Everyone knows that happy kids mean happy parents and on your family holidays the best way to put a smile on your children's faces is a day out at the local water park. With Europe geared towards the package holiday market, there is such a plethora of parks to choose from. Here's our pick of the best:
Adaland Aquapark,Turkey
Adaland is divided into three distinct areas and each of them is guaranteed to cause your family hours of fun whilst on their package holiday. The spiralling slides and windy rides all take place in the Aquapark area and the park is best known for the slithering Yellow Python, a brightly coloured spinning tube which drops you out into a giant splash pool. The remaining areas of the park are the dolphin section, giving you and your family the opportunity to watch daily dolphin shows and afterwards swim with the stars, and the Seapark, which allows you to hand-feed magnificent manta-rays and snorkel amongst Turkey's marine life, whilst on your package holiday.
Water World, Ayia Napa
Water World claims to be Europe's biggest water-park, but it is the park's Ancient Greek styling and not the sheer size of the destination that has coveted it many travel industry awards. There are 18 rides in total from the spinning Aeolos Whirlpool to the rather more sedate Aphrodite's Pool, a huge relaxing Jacuzzi aimed at the park's adult visitors. Many of the rides feature height restrictions, but younger children will have hours of fun in the Trojan Adventure, a gentler play structure featuring water pistols and smaller slides.
Aqualand, Tenerife
Aqualand is actually a chain of seven water parks situated in Europe. However the best of the bunch is located on the island of Tenerife. Like all the best water parks, the site features a dolphinarium and the dolphin shows here are the best in Europe. The park is home to a vast array of water based rides and customers that have visited other Aqualand parks, whilst on their family holidays, will be pleased to note that it has all the old favourites from the spiralling Anaconda to the five-slide spectacular, which is the Super Slalom.
Aquasur, Gran Canaria
Aquasur is the Canary Island's biggest water park and also one of their most popular tourist attractions. The sun holiday daytrip destination is another Aqualand park, and whilst it doesn't have the friendly dolphins of Tenerife, it instead features a population of sea lions that your children will love swimming with after their spectacular show. All the family favourites feature in this park, including the spiralling Anaconda and the adrenaline packed, Kamikaze and Adrenalina rides.
Fasouri Watermania, Cyprus
Fasouri Watermania won the much coveted award for the best water park at the 2007 World Travel Awards and it isn't hard to see why. The park remains the biggest in Cyprus and is definitely a must visit for those on a family holiday. There is enough to entertain both adults and children alike and competitive families can organise a race down the six-lane Mat Chaser, to see who'll be taking on the washing-up duties for the remainder of the package holiday.
The bizarre Crossover game is a lot harder than it looks and involves crossing an activity pool on giant floating orange slices. Smaller children will enjoy playing in the slightly more sedate kiddie pool, and the football pitch and playground give your family the perfect opportunity to dry out before heading home.
Dubbed the most popular waterpark in the United States, Schlitterbahn is an attraction that has many people flocking to central Texas. Opened in 1979 in New Braunfels, Texas with only four water slides coming out of a large German castle, the park has come a long way. Currently Schlitterbahn has opened two other locations across central texas; one in Galveston, Texas and one on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico on South Padre Island. Each park has its own unique settings with lots of different things to do for kids of all ages. We will begin our exciting tour by exploring the first Schlitterbahn Park in New Braunfels, Texas. This park is situated along the shade treed banks of the Comal River. It is this natural setting that makes it an attractive spot for visitors from all over the world. Boasting more than 40 rides and attractions, it is definitely a place that will keep you busy while visiting. There are water attractions available for every age as well as all swimming ability. You can enjoy a lazy ride down a slow flowing river or jump right in on a raging river ride for a mile journey ending in a huge splash in the Comal River. There are also gift shops to check out, playgrounds for the young as well as hot tubs to enjoy. No matter where you go in this 65 acre resort, you will find something for everyone. It is a place that you will want to spend more than one day at, so take advantage of the onsite lodging and resort. You can also visit a lot of the area restaurants and bring your own food into the park for a picnic. This might be a great way to check out some of the local San Antonio Restaurants cuisine and save you a few bucks in the process. Remember that New Braunfels has many restaurants which offer great German food as well as good old fashion Texas Barbecue. No matter what your choice is, this is definitely a great place to take the whole family. The second stop on our waterpark adventure is Schlitterbahn Beach. This park located on South Padre Island opened in 2001 as a revolutionary waterpark. Located at the very southern tip of Texas overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, this is the ultimate tropical beach paradise for waterparks. You can rid the Rio Aventura around the park getting from activity to attraction without walking or having to get out of the water. There is a giant sandcastle to explore with shallow pools and flume rides for family entertainment. There is a boardwalk to enjoy and white sandy beaches to take a stroll on. If surfing is your thing then this is definitely the park for you. It has the largest man made surfing wave in the USA; and what a site to see. When it is time to eat, you have several choices. You can check out the quick BBQ Haus where you can get a taste of Texan Barbecue or opt for the fresh Gulf Shrimp by enjoying the Schlitterbahn’s Shrimp Haus Restaurants. Again, you don’t have to eat at the park; you always have the option of brining in your food choice from elsewhere and picnicking while in the park. The third stop on our tour of Schlitterbahn Water Park is located in Galveston, Texas. The makers of Schlitterbahn’s went all out for this park as they added a retractable roof which allows for year round fun and entertainment. This is a much smaller park with only 26 acres to explore. Again, there is a large German castle that greets you upon entering the park. With over 20 water attractions for every age from the littlest to the oldest, this park is jam packed with a remarkable variety of water rides and activities. The big draw, MasterBlaster uphill water coaster, was invented by the people at Schlitterbahn’s. You can also get from attraction to attraction via a lazy river rids which makes it easy to get to where you want to go without having to walk or wait in line. This year, the park is expanding with a new ride called the Blastenhoff, the most thrilling slides ever dreamed of. One slide has a vertical drop of almost 80 feet; another slide is in total darkness. With so many new attractions to see, it is a definite must on your next vacation stop. When planning your next vacation, make sure to check out all that Schlitterbahn’s has to offer. There is something for everyone no matter how big of a kid they are. While you are visiting, you are bound to have a great time experiencing one of the greatest attractions in all of central Texas. No matter which park you choose to visit, you will definitely get a taste of Big Texan Fun, but also some good Texan food.
Both Jane Wilkinson & Tymon Hytem are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jane Wilkinson has sinced written about articles on various topics from The Beach Resort, Travel and Leisure and Family Concerns. Jane Wilkinson is head of Marketing for Essential Sun. This travel company offers years of experience in dealing with and their trained advisors will h. Jane Wilkinson's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.
Tymon Hytem has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fitness, Legal Matters and Legal Matters. Tymon Hytem is a native Texan who has lived in the Texas Hill Country his entire life. He is knowledgeable about the lifestyles, foods and travel destinations of Texas. You can find some more information on Texas restaurants, destinations and attractions. Tymon Hytem's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.