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WATER PARKS
---- THE LATEST WATER PARK NEWS ----
(1/10/2025) Kalahari Wisconsin Dells Update
(1/9/2025) Kalahari Wisconsin Dells Begins Work On Major Expansion
(1/5/2025) Missouri's Big Surf Waterpark To Reopen in 2025 With A New Name and Improvements
(1/5/2025) Massanutten Mountain Mayhem Construction Update
(1/2/2025) Big Kahuna's Waterpark (NJ) Will Change Names In The Near Future
(12/22/2024) Kalahari Sandusky Opens A New Waterslide
Big Kahuna’s (Destin, Florida)
2025 - Nothing is known at this time...
Big Kahuna’s (West Berlin, New Jersey)
Formerly: Sahara Sam’s Oasis
 Park News - (1/2/2025) Screamscape reached out to the IB Parks & Entertainment team and has been informed that the plan for the purchase of Big Kahuna’s in New Jersey will be to revert back to the waterpark’s former Sahara Sam’s branding over the next few months. So look for more information to come on this as it takes place.
(12/21/2024) The park has just been sold to IB Parks & Entertainment, the owner of Indiana Beach and nearby Clementon Park. Read More Here.
2025 - Nothing is known at this time, nothing was known to be added from 2017 - 2024
Calypso Park (Ottawa, Canada)
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time, also nothing added for 2019 - 2024 seasons
CaliBunga (San Jose, CA)
Calfornia Dreamin’ Entertainment
Formerly: Raging Waters San Jose
Park News - (6/3/2024) The former Raging Waters waterpark in San Jose closed after the end of the 2023 season when Palace Entertainment opted to exit their lease agreement with the city to run it any longer. Previously Palace had run the park since 2002, but the city was able to sign a deal with California Dreamin’ Entertainment to take over the park starting this year.
2025 - Nothing is known at this time...
Camelback Waterpark & Lodge / CamelBeach - (PA)
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time, also nothing added for 2019 - 2024 seasons.
 Cowabunga Bay (Utah)
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time... Nothing added in 2023 - 2024
Cowabunga Bay (Las Vegas, NV)
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time... Nothing added in 2023 - 2024
Cowabunga Canyon (Las Vegas, NV)
- Formerly Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time... Nothing added in 2023 - 2024
Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark (Grand Prairie, TX)
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time, also nothing added for 2019 - 2024 seasons.
Grand Country Resort / Splash Country Indoor Waterpark (Branson, MO)
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time... Nothing added in 2023 - 2024
Great Wold Lodge Resorts News - (3/12/2023) I missed this earlier in the year, but apparently Great Wolf Lodge has an eye on building a new indoor waterpark resort in Canada. To be more specific, they are looking into plan to build a new $350 million location in Cornwall, Ontario. Currently, I believe the only current GWL location in Canada is located at Niagara Falls, with Cornwall located about a 5 and a half hour drive away, seated conveniently between Ottawa and Montreal.
Great Wolf Lodge Florida -
Opened 2024
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time...
Great Wolf Lodge Houston -
Opened 2024
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time...
Great Wolf Lodge Maryland
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time...
Great Wolf Lodge at Mashantucket / Foxwoods -
2025 - (11/27/2024) According to Great Wolf Lodge, the new location under construction at the Foxwoods casino resort will be ready to open on May 23, 2025 along with the rest of the 549-room resort hotel. Special package deals for the grand opening are now available on the official website.
(1/22/2024) Some great pictures showing off the construction progress on the new Great Wolf Lodge at Foxwoods can be found on Facebook, posted to the Coaster Chit Chat page.
(2/5/2023) They’ve talked about building it for years and at last Great Wolf Lodge has broken ground on their newest waterpark resort that will open next to the Foxwoods casino in Connecticut in 2025. This will be a 549-room indoor waterpark resort and is being built in a partnership with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation on a 13 acre site.
(3/20/22) I missed this story last month, but according to this article the famous Foxwoods Resort Casino says they are moving forward with plans to add a Great Wolf Lodge indoor waterpark resort to their property. The announcement comes as Foxwoods is celebrating their 30th Anniversary and announced a whole slew of renovations and big expansion plans.
The casino resort is now looking to embrace a “family friendly” plan for the future of the resort, and while gambling will obviously remain, the focus going forward will be more on their various entertainment offerings, and the planned opening of the new Great Wolf Lodge in 2024 is a huge part of that. To be built on a 15-acre site, the official name of the resort will be “Great Wolf Lodge at Mashantucket”.
Great Wolf Lodge Poconos
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time...
