WhiteWater, a leading waterpark manufacturer, has revealed new products, shared updates on the progress of prominent projects in each region, and discussed the growing popularity of vertical water parks at a press conference at IAAPA Expo 2023 in Orlando.
The complete Joy Economy book, a 300-page invaluable resource published by WhiteWater’s software division, Vantage, was presented to open the event. This publication includes exclusive interviews with leaders in the attractions sector, who have shared their expertise on best practices for excellent visitor and employee experiences.
New products in 2023
The company unveiled its new product Wall Runner, a brand-new water slide experience that expands the zero G sensation like never before. This unique ride creates a drifting experience that propels rafts sideways while maintaining forward momentum through skillfully designed arcs. In addition to providing first-of-a-kind experiences, Wall Runner’s distinctive shape offers fresh branding and theming possibilities to enhance its attractiveness.
Other products introduced earlier in the year include:
- Infinity Master Blaster. WhiteWater’s popular water coaster offers a continuous loop ride path.
- Mini Blaster. A mini version of the exhilarating original.
- Elevated AquaForms. The lifted version of WhiteWater’s cutting-edge modular aquatic play system. Elevated AquaForms 12 won this year’s Brass Ring Award for Best New Product, Water Park Ride/Attraction under $2 million.
This year, WhiteWater clients can now choose from a full range of wave products, including sheet wave with FlowRider, deep flow stationary wave with FlowSurf, and surf lagoon with Endless Surf. These products provide a variety of ride experiences while also having the potential to serve as anchor attractions in leisure and entertainment venues.
Vertical water parks
The concept of vertical water parks is popular this year. These soaring structures not only act as landmarks, but they also provide maximum thrills per square metre. The Icon Tower at Meryal in Qatar, which is set to open soon, will break two records. It will be the world’s tallest water slide at 85 metres (279 feet), and with 12 slides, will have the most number of water slides coming off a single tower.
The Rise of Icarus, North America’s tallest water slide tower, will open in summer 2024 at Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park in Wisconsin, USA. The tallest of its five slides will be 44 metres (145 feet) tall.
In China, M100 Waterpark in Zhejiang province will be the world’s tallest water slide tower. When completed, this attraction will stand 100 metres (328 feet) tall and will launch 12 water slides.
During its IAAPA Expo press conference, WhiteWater provided updates on major global projects that are expected to be finished in the upcoming year. These projects include a number of firsts and record breakers in their respective regions, as well as a dominance of WhiteWater’s beloved water coaster, the Master Blaster.
Asia Pacific
In China, SnowStar in Shanghai, the world’s largest indoor ski hall, will open a world-class water park as part of its larger resort complex. The park’s design and all 15 water attractions are provided by WhiteWater, including a rare Blasterango in the form of a Family Master Blaster + Boomerango Fusion.
Additionally in the Asia Pacific region, Nagashima Spa Land in Japan will captivate visitors with the world’s largest funnel slide, the Mega Abyss. Meanwhile, Waterbom Bali in Indonesia will unveil a new kids’ area with the world’s largest AquaForms, with 16 platforms of interactive fun interconnected by bridges and stairs, following the opening of its latest expansion, Oasis Gardens, this year.
Europe
In Europe, the much-anticipated Oceana at Liseberg in Sweden will be ready to welcome visitors. The park will include 14 water attractions, including Europe’s first 6-person water slides and the planet’s highest mega-drop Master Blaster, which soars to 16.4 metres (54 feet).
Also in Scandinavia, Fårup Sommerland in Denmark is making the largest expansion investment in its history with a tower that will launch two attractions: Parallel Pursuit and the first Boomerango + Tailspin Fusion on the planet.
With a cutting-edge Endless Surf surf lagoon that creates waves for all skill levels—as well as spending opportunities in lifestyle, events, food, and beverage—o2 SURFTOWN MUC in Munich, Germany, is set to permanently transform location-based entertainment in Europe.
The Americas
Thermas dos Laranjais in Brazil, the most popular water park in South America, is set to debut an impressive tower with two ground-breaking 6-person raft rides: the Family Master Blaster + Orbiter + Anaconda Fusion and the Family Master Blaster + Constrictor + Galaxy Bowl Fusion.
Meanwhile, in North America, the world’s first water slide with Reverse AquaLucent effects is set to open at Wilderness at the Smokies in Tennessee, and Six Flags America Hurricane Harbour Maryland will have the tallest water coaster in the Mid-Atlantic region.
As part of the most significant investment since the water park at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands opened, its new expansion will include four inner tube rides, including the flagship Blasterango—a Master Blaster and Boomerango Fusion, and Georgia’s first water coaster. The world’s first Mini Blaster will cater to young thrill-seekers at Schlitterbahn New Braunfels in Texas.
Children are also promised endless hours of entertainment at Hurricane Harbour New Jersey at Six Flags Great Adventure, where the new RainFortress 5 aquatic play structure features a beach theme and seven slides.
As part of its $80m investment to build the largest indoor water park in the state, the Bavarian Inn in Michigan will open its children’s area. this will have a Bavarian theme, as well as large inner tube slides and raft rides.
Later this year, Carnival Jubilee, complete with exciting body slides and a unique AquaPlay, will depart from Galveston, Texas.
Visitors to Canada’s Wonderland can enjoy a new 6-person Boomerango this summer, the first of its kind in the country.
The Middle East
WhiteWater is at the heart of the Middle East’s rapidly expanding attractions sector. Meryal, which will include the remarkable Icon Tower, will have 36 water slides, waves, and aquatic play structures spread over 160,000 square metres (39.5 acres) of water park with themes that reflect Qatari history and culture. New Messilah Beach, a luxury club in Kuwait, is currently undergoing renovations with new aquatic features. In the upcoming months, more significant WhiteWater projects in the Middle East will be made public.
Paul Chutter, WhiteWater president and Endless Surf co-founder, says: “We’re excited to be working on impactful new projects, both with familiar repeat clients and in pioneering new territories. The attractions industry is full of buzz again with new investments, and we’re fortunate to have trusted partners to work with to create exceptional guest experiences through our complete portfolio—whether water parks, water rides, surf, or software.”
WhiteWater was recently honoured with three Leading Edge Awards at the World Waterpark Association Show. The awards recognised the firm’s innovation and creativity in Studio City Water Park in Macau, Island Waterpark at Showboat in New Jersey, US, and the Pirates Cove Aquapark on board the MSC Seascape cruise ship.
