Schlitterbahn facts for kids
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| Owner | Cedar Fair |
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| Introduced | 1979 |
| Markets | Southern United States Midwestern United States |
| Previous owners | The Henry family |
Schlitterbahn is a famous American brand known for its exciting water parks and resorts. It is currently owned by a company called Cedar Fair. Before this, it was a family-run business started by the Henry family in New Braunfels, Texas.
The very first Schlitterbahn water park opened its doors in 1979. At its biggest, the company had five outdoor water parks, two indoor water parks, and three resorts. Schlitterbahn's outdoor parks are usually open during the warmer months, from late April to mid-September. Their indoor parks, however, are open all year round. Today, two of their main parks are located in Texas.
In 2019, Cedar Fair bought two of Schlitterbahn's most popular parks in Galveston and New Braunfels. This deal also included the rights to use the Schlitterbahn name.
Contents
Current Parks: Dive into the Fun!
New Braunfels, Texas: The Original Waterpark Fun
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The very first Schlitterbahn park opened in New Braunfels in 1979. Its name means "slippery road" in German, which fits the area's German history. When it first opened, it only had four water slides.
Over the years, the park grew a lot!
- In 1992, the Surfenberg section opened. It featured the world's first inland surfing ride, called the Boogie Bahn.
- In 1994, they created the first uphill water coaster, the Dragon Blaster.
- In 1996, the Blastenhoff section opened. This part of the park had the world's first wave river, the Torrent. It also featured the Master Blaster, which is a very famous uphill water coaster that has won many awards.
- In 2011, the park expanded again, adding The Falls. This is the world's longest tubing river, with exciting rapids and tube chutes.
This park has won many awards, including the Golden Ticket Award for 22 years in a row! In total, Schlitterbahn New Braunfels has received 39 Golden Ticket Awards. Many seasonal workers help keep the park running smoothly each year.
Galveston, Texas: Thrills by the Coast
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The Schlitterbahn park in Galveston opened in 2006. This park is special because it's open for part of every month of the year. It has the most thrill rides of all the Schlitterbahn parks.
Galveston is home to MASSIV, which was once the world's tallest water coaster. MASSIV opened in 2016 and is 81 feet, 6 inches tall. It even holds a Guinness World Record title! This ride uses modern technology to save water and power.
Former Parks: Where the Fun Once Flowed
South Padre Island, Texas: Floating Adventures
The park in South Padre Island opened in 2001, and an indoor section was added in 2012. This park was known for its "Transportainment" system. This means guests could float in their tubes through most of the park's rides and even in the lines for some of the uphill water coasters!
When the Henry family sold Schlitterbahn, they kept this park. It was later renamed Beach Park at Isla Blanca in December 2019.
Corpus Christi, Texas: A Riverpark Experience
In 2012, Schlitterbahn announced plans for a new water park in Corpus Christi. The park officially opened on June 20, 2015. It featured a restaurant, two kids' areas, a river system called the Krystal river, the Sky Blaster, and the Aquaveyer.
In 2016, the southern part of the park opened with a resort. This park, called Schlitterbahn Riverpark - Corpus Christi, had almost 2 miles of river and many blasters. In 2017, a ride called Padre's Plunge opened. This park offered four types of rivers, two children's areas, a large swim-up bar, a stage for concerts, and a resort. The property was later renamed Waves Resort Corpus Christi.
Kansas City, Kansas: A Park with a Past
The Schlitterbahn park in Kansas City first opened in July 2009. It used to open every year in May. This park was once home to the Verrückt water slide. After an accident on the slide, the park closed after the 2018 season and has not reopened due to safety concerns. Cedar Fair decided not to buy this property.
Proposed Projects: Future Water Fun?
Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Plans that Changed
There were plans for a Schlitterbahn water park in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The project aimed to build a large water park at the old Fort Lauderdale Stadium, possibly using parts of the stadium for a castle-like entrance with lodging, dining, and shops. There were also ideas to expand the park around the nearby Lockhart Stadium.
However, a lawsuit caused delays. A judge ruled that the city did not follow its own rules when giving the land lease to Schlitterbahn. Another company, Premier Parks LLC, later won the bid to build a Wet'n'Wild brand water park there, but those plans were also canceled in 2018.
Cedar Park, Texas: Still in Talks
Plans for a water park in Cedar Park, Texas, are currently on hold. However, discussions about the project are still happening.