Great Wolf Lodge Tennessee
2026/2027 - New Resort - (11/2024) The local government confirmed that Great Wold Lodge did close on the deal to purchase the property in Jackson, TN for the new waterpark resort. Details about the plan for the resort are apparently still being worked out, so they aren’t ready to announce a timeline yet.
(3/17/22) The land sale for the proposed Great Wolf Lodge resort in Tennessee has been approved by the city council and development board. This will see 258 acres handed over to an Industrial Development Board who will then sell 36-acres to Great Wolf Lodge for the new resort project. According to the article, Great Wolf Lodge would like to break ground on the new project sometime this Fall. Based on past project timelines, it usually takes at least 18 to 20 months to build a GWL Resort, so the earliest we might see it open would be Spring or Summer 2024.
(2/7/20) According to a local news report, Great Wolf Lodge is eyeballing a site in Jackson, Tennessee as a possible home to a new indoor waterpark resort. According to the local “Jackson Chamber and Visit Jackson” groups, the city is 99% of the way there on a deal for Great Wolf Lodge to build a $150 million new resort off I-40. Construction could start by Summer 2021 and it should be ready to open 18-20 months after that. Jackson is located about a 2 hour drive west of Nashville, or about 90 minutes east of Memphis, putting it fairly in the middle between west Tennessee’s two biggest cities.
H2OBX (Outer Banks, North Carolina)
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time... Nothing added in 2022 - 2024 either
Kalahari Resort (Pocono Mountains, PA)
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time... Nothing added in 2022 - 2024 either
Kalahari Resort (Sandusky, Ohio)
2024/2025 - Dawn Breaker - (12/22/2024) Kalahari Sandusky opened a new indoor waterslide this week called Dawn Breaker.
(9/2/2024) According to the official website, Kalahari Sanduski will be adding a new boomerango style waterslide to the park called Dawn Breaker. No timeline is posted however, so we don’t know if this is coming in late 2024 or early 2025. According to a post, this will replace the park’s former Zip Coaster slide that was removed in 2022.
Fun note… the removed Zip Coaster was one of the rare installations of a version of the concept used actual high speed conveyor belts to launch and boost the rafts throughout the ride, rather than water jets or the more modern hydro-magnetic style. You can take a look back at what this unique concept looked like when it was still open in the video below, and you can get a good idea of why the old Zip Coaster was removed. It sure looks like a wild and fun ride, but as a waterslide it looks to have a bare minimum amount of water in it, and likely had a lot of physical wear-and-tear issues on the belts and rafts, making it costly to maintain.
Kalahari Resort (Round Rock, TX)
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time... nothing added in 2023 - 2024
Kalahari Resort (Outside Fredericksburg, VA)
2026 - NEW RESORT - (1/27/2024) Construction is now proceeding on the new Kalahari location in Virginia, which you can see in a new preview video from Happily Ever Novak below.
(10/24/2023) A groundbreaking ceremony took place on Friday to begin work on the latest Kalahari waterpark resort complex located about 80 miles outside of Washington DC, in Virginia, about 13 miles south of Fredericksburg.
According to news articles the new resort will feature 907 rooms as well as a massive 175,000 sqft indoor waterpark, a 90,000 sqft “Tom Foolerys Adventure Park”, plus an assortment of other outdoor attractions. According to the official timeline, they expect it to be ready to open sometime in 2026.
If you are suffering from a bit of Deju Vu, then you aren’t alone, as back in 2007 Kalahari announced plans to spend around $200 million at the time to build a new waterpark resort in the Fredericksburg, Virginia area. Of course we all remember the big financial crash in 2008/2009 that scuttled a lot of projects, or in the case of others that did open (like Hard Rock Park) left them unable to secure more lines of credit to help them stay financially afloat through those troublesome years. In the case of the previous Kalahari plans, those were quietly shelved, but it is nice to see that the company has returned once again to the area.
Kalahari Resort (Wisconsin Dells)
2026 - Expansion Planned - (1/10/2025) Kalahari has posted an updated / revised press release about the new expansion for the Wisconsin Dells resort. The size and opening timeline remain the same (75,000 sqft and Fall 2026), but the price tag has increased from $76 million to $85 million. Other than that, I’m not noticing any further major changes.
(1/9/2025) The Kalahari Wisconsin Dells waterpark resort has announced a $76 million expansion plan for the indoor waterpark. The plan would include a 75,000 sqft glass-enclosed structure that would feature a retractable roof, that they hope to have ready to open by Fall 2026.
The expansion would feature three major new waterslides, Wild Wildebeest (6-person raft slide), Green Python (6-person raft slide) and the Cheetah Mat Racers (a 4-lane Mat Racer slide), as well as the Lost Lagoon Spa Pool, the Watering Hole Pool, and Coral Cove Kiddie Slide Pool… and for the adults… The Grotto, an adult swim-up bar.
