As the summer heats up, everyone is looking for a great way to cool down.
Water parks are among the best ways to cool down when just going to the pool is
not enough and the beach is too far away. Just about every major city has a
water park in one way or another, but not all of these water parks have what it
takes to capture the attention of the public. Only the best water parks in the
world can keep bringing in the crowds and putting smiles on the faces of the
public.
This means making sure to have the latest technology in water parks as
well as massive amounts of slides and pools to keep up with the growing
popularity of these parks in the summer. Here are the top water parks in the
world for you to check out whenever you are looking to cool down in the summer.
15) Beach Park
- Brazil
Among the places you can imagine needing a good water park is Brazil. With
the temperatures ranging from high to outrageous, the people of Brazil are in
desperate need of a way to cool down. Beach Park is actually several resorts
that all reside right on the beach. You can go from the salt water to the cool
water of the pools and slides. There is something for all ages with wading
pools, swim up bars and more at these water park resorts. You can even stay at
the hotels that are right on the resort so you do not have to miss any of the
action while you are staying in Brazil.
Among the most impressive of the water slides is the one that resembles a
giant saxophone. This slide jets the rider along as intense speeds and allows
you to cool down as you are speeding towards the pool below. There are also
massive water slides with more loops than you can count. These high slides and
huge water pools provide enough fun for hundreds of people to play, have fun, or
just relax by the pool.
Aerial View of Beach Park, Brazil
14) Everland - South Korea
Everland is actually a large resort that features everything from a golf club
and speedway to zoos and more. Caribbean Bay is the attraction inside of
Everland that allows guests to cool off while they are staying at the resort.
The entire theme of the water park is designed to make it appear as if you have
been whisked away to the Caribbean. Everything from Spanish-style moss to
tropical plants and palm trees have been planted to give the water park the
realistic feel of being right in the Caribbean.
Apart from feeling as if you are in the Caribbean, you will also be able to
appreciate the fact that Caribbean Bay has one of the most intense waterslides
of any water park in the world. If you are not looking for thrills from your
water park, you will be able to enjoy the lazy man river that simply allows you
to coast along on an inflatable raft. There is also a large wave pool with the
ability to create waves up to 2.4 meters in height.
Wave Pool at Everland
Those who do not wish to be outside the entire time are able to check out the
indoor water park including the children’s pool and some spa facilities for the
parents. Whether you are looking to relax or have some fun, Caribbean Bay has
what you are looking for.
13) Etnaland - Italy
Etnaland is actually split up into the theme park as well as the water park.
Inside of the water park, you have the choice to be thrilled or to relax. Those
who want to relax will be able to enjoy the Blue Lagoon as well as the Lazy
River. The Mini area is perfect for the kids with their own mini lazy river as
well as smaller versions of the big water slides that the adults and big kids
can go on. It is recommended for the faint of heart and the children to stay in
the mini area to make sure that they will not be overcome by the intensity that
some of these water slides have to offer.
For those a little more daring, there are several slides you can try out.
There are three different slides that bear the Kamikaze name and they all send
the rider down the slide at very high speeds. Choose from the dark kamikaze
which is completely enclosed and sends you down the pipe in darkness or the
hydro kamikaze that shoots riders down a long slide at high speeds or just the
regular kamikaze with a slightly gentler ride.
Hydro Kamikaze Ride
For those looking for the most
intense of the rides, you can ride the Stukas which sends riders at a nearly 90
degree drop before finally bottoming out.
12) West Edmonton Mall
- Alberta Canada
Next is the West Edmonton Mall water park. While you may not expect to find a
water park inside of a mall, this one does not disappoint on any front. The
massive water slides allow kids to have fun while parents shop for anything they
might want. The shops inside of the mall do not let the parents down either,
with some of the nicest shopping you can find in any mall.
The great thing about the water park is that since it is indoors, you never
have to worry about it being closed due to weather. Yet, because the ceiling is
entirely of glass, it can make it feel as if you are outside the whole time you
are at the water park. Areas of the water park include a massive pirate boat
that kids can run and play on when they are not splashing in the water and
riding the big water slides.
Pirate Ship Attraction at the West Edmonton Mall Water Park
One of the most impressive of the slides is the one
that has a giant look that goes up at a 45 degree angle before coming back down.
Water jets propel riders up to the top of the apex and then shoot them back out
the other side for a truly impressive ride.
11) Chimelong Paradise
- China
Designed to be an add-on to the main resort, the water park in Chimelong
inadvertently became the biggest water park in Asia. These water play structures
are among the best in the world and allow children to play with each other in
ways never before imagined. This is in addition to some of the massive water
rides, like the Tornado ride that shoots riders into a four leaf-clover shaped
ring. This is before the riders are shot down a large cone to make you feel as
if you have truly been engulfed by a real tornado.
Dive Coaster
The water treatment systems are among the best in the world, so you will not
have to worry about your kids becoming sick while they are playing. Just keep in
mind that the heights for children who can get in free are predicated more on
the height of Asian children and can be slightly upsetting if you were hoping to
get your kid in for free and you are from anywhere else in the world.
