Why wait for summer?
Slide on over to these new indoor waterparks
The phenomenon of indoor water parks, which first took off in Wisconsin Dells during the 1990s, has continued to thrive. And why not? The concept of barreling down water slides all year long in a climate-controlled environment holds great appeal, especially in regions where the summer outdoor water park season can be woefully short. Let’s take a look at a few of the most recent indoor water park resorts.
Okana Resort & Indoor Waterpark in Oklahoma
Okana Resort in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma welcomed its first guests in late February 2025. With 100,000 square feet of fun, the resort’s Splash represents the region’s largest indoor water park. Among its attractions are Wild Rapids, an uphill water coaster; Whipslash, a large water slide with a half pipe element that sends its two-passenger rafts racing backwards; and Tidal Twist, a family raft ride that includes mini funnel elements that sends passengers soaring up and down its walls.
In addition to the indoor water park, the new resort offers Okana Beach, a 4.5-acre outdoor park with a sandy beach and attractions such as The Drop Off, an enclosed-tube water slide that ends a few feet above a splash pool and unceremoniously plops riders into the water. When it opens Memorial Day, the outdoor park will also feature Zip & Dip. Passengers will careen down a zip line and then let go for a plunge into a pool. That’s the first time I’ve heard of such a wacky hybrid experience. After braving the slides, guests will be able to imbibe at the Okasis, a swim-up bar.
Rounding out the attractions, the resort has Okanarama, an 80-game arcade, and sports simulators that give guests the opportunity to virtually golf, hit a baseball, and other activities. Owned and operated by the Chickasaw Nation, the $400 million Okana includes an 11-story, 405-room hotel. There is a full-service spa as well as 13 dining locations.
Three new Great Wolf Lodge Resorts
The industry’s largest indoor water park chain, Great Wolf Lodge, recently opened two more resorts with another soon on the way. In August 2024, it turned on the water in Webster, Texas, near Houston, with a 92,000-square-foot indoor water park, a 532-room hotel, bowling lanes, a ropes course, a virtual reality experience, and other features. Great Wolf gears its resorts to families and generally tones down the thrills.
The chain’s first property in the Sunshine State opened in September 2024 in Naples, Florida. It is comparable in size and amenities to the Texas resort. Like the Houston Great Wolf and other locations, it offers MagiQuest, an interactive game experience that issues participants a “magic wand” and sends them on an adventure throughout the lodge where they can unlock treasure chests, activate hidden crystals, and discover other secrets embedded in the hallways. Other activities at the Florida resort include gem mining and indoor mini golf.
The 23rd Great Wolf Lodge is slated to open May 23, 2025 in Mashantucket, Connecticut. It will be part of the massive Foxwoods Resort Casino, which is owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. The newest Great Wolf will also share similarities in size and scope to the Texas property. Water parks attractions will include Rapid Racer, a two-slide attraction that will pit passengers against each other and include water jets to propel their rafts uphill. It will also feature Pequot Plunge, a funnel ride.
Kalahari Resort in Virginia
Great Wolf may have the most number of locations, but the rival Kalahari Resort chain (both opened their first locations in Wisconsin Dells) boasts some of the largest indoor water parks. It will be opening its fifth mega-resort in Spotsylvania County, Virginia in 2026. At 175,000 square feet, its water park will be nearly double the size of the Great Wolf Lodge properties. While Kalahari hasn’t announced details, its other parks include marquee, high-thrill attractions such as speed slides with trap-door launch chambers. The new resort will also offer a 900-room, all-suite hotel, an outdoor water park, the indoor Tom Foolerys family entertainment center, and a massive convention center.
Have you been to an indoor water park resort? Might you visit any of the new resorts?