Indoor waterpark
Encyclopedia
An indoor waterpark is a type of waterpark that is located inside a building. An indoor waterpark has the ability to stay open year-round, as it is not affected by weather conditions.
in 1985 at the West Edmonton Mall
. It is called the World Waterpark
and is over 200000 sq ft (18,580.6 m²). It was a success for the mall.
The first indoor waterpark in the U.S. was built in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
at the Polynesian Hotel. They built it in 1994 so it could make the Dells a "year round destination", as the Wisconsin Dells tourist season was from Memorial Day
to Labor Day
before it was built.
(Lost Rios), Great Wolf Lodge, Wilderness Territory (Wild West, Klondike Kavern, Wild WaterDome), and the Hotel Rome at Mt. Olympus. Wisconsin has the most indoor waterparks in one state. Other states in the U.S., especially in the midwest, are building more indoor waterparks separate or to existing hotels so they can become a year-round destination. More waterparks are also being built in Canada, Europe
and Asia
.
Most major indoor waterparks over 50,000 sq ft (the average size for an indoor waterpark in July 2008) have:
1. Wilderness Territory
's 3 indoor waterparks in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
(240,000 sq ft total & North America's Largest Indoor Waterpark Resort by Total Waterpark Square Footage)
2. World Waterpark
in Edmonton, Alberta (217,000 sq ft & is North America's/Canada's Largest Indoor Waterpark under one roof, the first one ever built)
3. Kalahari Resort's Waterpark in Sandusky, Ohio
(173,000 sq ft total & Largest Indoor Waterpark in U.S. under one roof)
4. Fallsview Indoor Waterpark Resort in Niagara Falls, Ontario (125,000 sq ft)
4A. Kalahari Resort's Waterpark in Wisconsin Dells (125,000 sq ft)
5. Great Wolf Lodge Waterpark in Niagara Falls, Ontario
(103,000 sq ft)
6. Splash Lagoon
in Erie, Pennsylvania
(102,000 sq ft)
7. Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark at Boyne Mountain
in Boyne Falls, Michigan
(88,000 sq ft)
8. Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Waterpark in Concord, North Carolina
(81,000 sq ft)
9. Chula Vista Resort
's Lost Rios Indoor Waterpark in Wisconsin Dells (80,000 sq ft)
10. Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Waterpark in Grapevine, Texas
(80,000 sq ft)
11. Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Waterpark at the Pocono Mountains in Scotrun, Pennsylvania (78,000 sq ft)
12. Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Waterpark at Kings Island
in Mason, Ohio
(78,000 sq ft)
13. Great Wolf Lodge 3 Waterparks in Wisconsin Dells (76,000 sq ft total)
14. Wilderness at the Smokies's (Owned by Wisconsin Dells' Wilderness Resort) Indoor Waterpark in Sevierville, Tennessee
(75,000 sq ft)
15. Water Park of America
in Bloomington, Minnesota
(70,000 sq ft)
16. Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Waterpark in Williamsburg, Virginia
(67,000 sq ft)
17. KeyLime Cove's Indoor Waterpark in Gurnee, Illinois
(65,000 sq ft)
18. CoCo Key Water Resort at the Crowne Plaza Boston North Shore in Danvers, Massachusetts
(65,000 sq ft)
19. CoCo Key Water Resort at the Holiday Inn Omaha Convention Center in Omaha, Nebraska
(65,000 sq ft)
20. Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Waterpark in Grand Mound, Washington
(60,000 sq ft)
21. Wild Bear Falls Indoor Waterpark in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
(60,000 sq ft)
22. Fort Rapids Waterpark Resort in Columbus, Ohio
(60,000 sq ft)
23. Sahara Sam's Oasis Indoor Waterpark in West Berlin, New Jersey (58,000 sq ft)
24. CoCo Key Water Resort at the Courtyard by Marriott
in Fitchburg, Massachusetts
(55,000 sq ft)
25. CoCo Key Water Resort at the Holiday Inn Sports Complex Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri
(55,000 sq ft)
26. H2Oasis Indoor Waterpark
in Anchorage, Alaska
(55,000 sq ft)
27. Medusa's Indoor Waterpark at Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park in Wisconsin Dells (55,000 sq ft)
28. CoCo Key Water Resort at The Hotel ML in Mt. Laurel, NJ (55,000 sq ft)
29. Caribbean Cove Indoor Waterpark in Indianapolis, Indiana
(50,000 sq ft)
30. CoCo Key Water Resort at the Crowne Plaza Cincinnati North Hotel in Cincinnati, Ohio
(50,000 sq ft)
31. Grand Lodge by Stoney Creek Resorts in Rothschild, Wisconsin
(50,000 sq ft)
History
The first ever indoor waterpark was built in Edmonton, Alberta, CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 1985 at the West Edmonton Mall
West Edmonton Mall
West Edmonton Mall , located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, is the largest shopping mall in North America and the fifth largest in the world. The mall was founded by the Ghermezian brothers, who emigrated from Iran in 1959. It was the world's largest mall until 2004.West Edmonton Mall covers a gross...
