You may have a tendency to squeeze your eyes shut as your stomach leaps into your throat when, say, plunging down a 250-foot water slide.

Fight to keep your eyes wide open when zipping down Orlando's newest water slide. You'll want to catch a glimpse of an uncommon dolphin.

Commerson's dolphins —- energetic, acrobatic, boldly marked black- and-white natives of distant South American seas —- are the stars of the show at Aquatica, a 59-acre water park still under construction across International Drive from SeaWorld.

Florida's newest theme park is scheduled to open Saturday, with a grand opening celebration set for April 4. Spring break at most metro Atlanta schools is the week of April 7.

There is nothing revolutionary at Aquatica —- a water slide is a water slide is a water slide —- but this SeaWorld corporate cousin offers a means of getting wet on a scale that just might make it worth the seven-hour drive from Atlanta. You'll find:

> Two wave pools, one capable of cranking out waves 5 feet tall.

> Two river rides. The adventure river ride flows at 4- to 6-feet a second. The lazy river drifts along at 2 to 3 feet per second, easing through caves with picture-window panels for underwater views of the fish in a 10,000-gallon grotto and Commerson's dolphins.

> A fleeting view of the dolphins as you drop down the park's signature water slide. The tube is opaque for the first portion of the plunge, then clear for just over 50 feet as you pass through the dolphins' 248,000-gallon tank, and dark again before you hit the splash pool.

Commerson's dolphins are much smaller than the bottlenose dolphin of "Flipper" fame. The four male Commerson's at Aquatica are about 4 feet long, said Victor Marsich, supervisor of animal care. The dolphins were born and raised at SeaWorld in San Diego.

Commerson's dolphins are athletic and acrobatic. "These guys are pretty much constantly on the move," Marsich said.

The dolphins have been in Florida since mid-January and seem to be adjusting.

"The [water slide] tube is brand new to them," he said. "Down the line, I wouldn't be surprised to see them inspecting people in the tubes and chasing people coming down the tubes."

IF YOU GO

Getting there

Orlando is about 450 miles from downtown Atlanta, about a seven-hour drive.

About the park

Aquatica is on International Drive, across from SeaWorld. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in April. Admission: adults, $38.95; children, $32.95. Multiple park passes that include SeaWorld and Busch Gardens also available. www.aquaticabyseaworld.com