Leading creator of aquatic attractions, Vortex Aquatic Structures, has created a brand new waterplay attraction for Under 8s at Kings Dominion theme park, Doswell, VA.
Splash Island, in the venue’s revamped Soak City waterpark, has been designed to inspire and encourage imaginative play in primary and pre-school children.
“We wanted to expand the options for children, and the look-and-feel was very important, ” explains Katelyn Sherwood, PR & Communications Manager for Kings Dominion. “We wanted the designs and attractions to be whimsical and visually appealing, with bright colours.”
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Until now, this demographic has been underserved by the venue’s thrill rides and other teen attractions.
The new facility includes a large Splashpad®, small slides and multiple jets of streaming water that spray up from the ground as well as overhead. Three distinct zones offer targeted play opportunities for kids in age brackets 1-3, 4-6 and 6-8.
“We enabled Splash Island to offer cascading water, dumping buckets, small slides, flowers, dumping bells – a lot of ways for guests to interact with water and other kids, ” comments Scott Stefanc, Commercial Business Development Manager & Special Projects Creative Director at Vortex. “Vortex attractions complement the other existing offerings at Soak City, achieving the overall goal for the redesign.”
Further facilities at Splash Island include expanded pool-side cabanas where parents and other family members can relax, sunbathe and socialise.
Aside from the visual impact and interactivity of the new attraction, Sherwood is keen to point out that Vortex’s built-in water-conservation features were “absolutely a factor in the decision to implement them.”
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The efficient water flow of the Vortex features has reduced the overall demands on Splash Island’s water management system.
Kings Dominion, celebrating its 40th anniversary, confirms that reactions so far have been positive:
“I work with a lot of mommy bloggers who come to our park, ” says Sherwood. “They keep telling us that the new areas are very visually appealing, and that the kids have a blast. What more could you want?”
