FOLIO
by Kellie Abrahamson
Not up for driving two plus hours to get to a water park? Then you need to set your GPS to Adventure Landing for some aquatic awesomeness. The Jacksonville Beach institution is home to the First Coast’s only water park and is a great way to cool off when the weather heats up.
Past the buzz of the arcade and the roar of the go-karts is Shipwreck Island, a 4.5 acre water park that’s got something for the whole family. The young and the young at heart will love the Pirates Play Village, a three story pirate ship complete with 12 slides and numerous water effects that squirt, spray and splash all who explore it. The shallow wading pool surrounding the boat is the perfect spot for toddlers and their parents to splash around in and pre-teens and up will get their kicks climbing to the top of the 65 foot structure and taking one of the twisting slides back down. To the left of the play village is the Rage, an uphill water coaster that sends riders up, around and down at speeds of up to 18 miles per hour and dumps them into the Lil’ St. Johns River, a lazy stretch of water that encircles the Pirates Play Village.
When Adventure Landing first opened in 1995 that was all there was to do at Shipwreck Island. That’s not the case anymore. The second half of the water park is home to a 500,000 gallon wave pool and three thrill rides. The first one you’ll encounter is the Hydro Half Pipe, a 35 foot tall half pipe that launches you from one side to the other after a near-vertical drop. It’s easily the most intense attraction in the park. Just behind that is Adventure Landing’s newest addition, the Undertow. The nearly 400 foot long slide takes up to two riders through multiple twists and turns at upwards of 23 miles an hour. Finally there’s the Eye of the Storm, an incredibly fun but dizzying experience that sends you through a slide and then, depending on your momentum, around and around (and around and around) an enormous funnel before depositing you in an eight foot deep pool below.
In addition to being all about fun, Adventure Landing is all about safety too. Life vests can be found right in the center of the park and are required for little water bugs. There are also incredibly attentive life guards stationed at each attraction and at each of the tall slides in the Pirate Play Village, giving parents of kids who aren’t strong swimmers more peace of mind.
Regular daily admission to Shipwreck Island is $27.99 for adults and $22.99 for kids. If you can’t fit that into your budget, try going after 3 pm- Adventure Landing offers discounted admission ($17.99 per person) from 3 pm to 6 pm every day the water park is open as part of their Nite Splash promotion. Need an even deeper discount? Beginning May 28th the park made every Friday and Saturday from 7:30 pm to 11 pm “Swim Night.” During these evening hours admission is just $12.99. Avid fans of Adventure Landing will want to opt for a season pass which is only $99 and includes unlimited admission to the water park every day its open, discounts on all food and retail purchases and more. For more information on Adventure Landing and all of their attractions, visit www.adventurelanding.com.
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