Construction on the expansion is said to have already begun.
(11/22/2024) WhiteWater reports that the Kalahari Resorts in Wisconsin Dells will open an expansion in 2026 featuring a new kids area and family waterslide complex, featuring the world’s first covered Boomerango slide.
Massanutten Resort & Waterpark - (Massanutten, VA)
2025 - Mountain Mayhem - (1/5/2025) A construction update showing off the progress on the Massanutten Mountian Mayhem alpine coaster can be found below. Weather and permit delays have pushed back the opening of this new attraction into Spring 2025. Later pictures also show off the state of the Hotel/Waterpark addition as well, which is still likely on schedule for 2026.
(4/22/2024) I don’t really know too many details, and I don’t see it mentioned on the official website, but apparently the Massanutten resort is building a single rail mountain coaster to be called the Mountain Mayhem. According to the promotional banner on site they are hoping to open it this Summer, but it looks like some early clearing of the trees in the pathway was started not long ago. The site has already received a few loads of the single rail track system which is a good thing, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see this pushed back to open in the later part of the year, depending on how the speed of construction goes.
At first I was assuming this single rail coaster was coming from Brandauer, the same company who built the Rail Runner at Anakeesta in Tennessee, but actually this ride is from Sunkid GmbH, who has built several across Europe and even Canada, but I believe this may be their first installation within the USA.
2026 - New Hotel and Indoor Waterpark Expansion - (4/14/2024) The Massanutten Resort has announced plans for a large water park expansion along with a new 144-room 5-story hotel. The new hotel will be connected to the existing Massanutten Indoor Waterpark. In addition to the atrium area that will connect the waterpark to the new hotel, the waterpark itself will be expanded with a new 22,000 sqft building. The exact list of what new attractions that will be included here as part of the expansion has yet to be finalized at this time, but they do say to expect a new wave pool, family raft slide, a mat racer, adult pool, a water play structure and more.
Construction is expected to begin this Spring and be ready to open sometime between Late 2025 and Early 2026.
Myrtle Waves (Myrtle Beach, SC)
2025 - Nothing is known at this time...
Nashville Shores (Tennessee)
Premier Parks
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time... Nothing added in 2022 - 2024 either
Noah’s Ark (Wisconson Dells)
Palace Entertainment
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time...
NRH2O (Texas)
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time...
Ocean Breeze (Virginia)
Premier Parks
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time... Nothing added in 2022 - 2024 either
OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark (Oklahoma)
2025 - (12/7/2024) Construction has been going well for the OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark project in Oklahoma City. Accordiung to the local news the resort has bumped up the opening date for the resort from sometime next spring to now offering early reservations starting on Feb. 21st and a grand opening event slated to take place on March 6th.
(2/26/2024) A reader went by the construction site for the Okana Resort & Indoor Waterpark and noticed pieces for a red watercoaster slide have now appeared in the storage lot.
(11/6/2023) The OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark is now under construction in Oklahoma City. One of our readers stopped by the construction site this weekend and sent back a number of photos of the resort steel going up, as well as a ton of waterslide pieces stacked up in a nearby staging area, awaiting installation.
Raging Rivers (Grafton, IL)
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time... nothing added in 2023 - 2024
Raging Waters Sacramento
California Dreamin’ Entertainment
(Formerly: Six Flags WaterWorld)
Park News - (10/18/2023) The former Raging Waters waterpark in Sacramento has been saved with the signing of a deal with… Chuck E. Cheese. Yes, the chain known for their Pizza and Video Game centers has signed a multi-year licensing deal with California Dreamin’ Entertainment to reimagine the property. The updated masterplan for the attraction will include new rides, food & beverage locations and entertainment offerings, with the property to be divided into two zones: Calibunga Water Park and Cal Soleil. While the first one will be the new waterpark side of things, Cal Soleil will actually be open year-round and feature a restaurant and wine bar.
So how will the Chuck E Cheese brand fit in to this? The Chuck E. Cheese IP will be used as theming for new water rides, slides and splash zones in the waterpark, as well as an arcade and retail shop along with an official Pasqually’s Pizzeria Restaurant on site as well. Chuck E. Cheese and all the assorted characters will make appearances at the park, which will also be cross promoted with all the regional area Check E Cheese centers.
While I’m not sure exactly when the park will be ready to reopen, their plans include building a new wave pool, surfing attraction, a variety of new water slides,, expanded lazy river and more. Look for more details about this project to be announced in the future.
2025 - Nothing is known at this time
Raging Waters San Dimas (San Dimas, CA)
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time...
Raging Waves (Yorkville, Illinois)
2025- Nothing is known at this point in time... Nothing added in 2022 - 2024 either
Rapids Water Park (West Palm Beach, FL)
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time...
