Summertime is a pleasant, reminiscent time that is filled with summer camps, family vacations, ice creams, or simply being outside. A day spent at the waterpark with friends and family has been a pleasant memory for most. Some loved to splash about in the pools while others demanded thrill by either a tube slide or a wave pool. Waterpark manages to cater to all age groups and enjoyment needs. Over the span of 50 years, waterparks have evolved from being a spot with a couple of rides and pools to a massive collage of thrilling rides, other attractions that cover over acres of space and attract people from large distances.
Waterpark building has turned into a serious business with theme park and indoor mall owners lining up to water park slide manufacturers for integrating innovative attractions to their existing structures or creating a new one from scratch. Here are some of the innovative water park attractions that Splashtacular, a water park manufacturer, has contributed to raising the attractiveness of the water park industry.
Waterpark Industry Attractions:
- DrenalineDrop
Tube slides can become repetitive over the course of time. No matter how many swirls or turns you add to extend the ride time, the process becomes monotonous. The visitor climbs the tower and waits for their turn and slides down to the pool. What if we innovate slide entrance? The answer is DrenalineDrop™. By turning the slide entrance into a capsule drop, the thrill steps up significantly. The visitor enters the capsule with a collapsible floor that drops them into the underlying slide at high-speeds. The curved riding surface ensures a smooth transition to the rider when entering the tube. It being a modular design, more than two or three capsules can be chained together for three ride variations:
1) All at once
2) Sequential
3) Roulette
- DownUnder
A complete tube slide arrangement using DrenalineDropTM to launch the rider at high speeds. The DownUnder™ has six slides with individual DrenalineDropTM modules. The riders watch each other while waiting for their turn. Paired with the roulette launch pattern, the riders anticipate as the launch sequence would be random. Each of the six slides transports the riders to different locations, upping the unpredictability. The slides twist and turn for over 225 feet.
- 360Rush XT
Instead of the riders traveling through the tube and landing into the pool, we take the dropping to another level. Paired with two DrenalineDrop™ launch modules, the riders are dropped into the tube slides that open into a drop bowl. This improves the friendly competition between them. The spectators can snap photographs of the action while waiting for their turn from the observation deck. Owing to the circular motion of the riders moving inside the bowl, the ride is aptly named 360RushXT™.
- Double BowlsEye
Instead of two riders going head-to-head, the Double BowlsEye™ ride allows 2 groups of 2 boat riders to vie for the finish line. The riders are launched in opposite directions of a towering 60-foot platform. The 54-inch tube opens up into a dropbowl, where the riders will be following each other before exiting out from two separate points. The riders will have enjoyment from the thrill and group ride. The 4-rider launch allows for quicker throughput and less waiting time. You can either connect it to a pool optionally or use it individually.
- Double BowlsEye XT
An economical version of the Double BowlsEyeTM, the Double BowlsEye XT™ is a two tower design with the giant drop bowl in the middle. Similar to the Double BowlsEye™, the riders are propelled on a giant tube slide that revolves around the bowl. The riders exit the slide and chase the other riders multiple times before exiting out of any of the two outlets. In the hunt of thrill, riders will travel through the tube slides at speeds of exceeding 40mph and the translucent band design of the tube gives an additional visual thrill of speed.
- Traxx
Multilane racing, now on water. Traxx is a multilane racing slide that offers competitive racing-like experience in a water park ride. With a versatile design, the rider can opt for a mat or a body slide experience. Suitable for visitors of all age groups, Traxx delivers on the promise of maximum user interactivity with the thrill of mat racing. The ride is available in 2,4, and 6 lane arrangements and has a minimal water requirement.
Slipstream
First of its kind ride in North America, where you slide down while standing, the SlipstreamTM offers the thrill of water skiing without the exertion. The riders glide down the slide while grabbing the side rails for support. The speed is user-controlled and offers a new ride experience for older teens who outgrew the kiddie rides and adults who wish to enjoy it without getting drenched altogether. The ride is simple to assemble, has ultra-low water flow requirements and needs no additional pool.
