Splash Kingdom Waterpark
Splash Kingdom Waterpark (formerly known as Pharaoh's Lost Kingdom) is a water park, trampoline park, and concert venue located in Redlands, California.[1][2] The 17-acre property was opened in 1996 by James Braswell, seeking to diversify from his family’s chain of senior care facilities. Attractions included an interior arcade, miniature golf, go-karts, bumper boats, laser tag, and water slides. The main building, was topped by a pyramid and featured a giant pharaoh’s head looming over the entrance.[3]
Location | Redlands, California |
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Coordinates | 34.06929°N 117.22749°W |
Theme | Egyptian |
Opened | June 1993 |
Previous names | Pharaoh's Lost Kingdom |
Area | 20 acres (0.081 km2) (0.65 km²) |
Status | Closed |
Over the years, many of the outdoor attractions closed during a series of ownership changes, code violations, and troubles with the city. It was renamed Splash Kingdom in 2006 as focus shifted to the water park. The interior was transformed into a trampoline park in 2012. The owners, Dan Martinez, and Ryan Sauter, took over the property in 2017.[4] They had the pharaoh’s head, most of the Egyptian decorations, and attractions such as the miniature golf removed in 2018.[5][6] The city revoked their permit to operate but later restored it.[7]
In May 2020, a massive fire on the property caused $750,000 in damages.[8][9]
References
- "Water Parks: Pharaoh's Theme and Water Park – a Potted History". Blooloop. January 7, 2010. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- Summons, Trevor (February 23, 2014). "Renamed Redlands amusement park becomes family-friendly". The Sun. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- Schenden, Laurie (May 7, 1998). "Slipping Away From the Heat". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- Hernandez, Kristina (January 3, 2018). "Goodbye, Pharaoh? New owners of Splash Kingdom in Redlands have big plans for theme park". The Sun. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- Hernandez, Kristina (January 22, 2018). "Here's why Splash Kingdom in Redlands is losing its iconic pharaoh statue". Redlands Daily Facts. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- "Pharaoh's takes first step toward re-opening in summer". The Sun. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- Whitehead, Brian (February 6, 2019). "Owners of Splash Kingdom given second chance by Redlands leaders after code violations". Redlands Daily Facts. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- Bravo, Kristina (May 2, 2020). "Massive fire damages vacant Redlands water park Splash Kingdom". KTLA. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- Rokos, Brian (May 2, 2020). "Flames damage Splash Kingdom waterpark in Redlands". Press Enterprise. Retrieved May 2, 2020.