Theme Parks Make a Splash in Missouri!
Jefferson City, Mo.,- Thrilling, wild and exciting — all words that come to mind when describing a theme park. This summer, get your fill of adventure by visiting one of Missouri’s theme/water parks. Every park has its own unique features, each providing enjoyment for people of all ages.
Enjoy the rides and a splash at Six Flags in St. Louis
Unlike other Six Flags throughout the nation, Six Flags-St. Louis has a joint water park, Hurricane Harbor, free with theme park admission. The park is divided into nine themes: 1904 World’s Fair, Britannia, Bugs Bunny National Park, DC Comic Plaza, Gateway to the West, Illinois, Studio Backlot, Chouteau’s Market and Hurricane Harbor. Each section is filled with rides, games and attractions.
But if rides don’t really catch your fancy, there are food and shopping opportunities, as well as meet-and-greet sessions for the Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo, Shaggy and Scrappy, and the Justice League DC Super Heroes. Guests can also watch live performances such as Show Stoppin’ Looney Tunes Dance Off, Dick Clark’s Face the Music and Fuzion. For ‘Funatics’ Six Flags is the place for you, offering a season pass with a rewards program.
Six Flags offers special events all summer, including Glow in the Park, now through Aug. 14. Through the end of July, see today’s top tween and teen music artists at the Starburst Summer Concert Series (free with theme park admission, however, reservations are required). April through October, see up-and-coming bands perform live every Friday and Saturday.
Want to know about the must-ride attractions at Six Flags? Check out Batman the Ride (Studio Backlot), Mr. Freeze (DC Comics Plaza), Superman Tower of Power (Illinois), Evel Knievel (1904 World’s Fair) and The Boss (Britannia).
Across the state in Kansas City, and home to Snoopy and the Peanut gang, Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun offers an adrenaline rush and excitement for all guests. From world class coasters to kid rides, visitors are sure to have fun at Worlds of Fun. Experience a high thrill on Worlds of Fun’s newest ride, Prowler, named “2009′s Best New Attraction in the World” by Amusement Today. If roller coasters and rides get too hot, take a dip at Oceans of Fun. Crocodile Isle is the perfect “splayground” for the little ones, and those taller than 46 inches will enjoy more thrilling rides such as Aruba Tuba and Hurricane Falls.
Do not miss the world class fun at Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun in Kansas City
Purchase two or more tickets online before July 31 for Sunday through Friday visits and save $5 per ticket. America is celebrated every Friday and Saturday night through July with fireworks. Don’t forget JoyFest July 24, Public Safety and Military Appreciation Week, Aug. 16-22, and Royals Baseball FanFest on Aug. 21.
The must rides at Worlds of Fun include: Mamba, Prowler, Timber Wolf, Detonator, and Fury of the Nile; while at Oceans of Fun, don’t miss Buccaneer Bay, Castaway Cove (Adult Pool), and Surf City Wave Pool.
South of Kansas City in Branson, Silver Dollar City is hosting a year of celebrations marking 50 years of adventure. This 1880s themed amusement park is built around the Marvel Cave, a registry National Landmark, and provides visitors with 30 thrilling attractions and rides, more than 60 specialty craft shops, a variety of live entertainment shows, a culinary and craft school featuring seasonal cooking and craft classes, craftsmen demonstration of pioneer skills, and a wide array of family-friendly restaurants. New to the park for 2010 is River Blast, a ride inspired by Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, where visitors engage in an old-fashioned water war. Guests can ride down the water way or spectate, either way, staying dry is not an option.
Also, new to the park this year is the Trailblazer Pass, which allows riders to go straight to the front of the line at Silver Dollar City’s most popular rides and attractions: PowderKeg, WildFire, The GIANT Swing, Thunderation, Fire-In-The-Hole and Lost River of the Ozarks or American Plunge. The $20 pass allows visitors to ride up to six times, or use the pass to ride a combination of the rides listed above for a total of six rides.