Roaring Springs (Idaho)
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time... Nothing added in 2024
Sandcastle Waterpark (Pennsylvania)
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time... Nothing added in 2023 - 2024
Schlitterbahn Waterparks - These parks have their own designated page. CLICK HERE.
 Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Concord
Operated By Six Flags for EPR Properties
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time... Nothing added in 2022 - 2024 either
 Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Phoenix
(Phoenix, AZ)
Formerly: Wet ‘n’ Wild Phoenix
Owned by EPR Properties
Managed by Six Flags Theme Parks
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time... Nothing added in 2022 - 2024 either
 Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Rockford
(Rockford, IL)
Formerly: Magic Waters
Managed by Six Flags Theme Parks
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time... Nothing added in 2022 - 2024 either
 Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown
(Houston, TX)
Formerly: Wet ‘n’ Wild SplashTown
Owned by EPR Properties
Managed by Six Flags Theme Parks
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time... Nothing added in 2022 - 2024 either
Splash Summit (Provo, Utah)
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time... Nothing added in 2022 - 2024 either
Splish Splash (Long Island, NY)
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time... Nothing added in 2023 - 2024 either
SuperSplash USA (Missouri / Formerly Big Surf Waterpark)
2025 - (1/5/2025) Missouri’s former Big Surf watepark has now been renamed SuperSplash USA. According to the website the park will receive over $3 million in renovations when it opens in 2025, including a new mat racers slide named Patriot’s Plunge, the Liberty Lounge for the adults to relax in and a new new play-zone for the little ones.
 Typhoon Texas (Austin, TX)
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time... Nothing added in 2022 - 2024 either
Typhoon Texas (Houston, TX)
2025 - Nothing is known at this time... Nothing added in 2023 - 2024
Water Country (New England) -
2025 - Nothing is known at this time... Nothing added in 2023 - 2024
Water World Colorado (Denver, Colorado)
2025 - Nothing is known at this point in time... Nothing added in 2022 - 2024 either
Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe (Greensboro, NC)
2025 - Nothing is known at this time... Nothing added in 2023 - 2024
Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawaii (Oahu, Hawaii)
2025 - New Attraction - (9/6/2024) Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawaii is about to announce something new for the 2025 season, according to a teaser posted on their IG a bit ago. It definitely looks like some kind of orange and white colored waterslide poking out from beyond the giant red tarp, but so far no more clues have been released by the park.
Wet ‘n’ Wild Toronto (Toronto, Canada)
Formerly: Wild Water Kingdom
Owned by: Premier Parks LLC
2025 - Nothing is known at this time, nothing was known to be added from 2018 - 2024.
Wicked Waves Cape Cod (West Yarmouth, MA)
2025 - Nothing is known at this time...
Wild Rivers (Irvine, CA)
2025 - Nothing is known at this time... Nothing in 2024 either
Wilderness Resort (Wisconsin Dells)
2025 - Nothing is known at this time... Nothing in 2024 either
Wilderness at the Smokies / Soaky Mountain Waterpark (Sevierville, TN)
Check out the Screamscape review of the awesome Wilderness at the Smokies Hotel & Waterpark Resort.
Park News - (11/28/2024) Wilderness at the Smokies has confirmed that the newly upgraded “Washout Mountain” opened yesterday, Nov. 27th. Washout Mountain was the park’s small water fortress attraction located inside the Wild WaterDome. The waterpark resort posted a quick look video at the construction phases of Washout Mountain, where it looks like it was mostly taken down, refurbished and rebuilt, which you can see below.
On a personal note, it’s a great indoor waterpark resort, as I think I last visited it about 10 years ago with the family and posted a review and fun video of our experience there at the time. It has only grown bigger and better since then, and now features access to the Soaky Mountain waterpark across the street in the warmer months of the year as well.
2025 - Rafter’s Rage - (11/17/2024) Soaky Mountain Waterpark is adding a major new attraction for the 2025 season called Rafter’s Rage from WhiteWater. The new attraction will feature 6-passenger rafts that will begin their run starting 825 feet in the air, reaching speeds up to 19mph on the way down. The attraction is said to be a first-of-its-kind attraction, different from most other waterslides, as it will feature ‘four artfully crafted arcs that rafts will laterally accelerate over sideways”, creating a thrilling ‘drifting’ style experience on a waterslide.
Rafter’s Rage will be build next to the park’s Avalaunch water coaster behind the Black Bear Rapids river, with the plan of opening it my May 2025. As such, the park began work this week with a huge BOOM… and I mean literally! The lined the hillside where Rafter’s Rage is going with explosive charges designed to break down the hillside to be cleared out. You can see the explosive results in the clip below.
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