While 2024 brought a small downturn in waterpark attendance over 2023, Hotel & Leisure Advisors sees opportunity to bring those numbers up in 2025.
As outlined in H&LA's latest report, waterparks continue to face competition from other forms of entertainment. However, with several large-scale projects on the boards for 2025, and the popularity of surf parks and lagoons still on the rise, the market analysis firm expects positive performance this year.
"These projects will add to a growing waterpark space and bring additional innovation to an industry that often sees rapid changes in guest preferences," the organization said. "The success of waterparks in 2025 will depend on their ability to maintain or capture market share amidst a changing landscape of offerings. This will push existing properties to innovate amenities, refine pricing strategies, and focus on providing unique experiences among competitors, often within the same market area."
Twenty-three waterparks are expected to open in the U.S. and four in Canada, with expansions expected for 15 existing facilities, according to H&LA. Standalone outdoor waterparks will account for 12 of these. The most significant include the previously closed Raging Waters in Sacramento, Calif., which is being redeveloped as California Dreamin’; and Siouxland Splash in Sioux City, Iowa.
Six resorts with outdoor waterparks are expected to open or expand in the next year. These include the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center in Chula Vista, Calif., with 1,600 rooms and a 4.25-acre waterpark; and the Dream Outdoor Resort in Callahan, Fla.
Meanwhile, new indoor waterparks are expected to add more than 526,000 square feet of space this year. Highlights in this category will include a Great Wolf Resorts location in Mashantucket, Conn. at Foxwoods Resort Casino; and The Chickasaw Nation's OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark in Oklahoma City, adjacent to the First Americans Museum.
In addition to the increasing acreage occupied by waterparks across the nation, H&LA expects innovations such as AI-powered virtual reality water slides, along with immersive and interactive experiences to attract more visitors.
"The waterpark industry is poised for steady growth, particularly in regions with expanding tourism infrastructure," the report concluded. "Growth in the waterpark industry shows no signs of slowing down."
