The amusement park industry thrives on superlatives. Each year, parks vie for attention, boasting about constructing the world’s fastest roller coaster or the tallest ride, even though such claims are often inflated. Similarly, indoor water parks have joined the fray, with various establishments proclaiming themselves as the "largest" – remember Water Park of America, Fallsview, and The World Waterpark, all vying for the title of North America’s largest?
But the question remains: can they all be the largest? The world of indoor water parks is a competitive arena, and parsing the truth from the hype requires careful consideration. This article will delve into the world’s largest indoor water parks, using square footage as the primary metric to determine the true giants of the industry. We’ll examine the claims made by various parks and separate fact from fiction to reveal the definitive list of the biggest and most impressive indoor aquatic destinations. Let’s dive in and explore The World’s Largest Indoor Water Parks.
The Undisputed Champion: Suntago Waterworld at Park of Poland
Emerging as the clear frontrunner, Suntago Waterworld at Park of Poland, located near Warsaw, Poland, reigns supreme. This colossal water park, which opened its doors in 2020, spans an impressive 721,000 square feet. This massive space barely surpasses the long-time champion, Tropical Islands in Germany. Suntago Waterworld isn’t just about size; it’s packed with attractions to thrill visitors of all ages.
The park boasts an incredible 32 water slides, including the longest in Europe, stretching a staggering 320 meters. Eighteen swimming pools offer a variety of aquatic experiences, from relaxing dips to invigorating swims. For those seeking relaxation, ten hot tubs provide a soothing escape. Suntago Waterworld’s sheer scale allows it to accommodate up to 10,000 visitors simultaneously, making it a true testament to the possibilities of indoor water park design. This amazing The World’s Largest Indoor Water Parks is a must-visit destination.
The Runner-Up: Tropical Islands in Brand, Germany
Before Suntago Waterworld’s arrival, Tropical Islands in Brand, Germany, held the title of the world’s largest indoor water park for many years. This remarkable destination is housed within a massive hangar originally designed to accommodate zeppelins. Spanning over 710,000 square feet, Tropical Islands remains the largest freestanding building in the world by volume.
The park offers a diverse array of attractions beyond its sheer size. An expansive indoor beach provides a tropical escape, while numerous water rides cater to thrill-seekers. Tropical Islands can welcome up to 7,000 visitors, ensuring a vibrant and lively atmosphere. With its unique setting and wide range of activities, Tropical Islands offers an unforgettable experience for all who enter its doors. This is another great park on The World’s Largest Indoor Water Parks list.
North American Giant: DreamWorks Water Park in New Jersey
Across the Atlantic, DreamWorks Water Park, nestled within the American Dream mega-complex in New Jersey, claims the title of North America’s largest indoor water park. After several delays, it finally opened in October 2020. It sprawls over an impressive 370,260 square feet, equivalent to 8.5 acres. A focal point of the park is its massive wave pool, occupying 1.5 acres and recognized as the world’s largest indoor wave pool.
Adding to the excitement, DreamWorks Water Park features some of the tallest water slides on the continent. Thrillagascar and Jungle Jammer, both reaching a height of 142 feet, provide adrenaline-pumping experiences for daring visitors. With its impressive scale and thrilling attractions, DreamWorks Water Park has firmly established itself as a premier destination in North America.
Canadian Colossus: World Waterpark in West Edmonton Mall
Long before the indoor water park craze took hold in Wisconsin Dells, the West Edmonton Mall in Alberta, Canada, unveiled World Waterpark. For a time, this impressive facility, spanning five acres or approximately 225,000 square feet, held the title of the largest indoor water park in North America. While it has since been surpassed by DreamWorks Water Park, it remains a significant player in the industry.
Unlike many other parks on this list, World Waterpark is not part of a water park resort. Instead, it is a standalone attraction within the sprawling West Edmonton Mall, which also houses Galaxyland, an indoor theme park. The mall does offer on-site hotels, blurring the lines between a standalone park and a resort. Similarly, American Dream in New Jersey features the Nickelodeon Theme Park and plans for a hotel, highlighting the trend of integrating water parks into larger entertainment complexes.
