An indoor water park is a type of water park that is located inside a building. An indoor water park has the ability to stay open year-round, as it is not affected by weather conditions.

History

Some of the first indoor water parks are at Duinrell (The Netherlands, 1984), Nautiland located at

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(France, 1984), the Aqua Mundo at Center Parc De Eemhof located at Zeewolde (The Netherlands, 1980) and (Switerland, 1977). In 1985 an indoor water park was open in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada at the West Edmonton Mall. It is called the World Waterpark and is over . It was a success for the mall and remains as one of the largest indoor water parks in the world. In 1985 opened in France. Another indoor water park in Europe was built in

Blackpool Blackpool is a seaside resort in Lancashire, England. Located on the North West England, northwest coast of England, it is the main settlement within the Borough of Blackpool, borough also called Blackpool. The town is by the Irish Sea, betw ...

in 1986. It is called the Sandcastle Water Park. The first indoor water park in the United States known as the Polynesian Resort Hotel and Suites in the small tourist town of Wisconsin Dells, WI. The hotel opened in 1989 and the water park in 1994. It was built in an effort to make the Dells a year-round tourist destination, rather than just a summer one. Since then, the Great Wolf Lodge brand has expanded, with multiple locations in the U.S. and a single venue in Canada, at Niagara Falls. The DreamWorks Water Park, originally slated to open in late 2019, will be the United States' largest water park upon opening.

The indoor water park craze

Since the opening of the first park, the indoor water park business has become increasingly popular, especially for Edmonton in Canada, and Wisconsin Dells in the U.S., which proclaims itself as the "Water Park Capital of the World". The Dells has five water park resorts that have at least one water park bigger than . This includes

Great Wolf Lodge Great may refer to: Descriptions or measurements * Great, a relative measurement in physical space, see Size * Greatness, being divine, majestic, superior, majestic, or transcendent People * List of people known as "the Great" *Artel Great (born ...

, Kalahari (Wisconsin's Largest Indoor Water Park),

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 Chula Vista has been in existence since the late 19th century, ...

(Lost Rios),

Wilderness Territory Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort is a large water resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. It is one of the largest indoor waterpark complexes in the world with a combined size of . It is part of a chain of two resorts, the newer and smaller one being ...

(Wild West, Klondike Kavern, Wild WaterDome), and the Hotel Rome at Mt. Olympus. Wisconsin has the most indoor water parks in one state. Other states in the U.S., especially in the midwest, are building more indoor water parks separate or to existing hotels so they can become a year-round destination. More water parks are also being built in Canada, Europe and Asia. Tropical Islands Resort (

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, Germany) with an area of 66,000 m² (710,000 sq feet) is currently the largest indoor water park in the world. File:Tropical Islands 5.jpg, Tropical Islands Resort - inside File:Tropical Islands Innenansicht.jpg, Tropical Islands Resort - inside, with the dome-shaped roof of the building visible File:Krausnicker Berge Aussichtsturm Blick auf Tropical Islands.JPG, Tropical Islands Resort - outside File:Great Wolf Lodge Mason, Ohio.jpg,

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, Ohio

Features

Most major indoor water parks have: *

Water slides A water slide (also referred to as a flume, or water chute) is a type of slide designed for warm-weather or indoor recreational use at water parks. Water slides differ in their riding method and therefore size. Some slides require riders to si ...

*Body slides *Speed slides *Children's Play Area with sprayers, tipping buckets, slides, and geysers. A typical example might be "Canada's Wonderland" "Pump House" attraction. *Family rides (Ride that can occupy over 3 guests) *

Lazy river A lazy river is a water ride found in water parks, hotels, resorts, and recreation centers, which usually consists of a shallow () pool that flows similarly to a river. There is generally a slow current, usually just enough to allow guests to g ...

s or torrent rivers * Wave pool *Water Coaster (Master Blaster) *Other attractions ( FlowRider, Mat Racing Slides, Tornado Vortex Ride, Pro Bowl/Behehmoth Bowl, etc.)

References

{{Reflist Water parks Buildings and structures by type

History

The indoor water park craze

Features

See also

References