Indoor Water Parks
From LoveToKnow Themeparks
In areas of the United States that experience long, cold fall and winter seasons, indoor water parks are just the escape for families to grab a little taste of summertime.
About Indoor Water Parks
Indoor water parks encompass a range of sizes, from small-scale operations to large productions. With water park attractions located under one roof and offering something for every age, it’s no wonder that indoor water parks are growing in popularity.
Indoor Water Park History
Indoor water parks came on the scene in 1985, with the first built in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. World Waterpark, as it is known, is over 225,000 square feet and includes the largest indoor wave pool, a variety of water rides, zip lines, and bungee jumping. It wasn’t until 1994 that the first U.S. indoor water park was built at the Polynesian Hotel in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. This Midwestern city has become the premiere destination for indoor water parks, boasting the most in any state.
Water Park Resorts
Most indoor water parks are part of a resort, and as such, offer appealing packages that include both lodging and park admission. Visitors to these parks enjoy the ease of having both water park amusements and their hotel room in one place. Many of these indoor parks are exclusively for guests staying at the resort.
Winter Destination
Indoor water parks can be an oasis for those plagued by cold winters. With an increase in the number of these parks over the years, it’s becoming easier for families to visit a warm destination without having to travel too far. With year-round temperatures in the 80s, there is never bad weather at an indoor water park.
Indoor Water Park Elements
While not all indoor water parks are created equal, there are a number of elements that can typically be found in most parks:
- River – Most water parks include a river that circles the park where visitors can float along in a tube. While not the most spine-tingling part of any indoor water park, this relaxing attraction gets its fair share of fans.
- Tube Slides – Of course, tube rides come in different shapes and sizes, but the variety is what makes water parks so enjoyable.
- Body Slides – This is the backbone of any water park. With options that include super fast flumes or winding twists and turns, this is where the action is!
- Wave Pool – This is one of the more popular attractions at any water park, allowing visitors to ride the waves in a simulated ocean.
- Kiddie Area – Indoor parks provide an area just for small children, with elements such as dump buckets, sprayers, and child-size slides.
- Coaster – Depending on the size of the park, some may feature a water roller coaster, propelled by jets of water.
Parks to Visit
Indoor water parks are growing – with new locations added each year. Among the bigger parks are:
- Kalahari Resort – Located in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin – the Water Park Capital of the World -- Kalahari Resort is the largest U.S. indoor water park under one roof.
- Great Wolf Lodge – While this chain originated in Wisconsin Dells, additional locations have opened around the United States, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Virginia, Texas, and Washington.
- Grizzly Falls Water Park – Opening in Rosemont, Illinois in Spring 2008.
- Avalanche Bay Indoor Water Park – Located in Boyne Falls, Michigan.
- CoCo Key Water Resort at the Clarion Hotel Kansas City Sports Complex – Located in Kansas City, Missouri.
- Castaway Bay – Located in Sandusky, Ohio, near Cedar Point amusement park.
With more indoor water parks opening each year, it’s becoming an accessible weekend destination for families because of the relatively short travel time. Additionally, winter ski lodges are getting in on the act, offering water park fun along with cold weather attractions, as well as having an attraction in the off season.
Learn More
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