Heard about Splash Island from Sarah’s soccer mom last weekend – sounded perfect for beating this crazy Indiana heat. Packed the minivan at 7am with towels, sunscreen, and way too many snacks before dragging the kids outta bed.
The Journey Down
Hit Highway 65 southbound with GPS saying “1hr 15min” – should’ve known better. Got stuck behind tractor trailer carrying actual hay bales adding 40 minutes. Kids started the “are we there yet” chorus by Exit 20. Thank God for car karaoke apps.
First Impressions
Paid parking lot fees feeling like highway robbery ($15!) but walked into chaotic waterpark energy that instantly lifted moods. Saw three things immediately: massive wave pool, twisty blue slides scraping clouds, and concession stand lines longer than tax forms. Made beeline for lockers to ditch our gear.
Kid Zone Domination
Started small with Lily (age 5) at Tadpole Bay. That zero-entry toddler area’s genius – fountains spraying everywhere while tiny slides dumped kids into 12-inch water. Meanwhile chased Jake (8) through Coconut Cove where he:
- Got dumped by bucket dumping 500 gallons every 5 minutes
- Climbed net bridges to dump water on dad’s head
- Shot water cannons at strangers until mom intervened
Adventures For Big Kids
Convinced wife to watch Lily while I took Jake to serious slides. The Python Plunge lived up to rumors – pitch-black tube slides making us scream like banshees. Had to drag Jake away from Tsunami Alley’s bodyboarding after his fifth run. Pro tip: get there before lunch lines or you’ll bake on staircases forever.
Survival Tactics
Learned hard lessons quick:
- Footwear essential – pavement turns into frying pans by noon
- Goggles trump sunglasses – wave pool saltwater sting is no joke
- Hydrate or die – bought $6 lemonades like they were liquid gold
Found shaded picnic tables near Lazy River for lunch break. Ate slightly-soggy sandwiches watching people float by on neon tubes.
The Grand Finale
Saved wave pool for last hour when crowds thinned out. Floating together during tsunami cycles as sun dipped low? Pure magic. Kids crashed hard in backseat before we even hit highway – sandy toes, chlorine hair, giant grins. $89 admission hurt the wallet but their exhausted smiles? Worth every penny.
Final thoughts? Start early, pack patience with those snacks, and prepare to be the exhausted hero of summer break memories. We’ll definitely be back before school starts – maybe try the new slides they’re building near the entrance!
