Water park: Difference between revisions
| Line 26: | Line 26: | ||
==External links== |
==External links== |
||
*[http://www.splashuniverse.com Splash Universe Indoor Waterparks] |
|||
*[http://www.iaapa.org International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions] |
*[http://www.iaapa.org International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions] |
||
*[http://www.h2oparks.com/ H2O Parks - Your one stop waterpark solution] |
*[http://www.h2oparks.com/ H2O Parks - Your one stop waterpark solution] |
||
Revision as of 17:58, 1 April 2008
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (February 2008) |
- See: List of waterparks (for a list of all waterparks in the world)
A waterpark is an amusement park that features waterplay areas, such as water slides, splash pads, spraygrounds (water playgrounds), lazy rivers, or other recreational bathing, swimming, and barefooting environments. Waterparks in more current states of development may also be equipped with some type of artificial surfing or bodyboarding environment such as a wave pool or a FlowRider.
Evolution of waterparks
Waterparks have grown in popularity since their introduction in the late 1940's. The United States has the largest and most concentrated waterpark market, with over a thousand waterparks and dozens of new parks opening each year. Major organizations are IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) and WWA (World Waterpark Association).
Waterparks emerging from spas continue to more closely resemble mountain resorts as they become four-season destinations. Therefore the whole amusement and leisure time industry is getting even more concentrated as the winter sports are mixing up with the summertime water rides - in time and space. A process of concentration can be observed in the hybrid segments of theme-, amusement-, and waterparks. Some waterparks are more spa-oriented, e.g. Schwaben Quellen, a member of European Waterparks Association (EWA) has no water slides, but instead has lots of saunas, steam rooms, "adventure showers", and relaxation-oriented waterplay areas.
Indoor waterparks
The first ever indoor waterpark was built in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in 1985 at the West Edmonton Mall as part of the $1.2 billion dollar Phase III expansion. Called World Waterpark, it is over 225,000 sq in the United States is the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells which opened in May 2000. In December 2007 the Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, OH will open an addition to their waterpark making it a total of 173,000 square feet.
The premier UK indoor waterpark is the Sandcastle Waterworld at Blackpool, England which has the Master Blaster, the world's longest indoor roller coaster-style ride.
Escape with your family to Splash Universe, located in Dundee, Michigan and Shipshewana, Indiana! Unwind southern Michigan or in the heart of Amish country with 100,000 gallons of country-themed indoor water resort fun at your fingertips. There is something for everyone—start your day with twisting water slides, an interactive water-fun jungle, and an indoor river grotto. Splash Universe is always a balmy 84 degrees! www.splashuniverse.com
Waterpark-like spaces
Spaces that are similar to waterparks include urban beaches, and splash pads, and smaller waterplay areas such as waterslides in many hotels and public pools. For example, the Delta Chelsea hotel in Toronto features a four story waterslide called the "corkscrew".