. It is called the World Waterpark
World Waterpark
World Waterpark is the world's largest indoor waterpark with a size of roughly six acres. The World Waterpark opened to public in 1986. It is located in the West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada...
and is over 200000 sq ft (18,580.6 m²). It was a success for the mall.
The first indoor waterpark in the U.S. was built in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Dells is a city in south-central Wisconsin, with a population of 2,418 as of the 2000 census. It straddles four counties: Adams, Columbia, Juneau, and Sauk. The city takes its name from the dells of the Wisconsin River, a scenic, glacially formed gorge that features striking sandstone...
at the Polynesian Hotel. They built it in 1994 so it could make the Dells a "year round destination", as the Wisconsin Dells tourist season was from Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
to Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
before it was built.
The Indoor Waterpark Craze
Since the opening of the first park, the indoor waterpark business has become increasingly more popular, especially for the Edmonton area in Canada, and in the Wisconsin Dells in the U.S., which proclaims itself as the "waterpark capital of the world". The Dells has five Waterpark Resorts that have at least one waterpark bigger than 55000 sq ft (5,109.7 m²). This includes the Kalahari Resort (Wisconsin's Largest Indoor Waterpark), Chula Vista ResortChula Vista Resort
Chula Vista Resort is a southwestern-themed waterpark resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. The resort is located on the Upper Dells of the Wisconsin River, north of downtown.-History:...
(Lost Rios), Great Wolf Lodge, Wilderness Territory (Wild West, Klondike Kavern, Wild WaterDome), and the Hotel Rome at Mt. Olympus. Wisconsin has the most indoor waterparks in one state. Other states in the U.S., especially in the midwest, are building more indoor waterparks separate or to existing hotels so they can become a year-round destination. More waterparks are also being built in Canada, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
.
What Does a Major Indoor Waterpark Consist Of?
- 2-3+ Tube Slides
- 2-3+ Body Slides
- 1+ Speed Slides
- Children's Play Area with sprayers, tipping buckets, slides, and geysers. A typical example might be "Canada's Wonderland" "Pump House" attraction.
- 1+ Family Rides (Ride that can occupy over 3 guests)
- Lazy RiverLazy riverA lazy river is a water ride found in many amusement parks or water parks. They are also found at some resorts and recreation centers. It usually consists of shallow pool that flows similarly to a river....
or Torrent River - Wave PoolWave poolA wave pool is a swimming pool in which there are artificially generated, reasonably large waves, similar to the ocean's. Wave pools are often a major feature of water parks...
- Water Coaster (Master Blaster)
- Other Attractions (FlowRider, Mat Racing Slides, Tornado Vortex Ride, Pro Bowl/Behehmoth Bowl, etc.)
Top 30 Largest Indoor Waterparks
(As of 8/09)1. Wilderness Territory
Wilderness Territory (Wisconsin Dells)
The Wilderness Territory is a chain of three resorts located in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin and Sevierville, Tennessee, with a third planned for the Branson, Missouri area. Each of the Wilderness's resorts are called "Territories".-History:...
