Splashy Debuts: What’s New in Water Parks 2013

Outdoor water parks have come a long way since 1969, when the first wave pool opened in Tempe, Arizona. Today’s best water parks are constantly upgrading to offer taller, faster and more outrageous slides and rides—as well as features that can entertain the whole family, from little-kid splash areas to mini spas and movie nights.

Here’s where to find this summer’s five splashiest debuts—from new attractions at existing big parks to totally new (or revamped) whole parks:

Aquatica San Diego

In Chula Vista, on the outskirts of San Diego, the former Knott's Soak City got a massive marine-life makeover from its new owners and has emerged as the third of Sea World’s Aquatica parks. There are six slides, five water attractions, and plenty of living, breathing “hosts”: You can check out Caribbean flamingos as you float down the Loggerhead Lane lazy river, or look at the freshwater turtles (mostly red-eared sliders) living in an amphibious habitat near the Big Surf wave pool.

(MORE: Find a parent-approved, kid-friendly hotel in San Diego.)

Six Flags America & Six Flags New England

The latest must-do ride at these Six Flags theme parks near Baltimore and Boston, respectively, lies inside their Hurricane Harbor water parks. Bonzai Pipelines is a 65-foot tall body waterslide complex featuring six freefalling, looping body slides, each beginning in a launch chamber with a drop-hatch bottom.

Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas