Returning to a water park after 20 years...

May 31, 2008 6:05 PM

Water parks in SoCal - I haven't gone since I was in junior high and have some questions about apparel, where you put your stuff, which one is best, etc.

I'm considering taking my soon-to-be 12-year-old niece to a water park for her birthday -- either Knott's Soak City, Wild Rivers or Raging Waters. I haven't been to a water park since I was in junior high (it was always Raging Waters back then) and wondered a few things:

1. Can I wear a t-shirt over my suit? I haven't been seen in a bathing suit in years and with my, ahem, full figure, I don't really want to spend a ton of money on some Lane Bryant suit. I'd rather spend less and hide under a t-shirt or tank top. Is that allowed on the slides?

2. Where do you stash your stuff? I know you can have lockers, but what about towels and sunglasses and money? Is it safe to just claim a chair or spot and leave some stuff (towel, flip-flops) there? Can you get in and out of lockers throughout the day?

3. Do you walk around barefoot or do you use flip-flops? If you use flip-flops, where do you stash them while on the slides (see previous question)? (I'm not squeamish about being barefoot.)

4. Lastly, any recommendations on the best park? I'd rather have smaller crowds and nice places to relax than outrageously awesome slides, but I don't want my niece to be bored. Like me, she's fairly brave, but not fearless, so I'd want some fun medium-level slides.

posted by faunafrailty to sports, hobbies, & recreation (4 comments total)

Die hard Raging Waters fan here. Don't know about Wild Rivers or Knott's, but here's some info about RW:

1. T-shirts are not allowed on the fast rides, like Drop-Out and Bermuda Triangle.
2. Towels, sunglasses, and money, can be stashed in the locker. Leaving stuff unattended is not advisable. You can get in and out of the lockers throughout the day.
3. Flip flops just get in the way. The only time you'll miss them is on the Amazon River, and Roaring Rapids, because the bottom of the pool tears your feet up.
posted by proj08 at 7:22 PM on May 31, 2008

Sorry, I don't know about the rules of those parks specifically, but as a lifelong water park fan, I recommend water shoes instead of flip-flops, specifically a style like this. You can get them super-cheap at Wal-Mart or Target. They won't fall off, and they'll protect your feet from the hot concrete, etc.
posted by korres at 5:15 AM on June 1, 2008

I've actually visited all three parks you've mentioned and by far, Raging Waters is the superior one. Both in the quality of rides and the sheer availability of alternatives to the rides.

As for the rest of your questions, I believe they were adequately answered above.
posted by di11ihd at 12:26 PM on June 1, 2008

Thank you everyone; these answers were very helpful. And I'll check out the water shoes.
posted by faunafrailty at 9:01 AM on June 2, 2008