Tag Archives: waterpark

Making the Most of Your Holiday Trip the Waterpark

In a previous blog I suggested gifting your favorite family with passes to an indoor waterpark. These days practically every city in the nation is home to a resort that features an indoor waterpark. They are extremely popular with families since they can be accessed without getting on a plane, plus you don’t have to blow thousands of dollars to visit one. Since most resorts include the price of admission to waterparks in the room rate you can save right out of the gate. However, to really get your money’s worth it’s a good idea to make sure your kids … Continue reading →

Make a Splash this Christmas

Here’s a great holiday gift idea for the family that doesn’t need another board game, blender, or photo album—a gift card to a water park. Several indoor water parks across the country are offering fabulous savings on weekend stays while others are offering bargains on day passes. The idea is to give families a fun place to bond while the kids are out of school. For example, Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania, home to the brand new Split Rock Resort & Golf Club, is offering amazing deals for its new indoor water park. The massive $19 million park, called H20ooohh Indoor Family … Continue reading →

Summer Travel Tidbits—In Search of Slopes, Surf and Suitcase Rebates

SKI/SURF And here I thought the Big Island of Hawaii was the only place in the United States where you could surf and ski in the same afternoon. Travelers to Kellogg, Idaho know better. Last weekend visitors to the city’s newest addition—-the Silver Rapids Indoor Waterpark–had the rare opportunity to ski and surf when the end of the ski season (June 1st) overlapped with the opening of surf season (May 30th). Okay, it’s not quite as natural as the ski and surf option Hawaii offers, but Idaho’s version was big enough to make headlines in that neck of the woods. … Continue reading →

Get Ready to Splash Into a New Water Park

If your family loves water parks then start planning a vacation to Virginia. That’s where Kalahari Resorts plans to open a new $200 million African-themed resort and indoor water park. Resort officials made the announcement earlier this week and selected Fredericksburg as the site for the massive undertaking. City officials say the resort will be built next to the Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Center at Celebrate Virginia, a 2,400-acre residential and commercial development along Interstate 95, about 55 miles south of the nation’s capital. And don’t worry about missing the new attraction as you drive down the highway—-in all likelihood … Continue reading →

Hotel Party For Kids

During a family vacation a hotel often becomes a home away from home. It’s a place to crash after a day at the amusement park. Frequently it is the location of a wedding reception or business meeting. But, have you ever considered celebrating your child’s birthday in one? Allow me to explain. My daughter recently received an invitation to a “hotel birthday party.” Well, hotel is a bit of an understatement. It’s technically a resort and waterpark located about 35 miles from our home. We could easily make the drive to and from the party without having to spend the … Continue reading →

Waterpark Safety Part 2

Sadly, it often takes a tragedy to bring about positive changes. Such has been the case in waterpark safety. In 1998, 26 children were stricken by an E. coli outbreak at a waterpark near Atlanta, Georgia. Seven children were hospitalized and one died. Today, the legacy of the outbreak has led to sweeping changes in how waterparks monitor and treat their water. An investigation into the outbreak found that fecal matter in the waterpark’s kiddie pool caused the high E. coli levels. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the 1998 incident increased national awareness of water contamination and … Continue reading →

Waterpark Safety Part 1

Spring has sprung… and for my 12-year-old cousin that means the countdown to summer vacation is on. His dream is to spend the entire summer at our local waterpark, though his parents will be the ones to decide if that becomes reality. For millions of Americans it will be. Annual attendance at our nation’s approximately 1,000 water parks has risen to more than 70 million. There’s no question waterparks are popular, but how safe are they? In Part 1 of Waterpark Safety, I will focus on what you can do to avoid having your dream of a fabulous waterpark visit … Continue reading →