Waterparks Near Me
On a hot summer day, few things can beat the fun of visiting a waterpark! Whether you’re looking for an outdoor waterpark or a fancy indoor version, every waterpark features play areas, water slides, splash pads, lazy rivers, and other recreational bathing opportunities. Many also feature artificial surfing advancements such as a wave pool or flowrider.
Are you interested in finding a waterpark near you? Simply browse waterparks near me on the map below and find a list of waterparks located in a close proximity to your current location. Need a bit more information on waterparks? Read on for interesting facts, trivia, and more!
Waterparks Near Me – Find it on the Map
Waterparks Near Me – Waterparks Trivia
When was the first waterpark built?
It’s hard to imagine life without water parks, after all, nearly 85 million Americans visit a waterpark every year. But when exactly was the first waterpark built? Well, historians agree that the first park didn’t officially open its doors until the 1960s, despite the fact that individual water slides and wet rides date all the way back to the 1940s.
The first park didn’t open its doors until the 1960s, though individual slides and wet rides date back to the 1940s. The the first official waterpark debuted in the 1960s, most agree that Wet n’ Wild in Orlando Florida, which had its first season in 1977, was the first truly modern water park to emulate what we enjoy in the modern day. A lesser known park in Newberry Springs, California is regarded as the first park, but did not bear many of the marks of a modern water park. Wet n’ Wild is credited with bringing waterparks to the forefront of American recreation and bearing true appeal. Founder, George Millay is even known as the “Father of the Waterpark.” Millay began construction his beloved park in the mid 1970s. The park consisted of a huge lazy river and a wave pool for visitors to wade in and enjoy. Over time, George Millay was credited with opening four more Wet n’ Wild locations. The original park continued to expand as the brand itself expanded. Slides and a children’s area were designated within the first 10 years. Today, Wet n’ Wild is owned and operated by Universal Studios, which means growth isn’t slowing down anytime soon. As you search waterparks near me, think about how recent waterpark popularity actually is.
Theres’s a ton of fun to be had at every waterpark!
Where was the first indoor water park built?
If you’re searching waterparks near me, there’s a big chance that you’re looking for an indoor water park. Not only are indoor water parks available for year round use, but their climate controlled environment means you never have to depend on the weather for a day at the park. The first ever indoor water park was built in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada back in 1985 at the West Edmonton Mall. It was a major part of a $1.2 billion expansion. Dubbed World Waterpark, this indoor amusement park boasts over 217,800 square feet in fun. It also includes one of the world’s largest wave pools, tube rides, bungee jumping, hot tubs, and waterslides of various sizes and shapes.
Waterparks Near Me – Waterparks Facts
Staying Safe at the Park
Many people who are searching waterparks near me consider the fun of a park, but they’re not keen on how to stay safe when visiting a water or amusement park. Anyone taking a child under 48” to a waterpark should know that non-swimmers or kiddos who are weak swimmers should always wear a life vest while enjoying any kind of water park attraction. Many waterparks will offer these as a rental option, but you’re more than welcome to bring your own if your child has a difficult size. When visiting a waterpark, always dress appropriately. Everyone wants to look cute, but not at the expense of your safety. Bring along a hat and a loose shirt for when you’ve had it with the sun. Always monitor just how much sun you’re receiving, especially if you’re bringing young children or toddlers. Also don’t count on wearing water shoes, as many times water shoes are not permitted on water slides and other park attractions as they can pose a safety risk. Always generously apply waterproof sunscreen prior to leaving the house and reapply every 80 minutes or so (depending on how much you’re in the water). Drink lots of fluids throughout the day and avoid any beverages with caffeine as these can dehydrate you while out in the sun. By staying safe and following these tips, you can ensure a successful and fun trip to the waterpark without the headaches!
How Water Slides Work
At a very basic level, a water slide is pretty much a very paired down roller coaster without the track or car. As you you search waterparks near me, consider just how water slides uses gravity to give you a thrill. Every water slide applies a force that is working against gravity. The balance of these forces often depends upon the angle of the slide, but they work together in harmony. When you are sliding in a level slope, gravity helps pull you directly into the slide itself and the slide then pushes you upward. This upward force of the slide pushes opposite the downward force of gravity which slows your acceleration when going down. When you’re sliding on a sharp or steep slope, gravity is still working to pull you straight down. The difference is that the slanted slide is not pushing you up, it is pushing you at an angle. Since the slide isn’t exactly working against gravity, you’re able to accelerate far more rapidly.
