Gallery | Wild and wet: Theme parks make a splash with new attractions

At Walkabout Waters, a feature at the new park Aquatica, children and families get fountains, water canons and 375-gallon 'buckets' of water. JASON COLLIER / AQUATICA
Vacationers take the plunge at SeaWorld's new Aquatica waterpark. JANE WOOLDRIDGE / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
In Dolphin Plunge, the signature attraction at Aquatica in Orlando, guests zip through a clear glass tube that runs through a dolphin habitat. JASON COLLIER / COURTESY OF AQUATICA
Aquatica, the new waterpark created by SeaWorld, combines animal interactions with slides, fountains and lazy rivers. JANE WOOLDRIDGE / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Aquatica, the new waterpark created by SeaWorld, combines animal interactions with slides, fountains and lazy rivers. JANE WOOLDRIDGE / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
High School Musical 2: School's Out, a new song-and-dance presentation at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, was inspired by the movie and theater smash. JANE WOOLDRIDGE / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Dancers in Block Party Bash at Disney's Hollywood Studios do more than entertain: they invite young guests to jump up and join the action. JANE WOOLDRIDGE / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Performers dance and sing for Disney's Hollywood Studios guests during Block Party Bash, the theme park's new daily parade. The parade features characters from Disney-Pixar films, along with dancers, acrobats and large floats. DAVID ROARK
Dancers and characters from Disney-Pixar films lead the parade at the new Block Party Bash at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando. JANE WOOLDRIDGE / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Pixar's Atta and Flik ride one of the parade floats in the new Block Party Bash at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando. JANE WOOLDRIDGE / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Disney Playhouse-Live is a new show for young visitors at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando. COURTESY OF WALT DISNEY WORLD
A close-up encounter at Busch Gardens' new Jungala. BUSCH GARDENS
Kids will love the tiger plunge pool at Jungala. BUSCH GARDENS
At the Test Your Strength interaction, guests play tug of war with a Bengal tiger in the new Jungala section of Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa. JANE WOOLDRIDGE / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Animal caretaker Heather King hands a paintbrush to organutan Luna Bella. The up-close animal interactions are part of the program at the new Jungala area of Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa. JANE WOOLDRIDGE / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Tree Top Trails is one of the attractions designed specifically for 'tweeners at the new Jungala area of Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa. JANE WOOLDRIDGE / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
At Jungala, a new animal and rides area at Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa, orangutans swing across the habitat on O-lines. COURTESY OF BUSCH GARDENS