ORLANDO If you're heading to Theme Park Central this year, get ready to dance, splash and play tug-of-war with a Bengal tiger. But don't expect it to come cheap.
This is a summer of go-and-do-it -- likely with several generations at once.
At Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa, for instance, families can ride the Wild Surge, a pneumatic pop-up ride in the new Jungala area designed especially for the 6-13 ''tweener'' age group but open to all.
At Aquatica, the new water park opened by SeaWorld in Orlando, some slides are tame enough for young children, while some children's areas are snazzy enough for teens.
And at Disney, the Playhouse-Disney -- Live on Stage! show encourages grandparents, parents and the youngest children to dance, clap and join in.
Though interactivity isn't new, ''there's a lot more participatory and interactive stuff now,'' says Bob Sehlinger, who explores Disney and other Orlando parks in his annual book, Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World.
Aquatica and Jungala are, literally, making the biggest splash. Aquatica, an entirely new park, mixes animal interactions -- the creatures live at sister park SeaWorld -- and multitiered water slides, wave pools and rivers that allow guests to explore the water from above and below.
Jungala uses inventive viewing areas to put guests surprisingly close to gibbons, orangutans and tigers that play tug-of-war with guests and even leap into a plunge pool. (Yup, there's a tiger in the tank.)
At Universal Studios, the Simpsons are moving to 4-D with a new motion-simulation ride that marries stomach-flopping moves, smart animations and tangibles like water that sprays at opportune moments.
At Disney's Hollywood Studios, two outdoor shows, Block Party Bash and High School Musical 2: School's Out, young guests are invited to jump up and dance with characters. Toy Story Mania! is a 3-D shoot-'em-up glide-though carnival game pitting riders against each other.
''The technology continues to change and grow, and it makes interaction more realistic,'' says Dave Mandt, spokesman for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.
But immersion comes at a price. At Disney, the price of a one-day, one-park ticket has bounced above $70 for an adult, though Florida residents get a break with a four-day pass priced at $159. Prices are slightly gentler at Universal Studios, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, with significant discounts for multiday tickets and Floridians. Water parks -- including Aquatica and Disney's Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon -- offer the least expensive one-day experiences at $39.
Video | Experience Universal Orlando's The Simpsons Ride