What are America's best water parks?Where's the best place for theme park fans?
From Robert Niles
Okay, we've not had much of a water park focus here on TPI, mainly because they haven't been my area of expertise.Posted April 24, 2007 at 1:57 PM But... it's getting to be time for me to hit the water. So, since many of you *do* know what you're talking about in regard to water parks, I'm gonna ask you. What are American's top water parks? Ideally, I'm looking for parks that appeal to the theme park fan -- great theming, fun atmosphere, interesting rides. I'm not looking for the best "pick up" scene for teen-agers and 20somethings, the best kiddie pool (absent everything else I've mentioned above) or extreme thrills in an oppressive setting. I suspect that this list changes next year and SeaWorld's Aquatica opens. But for right now, which parks would you recommend to someone like me? And why? (Fair warning: I might use this for a future, um, project.) Here are the few that come to mind, to get the discussion going: Raging Waters in California, Schlitterbahn (sp?) in Texas, Wet 'n Wild in Orlando and Blizzard Beach at Walt Disney World. Your thoughts?
Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond. From Jaivion Williams
My Top TenPosted April 24, 2007 at 2:03 PM 1.Schwitterbam - Texas 2.Tyhoon Lagoon - Florida 3.Indiana Beach - Indiana 4.Blizzard Beach - Florida 5.Raging Waters - Califonia 6.Noahs Ark - Winconsin 7.Wet'n' Wild - Florida 8.Deep River - Indiana 9.Wet'n'Wild - Nevada 10.Santa Claus - Indiana
From Anthony Murphy
Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach of course!Posted April 24, 2007 at 3:42 PM
From Iris Hernandez
Schliterbahn-TXPosted April 24, 2007 at 4:20 PM Blizzard Beach-FL Typhoon Lagoon-FL
From Robert Niles
Why?Posted April 24, 2007 at 7:54 PM
From Anthony Murphy
Why not?Posted April 24, 2007 at 9:33 PM
Plus I despise Wet n Wild (sorry)
From Jaivion Williams
thats why those werent the first fivePosted April 25, 2007 at 5:11 AM
From Mark Walker
Anything Universal related I automatically say is great, but I actually agree with what you said on WnW Anthony. It used to be good, but over the years it's become small, overcrowded and it is in desperate need of a new slide(s). It's not that good anymore unfortunately.Posted April 25, 2007 at 5:50 AM
From Dustin Kern
Although it might not be themed to teh extent of Blizzard Beach, I've gotta say Soak City right next to Cedar Point. For starters, you get to see Steel Magnum speed by right next to the park. You got a beautiful view of Lake Erie from some of the slides. Last, you got Cedar Point right across the road. Again, it might not be themed, but it's location right on the edge of Lake Erie and Cedar Point makes it great water park in my mind. It gives you the break from Cedar Point because it's not connected, but you can go right back in (provided you buy the ride and soak 2 day passes).Posted April 25, 2007 at 7:32 AM
From David Kirby
Ok, so it's not too intricately themed, but Water Country is really a great park. Posted April 25, 2007 at 1:26 PM
From John Melillo
1.Blizzard Beach- WDWPosted April 25, 2007 at 2:35 PM 2.Hurricane Harbor- SFNE 3.Splish Splash- Long Island 4.Typhoon Lagoon- WDW 5.Wet 'n' Wild- Orlando 6.Hurricane Harbor- SFGA
From Jaivion Williams
nice top sixPosted April 25, 2007 at 4:46 PM
From Daniel Williams
David: Is that Water Country (New England) or Water Country USA (Virginia)?Posted April 26, 2007 at 3:02 PM I obviously have a huge personal bias to WCUSA, as it was the place I started working in the Amusement Park Industry. However, I do have to say, most of the rides that the parks have are the same, so to me, its the other intangibles that the parks have that make them better or worse. (I know that they're not all the same, but as far as new/impressive water park rides go, there hasn't been anything truly innovative in a while... I do love Proslide's Tornado, though). I love WCUSA, but now that I've been around a bit more, WCUSA is WAY spread out, and I don't necessarily like that in a park where I don't wear tennis shoes to walk around in. When you talk about the new indoor parks, I'm really impressed with the park at Massenutten Ski Resort in Virginia, less because of their ride package (The newer Great Wolfs and the Kalihari's expansions have an incredible ride package for indoor parks) but because its got a clear roof system, and is a gorgeous, gorgeous building.
