World Waterpark

World Waterpark is a water park located within the West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Opened to the public in 1986, it is the second largest indoor water park in North America, after American Dream's DreamWorks Water Park which opened on October 1, 2020.[7][8][9][10][11] It has a maximum capacity of 5,000 guests, an average air temperature of 31 °C (88 °F) and contains the world's largest indoor wave pool with a capacity of 12.5 million liters[12][13]

World Waterpark

The logo above was used from 2011-2018.
The Blue Thunder wave pool as seen from a platform of the web of staircases used to access the slides. Sun Runner (the yellow slide) is also visible in the background.
SloganWet, wild and wonderful!
LocationWest Edmonton Mall, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Coordinates53°31′19″N 113°37′33″W
OwnerWest Edmonton Mall Properties Inc.
Operated byWest Edmonton Mall Properties Inc.
OpenedApril 15, 1986 (April 15, 1986)
Operating seasonAll year round
Visitors per annum560,000
Area19,974 square metres (215,000 sq ft)
Pools3 pools
Water slides17 water slides
Children's areas2 children's areas
WebsiteOfficial website
[1][2][3][4][5][6]

The highest slides in the park are Twister, Sky screamer and Cyclone, which are all 25.3 m (83 ft) high.

In 2020, the world water park for the first time temporarily closed due to coronavirus. While some parts did temporarily close, the whole park didn't close down till mid March 2020.

Blue Thunder wave pool

This wave pool has four active wave bays, each with 2 panels operated by a 1,500 horsepower (1,100 kW) hydraulic system (8 total active panels). For many years, the (4) panels in the two outer wave bays have been disabled, apparently due to the waves being far too intense, resulting in injuries; guests were being thrown into each other when all 12 panels were operating, as they were in the 1980s.

Waves are generated (in 10 minutes on, 5 minutes off sessions) of approximately 1.2 to 1.5 m (3.9 to 4.9 ft), utilizing only the 8 active wave panels. It is arguably the most popular attraction in the park, as many swimmers (most with inner tubes) can be found bobbing in the water. The start of every session is marked with a loud air horn blast, warning swimmers to be ready for a wave to flip them over. Every now and then, the large crowd of people in the pool will jokingly scream after hearing the air horn, a common behavior among frequent users of the wave pool.

Most evenings, after regular park business hours, the Blue Thunder wave pool is used by clubs for surfing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. For these activities, the waves are often programmed for increased intensity and continuous operation.

In September 2018, the water park underwent a $2.5 million renovation including repainting the wavepool, renovated cabanas, additional bathrooms, new beach area flooring and upgraded signage.[14]

Slides
A collection of waterslides. Visible in this photo are the Howler, Twister, and the original design of the Blue Bullet.

Beginner slides
Slide Year Opened Description
Caribbean Cove 2008 A large play structure constructed in 2008 to replace The Little Caribbean. Caribbean Cove contains 3 slides, pipes, pull ropes, water buckets, rope walks, and a 1200-liter bucket that dumps water down the front of the structure every 2 minutes. The water level is less than a few centimeters deep, making it ideal for small children.

Note: Slides in this area are one at a time. Parents may not slide down with their children.

Caribbean Cruiser Unknown A beginner slide designed for small children that drops into a 1' splashdown pool. This slide is ideal for small children, as it is fast enough to be fun, but slow enough not to be scary. It also has a small platform at the bottom which slows riders down and lets them plop into the pool gently and slowly, instead of dropping in hard and fast.

Up to two riders are permitted at a time.

Dolphin Kiddie Pool Unknown A small, dolphin-themed play park for children. This area is ideal for toddlers, small children and infants. There are plenty of water toys, a water screw and a very low triple chute, a playground-type slide that is covered over with dolphin scenery.
Sun Runner Unknown A yellow slide designed for rafts that can support a maximum of two people. Single tubes are also permitted. This slide is a perfect in-between choice for children that want to take a step up from Caribbean Cruiser. It is one of the only slides in the park that does not have a splashdown pool (it has a padded trough instead). The Sun Runner's name is from the Edmonton Sun, a local newspaper that currently holds the naming rights. Sun Runner is the only slide that has a sponsor's name on it.
Splash Pad Unknown A zero-depth water playground.

Intermediate slides
Slide Description
Corkscrew 1986 A completely enclosed slide that twirls and twists into a 1.2m (4feet) deep pool of water, thus its name, Corkscrew. It is one of the several slides that has retained its original form. Parents may catch their children at the bottom but they may not slide down together. Lifejackets (PFDs) and Tubes are permitted. The slides were repainted entirely green in the 2018 renovation.
Slideboarding 2016 An interactive waterslide that integrates a video game into the slide. Players match the coloured lights to the buttons on their slideboards to score points and unlock new levels. All riders must have a slideboard to ride.

Height/Weight Requirements - Minimum: 122 cm (48") tall. Maximum: 136 kg (300 lbs). Slideboarding replaced the left chute of the Howler. Lifejackets (PFDs) are permitted.

