Grand Wailea Activity Pool, Maui, Hawaii
The pool complex at the upscale Grand Wailea Activity Pool is a decidedly adult take on the water park (although children meeting the height requirements are also welcome), with a swim-up bar inside a secluded grotto. There are nine pools in all, connected by a slow-moving "river," not to mention a whitewater rapids slide, a Tarzan pool with rope swing, six waterfalls and three hot tubs. The hotel’s newest attraction is the Fishpipe, a rotating barrel where you slide the equivalent of a mile in just 90 seconds.
Disney’s Blizzard Beach, Orlando, Fla.
The larger of Disney’s two Orlando water parks, Blizzard Beach gives visitors chills just by suggestion. It’s intended to look like a freak snowstorm hit a ski resort; there’s even a chairlift to whisk you to the top of Mount Gushmore. From there, daredevils can descend the Summit Plummet, in which you freefall 120 feet at speeds approaching 60 mph. A tamer option is the 90-foot Slush Gusher water slide. The 8-lane Toboggan race lends the feeling of racing down a sledding hill against all your friends, and you can leave your mittens at home.
Raging Waters, San Dimas, Calif.
The biggest of the three Raging Waters parks in California (other locations are in Sacramento and San Jose) features 36 rides and attractions sprawling across 50 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. A number of the most popular rides, including Dark Hole and Dragon’s Den, let you slide with a partner. Parents who prefer to relax while their kids splash around can rent shaded cabanas with lounge chairs for the day. There’s even a sandy "beach," although the park is some 40 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean.
Wild Wadi Water Park, Dubai
Residents of the United Arab Emirates are no strangers to dealing with broiling heat. They figured out how to build an indoor ski slope in the desert, so a water park in the shadow of the Burj-al-Arab Hotel was a piece of cake. Wild Wadi Water Park's 30 rides range from the kid-friendly lazy river of Juha’s Journey (named for a character in Arabian folklore) to the adrenaline-pumping Wipeout Flowrider surf simulator. Islamic swimwear is available for Muslim women who prefer to dress more modestly than Western traditions dictate.
Splashin’ Safari, Santa Claus, Ind.
Yep, the town is really named after St. Nick himself, and you’ll love it whether you’re naughty or nice. The four-person Wildebeest at Splashin' Safari used to be the longest water coaster in the world, at more than 1,700 feet. That is until 2012, when the park topped itself with the even longer, six-person ride known as Mammoth. Both use conveyor belts to haul you up to the pinnacle — no stair-climbing required. Splashin’ Safari is adjacent to the land-based Holiday World amusement park, so there’s no end of carnival fun, no matter the weather
The Wisconsin Dells, Wisc.
An hour north of Madison, the town that that invented the indoor water park rightly claims the title "Waterpark Capital of the World." Since the creation of the Water Factory at the Polynesian Resort in 1989, another 18 indoor parks and water playgrounds have splashed into town, along with three outdoor parks. Noah’s Ark, America’s largest water park, is constantly seeking superlatives to add to a roster that already includes the country’s longest water coaster (Black Anaconda) the largest bowl ride (Time Warp), and Scorpion’s Tale, the first-ever near-vertical looping ride.
Beach Park, Fortaleza, Brazil
Want to know what it’s like to jump off the top of a 14-story building? Try the Insano, which is as crazy as it sounds. The world’s tallest free-standing water slide plunges its riders at more than 65 mph into the rushing waters below. Although this thrill ride gets most of the attention, the majority of Beach Park’s attractions are geared towards families, especially those with young kids. And if you tire of the man-made rides and games, there’s always the natural serendipity of the waves of the Atlantic Ocean, just across the street.
Calypso Park, Ottawa, Canada
Canada’s biggest water park has only been open for three years, but it has already attracted more than a million visitors. The highest free-standing tower in North America is the launching point for heart-pumping descents like Blue Rocket, inverting expeditions like Aqualoops and family-friendly twisters like Mellow Yellow. The massive wave pool can accommodate up to 2,000 people at a time.
Schlitterbahn, New Braunfels, Texas
German for "Slippery Road," Schlitterbahn is the gold standard of water parks; its 65 acres are routinely ranked as the favorite of frequent splashers. Schlitterbahn’s newest ride, the Falls, is also its longest. This 3,600-foot loop parallels the Comal River, linking the park’s two biggest neighborhoods, Surfenburg and Blastenhoff. The ride careens through whitewater rapids, cascades and big waves before carrying riders back up to the summit. Schlitterbahn is also one of the few parks that allow you to bring your own food and picnic. Family-friendly admission prices include a souvenir bottle and free fountain drinks.
Tropical Islands, Krausnick, Germany
It’s another world entirely under the 16-acre dome at Tropical Islands, less than an hour from Berlin. It’s home not only to Germany’s tallest water slide, but also to a Balinese lagoon, an indoor rainforest, and a tropical "sea" where the glass dome allows the sun to shine through. You can spend the night in this climate-controlled environment in a rainforest tent, a jungle lodge or a regular hotel room. And, this being Germany, you’re never far from a hot tub, steam bath or sauna.