10) Splashin' Safari
- Holiday World Indiana
Each of the different rides within Splashin' Safari has the name of an animal
attached to it. This is not any surprise to those looking to go on a Splashin'
Safari. Located inside of Holiday World in Indiana, this water park does not
fail to delight the senses. There are more than just rides, so the kids can
splash and play in the different splash areas that include Monsoon Lagoon,
Safari Sam’s Splash Land and Kima Bay.
As if this was not enough, adults looking for a little more daring water
slides can have a lot of fun riding the three Otorongo slides. These slides are
completely drenched in darkness and allow riders to reach high speeds while
hitting twists and turns that they do not see coming. If you are looking for a
big water ride, you can have a lot of fun riding the Giraffica ride. It does
close later in the season, but if you can catch it in the summer, it will not
disappoint. One of the more unique slides is Zinga.
Zinga Slide Attraction
This is an eight-story tall
water ride that culminates in a huge funnel. Riders have fun riding and going
over the funnel to the drop. Then there is Mammoth which is also the world’s
longest water coaster. Six passengers are allowed to ride in a boat to go
through long tunnels with water jets pushing the boat along.
9) Tropical Islands
- Berlin, Germany
Tropical Islands is so much more than just another water park. It is one of
the biggest water parks in Europe and it is one of the only major water parks in
the world that is completely indoors. Of course, to take everything just one
level further, the water park aspect of the resort is just one part. Those who
buy a ticket to the water park also have the opportunity to travel through the
jungle and see some truly amazing sights.
Everything that has been created makes
the attraction look like a tropical island rather than an attraction that is
inside of a massive dome. This includes the shows, entertainment, restaurants,
bars, sauna and spa that are available.
Kids will enjoy being able to swim through the calm waters or riding down
some of the longest water slides in any water park on Earth. Since everything is
inside, you will never have to worry about the weather stopping the fun. It can
be raining as hard as it wants to outside and it will still be bright sunny days
within the confines of Tropical Islands.
8) Siam Park - Canary Islands
No matter what kind of Water Park you are looking for, Siam Park has it! The
kids will love playing in the Lost City splash park. This is area in which kids
are in a wading pool and can splash each other along with a massive water drop
that sprays water on everyone below. While the kids are playing, parents might
escape to the floating market or they can also get a bite to eat in a restaurant
that does not even have a kid’s menu.
Top of Tower of Power Water Slide and View of Siam Park
Of course, Siam Park is not without adventurous water slides to keep the
adults busy. The Jungle Snake is a huge water slide that allows riders to feel
as if they may never reach the end of the water slide. If you just want to go
surfing, you can go to the Wave Place and jump in to hang ten. Surfboards are
available for rent so you can see how you stand up to some of the most perfect
waves.
Wave Place at Siam Park
The Dragon and the Tower of Power are two massive water slides that have
to be experienced in order to know what a major water slide truly feels like.
7) Aquatica Sea World
- San Antonio, TX
For those looking to combine a trip to see sea animals with the ability to
swim like a sea animal, Aquatica at Sea World in San Antonio, TX is the place
for you. You can spend part of the day looking at all of the animals and the
rest of the day playing in the water. In fact, the water park even has rides
that allow you to look at stingrays and more while you are having fun.
One of the most adventurous of the water slides is the Walhalla Wave. This
impressive water slide allows riders to be practically vertical before finally
dropping back down into the main pool and feeling relatively safe again.
Walhalla Wave
Four
riders experience the sensation together, so the ride is never going to feel
exactly the same every time you ride it. The way that people react will judge
how high the boat goes as well as which direction you will be turned. The wave
section of the park also allows you to have fun riding the waves and
experiencing the surf. The Kiwi Curl is a great individual rider slide that
allows you the feeling of being outside while hurling down a massive slide
towards the main pool.
6) Blizzard Beach
- Walt Disney World, FL
If you are ready to fully embrace the fantasy theme of a water park, it is
time to check out Blizzard Beach at Walt Disney World in Florida. This water
park is designed to resemble a melting ski resort and it is hard to imagine
anywhere that you would want to be at a melting ski resort more than when you
are in the heart of the summer in the middle of Florida. The kids can run and
play at just about all of the different attractions, but the Tike’s Peak is the
one that is designed to allow kids of all ages to have as much fun as possible.
Blizzard Beach
Among the rides that are made just for adults is Summit Plummet. This thrill
ride has a huge drop and allows riders to drop quickly and accumulate a lot of
speed before being dropped into darkness and into the main pool. The long slide
can slow you down a little before jetting into the massive pool. For families
looking to put their speed to the test, you can try out Toboggan Racers. This
has small drops and allows families to go down the slide side by side to see who
can get to the bottom the fastest.
Lazy River Attraction at Disney's Blizzard Beach
5) Schlitterbahn
- Galveston Island, TX
Even though the water park has been voted the best water park in the world
for sixteen years in a row, it is split into four different water parks. The one
in Galveston Island has an interesting water slide that twists two water slides
around each other before eventually dropping down near the volleyball courts.