From David Kirby
Daniel- I was referring to WCUSA. Like all of Virginia, (particularly Williamsburg) I love that place.Posted April 27, 2007 at 12:34 AM
From Diana Weiss
Schliterbahn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Posted April 27, 2007 at 1:53 PM It has been rated number one by the Travel Channel for many years. We have 3 parks now. The original in New Braunfels (north of San Antonio), one on South Padre Island and a new one in Galveston that has a retractable ceiling for bad weather. I personally love the original! Check it out! Can you tell I am proud of this place! MUST COME VISIT! I especially like it because I live in Austin (one hour away)!!!
From Jacob Palmer
In no particular order: Schliterbahn, Water Country USA, Massenutten Ski Resort (indoor...by the way...Daniel, I think that it is awesome that some one else listed this before me), and all the Disney water parks, as well. Water Country is all over the place. Certainly not ideal for a water park...and they have been know to let the park fill to beyond capacity...Although, I'm not sure if this is still an issue.Posted April 28, 2007 at 4:58 AM
From Rick Strawser
If I may, I would like to give an honorable mention to "The Beach" waterpark across from Kings Island in Mason, Ohio. Many on here may not have heard of it, and it isn't as nice as Disney's or some of the others, but it is a nice park. It is spread out through a nice, slightly wooded area and although pretty old, has alot of nice slides, a big lazy river and a new wave pool. The owners have put some cash in it to keep it nice, and it is a nice place to go for a day.Posted April 28, 2007 at 8:14 AM
From Daniel Williams
Diana: Yes, the Bahn has finished first on that show for the last several years, but A) They paid for the show, and B) It really has not been updated much in the last several years.Posted April 30, 2007 at 5:48 PM Jacob: I am not sure that WCUSA has ever been filled past capacity. Maybe what the average guest would think capacity. I have been inside the park when both BGW and WCUSA have shut the doors, and I think that they were comparably busy.
From Jacob Palmer
Well, as I am sure you are very familiar with the park and how spread out it is, I have been in it when it was literally difficult to move. Miserable. I spoke with one of the managers from the office, and he admitted to me that they were just beyond capacity and offered to give me my money back. I accepted. Don't get me wrong, this really isn't much of a complaint. That is just my personal experience, and I know of a couple of similar stories.Posted May 2, 2007 at 1:30 PM
From Daniel Williams
Its also been since..... 2002ish that I worked at WCUSA, so who knows. When they opened up the newer sections of the park, specifically Hubba-Hubba Highway, it increased the capacity quite a bit.Posted May 2, 2007 at 5:43 PM
From Donna Tolliver-Walker
Speaking of Water Country USA, this Sun. is passport preview day. Ironically, after roasting with many mid- to upper 80s days so far this year, the weekend promises to be cool again. Ya, I know, the water's heated -- just would've been nice to have preview day on a hot day to make a visit really appealing.Posted May 2, 2007 at 6:09 PM I love Water Country's rides, wish they would put in a tornado ride like Great Wolf Lodge, though. How long has it been since Water Country's put in a new ride? Was Hubba Hubba Highway the last new one? Time for some new rides there!!
From scott sorensen
We personally enjoyed Wet-n-Wild in Orlando. It's doesn't hurt that when we were hanging out in a water park in Florida, the people back home in Minnesota were getting snow. :) Haven't been to the others on the list, so I can't compare.Posted May 3, 2007 at 3:08 PM
From Jaivion Williams
i made a mistake with my list,i should of took wet'n'wild orlando out and replaced it with hurricane harbor.Posted May 3, 2007 at 7:32 PM
From Robert Niles
What's new for 2007 at any of these parks?Posted May 3, 2007 at 10:11 PM
From Anthony Murphy
Probably not much for Hurricane Harbor at SFGA because they got a new intertube ride. Hurrican Harbor is definatly the smallest on the list, but it does wonders in Northern Illinois!Posted May 4, 2007 at 8:08 AM
From marcus beuro
i love to go to bush gardens adventure island. i start out at bush gardens africa, then mid day travel across the street to adventure islandPosted May 4, 2007 at 11:04 AM
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