's 3 indoor waterparks in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Dells is a city in south-central Wisconsin, with a population of 2,418 as of the 2000 census. It straddles four counties: Adams, Columbia, Juneau, and Sauk. The city takes its name from the dells of the Wisconsin River, a scenic, glacially formed gorge that features striking sandstone...
(240,000 sq ft total & North America's Largest Indoor Waterpark Resort by Total Waterpark Square Footage)
2. World Waterpark
World Waterpark
World Waterpark is the world's largest indoor waterpark with a size of roughly six acres. The World Waterpark opened to public in 1986. It is located in the West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada...
in Edmonton, Alberta (217,000 sq ft & is North America's/Canada's Largest Indoor Waterpark under one roof, the first one ever built)
3. Kalahari Resort's Waterpark in Sandusky, Ohio
Sandusky, Ohio
Sandusky is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Erie County. It is located in northern Ohio and is situated on the shores of Lake Erie, almost exactly half-way between Toledo to the west and Cleveland to the east....
(173,000 sq ft total & Largest Indoor Waterpark in U.S. under one roof)
4. Fallsview Indoor Waterpark Resort in Niagara Falls, Ontario (125,000 sq ft)
4A. Kalahari Resort's Waterpark in Wisconsin Dells (125,000 sq ft)
5. Great Wolf Lodge Waterpark in Niagara Falls, Ontario
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Niagara Falls is a Canadian city on the Niagara River in the Golden Horseshoe region of Southern Ontario. The municipality was incorporated on June 12, 1903...
(103,000 sq ft)
6. Splash Lagoon
Splash Lagoon
Splash Lagoon Indoor Waterpark Resort is a Polynesian-themed large indoor waterpark located in Erie, Pennsylvania.The park is approximately . It features seven water slides, three hot tubs, one large activity pool, and a children's area. The tiki tree house is four stories high and offers many...
in Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...
(102,000 sq ft)
7. Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark at Boyne Mountain
Boyne Mountain
Boyne Mountain Resort is a ski resort with a collection of accommodations in Northern Michigan located near Boyne City. The center piece is an upscale resort called The Mountain Grand Lodge and Spa. The Boyne Mountain Resort was originally developed by Everett Kircher, and is now owned and operated...
in Boyne Falls, Michigan
Boyne Falls, Michigan
Boyne Falls is a village in Charlevoix County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 370 at the 2000 census. The Boyne Falls post office first opened September 5, 1874....
(88,000 sq ft)
8. Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Waterpark in Concord, North Carolina
Concord, North Carolina
Concord is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. According to Census 2010, the city has a current population of 79,066. It is the largest city in Cabarrus County and is the county seat. In terms of population, the city of Concord is the second largest city in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area...
(81,000 sq ft)
9. Chula Vista Resort
Chula Vista Resort
Chula Vista Resort is a southwestern-themed waterpark resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. The resort is located on the Upper Dells of the Wisconsin River, north of downtown.-History:...
's Lost Rios Indoor Waterpark in Wisconsin Dells (80,000 sq ft)
10. Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Waterpark in Grapevine, Texas
Grapevine, Texas
Grapevine is a city in northeast Tarrant County, Texas, United States located within the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census the city population was 46,334. The city's moniker is derived from the native grapes prevalent in the area. In recent years several wineries have...
(80,000 sq ft)
11. Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Waterpark at the Pocono Mountains in Scotrun, Pennsylvania (78,000 sq ft)
12. Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Waterpark at Kings Island
Kings Island
Kings Island is a amusement park located northeast of Cincinnati in Mason, Ohio. Opened in 1972 by Taft Broadcasting Company and now owned by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, Kings Island is the most visited seasonal amusement park in the U.S...
in Mason, Ohio
Mason, Ohio
Mason is an affluent city in southwestern Warren County, Ohio, United States, 22 miles away from Cincinnati . As of the 2010 census, Mason's population was 30,712. Mason has experienced fast growth, with its historic Main Street remaining at the center of the community...