Grand Wailea Activity Pool, Maui, Hawaii
The pool complex at the upscale Grand Wailea Activity Pool is a decidedly adult take on the water park (although children meeting the height requirements are also welcome), with a swim-up bar inside a secluded grotto. There are nine pools in all, connected by a slow-moving "river," not to mention a whitewater rapids slide, a Tarzan pool with rope swing, six waterfalls and three hot tubs. The hotel’s newest attraction is the Fishpipe, a rotating barrel where you slide the equivalent of a mile in just 90 seconds.
Disney’s Blizzard Beach, Orlando, Fla.
The larger of Disney’s two Orlando water parks, Blizzard Beach gives visitors chills just by suggestion. It’s intended to look like a freak snowstorm hit a ski resort; there’s even a chairlift to whisk you to the top of Mount Gushmore. From there, daredevils can descend the Summit Plummet, in which you freefall 120 feet at speeds approaching 60 mph. A tamer option is the 90-foot Slush Gusher water slide. The 8-lane Toboggan race lends the feeling of racing down a sledding hill against all your friends, and you can leave your mittens at home.
Raging Waters, San Dimas, Calif.
The biggest of the three Raging Waters parks in California (other locations are in Sacramento and San Jose) features 36 rides and attractions sprawling across 50 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. A number of the most popular rides, including Dark Hole and Dragon’s Den, let you slide with a partner. Parents who prefer to relax while their kids splash around can rent shaded cabanas with lounge chairs for the day. There’s even a sandy "beach," although the park is some 40 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean.
Wild Wadi Water Park, Dubai
Residents of the United Arab Emirates are no strangers to dealing with broiling heat. They figured out how to build an indoor ski slope in the desert, so a water park in the shadow of the Burj-al-Arab Hotel was a piece of cake. Wild Wadi Water Park's 30 rides range from the kid-friendly lazy river of Juha’s Journey (named for a character in Arabian folklore) to the adrenaline-pumping Wipeout Flowrider surf simulator. Islamic swimwear is available for Muslim women who prefer to dress more modestly than Western traditions dictate.
Splashin’ Safari, Santa Claus, Ind.
Yep, the town is really named after St. Nick himself, and you’ll love it whether you’re naughty or nice. The four-person Wildebeest at Splashin' Safari used to be the longest water coaster in the world, at more than 1,700 feet. That is until 2012, when the park topped itself with the even longer, six-person ride known as Mammoth. Both use conveyor belts to haul you up to the pinnacle — no stair-climbing required. Splashin’ Safari is adjacent to the land-based Holiday World amusement park, so there’s no end of carnival fun, no matter the weather
The Wisconsin Dells, Wisc.
An hour north of Madison, the town that that invented the indoor water park rightly claims the title "Waterpark Capital of the World." Since the creation of the Water Factory at the Polynesian Resort in 1989, another 18 indoor parks and water playgrounds have splashed into town, along with three outdoor parks. Noah’s Ark, America’s largest water park, is constantly seeking superlatives to add to a roster that already includes the country’s longest water coaster (Black Anaconda) the largest bowl ride (Time Warp), and Scorpion’s Tale, the first-ever near-vertical looping ride.
Beach Park, Fortaleza, Brazil
Want to know what it’s like to jump off the top of a 14-story building? Try the Insano, which is as crazy as it sounds. The world’s tallest free-standing water slide plunges its riders at more than 65 mph into the rushing waters below. Although this thrill ride gets most of the attention, the majority of Beach Park’s attractions are geared towards families, especially those with young kids. And if you tire of the man-made rides and games, there’s always the natural serendipity of the waves of the Atlantic Ocean, just across the street.
Calypso Park, Ottawa, Canada
Canada’s biggest water park has only been open for three years, but it has already attracted more than a million visitors. The highest free-standing tower in North America is the launching point for heart-pumping descents like Blue Rocket, inverting expeditions like Aqualoops and family-friendly twisters like Mellow Yellow. The massive wave pool can accommodate up to 2,000 people at a time.
Schlitterbahn, New Braunfels, Texas
German for "Slippery Road," Schlitterbahn is the gold standard of water parks; its 65 acres are routinely ranked as the favorite of frequent splashers. Schlitterbahn’s newest ride, the Falls, is also its longest. This 3,600-foot loop parallels the Comal River, linking the park’s two biggest neighborhoods, Surfenburg and Blastenhoff. The ride careens through whitewater rapids, cascades and big waves before carrying riders back up to the summit. Schlitterbahn is also one of the few parks that allow you to bring your own food and picnic. Family-friendly admission prices include a souvenir bottle and free fountain drinks.
Tropical Islands, Krausnick, Germany
It’s another world entirely under the 16-acre dome at Tropical Islands, less than an hour from Berlin. It’s home not only to Germany’s tallest water slide, but also to a Balinese lagoon, an indoor rainforest, and a tropical "sea" where the glass dome allows the sun to shine through. You can spend the night in this climate-controlled environment in a rainforest tent, a jungle lodge or a regular hotel room. And, this being Germany, you’re never far from a hot tub, steam bath or sauna.
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