Northeast Florida Water Parks
Enjoy the Florida weather and experience one of a kind waterparks!
Adventure Landing Shipwreck Island
Address: 1944 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach.
Driving time from downtown Jacksonville: 24 minutes.
Price: $21.99; $18.99 for people under 42 inches tall.
Operating hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Information: (904) 246-4386,
www.adventurelanding.com/jbe.
Coolest ride: Eye of the Storm is a 40-foot spiraling tube into a large whirlpool.
What else is there: Fifteen slides, including 12 "super slides" and three "extreme slides, plus a lazy river, wave pool and kids' area." Miniature golf, go-karts and laser tag available for additional fees.
Summer Waves
Address: 210 S. Riverview Drive, Jekyll Island, Ga.
On Wet 'n Wild's Bomb Bay, sliders enter a bomblike capsule and then take a nearly vertical 76-foot plunge after the floor drops out.
Special to the Times-Union
Address: 6200 International Drive, Orlando.
Driving time from downtown Jacksonville: 2 hours, 21 minutes.
Price: $32.95; $26.95 for children under 9.
Operating hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Sunday, Aug. 1; 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 2, through Monday, Aug. 30.
Information: (407) 351-1800.
Coolest ride: Der Stuka is simple but heart-stopping. Riders climb up and up and up a set of stairs, then plunge down a nearly vertical 250-foot slide before coasting to a stop on a long water runway.
What else is there: A dozen slides, kids' park, lazy river, a wave pool, HydraFighter ride, fountain pool, wakeboarding and volleyball.
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon
Address: Walt Disney World, Orlando.
Driving time from downtown Jacksonville: 2 hours, 30 minutes.
Price: $32; $26 for kids 9 and younger.
Operating hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Information: (407) 939-6244,
Coolest ride: Humunga Cowabunga is a set of three speed slides that drop riders 51 feet, passing through caverns at 30 mph.
What else is there: Surf pool, lazy river, seven slides, kids' area and snorkel pool.
Disney's Blizzard Beach
Address: Walt Disney World, Orlando.
Driving time from downtown Jacksonville: 2 hours, 30 minutes.
Price: $32; $26 for kids 9 and younger.
Operating hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Information: (407) 939-6244,
Coolest ride: Summit Plummet drops riders 120 feet at speeds of 60 mph. At one point, riders slide through a ski chalet.
What else is there: Wave pool, lazy river, whitewater raft ride, eight slides, chairlift to the top, kids' area.