamsburg, VA
• 5. Splish Splash, River Head, N.Y.
• 6. Knott's Soak City, Buena Park, Calif.
• 7. Water World (Hyland Hills), Federal Heights, Colo.
• 8. Six Flags White Water, Marietta, GA
• 9. Noah's Ark, Wisconsin Dells, Wis.

U.S. water parks with the highest attendance*(according to TEA/ERA Attendance Report 2007)

• Typhoon Lagoon (2,080,000), Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
• Blizzard Beach (1,910,000), Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
• Wet 'n Wild (1,370,000), Orlando, Fla.

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