Packing & Planning for SeaWorld Aquatica

I just got back from my second visit to Aquatica.  Packing and planning for theme park visits can be tricky.  You are stuck with your choices, good and bad...all day long.  A lot of people have the tendency to over pack for all those "just in case" items.  My tips for Aquatica.  One note, the child I had with me is 10 years old.  Adjust your kiddie stuff accordingly.

First, the DO-NOT list:
No water shoes - Many rides do not allow them at all
No loose cover-ups - Again, many rides make this a no-go
Camera - If you have someone not swimming and sitting on the sidelines, this is okay.  Otherwise, there are lots of photographers there.  They will give you a wrist band to scan to purchase photos at the end of the day.  Most rides do not allow loose items to be carried on.
Sunglasses - I didn't take them in line and was fine.  Some of the rides are pretty fast and there is a good chance you will lose them at some point.
Food - This won't even make it thru the entrance.  No outside food is allowed.

The DO list:
Credit card - (versus cash) I was just saying, all parks really should go the Disney way and use a wristband to make purchases.
To my surprise, Aquatica offers this.  The park is huge.  The LAST thing you want to do is keep going back to your locker to get money.  You can link a debit/credit card to a wristband and any money you don't use goes back on your card at midnight.
Sunscreen - Obviously.  Hello...it's Florida.  Temps are already in the "feel like" at 100+  The park does a good job of providing lots of shade while you wait in line though.
Backpack - Carry everything in a typical size backpack and you are good to go with a small sized locker
Grocery bag - Stash a couple of these in your backpack to carry out wet swimsuits.
Towels - We took towels and they fit in the locker fine.  You can rent them if you want to pack light so towels can go either way.
Travel size/hotel size body wash & shampoo - There are free showers in the bathrooms by the lockers.  They do have some all-in-one body wash in the showers so you are covered it you want to pack light.

Lunch plans - Lunch is so so.  There are several spots to duck-in buffet style and grab food but the temps are FREEZING if you are wet.  It was so hot that we didn't have a big appetite and opted for hotdog and a drink.  We got fries but they were cold so we tossed them.  The prices are as you would anticipate, a little on the high side. 

We did see some all-day dining signs posted but didn't check into it.  I believe the signs said $20 or so but check the website for that info. 

My niece loved the Dippin Dots stations.  This little treat was perfect for a quick cool down and there are three different sizes.  These were $5-$8 or so and there were several spots throughout the park. 

If you are planning a trip, Aquatica is in a great spot in Orlando.  Nice hotels and lots of dining nearby.  Wet-n-Wild is a nearby waterpark.  It's a little lower priced but not nearly as nice.  It's about 40 years old and is closing next year.  

Cabana Bay is another nearby waterpark.  It's tiny in comparison to the major waterparks but huge for a hotel pool.  It's inside a hotel so it's much more temperature controlled.  It's really reasonably priced.  I took my nieces when they were 5 or so and they loved it.  

Have any fun summer trips planned?  I want to take a long weekend with my husband.  No theme parks for us but something outside to enjoy the water for sure.  :)