Waterville USA
Waterville USA, or simply known as Waterville, is a 20-acre (81,000 m2) water and amusement park located a quarter-mile from the Gulf of Mexico in the city of Gulf Shores, Alabama, on Gulf Shores Parkway (Alabama State Route 59). The park opened in 1986, and since then has added numerous water and amusement attractions for all ages to enjoy. The Current Park Manager is J.Turberville.
 | |
| Slogan | "Water and Amusement Park " |
|---|---|
| Location | 906 Gulf Shores Pkwy Gulf Shores, Alabama 36542, United States |
| Coordinates | 30.259°N 87.686°W |
| Owner | Joe Warrington |
| General manager | John Turberville |
| Opened | December 31, 1986 |
| Previous names | Waterville U.S.A.- Gulf Shores Station |
| Operating season | Year Around |
| Area | 20 acres (0.081 km2) |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 19 |
| Water rides | 12 |
| Website | Official website |
| Status | Operating |
Water park
The water park is the original section of the park. All of the original slides and attractions have been removed or replaced, except for the wave pool and lazy river attractions.
| Ride | Description |
|---|---|
| FlowRider | A surfing/bodyboarding style attraction |
| Crystal Waters Lazy River | Lazy river that runs through the park past slides, rides, and lush tropical landscaping. |
| 'North Shore Wave Pool | Large wave pool with 3 ft (0.91 m). waves |
| Screamin' Demon | Single drop high speed body slide, or commonly known as a straight-down slide |
| Triple Dog Dare | Triple drop high speed body slide |
| Jet Stream | Enclosed high speed body slide |
| Wa Wa World | Play area for smaller children |
| Shrimp Boat Village | Children's play structure that includes a water "bucket" at the top with three small body slides |
| Rainbow Falls | Three smaller body slides |
| Gold Rush | An open-air tube slide |
| Great White | A partially enclosed tube slide |
| Dune Racer | A six lane mat racer slide |
Amusement park
| Ride | Description |
|---|---|
| FlowRider | A surfing/bodyboarding style attraction |
| Fun Depot | Kiddie and children's rides |
| Waterville 500 | go-karts |
| Miniature Golf | 36 hole mini golf course |
| The Starcade | One of the largest arcades in the Alabama Gulf Coast region |
| Cyberville USA | Virtual reality cubes, and more |
| Waterville LaunchPad | Get strapped in and launch yourself to new heights – tricks and much bouncing fun! |
Former rides and attractions
Over the years, Waterville has had to remove and replace attractions due to hurricane damage and the datedness of the attraction. In 2013, two slides were removed to make room for a new slide. In September 2004, the eye of Hurricane Ivan passed directly over Gulf Shores and the surrounding areas. Due to the park's close proximity to the coastline, Waterville was severely flooded by storm surges, and experienced damaging winds that severely damaged two of the water park's attractions. Repairs went on during 2005 and 2006, and the park fully reopened in 2007 with new replacement attractions.
| Ride | Description |
|---|---|
| Ejection Seat | A sling-shot style attraction that is supported by two towers. Site now occupied by FlowRider. |
| Cannonball Run | A Custom Coasters International wooden roller coaster |
| The Kamikaze | The free fall (straight-down) slide replaced by Screamin' Demon |
| The Bullet | The triple drop slide replaced by Triple Dog Dare |
| Lazer Tag | Was located in the building that occupies the House of Bounce |
| House of Bounce | Was located above the arcade but replaced by the Escape House |
| The Hurricane | Inside tube slide that was replaced by the Dune Racer |
| The Black Widow | Inside tube slide that was replaced by the Dune Racer |
Waterville's water park has removed or replaced all of its original slides, and all of the names and descriptions are unknown.
External links
- Waterville USA at Ultimate Waterpark
- Waterville USA Official Website
- Waterville USA at the Roller Coaster DataBase