Adventure Island — Attraction in Tampa

06/13/2025– AquaGlow was a complete disaster. Beware that it is definitely NOT a kid-friendly event, it’s hardly an adult-friendly event (coming from adults in our late-20s). It was anything but enjoyable. For starters, the event was advertised as a special experience from 8-11 PM (with admission starting at 6 PM), however when we arrived just before 6:30 PM, it was already chaotic. As we approached the entrance (before the metal detectors), there were 2 long lines to enter. After standing in one line for about 15 minutes, security suddenly announced it wasn’t a real line and that everyone needed to go to the back of the other line. Then about 15 minutes later, yet another line formed, and this time they chose not to enforce it. Everyone from the new second line just pushed forward towards the metal detectors and merged in front of those who had been waiting. This created a massive pile-up at the metal detectors. You can see where this could be a HUGE safety concern… The crowd was mostly unsupervised teenagers. A friend of mine was approached by at least 6 different groups of teenagers, who were told they couldn’t enter without a chaperone and then turned away by security and instructed to go to the BACK of the line— asking us to be their “chaperone” just so they can enter the park, to which we refused! Other “chaperones” and parents only stayed there long enough to get the teens past security then immediately left, leaving the kids unsupervised. Security stopped the line several times, for 10-15 minutes at a time, due to fights, line-cutting and underage guests trying to bypass security without ID or a chaperone. It took 4 “security” to remove ONE teen from the line because the teen was resisting. A group of people in line at Guest Service were all pepper sprayed. Even after getting into the park, groups of teens were stampeding, yelling, cursing, chasing each other and clearly trying to instigate fights. The park was severely understaffed, especially for the very first night of a “new” and “special” event.

It felt UNSAFE and out of control.

Other friends who arrived at 8:30 PM didn’t get in until 9:30 PM, only for all of the attractions to close due to lightning within 10 minutes of them getting inside. And by 10 PM, the entire park was shut down due to weather. I completely understand that the weather is out of anyone’s control; But the event itself was so poorly organized that it wouldn’t have been worth the money or the stress even if the weather had held out. As the security/police moved quickly to kick everyone out of the park, a huge fight almost broke out at the exit between groups of teenagers. I was genuinely AFRAID to leave the park at the same time as everyone else but had no choice.

This event SHOULD absolutely be a 21+ event. You’re asking for nothing but trouble allowing the park to be overrun by large groups of unsupervised KIDS. Enforce age restrictions, hire proper staff and increase police/security presence. Period.

0/10– Would NOT recommend AquaGlow Adventure Island! Not to mention, the FAQ section for AquaGlow advertised discounted parking at $25 but that was completely false. We were charged the regular day rate of $37. Another example of POOR planning and misinformation on the park’s end.

Edited to add- They’re deleting Facebook comments from other frustrated guests who are calling out the same issues. That’s not just bad...

When I was a child, this was a place that I loved and looked forward to every summer and never had any issues. But recently now as an adult. I have not been to this theme park in almost 10 years. I was excited to return. I am a platinum pass holder. I went today, 7/13/24, on a rainy day. Which I expected was going to interfere with me having access to the water slides. I patiently walked around the park looking at some of the new add-Ons. Eventually, when they allowed individuals to stand in lines early for the water slides because the weather was becoming clear. I waited in one of the lines for approximately an hour and 30 minutes before the staff deemed it safe to ride. When I had finally made it to the top of the ride, the guard would not allow me to ride due to me wearing a small black chain necklace with a small cross pendant. The guard told me that I needed to remove the necklace or else I could not get on the slide. I advised the guard that this necklace does not come off for anyone for religious reasons, and I have not taken it off since I received it 3 years ago. I walked down the steps of the slide to speak to a very nice gentleman who I thought was a guard but said he works in guest relations but was currently working at the bottom of the slide for crowd control. The individual informed me that he had never heard just a thing before and was not sure why I wasn't allowed to ride. I also mentioned to him that a week ago when I visited the water park Aquatica that the staff had no issues with me riding the slides with my small necklace. The individual informed me to take my claim to guest relations. I complied. I calmly walked to the other side of the park and spoke to a representative of guest relations and informed them of my complaint. They responded and were apologetic and presented me with a single ride fast pass. And explained there was nothing else they could do for me. I'm not happy with the outcome. I proceeded to enjoy the rest of my day there. I tried multiple other slides, and being that I was there alone, I could not ride most of the slides because most slides require 2 or more persons. The single ride options were unavailable for me because of my necklace. The only other options I had were 2 slides that were very popular for children. That did not have a strict necklace rule. Which also didn't have much of a line, so the fast pass was obsolete. I rode the rides that I could get on and did a few laps in the lazy river. Overall, I think the necklace rule should be challenged and remastered. I did notice that when I originally was in line, other individuals with necklaces were allowed to ride when I wasn't. I’m not sure if this was an attack on me or if I was being discriminated against but surely this needs to...

Wow....

Where do I start?

Drove across town to let my Daughters ride slides for the last hour of the day.

Got to the Parking Cashier and she advised that unless we are there for "Aqua-Glow" the park is closed for the normal day.

The park closes at 7:00pm... we were speaking with the Parking Cashier a little before 6:00pm.

We turned the car around and proceeded to leave.

We verified on Google Maps... 7:00pm is listed as the closing time.

We verified on the park website... 7:00pm is listed as the closing time.

We called their corporate number... The Representative confirmed 7:00pm As the closing time.

We turned the car back around so we could get clarification.

Spoke to the same Parking Cashier and advised that we verified via 3 different methods and nowhere is it communicated that the park closes an hour early due to Aqua-Glow.

We asked to speak to a Manager and were told to go ahead and park and go to ticketing.

We get to the front gates and advised Security (Jesse)that we're told to go to ticketing, by his peer at Parking, to speak with a Manager for clarification... he refused to let us in.

We conveyed the misinformation, and he said the park closes at 6:00pm, because "Aqua-Glow" starts at 7:00pm.

The website says that "Aqua-Glow" starts... at 8:00pm.

The flyer in my email says that "Aqua-Glow" starts... at 8:00pm.

Jesse then States that the park is closed early because they were over capacity.

What the hell is going on here, Adventure Island???

Is the park closed early in preparation for "Aqua-Glow?!

or

Is the park closed early due to being over capacity?!

Oh, also... does the park close at 7:00pm?!

or

Does the park close at 6:00pm?!

And, oh yeah... does "Aqua-Glow" start at 8:00pm?!

or

Does "Aqua-Glow" start at 7:00pm?!

And one last thing.. do we get to speak with a Manager (As we were told to do by the Parking Cashier)?!

or

Are we not even able to simply get the Managers name (Jesse, very pompously refused to give it to us)?!

All of this misinformation and the inconsistent answers are unacceptable.

Is this a case of False Advertisement?

Or is it "Bait & Switch"?

I'd typically allow something like this to slide, but the dismissive attitude from Jesse ensures that I will see this through to completion.

All we were trying to do was use our passes for the times we were told that we could do so.

It seems, to me, that the employees get to make the rules up as they go, and do not consider kindness or the knowledge of park information, as part of their job descriptions.

If I could've given this review ZERO stars, I would've!

Anyone considering going here... DON'T!

The employees don't care about the Customer's Experience.

Run the OTHER way!

Rich Galicia Owner/Head...