World Waterpark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids World Waterpark |
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  The logo above was used from 2011-2018.
The Blue Thunder wave pool as seen from a platform of the web of staircases used to access the slides. Sun Runner (the yellow slide) is also visible in the background.
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| Slogan | Wet, wild and wonderful! |
| Location | West Edmonton Mall, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Coordinates | 53°31′19″N 113°37′33″W / 53.52194°N 113.62583°W |
| Owner | West Edmonton Mall Properties Inc. |
| Operated by | West Edmonton Mall Properties Inc. |
| Opened | April 15, 1986 |
| Operating season | All year round |
| Status | {{{status}}} |
| Visitors per annum | 560,000 |
| Area | 19,974 square metres (215,000 sq ft) |
| Pools | 3 pools |
| Water slides | 17 water slides |
| Children's areas | 2 children's areas |
World Waterpark is a fun water park inside the West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It first opened in 1986. This park is the second largest indoor water park in North America. Only DreamWorks Water Park at American Dream Meadowlands is bigger.
The park can hold up to 5,000 people at one time. The air inside is usually about 31 °C (88 °F). It also has the world's largest indoor wave pool. This huge pool holds 12.5 million liters of water!
The tallest slides in the park are Twister, Sky Screamer, and Cyclone. All of these slides are 25.3 m (83 ft) high.
In 2020, the World Waterpark had to close for a while. This was because of the coronavirus pandemic. The whole park closed in mid-March 2020.
Contents
Blue Thunder Wave Pool: Ride the Waves!
This wave pool is called Blue Thunder. It has four sections that make waves. Each section has two panels that create the waves. These panels are powered by a strong hydraulic system. In the past, all 12 panels were used. But the waves became too strong, and people were getting bumped into each other. So, only 8 panels are used now.
The waves come in sessions. They are on for 10 minutes, then off for 5 minutes. The waves are usually about 1.2 to 1.5 m (3.9 to 4.9 ft) high. Many swimmers love to float in the water, often using inner tubes. When a session is about to start, a loud air horn blows. This warns swimmers to get ready for the waves! It's common for people in the pool to cheer when they hear the horn.
In the evenings, after the park closes, clubs use the wave pool. They come for activities like surfing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. For these activities, the waves are often made stronger and run all the time.
In September 2018, the wave pool area got a big upgrade. They spent $2.5 million to repaint the pool. They also made the cabanas nicer and added more bathrooms. New flooring was put in the beach area, and signs were updated.
Slides: Fun for Everyone!
Beginner Slides: Gentle Fun
These slides are great for younger kids or those who want a calmer ride.
- Caribbean Cove (Opened 2008): This is a large play area. It has 3 slides, water pipes, and ropes. A big 1200-liter bucket dumps water every 2 minutes! The water here is very shallow, perfect for small children. Only one person can go down a slide at a time.
- Caribbean Cruiser (Year Unknown): A gentle slide for small children. It drops into a shallow 1-foot pool. It's fun but not too fast. Up to two riders can go at once.
- Dolphin Kiddie Pool (Year Unknown): A small play area with a dolphin theme. It's perfect for toddlers and infants. There are water toys, a water screw, and a low triple slide.
- Sun Runner (Year Unknown): A yellow slide where you ride on a raft. It can hold one or two people. This slide is a good step up from the Caribbean Cruiser. It's one of the few slides without a splashdown pool. Instead, it has a padded end.
- Splash Pad (Year Unknown): A water play area with no deep water.
Intermediate Slides: More Excitement
These slides offer a bit more thrill than the beginner ones.
- Corkscrew (Opened 1986): This slide is fully enclosed. It twists and turns into a 1.2-meter (4-foot) deep pool. It's one of the original slides and still looks the same. Lifejackets and tubes are allowed. The slides were repainted green in 2018.
- Slideboarding (Opened 2016): This is an interactive waterslide. It's like playing a video game while you slide! You match colored lights to buttons on your special slideboard to score points. You must use a slideboard to ride. Riders need to be at least 122 cm (48 inches) tall. Lifejackets are allowed.
