This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Aquatica: It's open, slightly improved - and way more expensive!

Under new management, Aquatica is far more expensive... Hope the YMCA doesn't do the same thing to IB's kids!

Every year my little girl looks forward to season passes to South Bay's water park.  She never cared who owned it - or how much it cost.  But this year she's older, wiser and more conscious about how much things cost...

She also reads more...

So, when she read the Patch announcement yesterday that Aquatica SeaWorld's Waterpark Opens Saturday, she immediately began to negotiate the specifics... "I want to go TOMORROW! TOMORROW! TOMORROW!", was all that I can remember hearing - over and over again - until the passes were purchased, printed and in her hands... $138 for two passes, plus $1 online fee... ('Thanks Khari!')

Until this year, we would purchase an annual parking pass upon arriving at the water park's parking lot to avoid the $15 daily parking fees.  Now, the new owners require visitors to hold season passes to both Sea World -and-Aquatica to park without a fee. (An additional $120 EACH!!! $240 for two!)

Now we're broke - and inside - we discovered the park was upgraded with far more greenery - but the same rides/attractions were just rearranged to look different - and with far more restrictions;

  • Shallower Wave Pool
  • No Heads Under Water
  • No Eye Googles
  • No Inner-Tubes
  • No Rope over Lilly Pond
  • Pretty Flamings (but they stink!)
The food was a little better than Soak City's, but not as good as Sea World's and they still serve alcohol - with ID.?!  

$6 Ice Creams and $4 Snow Cones won't break the bank, but don't forget to stop at the ATM on your way, you'll need 'extra' cash!

Although there are less cabana's now, there are many more chairs with umbrella's providing much needed shade.  However, there is still not enough shade for everyone, so I suggest taking your own just to be safe and shaded.

Are you going to Aquatica?  Did you go today?

Overall my kid had a blast - without a care in the world - like money wasn't an object...

I hope kids in IB don't experience the same type of price hike if/when the City Council privatizes their Sports Park complex.

While it appears that the council is only considering two options - both resulting in privatization - a third possible option has formed on Facebook, the Alternative Solution to IB Sports Park Privatization Planning Committee is planning to provide a citizens alternative to the council.  
Click here to participate.

Do you think the council listen to citizens?
 
 
We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?