This Island Is a Kissimmee Delight – it’s Island H2O!

When the long-running Kissimmee attraction of Water Mania flamed out in September 2005, it ended 20 years of local water park history and removed a significant landmark along Highway 192.

It had been popular with visitors as well as locals, as it offered a more wallet-friendly alternative to the Disney water parks and the big Wet ’n Wild complex on International Drive.

But Water Mania fans – and the Kissimmee area in general – were cheered 10 years later with some surprise news: a major resort was going to begin construction on the 192, and it would include a new water park, just six miles away from the area’s original trail-blazer.

For those who like a bit of local history with their holiday, the newcomer was also trading on the former site of another failed attraction. Splendid China lasted just 10 years and closed in 2003, with its site sitting empty and forlorn for more than a decade.

But the new development that was proposed was definitely splendid in its own right, and it soon erased all thoughts of the previous occupant. Margaritaville Resort Orlando had some big, big plans.

Get ready for Island H2O style

Not only was this major resort promising to bring in a stylish hotel, vacation homes and condos, there would also be a whole street of restaurants, shops and entertainment and – for water park fans – the delights of Island H2O, a new breed of lively attraction for the social media generation.

Fast forward to opening day, June 21, 2019, and the newcomer delivered a fresh and inviting brand of watery fun, all wrapped up in its Island vibe and App-ready interface.

Because Island H2O is as much about sharing the fun with friends and family as it is about rides and slides, using the latest technology to keep guests connected.

With the addition of a special Smart Band for the day (a bit like Disney’s Magic Band, but with fewer complications), you are all set to enjoy all the additional features of the park, which include video recordings for you to share on social media!

So, what’s at Island H2O?

In simple terms, Island H2O is a 17-acre spread of slides and flumes that include body slides, tube slides, family raft rides, a lazy river, wave pool, adults-only pool and two areas of junior-sized slides and splashing for the little kiddos.

There are eight main attractions, plus a water sports playground, a Virtual Village (or communal centre), Selfie Shacks, Tech Stations and six cafes and snack kiosks. You can also hire cabanas and go big with various birthday celebration packages.

And for our villa guests, it all comes with being much more convenient than the water parks at Disney, Universal and SeaWorld, with Island H2O barely 10 minutes from communities such as Windsor Hills, Indian Ridge and Encantada.

The entrance is right off Highway 192 on Inspiration Drive, between Formosa Gardens Boulevard and the 429 toll expressway. Parking is just $10 – also substantially cheaper than Universal and SeaWorld’s water parks.

What to do first at Island H2O?

Once you have paid your entrance fee and been given your Smart Band, you are free to find your favourite location in the park and head for the rides and slides. There aren’t quite as many scenic areas to hang out like at Disney and Universal water parks, but you should still be able to find a good lounging spot, notably by the Lagoon Live! wave pool and by the children’s play areas.

Then it’s a question of whether you want the high thrills of the twin body slides of Live Streaming and Drop Down, with their vertical-drop elements; the rollicking raft rides Profile Plunge and Hashtag Heights; and the breathtaking two-person tube ride, Follow Me Falls, with its vertical ascent – and weightlessness-inducing drop…

…or the more mild adventures of double-dipping tube ride The Downloader, head-first mat slide Reply Racers and the tight-turning enclosed tube ride Reload Rapids, with its disco party music and lights.

For children, there are the purpose-designed water-play areas of Candy Stripe Cove, complete with junior-sized slides and tubes, and Pelican’s Paradise, featuring a main structure boasting all kinds of splashing and sliding fun.

Just chilling – relaxation at Island H2O?

When you’re ready for some relaxation time after all the fun of the rides and slides, head for Megabytes or Apps & Eats, the two main dining options, with a tempting array of burgers, flatbreads, salads and sandwiches; the sweet treats and ice creams of Refresh & Recharge; and the adult libations of the Tag Shack Bar, which include cocktails and beer.

Kids will gravitate to the Dippin’ Dots outlet, as well as the delicious shaved ice creations of Freeze Up.

Couples can also enjoy their own chill-out zone, Private Domain, a serene pool that is reserved for those 21 and over only, while you can shop for swimwear, apparel and themed gifts at Mementos.

For its relative size, Island H2O packs a LOT into its smart confines, and it still has that ‘new car’ vibe of fresh, clean and exciting. The social media elements also give it a unique style, and the fact it is so handy for those in the Kissimmee/Highway 27 area ensures you can fully enjoy the water park excitement without too much driving (and queuing).

Oh, and about the pioneering technology at Island H2O

The park uses proprietary Vantage technology to allow guests to create their own unique in-park experiences, with options to customise themes and playlists while on attractions, immediately share moments across their social media channels, and more, once they have downloaded the App.

Once guests set up their profile on their mobile device, a scanner on certain slides reads their Smart Band (which is free for the day) and automatically plays songs and uses different lighting effects from their established selections.

It’s also the key to the Selfie Shack photos and the Be Live! opportunities, notably on the Live Streaming body slides, which capture every moment of your sudden plunge!

Neat, hey?

Have you tried Island H2O yet? Tell us about it on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.