A flagship attraction in the leisure, tourism and entertainment sector, water parks offer people of all ages an opportunity for refreshment and thrilling adventures. To understand the importance of these attractions in the leisure and tourism sector, let’s take a look at their evolution over time.
Water parks have their roots in the 1940s and 1950s, when public swimming pools, which until then offered only the option of swimming and sunbathing to fill leisure time, began to expand.
It was in the 1960s and 1970s that the first water parks were born in the United States. Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando, Florida, which opened in 1977, is often considered the first water park of its kind. These parks introduced attractions such as thrilling water slides and wave pools. Wet ‘n Wild’s success inspired other parks to follow its business model. Places like Schlitterbahn in Texas and Raging Waters in California became popular destinations.
The 1980s saw a major innovation in the design of water park attractions. High-speed slides, crazy rivers and interactive water rides were introduced. The growth of the industry spread internationally.
In the 1990s, theming became a mainstream trend. Water parks began to tell stories and adopt themes ranging from rainforest immersion to pirate adventures to the exploration of enigmatic ancient civilisations. Theming was not just a matter of aesthetics, more or less decorative, but served to transport visitors, in what became immersive experiences, to unusual worlds.
The 21st century has seen the incorporation of information and communication technologies in water parks. Electronic payment systems or mobile applications offering real-time information are some examples. Sustainability has also become an essential factor and water parks are adopting environmentally friendly practices such as recycling materials or using renewable energy sources.
Amusement Logic, founded in 1996, has been a key player in the evolution of water parks. After all, the company has been involved in multiple waterpark projects around the world and has become a world leader in their design, architecture and construction.
By Cristina Uchán, Senior Architect in the Architecture Department of Amusement Logic
