Daytripper: 2 New Water Rides Now Open At Adventure Island

TAMPA, FL — As temperatures soar, residents are flocking to Adventure Island to cool off and try out two new exhilarating rides.

The park has opened the Rapid Racer, dubbed the world's first dueling saucer water slide, and the Wahoo Remix.

For the Rapid Racer, riders grab a two-person raft before racing through nearly 600 feet of slide, complete with low walls to encounter opponents throughout this side-by-side experience as guests swirl through high-speed tunnels and turns.

“It’s got lots of twists, lots of turns, lots of dueling, speed, excitement, water splashing all the way down to the end of the ride,” said design and engineering project manager Andrew Schaffer.

Formerly Wahoo Run, Wahoo Remix is Adventure Island’s first water slide to feature synchronized light and sound elements, delivering a high-energy family raft ride experience. Enclosed tunnels that were once dark now glow as riders zoom through over 600 feet of fun.

After 42 years of closing for the winter, the park at 10001 McKinley Drive, next to Busch Gardens, announced it will now be open year round.

These new rides following the 2020 opening of the Solar Vortex, America’s first dual tailspin raft water slide with high-banking rotations and rapid descents at speeds of up to 20 mph.

Other new features include Virtual Reality Snorkeling where guests can choose from three excursions: Ocean Experience, Space Experience or Dragon Experience.

Old favorites include Calypso Coaster, an open water flume ride that holds two passengers; Colossal Curl, an epic water slide with corkscrews and waterfalls; Aruba Tuba single or double guest water slide; Vanish Point; Caribbean Corkscrew; and Riptide, where guests can race friends down four lanes.

The water park also offers the more sedate half-mile Rambling Bayou tube trip through rain, fog and tropical waterfalls; the 9,000-square-foot Paradise Lagoon with a net climb and cliff jumps; and the 17,000-square-foot wave pool.

For the little ones, there's Fabian's Fun Port with bubbly springs, jumping jets and a water-friendly jungle gym; and Splash Attack, a huge tree house with more than 50 water play toys.

The new Hang Ten Tiki Bar is the park's first full-service bar with hand-crafted signature cocktails like the Beach Bum Mojito, The Hang Ten daiquiri, the Island Lava Flow and Caribbean Corkscrew; favorite local brews; more than 20 international and Florida-distilled rums; and light bites like the Tiki Man soft pretzel, empanadas and Gulf smoked fish dip with pineapple relish.

The Hang Ten Tiki Bar joins existing Adventure Island eateries Surfside Cafe with burgers, chicken strips and fresh salads; Mango Joe's featuring smoked chicken, ribs, barbecue pork sandwiches and frozen cocktails; the Island Food Truck with foot-long hot dogs; Colossal Snacks with personal pizzas; and Captain Pete's with frozen beverages, churros, pretzels and cold beer.

The park is offering 40 percent off tickets, fun cards and passes through July 4. Click here for tickets or to purchase annual passes.

See related story: 2 New Rides Coming To Adventure Island This Month; Park Now Open