On Wednesday, Water World hosted a few Mile High Mamas and kiddos of all ages. Their mission: To find the very best age-appropriate attractions at America’s biggest and best waterpark for our children ranging from 9 months to 13 years old.
Tune in for our insider tips on just how does a mom of eight juggle everyone to accidental “accidents” in the tube to coping with Sensory Processing Disorder at Water World.
Gretchen and kids Aidan (13), Ryley (12), Sam (10), Tommy (9), Joel (7), Beatrix (4), Archie (2), Teddy (9 months)
It takes a lot of sunscreen to cover 10 people for an 8 hour day at Water World—about 2 spray-on cans, to be exact. It was worth every coconut-scented drop. Our recent day at Water World proved it’s possible for families with kids of all ages to have fun together.
You can’t take a baby on a go-cart. Toddlers are terrible miniature golf players. But babies and toddlers can join the big kids on many of Water World’s creatively exhilarating water rides. Our family hiked the snaking trail to the top of Voyage to the Center of the Earth. Thanks to Water World’s tube valet service, we didn’t have to wrangle several inner tubes plus our little ones. At the top, we separated into a small fleet of tubes for the ride down. We spiraled through a world of animatronic dinosaurs, wild special effects, and swift swirling waves. Yes, I took my 9-month-old, Teddy, on this ride. My husband had Archie, the toddler, who was more worried about the dinosaurs than the water.
Water World is packed with attractions catering to all ages and swimming abilities. One of the hottest spots in the park is the Thunder Bay Wave Pool. Archie and Teddy happily splashed near the shallow, gently-sloping shore while our older kids enjoyed jumping and bobbing through waves. Another great family-friendly spot at Water World is Calypso Cove. At the center is the Caribbean Family Adventure. It’s a large water playground set in a shallow pool. There are plenty of slides, water cannons, and interesting ways to tinker with water. Our little kids adored this structure. Our older kids spent their time at Calypso Cove enjoying the Tortuga Run, an inner tube ride.
Teddy, Archie, and Beatrix found a special haven for little kids at the WallyWorld Tots area. We visited in the mid-afternoon, which I suspect is the best time to go to a tot-friendly pool. It wasn’t crowded. The pool area is split into two levels, separated by slides and stairs covered with running water. The upper pool featured bubbling water jets, a whimsical spitting walrus, and tire swings suspended over the water. The lower pool has a cool cave for hiding, bigger bubbling water jets, and plenty of places for splashy time. The slides are padded and vary in intensity. My preschooler, Beatrix, liked the curvy slide while Archie liked the more gentle slides. 
If you go to Water World with very young children, tube valet will be your best friend. Also, take advantage of the Fun H2Ohouse Gondola that stretches over the hilliest portions of the park. It saves little legs and feet from fatigue. Water World has many, many hills. I may have complained at one point. My wise husband pointed out that water rides are more fun with gravity to pull the rushing water downhill. If you take a stroller, it’s easy and safe to park it at one of the many picnic areas or covered structures. I found it more simple to carry Teddy than to push the stroller around to all the different pools and slides. Also, babies in swim diapers need to be changed often. The best family bathroom and changing rooms are in the area known at The Bigtop, a circus-themed portion of the park. The bathrooms are roomy and clean. If only someone could solve the annoying difficulty of pulling off and on a wet tank swimsuit!
Of course, we made sure to allow our older kids freedom to explore and have fun on some of the attractions by themselves. I watched my husband and 4 oldest sons scream down the White Lightning slide. It took my breath away to watch them come down, one by one, but it also made me tremendously proud. Water World provides plenty of opportunity and inspiration for kids to safely play daredevil for a day. Our older kids also tackled River Country, an area near the center of the park with twisty river rapids navigated by inner tube. Just don’t ask them to pronounce Cimarron. It comes out sounding like something you sprinkle on toast with sugar.
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From Mile High Mama Jaime Swartzendruber: Water World is a favorite summer destination for our family! Silas (7) and Noelle (4) have been fortunate to visit the park several times over the past few years, and I have been quite impressed with the variation of the adventure we experience from year to year – and I’m not just referring to the fabulous upgrades the park has undergone…
With each passing year, our children reach new heights (quite literally) of independence and confidence in the water, leading us to novel discoveries and basically, a whole new [Water] World. This year, Si officially reached the 48” mark – an enormous milestone in the life of a young boy – giving him the freedom to ride some serious thrillers, which he politely passed on (for now anyway) but lets keep that quiet as he works on his inner courage…to his credit, he did ride the Voyage to the Center of the Earth TWICE – happily!
Noelle’s raft ride experience didn’t go quite as well. Bravery, however, was not so much her issue as was the dilemma of taking a break from the fun to use the potty. Ok, so accidents happen, especially in the lives of four-year-olds, but the mess is generally contained to their own little bodies and not shared with everyone on the raft – yikes!
So, thank you Water World for chlorinated water! Thank you too, for sticks by which we measure our growth, our children’s development, our inner courage…a mile marker for years gone by filled with sweet memories at a water park which has become so much more to us than simply an epic place to play. View a Full Photo Journal of our Splashing Good Time!
