Just in time for the beginning of 2012 summer break, Orlando's Wet 'n' Wild water park has replaced its former kids area with Blastaway Beach, a sandcastle-themed family water play area. Blastaway Beach opened on Saturday June 2, with a stampede of excited children trying out the new slides (17 of them!) and playing in the two pools included in the revamped area.
Photo by Max Schilling
Blastaway Beach is centered around a 60-foot tall sandcastle. Every minute or so, a trough within the top of the sandcastle pours gallons of water on the children underneath. On top of that, approximately 160 sprayers, jets, waterfalls and water cannons ensure that everyone gets drenched.
Occupying 15,000 square feet, Blastaway Beach feels enormous compared to your average kiddie pool. In fact, Blastaway Beach is the largest waterpark playground in Florida. Wet 'n' Wild has designed the area in a secluded portion of the park (towards the front gate), and it has only one entrance and exit, hopefully making it a little easier to find your child at the end of a day of playing.
Additionally, if Mom and Dad want to join in the fun, they're welcome to. There are no height or weight restrictions on any of the slides, and on some of the shorter slides, adult and child can slide together. And if the parents would prefer to sunbathe poolside, there is no shortage of lounge chairs and table seating.
Blastaway Beach operates regular Wet 'n' Wild park hours, and is included with normal park admission.
With Wet 'n Wild, Aquatica, Typhoon Lagoon, and Blizzard Beach collectively drawing about 6-1/2 million people a year (and 4 of the top 8 worldwide), Orlando really is the waterpark capital of the world.
Isn't Universal planning on closing the waterpark in 2015 after they build a new one behind Ripshaw Falls?