ABOUT THE PANELIST

David J. Sangree, MAI, CPA, ISHC, is president of Hotel & Leisure Advisors, which is based in Cleveland. He is a hospitality consultant and appraiser specializing in hotels, resorts, waterparks, golf courses, ski resorts and other leisure properties. A member of the Appraisal Institute, a Certified Public Accountant, and a member of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants, Sangree has performed studies on more than 1,000 existing and proposed hotels, waterparks and other leisure properties. A graduate of the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, he has appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and CNBC, and has written numerous articles.

 

Owner:SeaWorld

Year opened:2008

Size: 60 acres

Retail price of adult 1-day ticket: $41.99 (Florida residents get discounted rate)

Staff: N/A

This 60-acre, South Pacific-themed waterpark is located in Orlando across International Drive from SeaWorld. Opened in March 2008, it has become one of the United States’ most popular outdoor waterparks. The showpiece at Aquatica is Dolphin Plunge, one of the industry’s most unique tube rides. The Dolphin Plunge travels through a holding tank that is home to a pod of Commerson’s Dolphins. Aquatica also features two large wave pools, and in 2010 operators added four water slides, including the Omaka Rocka water thrill ride, featuring high-speed tubing and half-pipe funnels.