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From Mile High Mama Lisa
As we headed to Water World my eight year old told me I was “a really cool mom.” When I asked why, he said, “because you’re taking us to Water World.” How great is that to be cool before you even get there?! Shortly after arriving I thought all might be lost, though, when he got sucked into the wave pool a bit too deep and I had to rescue him. But no, now I was the amazing mom who, in his words, “saved my life!” Awesome!!!
While recovering from this excitement we trekked off with the rest of the MHMs to Journey to the Center of the Earth. Seeing the big floaty tubes we thought this will be nice and relaxing. Ahem…not so much. We did love the Tube Valet service Water World provided us, so we only had a few steps to carry and coordinate our tubes and babes. As we approached the rushing water and entrance Mr. Recovering looked a bit nervous. I confidently (aka naively) assured him all would be fine.
We began floating along happily when we were suddenly sent swooshing and jostling down a dark tunnel at a very rapid pace. All three boys (8, 9, & 11) were gripping the tube handles mightily and pressing themselves low into the tube while I laughed and hooted (I love these kinds of rides!). Reaching an eddy, we all took a breath and I pointed out the fake bats peering down at us, emphasizing FAKE. This did not go over well with my arachnophobe who apparently has added bats to his list. The rest of our journey was just as exciting as we barreled down turns and eased through more eddies. We were thrilled to see the mist then sunlight as we plunged out of the tunnel. We all laughed heartily, full of adrenaline and exuberance after our exciting ride. Comments ranged from “my hands are numb from holding on so tight” to “I was terrified, but it was awesome!”
Another note to self (and parents of children with Sensory Processing Disorder, especially those with vestibular and proprioceptive issues) this is not the best way to start off a water world outing! It took Mr. Recovering quite some time to dip a toe in the water after our early adventures. Next time we’ll start slow and go for the plunging rides later on. We found the Big Top area a wonderful place for a range of ages and sensory needs and gentle place to recover. The kids’ lazy river was a hit with all ages and the 11 year old spent more time in it than anyone. He also loved the fun house and water slides and determined that the Big Top is good for “teenagers through little kids.” The kids will be talking about this adventure all summer!
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From Mile High Mama Lori: I was surprised that even though there are 36 rides (the park is huuuuuge!) Tessa (10) and Reed (8) were quite content to loll in Thunder Bay. This is the large wave pool that is calm for 10 minutes or so. Then suddenly a horn will blare and swimmers start shrieking in anticipation. Then the waves come — several minutes of large, rolling waves. My children were delighted. When the waves stopped, they returned to lolling on the “beach.” Bonus? “There’s no sand in my swimsuit, Mom!”
We also enjoyed our ventures to The Storm and Lost River of the Pharaohs. My children were oblivious to how AWESOME it was that we had valet service. This meant that the kids — which, as any mom knows inevitably turns out to be “mom” — didn’t have to carry the ENORMOUS tubes up the large hills.
The long climb going up meant lots of thrills coming down. At the bottom, Tessa and Reed said in unison as they disembarked the tube, “Mom! This is the Best Day of My Life!”
If you’re a Water World Newbie
Before you go, check-out Water World’s Thrill Rating that lets you know what rides you’ll enjoy…or should avoid depending upon your comfort level.
Great Water World Deals
Contest
Mile High Mamas is giving away a family four-pack of tickets to Water World (in addition to many other great attractions). Go here to enter. Contest deadline is June 23, 2011.
Author: Amber Johnson
Amber is the founder and editor of Mile High Mamas, travel writer and former columnist for The Denver Post. She is a passionate community builder and loves the outdoors. She has two awesome teens and is happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin.
Amber Johnson
Love all the different perspectives on this. Can’t think of a better way to spend a hot summer day!
Jaime Swartzendruber
I hadn’t thought about the amount of sunscreen that might go into blocking a family of 10 — Gretchen, I think you deserve the Banana Boat “best customer” award!
We had such a fabulous time at Water World with all you girls and your families 🙂 I love it that the park offers covered pavilions and cabana rentals so groups like ours have a place to park, picnic, play and meet back up again – and I’ve never had a problem leaving my bag or stroller unattended either…we’re usually too excited to take the time to get a locker 😉
Thanks for the fun memories, Water World!
Susan Wells
I was so sad to miss this event and be cooped up at work. Sounds like you all had a blast. I’m going to have to pack up the kiddos and get to Water World this summer. I haven’t been since I was a kid.
Gretchen White
The kids are still talking about it! Thanks, Water World.
We are dreaming about our next visit.
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Stacey Sepp
Thanks so much for this article! I found it extremely helpful. Our nieces who are 11 and almost 9 will be visiting us from California at the end of the month. We usually take them to Water World, but this year, we’ll have our 10-month-old son with us! I had planned on spending most of the day in the baby pool while the rest of the family ventured around the park, but I’m glad to hear that there are a few rides that we can take our son on as well. Great tips – thanks again!