Advanced slides
Slide Year Opened Description
Twister 1986 Twister is one of the 3 highest slides in the park and one of the few slides left since official park opening that still retain its original form and color. Both sides are partially enclosed, in addition to many twists and turns. Riders will enter a 1.2m (4 feet) deep splashdown pool. Despite being one of the tallest slides in the park, Twister is a calm and slow slide, making this leisure friendly as opposed to a thrilling one. Parents may catch their children at the bottom of the slide but they may not slide together. Lifejackets (PFDs) and Tubes are permitted.
Howler 1986 A dark slide that is around 3/4 enclosed, which drops riders into a 1.2m (4 feet) deep splashdown pool. Howler offers lot of thrill, as it throws riders around in the dark without warning. Parents may catch their children at the bottom of the pool but may not slide together. Lifejackets (PFDs) and Tubes are permitted. The left chute was shut down for over a decade due to safety concerns and was eventually removed and replaced by Slideboarding.
Blue Bullet Original: 1986, Current: 2008 A blue slide that offers different experiences on both sides. The left side has translucent areas that allow some light to come in, while the right side is completely dark. Despite being a slide in the advanced level, it's known for its twisting turns and dynamic drops. It's considered by some to be 1 of the most exhilarating slides in the World Waterpark, providing the slider with continued and sustained momentum. Near the end of the slide, riders will enter a splash run out. The original Blue Bullet was partially enclosed but was removed from the park in July 2008 due to too many injuries sustained by sliders. However, the slide reopened later in November 2008, having been removed and replaced with a new slide with the same name and is now totally enclosed and doesn't drop into a splashdown pool. Sliders must be at least 48 inches (1.2m or 4 feet) tall to ride.

Extreme slides
Nessie's Revenge (purple) and the original Sky Screamer (red) at World Waterpark. Also visible is Tropical Typhoon (the blue slide), the Corkscrew (the green slide behind Nessie's Revenge) and the launch platform for Thunderbolt (on the right).
Slide Year Opened Description
Nessie's Revenge 1986 A very fast purple slide with 3 bumps and no curves, similar in design to an amusement park slide. Along with the slide next to it (Sky Screamer), Nessie's Revenge used to be the light brownish-tan colour of Howler and Twister. However, during the park's large makeover in the early 2000s, Nessie's Revenge was painted purple. Since the removal of the original Sky Screamer, the splashdown pool for Nessie's Revenge is smaller. Sliders must be at least 4 feet tall to ride.
Tropical Typhoon 2003 A low and quick slide where riders slide down a short tunnel and into a large bowl (like a charity wishing well for coins), in which they slide around and around in before dropping out a hole in the middle into 10 feet of water. Tropical Typhoon is often nicknamed the "Toilet Bowl." It is the replacement of one of the park's first slides called "Cannonball", a twirly olive green chute that ended with a vertical drop. Sliders must be at least 4 feet tall to ride.
Sky Screamer Extreme 2011 Modelled similar to the original Sky Screamer but begins with a vertical trap door at the top. One is an open yellow vertical slide, while the other is an enclosed blue one. Unlike the original Sky Screamer, both slides end in a splashdown chute similar to Blue Bullet. As of July 29, 2011 the Sky Screamer Extreme slides are now open. Note: To ride this slide, Sliders must be at least 10 years old, weigh between 90 lbs (40 kg) and 300 lbs (136 kg) maximum and be at least 4.3 feet (1.3m) tall.
Cyclone 2011 The Cyclone is a slide built by WhiteWater West of Richmond, B.C. It's a purple/pink colour. The slide starts at the top of Twister. Sliders enter a capsule with a vertical trap door. Once inside the capsule, the floor disappears and sliders zoom down a straight drop before the gravity defying loop, eventually ending up at the splashdown chute beside Sky Screamer Extreme. Opened as of August 8, 2011, it's one of the most extreme waterslides in Canada. Calypso Waterpark, located east of Ottawa, Ontario, hosts Canada's 2nd and 3rd AquaLoop waterslides. Note: To ride the Cyclone, sliders must weigh between 88 lbs (39 kg) and 300 lbs (136 kg) and be at least 4 feet (1.2m) tall.

Decommissioned slides
Thunderbolt sled slide at World Waterpark.
(1986 to 2014)
Slide Year Opened Year Closed Description
Raging Rapids Original: 1986, Revised: 2003 Original: 2002, Revised: 2016 A lazy river ride that had two sides. One side suddenly sent riders down a spiraling drop and into a tunnel, which came out at the end of the attraction. The other side started off the same but instead of entering a tunnel, riders entered a long stretch of river which eventually dropped out to the splashdown pool at the end of the attraction. Raging Rapids was originally much longer, with more drops and chutes for swimmers to float through. However, during the Waterpark's overhaul in 2004, the ride was reshaped into its current incarnation and painted over. The ride was shortened because it required too many staff to run it. Despite the changes, however, portions of the closed chutes was still seen when making riders way to the start of the ride. They were filled with fake plants and foliage. The slide was permanently closed for future development for a long time. Due to that delay, it is now closed.
Thunderbolt

(former name: White Lightning)

