Awater park (alsowaterpark,water world, oraquapark) is anamusement park that features water play areas such asswimming pools,water slides,splash pads, water playgrounds, andlazy rivers, as well as areas for floating, bathing, swimming, and other barefoot environments. Modern water parks may also be equipped with some type of artificialsurfing orbodyboarding environment, such as awave pool orflowrider.
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] TheUnited 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 theIAAPA (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 oftheme-,amusement-, and water parks. Some water parks are more spa-oriented. For example,SchwabenQuellen has no water slides; it has instead manysaunas,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 introducingconveyor belts to lift passengers[3] or use water jets.[4]
An unusual feature at a water park isice skating.Deep River Water Park in northwesternIndiana features ice skating, made possible by cooling pipes installed under their massive plaza.[5]
Some of the first indoor water parks areTikibad [nl] atDuinrell (The Netherlands, 1984), Nautiland located atHaguenau (France, 1984), the Aqua Mundo atCenter Parc De Eemhof located atZeewolde (The Netherlands, 1980) andAlpamare (Pfäffikon) [de] (Switzerland, 1977).[6][7][8][9]
In 1986World Waterpark was open inEdmonton, Alberta, Canada at theWest 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 asNoah'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 likeGreat Wolf Resorts/Great Wolf Lodge andKalahari 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 isSandcastle Water Park inBlackpool, England, which opened in 1986.[17]
There are many water parks in southern Europe where the climate suits a long season. For example, inPortugal'sAlgarve, there are three main parks: Aqualand, Aquashow, and Slide and Splash.
Water play areas are similar to water parks and includeurban beaches,splash pads, and smaller collections ofwater slides in many hotels and publicswimming pools.
For example, theChelsea Hotel inToronto features a four-story water slide called the Corkscrew.
According to estimates from theU.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 politicianScott Schwab, wasdecapitated on theVerrückt water ride at theSchlitterbahn water park inKansas City, Kansas.[18][19] Following the fatal incident, Verrückt permanently closed.[20]
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