Summer Waves Water Park — Attraction in Jekyll Island

Worst place ever they were overcapacity an hour after opening while the website said there were still 450 slots my family and many others standing in line at the gate we're all turned away meanwhile their online page said there were 450 tickets still available we waited to buy tickets because they would not allow us to purchase them online the day before or the day of because their website refuse to go past the purchase so we drove an hour and a half out just to pay $10 admission to Jekyll Island to finally make it to Summer Waves gate and then an hour after opening be told they are at capacity and they could not let any more people in until people started leaving from their gate looking in the lines to all the slides were definitely at capacity if not over so it would take at least an hour or more just to get down one slide people were not going to be leaving anytime soon plus they just opened so most of those people just got through being processed in multiple different lines themselves and had no intentions of leaving anytime soon which I do not blame them I blame Summer Waves for their inaccurate count of people posted on their website we even called and talked to an employee at Summer Waves and they said we would have to come in person and purchase the tickets that there was still room wasted my wife's my daughters and my own time and money I guess I should be happy though because had they allowed us to purchase the ticket the place would have been so crowded literally 30 minutes after getting through we wouldn't have wanted to be there anyways capacity should not mean you won't have any personal space whatsoever not even 5 inches between you and another person in every direction also it is far smaller than it appears online in person is is...

What an awful experience!! Myself and my 10 year old son drove 2 hours to come to this water park. The website says to purchase tickets online to save time. I purchased the tickets online. We got to the water park 30 minutes after it opened. Waited on line to get in the park for over 45 minutes, even though I had already purchased them as requested. (heat index of 107 that day) We saw 2 people faint out front, waiting to get in do to the heat. All the slides were open and people were riding them as we stood out front waiting to get in. We get into the park, put our stuff away and go to ride a water slide. Now the slides are all closed. I went to speak with the manager on duty and she said that they were short staffed and it had been this way all summer long. I was so upset, I explained how far we drove and waiting in line as well. I requested a refund! She said it states that they do not give out refunds no matter what! Now I'm furious!! My son is crying! She said she could only give me a rain check to come back. I said I will never come back here! I told her their website should address that they are short staffed and let people know that in advance so they don't waste their time and money. My son wanted to stay and try to make the best of it. We go the wave pool and what do we find floating in the pool? A CHICKEN BONE!!! My son lost it again and we left. No rain check because we will NEVER go back! No refund because their policy or rules states they cannot! It's absolutely absurd to have dealt with such ridiculousness! I Cannot even express in words how frustrated I was! I would never give this place another...

The good:

Fair prices. $130ish for a family of 5.

Staff is super friendly. Its mostly teens and low 20's but theyve all been great.

The facilities are clean!

The slides are really fun (some slower, some faster)

Larry's Subs is crazy fast and always good. They dont jack the prices up just because its at a park which is nice..

The lazy river is a nice chill spot.

BIG wave pool.

Plenty of life guards around who dont put up with a lot of foolishness.

Not "commericalized" i.e. theres not someone on every corner trying to sell you something.

Lost of seating if you get there early enough to claim one (they can go fast during the busy days).

If you can, stay until they close. About 1.5 hours before the close, everyone starts to leave and there arent any lines on the slides...its the best thing ever. Youll ride more in that last hour than you did since you got in the park.

The meh...

Parking isnt very roomy. You have to get there early (like when the doors open) to make sure you get a spot...or youll be walking a bit.

Bring flip-flops and keep them with you because that pavement is HOT. There isnt any heat resistant paint on the ground so its easy to burn the ol' feet if you dont have any footware.

You have to be early if you want a locker - they sell out quick!.

Inflatables for slides: during the busy hours, they go quick and youll have to stand by the pool like a vulture waiting on someone to give up their inflatable (assuming they dont want...