FlyTyme
Make the dreams of flying true with FlyTymeTM. A unique half pipe slider that launches the riders into thin air before cannonballing into a pool. All types of precautions have been taken to ensure rider safety while providing flight time to the riders. Available in the widest range of colors, the FlyTyme™ ride is a water slide innovation that offers a heart-pumping ride experience.
Protective Clear Coating
Not a ride but an innovation in water park ride maintenance. Splashtacular is the only water slide manufacturer that adds an automotive-grade, protective clear coat to the ride exterior. The paint is effective in preventing sun bleaching while providing a glossy feel to the ride surface.
Wrapping Up
Water parks are no longer about having the greatest number of rides and attractions. Unless you innovate, your park visitors may get bored soon. On the other hand, the innovation mentioned above has greatly benefited our clients and their park visitors.
What Is a Waterpark?
A waterpark is a large outdoor or indoor area with water rides, pools, slides and play areas. The first modern waterparks appeared in the 1970s and 1980s, and they have grown into a large industry around the world. A waterpark can be a small local park with a few slides, or a large theme park with dozens of rides, a wave pool, a lazy river and a children’s area. Waterparks are popular in summer, when families look for a fun way to cool down.
Waterparks are designed for many age groups. Young children use shallow splash areas and small slides. Teenagers and adults use tall, fast slides and wave pools. Many waterparks also have a lazy river, where visitors float slowly around the park on a rubber ring, and a spa or a hot tub for relaxing.
Types of Water Slides
| Type | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Body slide | A slide ridden without a mat or a raft | Older children and adults |
| Tube slide | A slide ridden in a single or double tube | Families, less steep than a body slide |
| Multilane racing slide | Several lanes side by side, so riders can race | Groups and friends |
| Bowl slide | A slide that drops into a large bowl, then out the bottom | Thrill seekers |
| Drop slide | A slide with a capsule floor that drops open | Thrill seekers who like a sudden drop |
| Children’s slide | A small, shallow slide in a play area | Young children |
How Water Slides Are Kept Safe
Water slides in many countries must follow safety standards, such as the standards set by ASTM International in the United States, and they are checked by the park’s staff and by independent inspectors. A slide must be built with the right slope, the right water flow, and a safe landing area. Lifeguards watch each ride, and they check that riders are the right height and that they follow the rules, such as lying down or sitting up in the right way.
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, known as IAAPA, is a trade group for the attractions industry. It shares safety advice and training for waterpark operators. Visitors can also help to stay safe by following the rules on each ride, by watching children at all times, and by not using a ride if they feel unwell.
Tips for Visiting a Waterpark
- Arrive early. Arrive when the park opens, so you can ride the most popular slides before the queues get long.
- Wear the right clothes. Wear a swimsuit and water shoes, and leave jewellery and loose items in a locker.
- Use sun protection. Put on waterproof sunscreen, wear a hat, and drink water often, because it is easy to get sunburnt and dehydrated in a waterpark.
- Check height rules. Check the height rules for each ride before you queue, so children are not disappointed at the top.
- Keep an eye on children. Always watch children in and near the water, even if a lifeguard is present.
- Take breaks. Rest in the shade, eat, and drink water between rides, especially on a hot day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a waterpark?
A waterpark is a large area with water rides, pools, slides and play areas. It can be outdoors or indoors, and it is designed for many age groups, from young children to adults.
What is the difference between a body slide and a tube slide?
A body slide is ridden without a mat or a raft, while a tube slide is ridden in a single or double tube. Tube slides are often less steep and suit families better.
Are water slides safe?
Water slides in many countries must follow safety standards, such as ASTM standards in the United States, and they are checked by staff and inspectors. Visitors should follow the rules on each ride and watch children at all times.
What should I bring to a waterpark?
Bring a swimsuit, water shoes, a towel, waterproof sunscreen, and a water bottle. Leave valuables in a locker, and bring a change of clothes for the trip home.
What is a lazy river?
A lazy river is a slow, shallow channel of water that winds around a waterpark. Visitors float around it on a rubber ring, and it is a relaxing way to see the park.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. Waterpark rules, height limits and prices differ by park, so check the park’s website before you visit, and follow the safety rules on each ride.
Last Updated: 6 November 2026