Brandon Girod, Pensacola News Journal
·7 min read
Sunday marks National Waterpark Day, so what better way to celebrate than making a splash at your favorite water park?
Locally, OWA is celebrating by offering $10 off general admission prices at Tropic Falls, and there are three other water parks within driving distance of Pensacola.
Here are some water parks worth keeping you busy this summer in and near the Pensacola area.
Splash City Adventures
Where: 6709 Pensacola Blvd.
Cost: Varies depending on day
Sam’s Fun City rebranded to Splash City Adventures after longtime owner Richard Sanfilippo sold the amusement and water park in 2022. Since then, the new owners have continued where Sanfilippo left off: providing locals with fun things to do right here in Pensacola.
The Splash City Waterpark has 12 water slides, a 750-foot "endless river" and seven pools, including two interactive play pools with pint-sized slides for younger kids. Newer additions to the park include the Flash Flood slide and the Shark Attack tube slides.
Those wanting to get a bit more out of their experience can purchase tickets for the full park, which includes outdoor glow golf, virtual reality adventures, a new 4D attraction and several rides.
The cost of entry to the water park varies depending on how far in advance you purchase tickets. Early, discounted tickets start at $19.99 for anyone over 42 inches tall and $16.99 for anyone under. Prices at the gate are about $31.99 and $26.99, respectively. Tickets for both parks start at $25.99 for all ages and go up to $42.99 if you purchase the day-of.
More info: https://www.splashcityadventures.com/
Waterville USA
Where: 906 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores, Alabama
Cost: $37.95 for adults, $28.95 for kids under 42 inches
If you don’t mind driving an hour for some summertime fun, Waterville USA, in Gulf Shores, Alabama, is another great spot to spend the day. Waterville USA is a 20-acre water and amusement park just a quarter mile from the beach.
Water park attractions include:
Crystal Water River – A relaxing lazy river that flows about a third of a mile through the park’s slides, rides and tropical landscaping.
Dune Racer – A six-lane mat racer slide that is 55 feet tall.
Flowrider – A simulated surfing and body boarding attraction where riders can stand up, surf or body board on an endless wave. This attraction pumps out 40,000 gallons of water over a soft, trampoline-style mat up to a 5-foot incline.
Gold Rush – A 20-foot fall into the lagoon that allows up to three people to ride on a single raft.
Great White – A tube slide that takes up to three riders through a tunnel and waterfall before a quick drop into the lagoon below.
Jet Stream – A 350-foot, high-speed body slide that’s sure to get your heart pumping.
North Shore Wave Pool – A 25,000-square-foot wave pool. The surf comes and goes in 15-minute increments.
Rainbow Falls – A trio of vibrant body slides that twist, turn and drop riders in a pool of water at the end. This is a great starter slide.
Screamin’ Demon – Drop nearly 60 feet on this high-speed body slide.
Shrimp Boat Village – A three-story water playground featuring sprays, geysers, net crawls, water cannons and dumping buckets.
Triple Dog Dare – A tri-colored, “turbo” body slide that gives riders a feeling of weightlessness as they shoot through the ride's bumps at blazing speeds.
Wawa World – A pirate-themed water playground for kids 42 inches or shorter. It features Frog, Pelican and Duck slides.
Just like Splash City Adventures, you can extend the fun to the amusement park, though the pricing structure is pay-per-ride. The amusement park features a launch pad, arcade, mini golf, go-karts, bowling, Topgolf Swing Suite, escape rooms and more.
Water park ticket prices start at $37.95 for adults and $28.95 for kids under 42 inches tall. Admission prices on Saturday are $38.95 and $29.95, respectively.
More info: https://watervilleusa.com/
Tropic Falls at OWA
Where: 1501 S. Owa Blvd., Foley, Alabama
Cost: Starting at $74.99 per person; $62.49 per person with Family 4 Pack discount
Tropic Falls at OWA is the newest attraction on the list. It's a huge indoor water park that features 23 rides and attractions. It includes 75-foot slides, a wave pool, a surf simulator and more. Here's a quick look at the highlights:
Aqua Chaser – Three parallel slides with mats that allow riders to race to the bottom.
Big Water Bay – A brand new, 30,000-square-foot wave pool.
Castaway Creek – An indoor lazy river.
Citrus Cyclone – Hop into a boat-like inflatable tube and drop, dive and splash your way through the ride's high-speed turns.
Coastal Curl – A thrilling surf simulator.
Forbidden Falls – A twisting tube slide for up to two riders.
Piranha Plunge – An iconic body slide that combines sheer drops with 360-degree loops.
Serpentine Swirl – A body slide featuring high banks, 360-degree loops, back-to-back turns and open flumes.
Tangerine Scream – A body slide that features a nearly vertical drop and narrow plume.
Tuki's Tower – A kid-friendly tropical play structure that has five slides and a dump-bucket tower.
Tropic Falls is only one part of the OWA experience. The 520-acre complex is also complete with Downtown OWA, a pedestrian-only area with dining, shopping and tons of entertain choices; and an amusement park that has another 23 unique attractions.
Tropic Falls tickets are a bit more expensive than the other options, starting at $74.99 for entry Monday through Thursday and $79.99 for Friday through Sunday. Families of four can enjoy a special ticket offer that brings those prices down to $62.49 and $67.49 per person. Kids three and under get in for free.
More info: https://visitowa.com/
Big Kahuna’s
Where: 1008 U.S. Highway 98, Destin
Cost: $54.99 per person
Big Kahuna’s is probably the most well known water park within the Pensacola area, though it’s still nearly an hour and a half drive. Whether you’re looking to spend a relaxing day swimming through the giant wave pool and taking a leisurely ride through the Lazy River, or you’re looking for a more thrilling adventure on the five-story Jumanji water slide, there’s fun to be had at every corner of Big Kahuna’s.
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Here’s a look at some of the attractions:
Kowabunga Racer – The Kowabunga Racer is a four-lane drag strip that plunges nearly five stories on a downhill racecourse the size of a football field. Visitors will grab a speed mat and start off side-by-side with their fellow racers before disappearing in and out of twisting, coiling tubes before a breathtaking drop to the splash landing below.
Hammerhead – Two symmetrical slides that start on top of the Temple of Doom, taking you on a curving ride.
Monkey River – Two slides with 360-degree turns.
Cobra Twister – A relaxing yet exciting journey that seamlessly takes guests into the lazy river.
Honolulu Half Pipe – A surf simulator that moves 17,000 gallons of water per minute.
Lazy River – Unwind and float away in an inner tube or simply enjoy a scenic swim through the park.
Maui Pipeline Slides – Specifically designed for thrill-seekers, these three speed slides propel you to high speeds as you twist, turn and plunge your way through until the end.
Jumanji – A 70-foot free-fall in complete darkness.
Tiki River Run – Slide down a huge tube alone or in tandem with a friend. Experience the twists, tunnels and turns that weave through waterfalls before splashing down in the pool below.
Big Kahuna’s tickets start at $54.99 per person if you purchase online or $57.99 at the gate. You can grab two-day tickets for $87.99 per person. Visitors who want to take advantage of the park’s mini golf course and Skycoaster can purchase a combo pass for $75.99 each.
More info: https://bigkahunas.com/destin/
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: National Waterpark Day is Sunday. Here's how to celebrate