This is in addition to the Cliffhanger Speed Slides and the Dragon Blaster
slides. These slides all have one thing in common: speed! Fast water slides add
to the excitement as the riders are hurled towards the main pool at incredible
speeds.
Overview of Schlitterbahn
In addition to the ability to enjoy the fast slides, those looking to relax
can simply rent a cabana while the kids head out to the slides or play in the
pool. The way in which you are able to enjoy the water park is entirely up to
you. Year round availability includes the ability to enjoy a heated pool by the
Blastenhoff. Take in the sites whenever you are ready to enjoy the water.
Blastenhoff Attraction
4) Yas Waterworld
- United Arab Emirates
This watermark is coupled with a large amusement park located at Yas Island
in Abu, Dubai. The water park is less than a year old and had already won some
of the top awards given to water parks for construction and design innovation.
The theme of the park is based on an Emirati styled story, “Legend of the Lost
Pearl". The story features a mini character, Dana and her family, friends and
nemesis. Dana is trying to find the lost mother of pearl to save her village.
Actors playing these characters roam the park.
Among the 43 rides in the park is the rush rider which features a continuous
sheet wave which can be surfed. This ride is suggested for riders to practice
for riding Bubbles Barrel which is the largest sheet wave ride in the world.
Slide Cluster at Yas Waterworld
It
features 3 meter high waves which are generated by 1,250 horsepower pumps which
pump out 7,000 liters of water per second. There is also an extreme six person
raft ride called “The Dawwama”.
The Dawwama
The tornado ride takes rafts at high speeds
around a 20 meter high funnel and then drops them suddenly into a heated pool.
3) Wet 'N Wild White Water
- Australia
This movie related water them park is located in Oxenford, Gold Coast
Australia. The park is open year round since all of the pools and slides are
heated during the winter months. The Kamikaze is the first large scale wet and
dry water park attraction of its type in the Southern Hemisphere. It consists of
two u-shaped half pipes which are kept wet through channels of water pumped
through them. Two riders are placed into inwards facing tubes and sent down
steep drops. They then ride in boomerang fashion on the half pipes until they
run out of momentum.
The Black Hole is another thrilling ride the park is famous for. Riders are
descended down intertwining steep tube emerged in darkness. These slides are
known for reaching extremely high speeds. The tornado is a four person tube ride
which sends riders into a swirling large swirling funnel before dropping into a
steep drop into a water pool. The park turned an attraction called the Whirlpool
into a large hot tub which can accommodate several people.
2) Water World
- Denver, CO
Many people are surprised to find that one of the best and largest water
parks in the world is located near the Rocky Mountains. Water world is sprawled
over 67 acres. The park has 49 attractions. The most notable attractions include
"The Loose River of the Pharos" where you water side by mummies and other
Egyptian characters. The "Screaming Mimi" is one of the newest and best rides in
the park.
Screaming Mimi Attraction
Guests ride on boards down a roller coaster track at speeds up to 30
miles per hour. At the end of the boards the guests are riding hop along a wave
pool.
Wave Pool Attraction
The "Storm" is a tube which is pitch-black. When guests slide down it, noises
which simulate thunder and sounds of storms play as they are rich to pool of
water. The most famous and popular raft ride in the park is “the Journey to the
Center of the Earth". The enclosed ride features a theme of a newly discovered
prehistoric cave. Riders encounter several prehistoric creatures and dinosaurs
as the go own steep downward spirals and sudden drops. At the end of the riders
encounter an animatronic T-Rex.
1) Happy Magic
- Beijing
The water cube constructed for the Beijing Olympics has been transformed into
one of the best and most beautiful water parks ever built, Happy Magic. This
energy efficient architectural marvel is now home to a water wonderland where
people of all ages can come and have fun. The until recently of the cube has
been renovated to house large colorful hanging jelly fish, bubbles and other
decor to create an underwater fantasy.
Happy Magic Water Cube Attraction
The park houses 10 various water rides. Some of the rides include a lazy
river, a wave pool, tube slides and thrilling speed slides. The Olympic pool
inside the park is still used for swimming competitions. One of the most unique
features of the cube is the ETFE pillow windows which make up the cube the park
is housed in. These pillow windows allow for natural light to illuminate the
interior if the park during the day. They also allow for the areas which
surround the cub to be lit by the lighting being used inside the cube.
Interior of Happy Magic
Final Words
These water parks are sure to provide you with the help you are looking for
to beat the heat of summer. While you are cooling down in the water, you will
find that it is easy to have a lot of fun while you are at it. Bring along the
whole family or all of your friends to make it even more enjoyable. Many of
these parks offer discounted rates if you opt to buy a season pass, so you are
able to keep going all summer long and keep your cool. Just make sure that you
are taking some time to dry off in between sessions in the water, or you may
just end up growing gills and living in the water for the rest of your life.
