Water park

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Typhoon Lagoon at Walt Disney World is the most visited water park in North America, and the second most visited in the world WDW Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool.JPG
Typhoon Lagoon at Walt Disney World is the most visited water park in North America, and the second most visited in the world

A water park (also waterpark, water world, or aquapark) is an amusement park that features water play areas such as swimming pools, water slides, splash pads, water playgrounds, and lazy rivers, as well as areas for floating, bathing, swimming, and other barefoot environments. Modern water parks may also be equipped with some type of artificial surfing or bodyboarding environment, such as a wave pool or flowrider.

Contents

History

Children's play area at WaterWorld Themed Waterpark in Ayia Napa, Cyprus Waterworld Waterpark - panoramio.jpg
Children's play area at WaterWorld Themed Waterpark in Ayia Napa, Cyprus

Water parks have grown in popularity since their roots of public swimming pools in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The first water park featuring water slides and wave pools was Wet 'n Wild, which opened in Orlando, Florida, in 1977. [1] The United States has the largest and most concentrated water park market, with over 1,000 water parks and dozens of new parks opening each year. Major organizations are the IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) and WWA (World Waterpark Association), which is the industry trade association. [2]

Water parks which emerge from spas tend to more closely resemble mountain resorts, as they become year-round destinations. For example, Splash Universe Water Park Resort is themed to match the community in which it is located. The theme is intended to enhance the community's destination appeal. Therefore, the amusement and leisure-time industry is becoming more concentrated, as winter sports are becoming common themes in summertime water recreation.

A process of concentration can be observed in the hybrid versions of theme-, amusement-, and water parks. Some water parks are more spa-oriented. For example, SchwabenQuellen has no water slides; it has instead many saunas, steam rooms, "adventure showers", and relaxation-oriented water play areas.[ citation needed ]

In the 2000s, an effort was made to reduce long waiting lines by introducing conveyor belts to lift passengers [3] or use water jets. [4]

An unusual feature at a water park is ice skating. Deep River Water Park in northwestern Indiana features ice skating, made possible by cooling pipes installed under their massive plaza. [5]

Indoor water parks

A modern indoor water park in China Modern indoor waterpark.JPG
A modern indoor water park in China

Some of the first indoor water parks are Tikibad  [ nl ] at Duinrell (The Netherlands, 1984), Nautiland located at Haguenau (France, 1984), the Aqua Mundo at Center Parc De Eemhof located at Zeewolde (The Netherlands, 1980) and Alpamare (Pfäffikon)  [ de ] (Switzerland, 1977). [6] [7] [8] [9]

In 1986 World Waterpark was open in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada at the West Edmonton Mall. [10] [11] It is in 2016 the largest indoor water park in North America. [12] [13]

Tropical Islands Resort (Germany), with an area of 66,000 m2 (710,418 sq ft), is in 2016 the largest indoor water park in the world. [14] [15]

With five indoor water parks, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin has been dubbed the "Water Park Capital of the World". It showcases several of America's largest indoor and outdoor water parks, such as Noah's Ark Water Park. Wisconsin Dells is also home to the first indoor water park in the United States, which was debuted in 1994 by the Polynesian Resort Hotel. [16]

Success in extending the tourist season and turning water park resorts into vacation destinations has resulted in tremendous industry growth. Usually, resort hotels featuring massive indoor water parks have been reserved for overnight guests. Companies like Great Wolf Resorts/Great Wolf Lodge and Kalahari Resorts have branched out from their origin in Wisconsin Dells to open new locations around the country. Mt. Olympus Theme and Water Park (formerly Family Land) is another huge water park in the Dells.

The largest indoor water park in the UK is Sandcastle Water Park in Blackpool, England, which opened in 1986. [17]

There are many water parks in southern Europe where the climate suits a long season. For example, in Portugal's Algarve, there are three main parks: Aqualand, Aquashow, and Slide and Splash.

Water play areas

Water play areas are similar to water parks and include urban beaches, splash pads, and smaller collections of water slides in many hotels and public swimming pools.

For example, the Chelsea Hotel in Toronto features a four-story water slide called the Corkscrew.

Safety

According to estimates from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 4,200 people annually are sent to emergency rooms from suffering injuries on public waterslides. In July 2015, one drowning and at least three near-drownings were reported at water parks in the United States. [18]

On August 7, 2016, Caleb Schwab, the 10-year-old son of American politician Scott Schwab, was decapitated on the Verrückt water ride at the Schlitterbahn water park in Kansas City, Kansas. [18] [19] Following the fatal incident, Verrückt permanently closed. [20]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin</span> City in Wisconsin, United States

Wisconsin Dells is a city in Adams, Columbia, Juneau, and Sauk counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. A popular Midwestern tourist destination, Wisconsin Dells is home to several water parks and tourist attractions. The city had a population of 2,942 as of the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Water slide</span> Type of slide designed for recreational use in swimming pools or water parks

A water slide is a type of slide designed for warm-weather or indoor recreational use at swimming pools or water parks. Water slides differ in their riding method and therefore size. Some slides require riders to sit directly on the slide, or on a raft or tube designed to be used with the slide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schlitterbahn</span> American brand of water parks and resorts owned by Six Flags

Schlitterbahn is an American brand of water parks and resorts owned by Six Flags Entertainment Corporation. It was previously a company family owned and operated by the Henry family that was based in New Braunfels, Texas. Schlitterbahn opened its first location, Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort, in 1979. At its peak, the company consisted of five outdoor waterparks, two indoor waterparks, and three resorts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Six Flags Darien Lake</span> Amusement park in Darien, New York

Six Flags Darien Lake is a 1,200-acre (4.86 km2) amusement park and resort located in Darien, New York, off of Interstate 90 between Buffalo and Rochester. Six Flags Darien Lake features a theme park, water park, campground and lodging. It is owned by EPR Properties and operated by Six Flags.

Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure is a water park and amusement park in Bessemer, Alabama. It is owned by Koch Family Parks, which consists of members of the family who formerly had minority ownership in Holiday World & Splashin' Safari.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park</span> Amusement park in Wisconsin

Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park Resort is a theme park and water park resort complex in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. The resort is themed after Ancient Greece, particularly its mythology and gods, and is named after the mountain in Greece where those gods were said to live. Mt. Olympus features an indoor and outdoor water park and amusement park rides, and the complex includes dozens of motel buildings that were acquired by the resort in addition to its purpose-built hotel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalahari Resorts</span> American water park resort chain with African theme

Kalahari Resorts and Conventions is a water park resort chain with locations in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin; Sandusky, Ohio; Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania; and Round Rock, Texas. Named for the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa, occupying eastern Namibia, western Botswana and northwestern South Africa, the resorts are heavily decorated with African animals and plants, and other African motifs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sandcastle Waterpark (Blackpool)</span> Waterpark in Blackpool, England

Sandcastle Waterpark is an indoor waterpark with 18 water slides and other attractions in Blackpool, Lancashire, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schlitterbahn Kansas City</span> Former water park in Kansas City, Kansas

Schlitterbahn Waterpark Kansas City was a water park in Kansas City, Kansas. It was announced in September 2005 by Schlitterbahn Waterparks and opened on July 15, 2009. It was conceived as a 370-acre (150-hectare) and $750 million development including a nearly 40-acre (16-hectare) waterpark, which was Schlitterbahn's fourth waterpark and its first outside Texas.

An indoor water park is a type of water park that is located inside a building. An indoor water park has the ability to stay open year-round, as it is not affected by weather conditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilderness Territory</span> Water park resort in Wisconsin Dells, US

Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort is a large water resort in Lake Delton, Wisconsin. It is one of the largest indoor waterpark complexes in the world with a combined size of 240,000 square feet (22,000 m2). It is part of a chain of two resorts, the newer and smaller one being Wilderness at the Smokies in Tennessee. The chain also includes four small outdoor waterparks.

Chula Vista Resort is a southwestern-themed waterpark resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. The resort is located on the Upper Dells of the Wisconsin River, 3 miles (4.8 km) north of downtown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden Ticket Award for Best New Ride</span> Award honoring best new attraction

The Golden Ticket Award for Best New Ride is presented by Amusement Today to the best new attraction in the water park industry. The award was presented for best new attraction in both water parks and amusement parks since its inception in 2005 until 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Verrückt</span> Demolished water slide in Kansas

Verrückt was a water slide located at the Schlitterbahn Kansas City water park in Kansas City, Kansas, United States. At the height of 168 feet 7 inches (51.38 m), Verrückt became the world's tallest water slide when it opened on July 10, 2014, surpassing Kilimanjaro at Aldeia das Águas Park Resort in Brazil. The ride was designed at the park, led by John Schooley with assistance from park co-owner Jeff Henry. It was featured on an episode of Xtreme Waterparks on the Travel Channel in June 2014, shortly before the ride opened. Verrückt permanently closed in 2016 following a fatal incident involving the decapitation of Caleb Schwab, the 10-year-old son of Kansas state legislator Scott Schwab.

References

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  2. "NFPA announces launch of online smoke alarm pledge in partnership with LEGOLAND Florida Resort and LEGOLAND California Resort". Archived from the original on 2014-09-05. Retrieved 2014-09-03.
  3. This feature was applied at Caribbean Bay Wild River zone, Everland Resort, South Korea
  4. This feature was applied at Wild Wadi in Jumeirah Hotel, Dubai
  5. "Deep River Waterpark - NW Indiana, Chicagoland & So. Michigans Largest". deep-river-waterpark.
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  8. Tracey Davies (August 15, 2012). "How Centre Parcs opened my eyes". The Independent . Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  9. ""Die Freude der Kinder ist die gleiche geblieben"". Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in German). August 4, 2008. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  10. "Throwback thursday: Brampton's Shoppers World was first in Canada to build indoor water slide". Brampton Guardian . May 3, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  11. "Taking a deep dive into the history of WEM's waterpark". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. October 9, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  12. Hinson, Tamara (July 31, 2013). "12 of the world's best water parks". CNN. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  13. "Where Can I Find the Largest Indoor Water Park?". The 6th Floor. The New York Times. July 26, 2012. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  14. "6 Largest Indoor Water Parks in the World". Touropia. Retrieved 2016-05-27.
  15. Eloi Rouyer (February 3, 2014). "Sous les tropiques... en Allemagne". La Presse (in French). Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  16. "Wisconsin Dells: The Waterpark Capital of the World". TripSavvy. Retrieved 2021-07-25.
  17. "Sandcastle Waterpark is the UKs Largest Indoor Waterpark". www.sandcastle-waterpark.co.uk.
  18. 1 2 Schneider, Roger (2016-08-08). "Safety issues, statistics about water parks in the US". Associated Press . Retrieved 2021-07-31.
  19. Sudekum, Maria (2016-08-10). "10-year-old boy who died on Kansas waterslide was decapitated: report". Global News . Retrieved 2021-07-31.
  20. Hollandsworth, Skip. "Schlitterbahn's Tragic Slide". Texas Monthly .

Further reading