WaTiki® Indoor Waterpark Resort — Attraction in Rapid City

PROS: The fact they stopped letting “locals” exploit the system to over crowd this place is AMAZING! Rapid City has so many things for families to do that are completely free. Now keep up, some of you locals never passed a basic english class so ill try to go slow. This. Is. A. Privately. Owned. Business. They do not make money off locals who share wristbands and let their friends in for free. They are a resort like anywhere else. They are a money making business and the locals were hurting that by making the experience for paying motel guests a nightmare. You “locals” can go petition your local government to build yet another waterpark with city money. That is the only place you locals are entitled to. Locals dont spend near the amount of money that a traveler does. Money talks here. All in all, the new hotel only experience is still being exploited slightly, however overall much less crowded. Bar staff is ALWAYS 5 stars, every interaction with them is pleasant and speedy. They are the only adults working in the waterpark so that makes sense. Food is pricy but the menu is great. Food straight to your table. Being able to walk around and use the facility and the hot tub without tons of dirty, un paying customers is what will keep me coming back.

CONS: Now the real issue is back into the fact that we have less people in the waterpark. You would think plenty of space, tables, tubes etc. They have “reserved” tables that are only available on the weekends according to the website, however on a Monday and Tuesday there were reserved tables being utilized. So as I said before, money talks around here. There was a constant line for tubes, where the lifeguards would let their friends re use the tubes, and grab everyone else who just got off the slide. Usually the lifeguards are great, I noticed a lot of cell phone usage and lifeguards flirting/playing with each-other than actually looking at the water. There are less tubes now than when the place was crowded. There needs to be more tubes. And after waiting 2 hours to get a tube, just to have a lifeguard rip it out of your child’s hands to give it to his friends was degrading. They need to provide more tubes for people. You have heavily overweight individuals using tubes to block up the entire lazy river, these same people carry their tubes around the waterpark with them. While people at the slides are at the mercy of a lifeguard choosing when you get to use a tube or not. Im a paying customer. Your lifeguards do not get to decide when im done with my tube, UNLESS the rule is univerally enforced, for example the people on the lazy river should have to give theirs up, if im required to give mine up after one slide ride. All in all, the lifeguards need better guidance and training, a couple need fired. More tubes for guests on a first come, first serve basis. Not some of us have to give them up and others dont. We grossly overpay for motel rooms now to experience this resort in all its glory. We...

We love this place, we always try stay at a hotel connected to Watiki when we're in Rapid because it's so convenient.

I will say that this time felt a little different and not in a good way. Watiki recently changed up how they do their water park passes. They're included free of charge for hotel guest but I believe they're now $50 a day for people not staying at the hotel.

I understand they're trying to get people to stay at their hotels and not overwhelm the water park with outside guest for the sake of the people staying at the connected hotels.

I like that I no longer have to hassle with getting into the waterpark since I'm staying at the hotel but I think $50 is way to expensive for outsiders to get in and I think it's going to hurt Watiki in the end instead of helping them.

Maybe it was because we stayed on a Wednesday and Thursday during school season but this place seemed like a ghost town compared to what it's been in the past. I will say that I really liked that there was no lines for the slides and it was no longer a struggle to find a table to sit at.

They also provide towels at the water park now which was nice but long over due.

I really got the feeling this trip that the employees HATED their jobs. Very few of them seemed like they wanted to be there nor were they happy.

I usually enjoy grabbing drinks at the sliders bar but I didn't like the bar tender this trip. I know it was slow, tips probably weren't great and he was likely bored to death but he seemed really peeved that he had to help me. He was really short with me and I couldn't really understand him because he mumbled.........his manners were also non existent.

All three times I went in there on day 1 of our stay, I had to interrupt him from whatever he was doing on his phone in order to get his attention to get a drink. On one occasion, he was clear on the other side of the bar sitting in a corner on his phone, out of sight. Had I not went to look for him, I likely would of stood there a LONG time. That guys for sure not happy with his job, he should probably look for another one.

The gal at the arcade also seemed really unhappy, she was kind but for sure unhappy. Speaking of the arcade, I'd say 1/3'd of their games were non functional for our entire 2 day stay. They all said "upgrading" or "updating", can't remember.

Like I said, maybe it was because it was a Wednesday and Thursday during school season but if it's now normally this slow............it's gonna kill...

A Delightful Experience at Waikiki Waterpark, Thanks to Taylor - An Amazing Bartender!

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Waikiki Waterpark in Rapid City, South Dakota, and I must say that the experience was made all the more enjoyable by the exceptional service provided by Taylor, the talented and friendly bartender.

From the moment I approached the bar, Taylor greeted me with a warm smile and a welcoming demeanor. Her positive energy and enthusiasm instantly made me feel at ease in the vibrant atmosphere of the waterpark. As a family traveling, Taylor's friendly and approachable nature made me feel like I was catching up with an old friend.

Taylor's mixology skills were second to none, as she expertly crafted the most delicious cocktails I've had in a long time. She was well-versed in the menu and recommended drinks that perfectly matched my taste preferences.

What truly impressed me was Taylor's ability to handle the busy crowd with grace and efficiency. Despite the bustling evening, she remained composed and attentive to every guest, ensuring that everyone received their drinks promptly and with a genuine smile. It was evident that Taylor took immense pride in her work, and her passion shone through, adding to the overall enjoyment of the Waikiki Waterpark experience.

Beyond her mixology skills, Taylor's engaging personality and genuine interest in her guests set her apart as an outstanding bartender. She took the time to interact with everyone, sharing laughter and creating an inviting atmosphere that extended beyond the bar area. Taylor even provided valuable recommendations for other attractions in the area, proving to be an excellent and caring host.

Thanks to Taylor's exceptional service and warm personality, my time at Waikiki Waterpark was truly unforgettable. I left with cherished memories of fun and relaxation, all thanks to this amazing bartender.

If you find yourself at Waikiki Waterpark in Rapid City, don't miss the opportunity to meet Taylor at the bar. She is a true gem and will undoubtedly enhance your visit with her exceptional skills and delightful personality. Thank you, Taylor, for making my experience at Waikiki...