(78,000 sq ft)
13. Great Wolf Lodge 3 Waterparks in Wisconsin Dells (76,000 sq ft total)
14. Wilderness at the Smokies's (Owned by Wisconsin Dells' Wilderness Resort) Indoor Waterpark in Sevierville, Tennessee
Sevierville, Tennessee
Sevierville is a city in Sevier County, Tennessee, located in the Southeastern United States. Its population was 11,757 at the 2000 United States Census; in 2004 the estimated population was 14,101. Sevierville is the county seat of Sevier County, Tennessee....
(75,000 sq ft)
15. Water Park of America
Water Park of America
The Water Park of America is the tallest indoor waterpark in the U.S.. It is in size with a slide tower ascending nearly 10 stories. It opened for business in May 2006. Located in Bloomington, Minnesota, it is a half mile from Mall of America and close to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul...
in Bloomington, Minnesota
Bloomington, Minnesota
Bloomington is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota in Hennepin County. Located on the north bank of the Minnesota River above its confluence with the Mississippi River, Bloomington lies at the heart of the southern...
(70,000 sq ft)
16. Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Waterpark in Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg is an independent city located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, USA. As of the 2010 Census, the city had an estimated population of 14,068. It is bordered by James City County and York County, and is an independent city...
(67,000 sq ft)
17. KeyLime Cove's Indoor Waterpark in Gurnee, Illinois
Gurnee, Illinois
Gurnee is a village in Lake County, Illinois, United States. The population was 28,834 at the 2000 census, and estimated to be 30,772 in 2005. The village borders the city of Waukegan and is considered a part of the Chicago metropolitan area. Gurnee is perhaps best known for being the location of...
(65,000 sq ft)
18. CoCo Key Water Resort at the Crowne Plaza Boston North Shore in Danvers, Massachusetts
Danvers, Massachusetts
Danvers is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. Located on the Danvers River near the northeastern coast of Massachusetts, Danvers is most widely known for its association with the 1692 Salem witch trials, and for its famous asylum, the Danvers State Hospital.-17th century:The land...
(65,000 sq ft)
19. CoCo Key Water Resort at the Holiday Inn Omaha Convention Center in Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
(65,000 sq ft)
20. Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Waterpark in Grand Mound, Washington
Grand Mound, Washington
Grand Mound is a census-designated place in Thurston County, Washington, United States. It was named and founded by Jotham Weeks Judson, father of Phoebe Judson, in 1851. The population was 1,948 at the 2000 census. In 2007, the population was 2,232...
(60,000 sq ft)
21. Wild Bear Falls Indoor Waterpark in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gatlinburg is a mountain resort city in Sevier County, Tennessee, United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, Gatlinburg had a population of 3,828. The city is a popular vacation resort, as it rests on the border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park along U.S...
(60,000 sq ft)
22. Fort Rapids Waterpark Resort in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
(60,000 sq ft)
23. Sahara Sam's Oasis Indoor Waterpark in West Berlin, New Jersey (58,000 sq ft)
24. CoCo Key Water Resort at the Courtyard by Marriott
Courtyard by Marriott
Courtyard by Marriott is a brand of hotels owned by Marriott International. Courtyard by Marriott is designed for business travelers but also accommodates to families. Its rooms feature large desks, couches, free broadband Internet access, and "big" breakfasts. The majority of locations have...
in Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Fitchburg is the third largest city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,318 at the 2010 census. Fitchburg is home to Fitchburg State University as well as 17 public and private elementary and high schools.- History :...
(55,000 sq ft)
25. CoCo Key Water Resort at the Holiday Inn Sports Complex Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
(55,000 sq ft)
26. H2Oasis Indoor Waterpark
H2Oasis Indoor Waterpark
H2Oasis Indoor Waterpark is a 56,000 square foot Indoor Waterpark located in Anchorage, Alaska just east of the Seward Highway at 1520 O'Malley Road. It opened in 2003 and is the fifth largest indoor waterpark in the United States...
in Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage is a unified home rule municipality in the southcentral part of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is the northernmost major city in the United States...
