Tips for being #BreakawayBrave on Ihu's Breakaway Falls

Ihu's Breakaway Falls is open just in time for the kick off of summer at Aquatica Orlando, and asking guests if they are #BreakawayBrave!

Named after a gecko, Ihu, at the park, Ihu's Breakaway falls is the tallest, steepest, and only multi-drop tower slide of it's kind in Orlando.

“We decided to push the envelope, and we've done that with Ihu's Breakaway Falls,” says Bryan Nadeau, Aquatica OrlandoVice President. “It's 20 feet taller than Dolphin Plunge and almost 14 feet taller than Taumata Racers, so it brings that whole experience to a whole new height.”

As you climb the 126 steps to get to the top of Ihu's Breakaway Falls, you have plenty of time to think about the awesome and crazy experience you are about to have!

» IMAGE GALLERY: Ihu's Breakaway Falls

“We want people to face their fears, face each other, and let people experience it together. Even though you're not in the same tube, you're experiencing it with two other riders which brings the anxiety level and excitement level to a whole new height,” says Nadeau on the ride design and details.

The most unique aspect of Ihu's Breakaway Falls is that all three slides face each other, and you have no idea when you are going to drop or when the other riders will drop. Adding another HUGE sense of anticipation to the ride, is a heartbeat that plays as you enter and while you are waiting to drop at 20-24 feet per second.

Ihu's Breakaway Falls is an amazing experience that is a definite must-do for thrill junkies and water park enthusiasts!

Here are some tips for being #BreakawayBrave on Ihu's Breakaway Falls:

• Know which breakaway box slide you want to try before you get to the platform at the top.

◦     Drop more than three stories and slide for 420 feet, the longest of the four slides, on the orange slide.

◦     The green slide path has the shortest drop, but it's still a 28-foot fall – that's the same as four seven-foot tall basketball players!

◦     Fall from the blue slide if you're looking for the steepest slide with a breakaway box.

• Purple is DEFINITELY not the 'chicken out' slide!

While purple is a drop slide, it is the steepest of the four slides and has two drops.

“If you're gonna go purple, because you're afraid of the breakaway boxes you might want to reconsider! Purple is going to get you down fast, and is the top rated of the four slides,” according to Nadeau.

• Don't let the heartbeat creep you out.

While I can't stress enough how much it adds to the anticipation level, don't let it completely freak you out!

• Keep your arms and legs crossed as tightly as you can.

I know that you will see and hear this a lot before and once you are loaded into your breakaway box, keeping your body tight will help you have a faster and smoother ride.

• Keep your head back against the slide...don't look up!

Curiosity is going to make you want to look all over the place, but make sure to keep your head back! You will be going extremely fast, and keeping your head back is the absolute safest way to go. Plus if you are looking up, you will definitely get more water up your nose...and no one really enjoys that!

• Be patient and enjoy the views.

New slides mean long waits, so make sure you factor that into your daily plans at Aquatica! There are some great views of the park from the tower!

Guests brave enough to take the challenge must be at least 48" (1.22 m) tall. Jewelry, life vests, cotton shirts or sports / non-swimwear shorts, and footwear of any kind may not be worn on this slide. Cameras of any kind are also not permitted. All loose items must be left with a non-rider. Guests must be able to maintain proper riding position. Maximum rider weight is 300 lbs (136 kg), and is for single riders only.

Remember that if you can find special deals for a day in the park when buy your Aquatica tickets online!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Shelley Caran recently moved to Celebration, Florida from Virginia, but has had a passion for Disney World and SeaWorld since her first visit in 1986.  She is a wife and stay-at-home Mom, who never seems to stay at home! She loves to take pictures, talk about her adventures, and what is important to know as you are on the go in the Orlando and Tampa attractions.  In addition to her own site, On the Go in MCO (www.onthegoinmco.com) she is a contributor for Touring Plans (www.touringplans.com).

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