For those that long to enjoy the thrill of water rides in 80-degree weather year-round can finally fulfill their dream. The Indoor water park industry is expanding across the United States, offering several facilities for locals and tourists to enjoy.
Primarily, indoor water parks are found in areas with colder climates, offering summer activities for those who would normally need to travel many miles to enjoy. Potential indoor water park visitors should note the entrance requirements for each facility, as some are only open to registered guests of the resort and some are separate facilities that provide day passes.
Wisconsin Dells is the reigning champion of the indoor water park industry. The first indoor water park appeared in the early 1990’s at the Polynesian Resort to attract visitors during the off-season. After noticing the popularity of the attraction, many resort owners began opening their own facilities. The Dells currently houses more than 24 indoor facilities spread across the city. Some of the most popular resorts in this area are the Wilderness Waterpark Resort, encompassing 160,000 square feet and the Kalahari Waterpark Resort, exclusively offering the indoor stand up and surf FlowRider at both the Wisconsin Dells location and its Sandusky, Ohio location. Other attractions at Kalahari include an indoor lazy river and a full service spa for adults to relax. More information on rates and packages can be obtained from each resort individually.
Second to Wisconsin Dells, Minnesota houses several indoor water parks to transform its notoriously cold climate into an attractive recreational area. The Grand Rios Indoor Water Park is the largest indoor facility in Minnesota, boasting a four-story water tower and a lazy river. The Great Serengeti indoor facility located at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites in Owatonna incorporates a safari theme (this park is open to registered guests only). The Big Splash Indoor Water Park in Alexandria offers a tropical atmosphere and at 38,000 square feet is currently the 12th largest indoor facility in the United States.
Since the surge in popularity of the initial indoor water parks, several other resorts have cropped up across the country. The Grand Harbor Resort and Indoor Water Park in Dubuque, Iowa is decorated in the theme of an old boatyard, reminiscent of Huckleberry Fin. The park includes several slides, tube rides and the ritual dumping of 800 gallons of water every 9 minutes.
The Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park Resort in Erie, Pennsylvania is housed within the Holiday Inn Express. Visitors can enjoy various slides and body coasters similar to that of other indoor water parks set amongst a tropical atmosphere. The Adventure Bay portion of the park offers water basketball and other activities that test speed and agility. Adults can relax in the Island Oasis Bar and Patio that overlooks the park and enjoy cocktails and live music.
Possibly the only time to enjoy the summer climate in Anchorage, Alaska is to visit the H2Oasis Indoor Waterpark. The facility includes a 43-foot water coaster, six water cannons, a wave pool, and a pirate themed lagoon for kids with seven slides. The park also offers other amenities such as a snack bar, arcade, and tanning beds.
Though there are more than fifty indoor water parks currently open in the United States, there is still room for more. Michigan is opening its doors to the Avalanche Bay at Boyne Mountain in the early summer of 2005. The facility, attached to the Mountain Grand Lodge and Spa Hotel, offers an 84 degree atmosphere year round for guests to enjoy rides such as the Vertigo Cannonbowl tube slide (where riders are literally ‘flushed’ into a large bowl), the wet climbing wall (rock climbing wall with water pouring down) and the Rip Zone surf simulator.
Even Six Flags is jumping on the indoor water park bandwagon. Their facility titled the Six Flags Great Escape Lodge and Indoor Waterpark is located in the Adirondack Mountains and is set to open in late 2005/early 2006. The 38,000 square foot park will be available to hotel guests only. The resort will offer the FlowRider (becoming the second United States location to offer the attraction) and a themed adventure river.