(55,000 sq ft)
27. Medusa's Indoor Waterpark at Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park in Wisconsin Dells (55,000 sq ft)
28. CoCo Key Water Resort at The Hotel ML in Mt. Laurel, NJ (55,000 sq ft)
29. Caribbean Cove Indoor Waterpark in Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
(50,000 sq ft)
30. CoCo Key Water Resort at the Crowne Plaza Cincinnati North Hotel in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
(50,000 sq ft)
31. Grand Lodge by Stoney Creek Resorts in Rothschild, Wisconsin
Rothschild, Wisconsin
Rothschild is a village in Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. It is part of the Wausau, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 4,970 at the 2000 census. Rothschild is the northern terminus of Interstate 39, which starts in Normal, Illinois.-Geography:Rothschild is...
(50,000 sq ft)
Large Waterparks Under Construction
- Grand Cambrian Resort in Wisconsin Dells (Opening date not set - 50,000 sq ft)
- Great Wolf Lodge in Garden Grove, CaliforniaGarden Grove, CaliforniaGarden Grove is a city located in northern Orange County, California. The population was 170,883 at the 2010 census. State Route 22, also known as the Garden Grove Freeway, passes through the city running east-west. The city is known outside the Southern California area for being the home of Robert H...
(opening TBD)
- Great Wolf Lodge in Tarentum, PennsylvaniaTarentum, PennsylvaniaTarentum is a borough in Allegheny County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is northeast of Downtown Pittsburgh, along the Allegheny River. Tarentum was an industrial center where plate glass and bottles were manufactured; bricks, lumber, steel and iron novelties, steel billets and sheets,...
(opening late 2011)
- Kalahari Resort in Fredericksburg, VirginiaFredericksburg, VirginiaFredericksburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia located south of Washington, D.C., and north of Richmond. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 24,286...
(Opening date not set - 200,000 sq ft)
- Las Vegas Wet in Las Vegas, NevadaLas Vegas, NevadaLas Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
(opening 2012 - size TBD, but will be North America's largest indoor waterpark when completed)
- Wedge Adventure Resorts in Wisconsin Dells (Opening not set yet - size TBD)
Former Indoor Waterparks
- Transvaal ParkTransvaal ParkTransvaal Park was a popular waterpark in Yasenevo, a south district of Moscow, Russia. With several large, heated pools, including a wave pool and twisting "river" for tubing, it became one of the most popular attractions in the Moscow area and a symbol of the country's bloom of private enterprise...
in Moscow, Russia (Had its concrete roof collapse in 2004) - Ocean DomeMiyazaki Ocean DomeThe Seagaia Ocean Dome was the world's largest indoor waterpark, located in Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan. The Ocean Dome, which was a part of the Sheraton Seagaia Resort, measured 300 metres in length and 100 metres in width, and was listed on the Guinness World Records. It opened in 1993, and visitor...
in Miyazaki City, JapanMiyazaki, Miyazakiis the capital city of Miyazaki Prefecture on the island of Kyūshū in Japan. Located on the coast and perforated by several rivers, Miyazaki City enjoys scenic views of both ocean and nearby, verdant mountains...
(322,752 sq ft & it was the World's Largest Waterpark with a retractable roof. It closed in 2007.) - Bay of Dreams Indoor Waterpark in Wisconsin Dells (Was once part of the old Family Land/Treasure Island Complex, but was bought by Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park and became Medusa's Indoor Waterpark. The waterpark is now changed its treasure theming to Greek to match with the rest of Mt. Olympus. It was recently repainted from green to tan.updated 6/25/10.
- Croydon Water PalaceCroydon Water PalaceThe Croydon Water Palace was an indoor water park complex that opened in 1990 on Purley Way in Waddon in the London Borough of Croydon, opposite Croydon Airport...
Located in Croydon, England on purley way colonnades site. Opened in 1990 but was closed in 1996 because of continuous financial difficulties and poor health and safety leading to several accidents.