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| Visiting a water park this summer can save you from the dog days of July and August. Plus, AAA members can save off the price of some admissions. Water parks in our area include, Hurricane Harbor, White Water, Big Surf and Oceans of Fun. |
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Sidewalks bake the bottom of your feet through leather-soled shoes or sandals.
You break a sweat walking to the end of the lawn or driveway to get the morning paper.
July in the Midwest is hot as a firecracker. For a bit of relief and family fun, consider visiting a water park this summer. Chances are there’s a park within a few hours’ drive–or less–and AAA members even save on admission to selected attractions. For advance discounted tickets, visit the AAA service office nearest you (see page 31 for locations), call 1-800-222-7623, ext. 6422, or go online, www.aaa.com.
Grab the family for a late-summer day of refreshing fun.
This water park re-creates an island atmosphere with 1,500 tons of sand, tropical plants, thatched-roof buildings and plenty of water fun–1.2 million gallons to be exact. Six water attractions are spread over 12 acres. Try one of the thrilling, high-speed body slides. Younger children can have fun in the interactive water play area, Hook’s Lagoon.
Know before you go: Hurricane Harbor is open daily at 10 a.m. through Aug. 17, and weekends only Aug. 23 through Sept. 1, weather permitting. It is located about 30 minutes southwest of St. Louis on Interstate 44 (exit 261). There are height restrictions for some attractions. Admission is free with the purchase of a Six Flags St. Louis theme park ticket. AAA members can purchase in advance a one-day general admission ticket (good for adult or child) from AAA for $26.75, a savings of $15.29 per ticket. Parking is $8.
For more information on Hurricane Harbor or Six Flags St. Louis, call (636) 938-5300.
When the temperature soars to 90-plus degrees, standing under a flow of cool water brings relief from the heat.
Oceans of Fun has a new water attraction called Paradise Falls that will hit the spot. In fact, it will hit every spot on you.
Every five minutes, a 1,000-gallon bucket at the top of this four-story tropical playhouse dumps water on eager guests waiting below. There’s also seven water slides, water cannons, sprays, nets to crawl on and rope bridges.
In addition to Paradise Falls, Oceans of Fun attractions include the million-gallon Surf City Wave Pool, Hurricane Falls and the children’s area called Crocodile Isle.
Know before you go: Oceans of Fun is open daily at 10 a.m. through Aug. 24. The park is closed Aug. 25–29 and reopens at 10 a.m. for Labor Day weekend Aug. 30, 31 and Sept. 1. It is located 10 minutes northeast of downtown off the east loop of Interstate 435 at exit 54.
AAA members can purchase in advance a one-day adult admission from AAA for $18.95 and save $7.83, or a one-day child admission (4 years and older and under 48 inches tall) for $14.50 and save 44 cents. A Super Passport for Oceans of Fun and Worlds of Fun is available for $45, a $20.34 discount. Parking is $7.
For more information on Oceans of Fun or Worlds of Fun, call (816) 454-4545.
Knowing land-locked Midwesterners are starved for water recreation, White Water calls for us to discover the beach within reach.
There are 12 acres of attractions to explore, including the new Raging River Rapids, which features two slides that race downwards to a 400-foot plunge. If you have the need for speed, this is your ride.
There are four other water rides and a relaxing wave pool. For younger guests and their families, RainTree Island is a water playhouse with water shooters, geysers, elevated walkways and a 150-foot-long slide. A 700-gallon bucket will rain down on you when least expected. Little Squirts Waterworks is an attraction for wee ones, who also will enjoy Splash Island.
Know before you go: White Water is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. in July through Aug. 17, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 20–24, Aug. 29–Sept. 1 and Sept. 6–7. The park is closed Aug. 18 and 19. It is located in the northwest Branson area on West Highway 76.
AAA members get a great value by purchasing in advance a two-day adult pass from AAA for $28 (save $2.05) and a two-day child’s (ages 4–11) admission for $23 (save $1.45) for less than a one-day ticket, plus tax, at the gate.
Like other parks, food and drink are available at concession stands. Coolers are not allowed in the park. Alcoholic beverages are not sold or consumed at White Water.
There’s no fee to park.
For more information on White Water, call 1-800-831-4FUN (800-831-4386).
Vacationers come to central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks for water recreation, and surf’s up at Big Surf water park.
A new ride, Zambezi Falls, is a fast, four-story thrill. Other attractions include a wave pool, flumes, rapids, the space bowl, and a lazy river float. Tropical Splash Island is designed for the tots.
Know before you go: Big Surf is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 pm. in July and Aug. 1–10; from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 11–16, 18–24, 30 and 31, plus Sept. 1. The park is closed Aug. 17 and 25–29. It is located between Osage Beach and Camdenton on state Route Y off Highway 54.
AAA members save 20 percent off admission by showing their membership card at the gate. Regular one-day tickets are $21.95 for adults, $16.95 for children (3–8 years).
In addition, the park offers a partial-day ticket that is sold after 3 p.m. until the park’s closing. Parking is free.
For more information on Big Surf, call (573) 346-6111.
Guests at Raging Rivers can watch the mighty Mississippi River slip by while enjoying the park’s many attractions or a place in the shade.
Splash in the wave pool, try the several slides or the swirlpool. For a more tranquil experience, float the Endless River. Treehouse Harbor is for children–although grown-ups can enjoy this attraction as well–and be prepared when the 1,500-gallon bucket tips over. Itty Bitty Surf City is for the tots, who have pint-sized slides, fountains, tunnels and splash pools in which to play.
Know before you go: Raging Rivers is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Aug. 24 and from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Labor Day weekend. The park is closed Aug. 25–29. It is located on the Great River Road in Grafton, Ill.
AAA members save $2 off admission ($4 off on Wednesdays) by showing their membership card at the gate. Adult admission is $15.95, children (3–8 years) $12.95. Parking is $4. After 3 p.m., save $4 off admission.
The park prohibits coolers, alcoholic beverages, glass containers or unauthorized floatation devices.
For more information on Raging Rivers, call (618) 786-2345.
The Jolly Old Elf has never ridden anything like Zinga, the newest attraction at Splashin’ Safari.
Starting eight stories high, this slide propels riders into a 60-foot funnel, where inner tubes zoom back and forth up the funnel’s banked sides. The tubes are shaped like a clover leaf and can hold up to four passengers.
Other rides include AmaZOOM, Bamboo Chute, Congo River, Monsoon Lagoon, Otorongo, Watubee, the Wave and ZOOMbabwe. Little ones can enjoy Butterfly Bay or Crocodile Isle.
Know before you go: Hours vary in July and August, so call ahead.
AAA members can show their card at the gate and save $3 off adult admission of $29.95. Discounted admission for children under 54 inches is $21.95. There’s no fee to park. The park offers free soft drinks, sunscreen and tube rental.
Admission to Holiday World, a theme park next door, is included in the price.
For more information on Splashin’ Safari, call 1-877-GO-FAMILY (877-463-2645).
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