 1986 2014 This popular and unique slide used Aqua Skoot sleds. Riders went down one of a pair of fast and steep slides, on a special sled. The sleds flew into a long pool of water that gradually got shallower. Most riders skipped along the water to the end, but there was a chance of a harmless wipeout. A padded barrier was added to the middle of the pool to prevent the risk of adjacent sliders from crashing into each other. Removed for installation of Flowrider.
Geronimo's Jump 1986 Unknown A triple slide with straight blue chutes which would send sliders freefalling into a 10-foot deep splashdown pool. Removed for the area to be converted to Tap Works (now Splash Pad).
The Little Caribbean 1986 2007 Another play area with three small slides and a bumper boats area, a step up from Dolphin Kiddie Pool. Contained water playground with adjustable fountains, a tire swing and mini inflatable boats. Along with Tap Works, The Little Caribbean was permanently closed to make way for the Caribbean Cove in 2008.
Sky Screamer (original slide) 1986 2011 An extremely steep, bright red slide. It was the tallest waterslide along with Twister, and shared a splash pool with Nessie's Revenge. It then was painted red in 2004, before being removed in February 2012 to make way for the drop-box Sky Screamer slides.
Tap Works Unknown Unknown Another kids play park, this time revolving around taps and pipes. It contained many adjusting wheels for kids to change the flow of water, as well as several high-powered water guns. It is now a Splash Pad.
Cannon Ball Run 1986 2002 A twirly Chute colored like Corkscrew (olive green); it was removed and in its place was put Tropical Typhoon.
Hurricane 2012 2018 An inflatable ball within a ball that contains water and rotates, creating a slippery but smooth ride described as a "cross between a waterfall and a rollercoaster". It was removed to make way for additional Cabanas.
Center of Gravity 1986 Unknown Currently not in operation. Bungee tower remains intact.

Additional attractions
The FlowRider surf simulator, viewed from the waterslide tower. A small portion of the Corkscrew chute is seen.
Ride Description
Flowrider Formally known as Tsunami, FlowRider is a surf simulator for flowboarding and bodyboarding. Opened in January, 2015,[15] guests may experience Flowrider for an additional charge. Minimum rider height for flowboard is 48 inches, and 42 inches for the bodyboard. To make way for Flowrider, West Edmonton Mall permanently closed the Thunderbolt slide.[16]
Sky Flyer Zipline World's largest permanent indoor zipline,[17] at 450 feet length. Linetech ziplines start at the southwest corner of the waterpark and traverse the Blue Thunder wave pool to just past the Dolphin-themed children's area. Additional charge attraction, accessible to both waterpark guests, and general public. Can accommodate four riders at once. Formerly called King Swing Zip Line and Linetech Ziplines.

Other information

World Waterpark also has two hot tubs: one double and one single.

Concessions:

Former:

  • Hot Dog Hut

Tubes can be rented at a cost, while PFDs (lifejackets) can be borrowed for no charge at Sharky's Supply Shack.

  • Sky Screamer and Nessie's Revenge - side view
  • Blue Bullet prior to renovations
  • L-R Thunderbolt, Nessie's Revenge, Sky Screamer
  • Blue Thunder Wave Pool -6FT Waves
  • Sky Screamer

See also

References
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  2. "WEM park ranked No. 2 in world". Edmonton Journal. November 28, 2009. Archived from the original on May 19, 2014. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  3. Otárola, Miguel (October 31, 2018). "Bloomington floats plans for MOA water park as no risk to taxpayers". Star Tribune. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  4. "Edmonton`s Mall Is More Than Big". Chicago Tribune. Sun Sentinel. February 22, 1987. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  5. "World Waterpark Info". WEM. West Edmonton Mall.
  6. "World Waterpark Hours & Rates Calendar". WEB. West Edmonton Mall. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  7. Lindner, Linda (February 28, 2020). "North America's largest indoor water park set to open March 19; and it's in New Jersey!". NJBiz. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  8. Anzidei, Melanie (March 13, 2020). "American Dream to close due to coronavirus, will delay opening of waterpark". NorthJersey.com. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  9. Hinson, Tamara (July 31, 2013). "12 of the world's best water parks". CNN. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  10. "Where Can I Find the Largest Indoor Water Park?". The 6th Floor. The New York Times. July 26, 2012. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  11. NJ.com, Allison Pries | NJ Advance Media for (2020-09-03). "American Dream announces reopening date, but it's far away". nj. Retrieved 2020-09-08.
  12. "Big Fun Brochure" (PDF). West Edmonton Mall. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 19, 2014. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  13. Lafortune, Wes (April 1, 2006). "An Edmonton beach vacation". Vancouver Sun. Canada.com. Archived from the original on 2014-05-19. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  14. "West Edmonton Mall waterpark undergoes $2.5 million renovation". Edmonton Journal. September 21, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  15. Miroslava (January 30, 2015). "New WEM attraction lets boarders ride an 'endless wave'". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  16. West Edmonton Mall. "West Edmonton Mall - Slide Closures". Wem.ca. Archived from the original on April 18, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  17. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-01-24. Retrieved 2015-02-18.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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