Sun Splash opening weekend kicks off summer season

YUNET JOMOLCA Anthony Aversano, 3, holds on tight to the netting of the Lily Pad Walk at Sun Splash Family Water Park on Sunday.
Sun Splash Family Waterpark, the largest aquatic park in Southwest Florida, opened its new season this weekend with two days of idyllic weather.
Both Saturday and Sunday delivered clear skies and 80-degree weather, according to local reports, and Annette Figueroa, park manager for Sun Splash, said thousands entered the park.
“It’s been a good turnout,” she said. “Everything went extremely well and smooth, so far so good.”
On Saturday the park estimated 1,000 people and Figueroa said Sunday’s attendance was nearly the same. Throughout the season the park averages approximately that many people in one day.
When the park was closed over the winter some minor changes were made, she said. The cafe was expanded to accommodate more people and a concession area was added to the park’s new slides.
Last year the park opened the Thunder Bump, Terror Tube and X-celerator – three intense, high-speed slides that pull guests down five stories. The park stil features the Zoom Flume, Cape Fear, Fun-L-Tunnel and the Slide and Power Surge, while less adventurous guests can relax on the Main Stream River Ride.
Figueroa said that three new logos were created for the high speed slides and those were dedicated at the start of this season.
Sun Splash is offering “early bird” seasonal passes to the park for between $29 and $59 for residents and $39 and $79 for non-residents. They are available until April 12 and offer a 40 percent savings from last year’s prices.
“People have been reacting well to it,” Figueroa said. “We had a line all day for season passes.”
Once the early bird special ends, season passes will increase from $39 to $79 for residents and $49 to $99 for non-residents.
Throughout the season the park hosts a number children’s swimming programs including Water Babies, Sea Stars and Junior Lifeguard. There are also five Family Fun Nights between now and October 18 when the park closes for the season.
For more information on Sun Splash Family Waterpark, visit www.sunsplashwaterpark.com.