Our family has been enjoying SplashDown Beach since our children were toddlers. The attraction is dubbed America’s “Biggest Little Water Park” and that is not an overstatement. In fact, its condensed size June be one of the park’s most attractive features. That, plus the number of really awesome water rides it’s managed to squeeze into very little acreage.
The proximity of the various rides means no long treks around a sprawling park. Everything is close at hand. As a parent herding younger kids (and their friends) from ride to ride this was a welcome advantage. As our kids grew older and more independent, the park size meant that my wife and I could chill on the lazy river or the abundant lounge chairs placed throughout the park without worry.
Younger Kids
SplashDown has an excellent “Bob the Builder” themed mini splash park for toddlers and younger kids. The Water Whirler, which was just added last season is sure to be a favorite with little ones. Spinning buckets in the water rotate while moving carousel style. Each gondola is equipped with several water canons for super drenching fun! Kids must be at least 36” to ride.
Cowabunga Dude!
For teens or adults seeking more adventurous rides, the park has a number of thrilling water rides in various degrees of “awesomeness.” If you’re seeking the ultimate water thrill ride it has to be the Humunga Half-Pipe. This ride is best described as a large saddle-shaped slide. You ride down one side on an inflatable raft at a fairly steep angle. Gravity does the rest, accelerating you down the slope and up the other side of the “saddle.” So where’s the thrill factor you ask? The saddle is open on all sides with no high retaining walls. There’s the perception that you will go flying off the high end of each run, but the engineering is impeccable, gravity kicks in just as you reach the peak and returns you back down into a series of diminishing peaks and troughs until inertia finally allows you to exit the ride.
Other rides include, my family’s personal favorites, the Pirate Plunge and Cowabunga Falls. New attractions include Arctic Mammoth and Arctic Plunge Racer. The Arctic Mammoth earns its name because of its shear size: It’s a 600-foot raft ride filled with twists and turns. For the daredevils, the Arctic Plunge Race offers maximum thrills and speed through a series of tightly curved spirals and near vertical drops!
Another of our favorites is the 3-in-1 ride featuring Pirate’s Plunge, Pirate’s Revenge and Bullet Bowl. We usually make multiple passes on this because it features one straight plug, one spiral course and the amazing Bullet Bowl, which drops you into a massive bowl where you spiral and go “down the drain” into the common pool below. The 3-in-1 allows for one or two person rafts, which is good for some fun variations.
Surf’s Up!
No water park would be complete without a wave pool. Personally, SplashDown’s Monster Wave Pool is one of my favorites. It’s small and less powerful than wave pools found at other parks, but for me it’s perfect. I feel I can get the thrill of some “tubular” waves without being slammed around too much. The Monster Wave pool is the perfect half-time spot because it is adjacent to the one of the park’s food concession stands. The food in the park is standard park food fair, but the food court near the wave pool does feature a Nathan’s Famous Franks stand, so you can get a little bit of Coney Island in the country.
Up a Lazy River
After we fill ourselves at the food stand we usually head over to the Croc Creek Wavy, Lazy River for some relaxing flotation, punctuated by the occasional squirts and sprays just to keep you cool. If good old-fashioned wading pools are your thing, the Coconut Pool is perfect for families with young children and beginning swimmers.
The park also features Cosimo’s Pizza, an indoor pizza restaurant, and Iggy’s Fresh Mex for Nacho Bowls and an Azteca Pulled Chicken dish. There’s also an indoor arcade if you need a break from the sun.
Bob Berry is a regular contributor to Westchester Family.
When You Go …
SplashDown Beach
16 Old Rte. 9 West
Fishkill, N.Y.
845-897-9600
Hours/Days
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday June 4, 5, 11, 12 and June 17 to 24. June 25 to 30 the park closes an hour later at 7 p.m. and continues from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Aug. 28 with the exception of July 20 and Aug. 22. See website for more details. Park closes Sept. 6.
Admission
2016 Season Passes $95. Daily rates: under 42” $30, over 42” $35. After 3 p.m. half-day rate: under 42” $23, over 42” $28.
Other
All infants ages 2 and under must wear a reusable swim diaper over a regular diaper. Reusable diaper sold on-site.
Daily lockers for rent. Private cabanas also available for rent. Picnic area is adjacent to parking lot.
