A waterpark is a water-centric amusement park, predominantly featuring bathing, sliding and tubing pools and rides. Many are all-season operations.
Etiquette and Advice
Lockers are usually available in which to store belongings; leave valuables at home or in your hotel.
Don’t wear cut-offs or shorts with zippers; because of potential damage to slides, many parks will refuse access to rides.
Ensure all swimsuits fit well; many rides are quite vigorous, so baggy clothing and string ties can add unintentional amusement… for others!
Have sunscreen at outdoor parks; apply liberally and frequently.
Infants and toddlers should be fitted out in plastic swim diapers.
Don’t bring inflatable toys, rafts or water wings; most parks provide free life-vests for children, or parents can bring their own Coast Guard-approved flotation devices.
Terms to Know
Tube Slide. Riders use an inner tube to navigate the attraction.
Body Slide. No tube – just the equipment momma gave you!
Flow Rider. A relatively shallow, fast-moving sheet of water, which surfs or boogie-boards adventurers at speeds sometimes exceeding 35 miles per hour.
Rapids Water Park
This alternative to Orlando’s bustle is just north of West Palm Beach, close to U.S. 95. The 12-acre venue divides its attractions into Biggest, Coolest and Wettest Rides. In that order:
Five “Biggest Rides” showcase Big Thunder, a dark, scream-filled tunnel featuring a rumbling 45-degree drop around a zero-G, 20 mph-plus funnel
Six “Coolest Rides,” including Tubin’ Tornadoes, 1,000 feet of tunnel – much of it dark – with back-to-back turns and 360-degree loops
Eight “Wettest Rides” such as Alligator Alley, a pool infested with “alligators” that adults and children walk across, holding an overhead net for balance. Good luck with that!
Waterworld California
Located about 25 miles east of San Francisco, this venue is open May through September (check the site for exact dates and times).
Schlitterbahn Resorts
The Schlitterbahn park in New Braunfels, Texas, boasts the twin distinctions of having the best name of any water park, and having America’s only endless tube float; an “AquaVeyer” collects riders at the end of The Falls attraction, taking them back to the beginning.
Wisconsin Dells
The Dells proclaims itself “Waterpark Capital of the World,” a label legitimized by its being home to five separate indoor and outdoor waterparks, which between them hold several “world’s largest” records.
Water Park of America
Taking water park fun to its absolute maximum, the Water Park of America has every attraction in spades. Located outside Bloomington, Minnesota, this facility is the country’s highest indoor water park, boasting a slide tower that’s approaching the height of a ten story building.
The complex extends over 70,000 square feet, and the open ground floor area is home to two hot tubs (themed as cave pools), a flow rider and a traditional swimming pool; one end is dedicated to general swimming, while the other is fitted with basketball hoops. An area set aside for smaller children features countless floating toys and a pool in which “logs” are tethered, which kids can leapfrog across – great fun!