Advanced Slides: Big Thrills
These slides are for those who want more speed and excitement.
- Twister (Opened 1986): Twister is one of the three tallest slides in the park. It has been there since the park opened and still has its original look. Both sides are partly enclosed with many twists. Riders land in a 1.2-meter (4-foot) deep pool. Even though it's tall, it's a calm and slow ride. Lifejackets and tubes are allowed.
- Howler (Opened 1986): This is a dark slide that is mostly enclosed. It drops riders into a 1.2-meter (4-foot) deep pool. Howler is exciting because it throws riders around in the dark! Lifejackets and tubes are allowed.
- Blue Bullet (Original: 1986, Current: 2008): This blue slide offers different experiences. The left side lets some light in, while the right side is completely dark. It's known for its twists and drops. Many people think it's one of the most exciting slides. Riders must be at least 1.2 meters (48 inches) tall. The original Blue Bullet was removed in 2008 due to injuries. A new, safer version with the same name opened later that year.
Extreme Slides: Are You Brave Enough?
These slides are the most intense in the park!
- Nessie's Revenge (Opened 1986): A very fast purple slide with three bumps and no curves. It's like a big playground slide. It used to be a different color but was painted purple in the early 2000s. Riders must be at least 4 feet tall.
- Tropical Typhoon (Opened 2003): This slide sends riders down a short tunnel into a large bowl. You slide around and around before dropping through a hole into 10 feet of water! It's often called the "Toilet Bowl." Riders must be at least 4 feet tall.
- Sky Screamer Extreme (Opened 2011): This slide starts with a vertical trap door! One slide is an open yellow vertical slide, and the other is an enclosed blue one. Both end in a splashdown chute. Riders must be at least 10 years old, weigh between 40 kg (90 lbs) and 136 kg (300 lbs), and be at least 1.3 meters (4.3 feet) tall.
- Cyclone (Opened 2011): The Cyclone is a purple and pink slide. It also starts with a vertical trap door. The floor disappears, and you zoom down a straight drop before going through a gravity-defying loop! It's one of the most extreme waterslides in Canada. Riders must weigh between 39 kg (88 lbs) and 136 kg (300 lbs) and be at least 1.2 meters (4 feet) tall.
Past Slides: What Used to Be Here
Some slides have been removed or changed over the years.
- Raging Rapids (Original: 1986, Revised: 2003; Closed: 2016): This was a lazy river ride with two paths. One path had a spiraling drop. It was shortened over time because it needed too many staff members to run.
- Thunderbolt (1986-2014): This popular slide used special sleds called Aqua Skoot. Riders would go down a fast, steep slide on a sled and skip across a long pool of water. It was removed to make space for the Flowrider.
- Sky Screamer (original slide) (1986-2011): This was a very steep, bright red slide. It was one of the tallest slides. It was removed to make way for the new drop-box Sky Screamer slides.
- Hurricane (2012-2018): This was a large inflatable ball that you could go inside. It rotated and was very slippery, like a mix between a waterfall and a rollercoaster. It was removed to add more cabanas.
Other Fun Attractions
- Flowrider: This is a surf simulator! You can try flowboarding or bodyboarding. It opened in 2015. There's an extra charge to use it. The Thunderbolt slide was removed to make room for Flowrider.
- Sky Flyer Zipline: This is the world's largest permanent indoor zipline! It's 450 feet long. You start at one corner of the waterpark and zip across the Blue Thunder wave pool. There's an extra charge for this too. Up to four people can ride at once.
Other Information
World Waterpark also has two hot tubs for relaxing.
You can buy snacks and drinks at places like:
- Beachview Bar/Snacks
- Piña Colada Bar
- Coconut Grove
- Coca-Cola Freestyle machines (6 of them!)
- Tiki Dog
You can rent tubes for the slides. But PFDs (lifejackets) can be borrowed for free at Sharky's Supply Shack.
Images for kids
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Sky Screamer and Nessie's Revenge - side view
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Blue Bullet prior to renovations
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L-R Thunderbolt, Nessie's Revenge, Sky Screamer
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Blue Thunder Wave Pool -6FT Waves
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Sky Screamer