Special events at Silver Dollar City this summer include, Moonlight Madness, offering extended park hours until 10 p.m., and KidsFest, now through Aug. 8.
Consider Powder Keg (Hugo’s Hill Street), Wild Fire (Hugo’s Hill Street), River Blast (River Front) & Lost River of the Ozarks (River Front) among Silver Dollar City’s must-ride attractions.
White Water in Branson has Ozarks largest selection of water themed rides
And while you’re in Branson, don’t miss the Ozarks’ largest selection of water themed rides and attractions at White Water. Water-blasters, super-soakers, speed water slides and a wave pool keep visitors entertained and cool. Sand volleyball courts are also available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note: Volleyballs are not provided, guests must bring their own.
Looking to cool off on a hot day? Don’t miss White Water’s Kalani Towers, Lazy River, Ohana Falls, Pipeline Plunge, Raging River Rapids.
While it’s great to get soaked at a Missouri water park, Mother Nature sometimes has her own ideas about waterworks. But summer rain showers don’t have to put a damper on your fun; change your plans and head to one of Missouri’s indoor water parks.
In Kansas City, enter a tropical oasis without ever leaving the Show-Me state. Located in the Holiday Inn-Kansas City (off I-70, near Kauffman and Arrowhead stadiums) guests can experience a bright, sunny 84 degrees everyday at CoCo Key. This wet fun includes Dip-In Theater, Parrot’s Perch, Coconut Grove Adventure River, Outdoor Splash Pad, Shark Slam, Gator Gush, Barracuda Blast and Pelican.
The Lake is not the only option to make a splash at the Lake of the Ozarks. In fact, two major water parks, Timber Falls and Big Surf, are located in the area. Timber Falls, a part of the Tan-Tar-A Resort, Osage Beach, is themed with an ‘Ozark Wilderness’ atmosphere. The indoor water park includes more than 600 feet of water slides (two slides from the tree house and two from an adjacent tower), activity pools, a whirlpool for relaxation, and a lazy river. Keep in mind, rates for the water park are separate from the resort. Hotel guests can get a day pass for $17, while day passes for the general public are $22.
For more water enjoyment near The Lake, take a plunge into the pools of Big Surf Waterpark. At Big Surf, near Camdenton and Linn Creek, visitors can experience a balanced variety of water rides and attractions. From pools and slides to a dry ground activity area, guests can expect nothing less than fun. All summer long, arts and crafts, as well as games and tournaments, will be featured at the park. If you happen to be in the Lake area for the weekend of Aquapolooza get a picture of Gil the Shark (Big Surf’s mascot) on July 17 and you’ll receive $10 off your admission to Big Surf on July 18 at the park’s first Aquapolooza Sunday event.
Looking for an indoor water park adventure in southwest Missouri? Set upon an abandoned mining area in Branson is Splash Country, a part of the Grand Country Hotel. Visitors can experience this country themed water park indoors and outdoors. The indoor division consists of a three-level treehouse with interactive water play, pool basketball, a toddler pool, a lazy river, Melting Pot Spas for revitalization and relaxation, and an opportunity to get some grub at the Mining Company Grill. If guests want to soak up the sun, they should splash outdoors. Outside you can find a curvy water slide that leads to the Glory hole, along with a lounging area surrounded by Ozark mountain rock and trees.
In addition to Branson’s water attractions, is Welk Resort’s recent addition, Splash-A Torium, with free entry to resort owners and guests. This 10,000 square-foot water park features an indoor and outdoor water slide, pool and a large hot tub, as well as, a “Splash-Zone” for ultimate water amusement.
For more information on Missouri theme parks, visit www.VisitMO.com or call 800-519-4800 to order a free copy of the Official 2010 Missouri Travel Guide.
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Contact:
Sarah Luebbert
Missouri Division of Tourism
573-522-5501
Sarah.Luebbert@ded.mo.gov