The Contenders: Kalahari Resorts and the Wilderness in Wisconsin Dells
The battle for the title of America’s second-largest indoor water park is fiercely contested. The Kalahari chain of indoor water park resorts has emerged as a strong contender, with its location in Round Rock, Texas, claiming to be the largest in the U.S. This expansive 350-acre property includes approximately 1,000 hotel rooms, a 200,000-square-foot convention center, an indoor family entertainment center, and a 223,000-square-foot indoor water park.
While the Kalahari in Texas narrowly edges out its sister park in Pennsylvania and almost matches the size of World Waterpark in Alberta, it falls considerably short of DreamWorks Water Park’s 370,260 square feet. So, why does Kalahari claim to be America’s largest? The answer lies in the complexities of defining "largest."
The Wilderness in Wisconsin Dells offers a unique approach, spreading its indoor water parks across four separate buildings. The combined square footage of the three indoor water parks in the main part of the resort totals 205,000 square feet. Adding the fourth water park, Cubby’s Cove, located at the detached Wilderness on the Lake, brings the total to 240,000 square feet, surpassing the Kalahari and World Waterpark. However, the fact that the parks are not all under one roof raises questions about whether it can truly claim the title of "largest."
The Kalahari Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania expanded in 2017, doubling the size of its water park to 220,000 square feet. This puts it just a few thousand square feet behind its sister park in Texas and Canada’s World Waterpark, further intensifying the competition for the second spot.
Other Parks That Have Claimed the Crown
Fallsview Indoor Water Park in Niagara Falls once claimed to be "North America’s largest waterpark hotel." While the park itself measures 125,000 square feet, the developers emphasized that the complex included 1,200 affiliated hotel rooms, the most of any indoor water park resort. Thus, Fallsview’s claim to fame rested on the number of hotel rooms rather than the size of the water park itself.
Another park that previously claimed to be "the biggest indoor water park in America" was the Water Park of America, near the Mall of America. At 70,000 square feet, the Minnesota park was certainly sizable, but it paled in comparison to some of the country’s largest indoor water parks. Great Wolf Resorts has since acquired the Water Park of America and rebranded it as a Great Wolf Lodge indoor water park resort.
The Water Park of America’s centerpiece was its audacious 10-story tall water slide complex, which was once the tallest of any indoor water park. While it could be argued that it was the tallest indoor water park, calling it the "biggest" was a stretch.
Interestingly, the Mall of America, owned and operated by the same group that runs the West Edmonton Mall and the American Dream complex in New Jersey, has plans to build its own indoor water park. This future development could potentially vie for the title of the largest indoor water park in the U.S.
More Notable Indoor Water Parks in the United States
Beyond the top contenders, numerous other impressive indoor water park resorts offer a wealth of attractions and experiences. Kalahari in Sandusky, Ohio, spanning 173,000 square feet, held the title of the country’s largest indoor water park for many years before the chain surpassed itself at its other properties. Wisconsin Dells, the "Water Park Capital of the World," is home to two of the biggest and best: Kalahari at 125,000 square feet and Chula Vista at 110,000 square feet.
Aquatopia at Camelback Lodge in Pennsylvania covers 125,000 square feet, while the largest Great Wolf Lodge, located in Perryville, Maryland, measures 126,000 square feet. These parks, along with many others, contribute to the vibrant and growing indoor water park industry, offering year-round aquatic adventures for families and thrill-seekers alike.
The world of indoor water parks is constantly evolving, with new attractions and expansions pushing the boundaries of size and innovation. While the title of "largest" may shift over time, the pursuit of aquatic fun and entertainment remains a constant. Whether you’re seeking a thrilling water slide experience or a relaxing tropical escape, there’s an indoor water park out there to suit your desires. So, pack your swimsuit and prepare to make a splash!
