Wild Island Family Adventure Park - Waterpark — Attraction in Sparks

We go to Wild island a lot! Last season there was a lot of bumps along the way and poor customer service etc.

HOWEVER this season has been a lot different!! One of the managers there Lyndsey (forgive me I am unsure how to spell it) is really on top on her game. She handles situations with a calm, and assertive tone but with empathy and respect. Her and a security guard “Jesse”came to our girls immediately as a man had been approaching them and creeping them out. We were proud of the girls for saying something immediately to us once he had followed them again, as we were able to then get help from the staff within moments! Lyndsey and Jesse told us they were the ones that saw him the first time and stepped in to talk to him. Well, what the girls at first were afraid of, turned into a very valuable and teachable moment.

The man unfortunately had a mental health issue of some sort and although we were not given details, I understood that he had trouble socializing. (I am sure there was much more, yet this let my fear settle as I listened to Lyndsey and Jesse speak to us and the girls. The young man just wanted someone to go on rides with him, and was unsure of how to really approach that. What made me the most upset about this whole situation, is he was there with family and they just let him wander around rather than being that ride partner and ensuring his safety as well.

Turns out an employee of Wild Island ended up going on rides with him so he could enjoy the park as well as our kids could. This ensures the safety of everyone, prevented others from feeling uncomfortable, as well as made that young man feel so very special (and I am sure much more “normal” and loved as well).

For a business to STEP UP like this for someone who has a mental health condition unexplained or presented to the park by the family, and who just wanted to feel normal and was neglected by his own family, is highly commendable and as a society and community we could learn a lot from this!! Then for them to also take the time to explain they were proud of the girls to them, for coming forward and that they always should, and also help us in this teachable moment, made them and us feel that they are safe and they can go to ANY staff member for help. This was hands down some of the best customer service I have seen in a long time!!

And as a side note: SHAME ON ALL OF YOU so called “family members” that brought him to the park and set him free to just not deal with him! You not only neglected him, his needs and every child in theirs, you also placed him in harms way. Thankfully this young man was blessed with caring people around him to except him right where he was and help him have fun like everyone else!! SOOOOO HUGE SHOUT OUT to the management, team members, and security that showed they can accommodate ANYONE while ensuring everyone’s safety, mental health and feelings were all being met!!! If I could give 10 stars I would!!!

P.S now if you can please just grab some redbull to keep in stock for me! 😂...

We usually visit Hurricane Harbor in the summer but this was one of the few water parks open, so we came to Wild Island. The entry fee is cheaper than most ($32). We paid $36 per person which includes the meal combo. I highly reccomend this because if you decide to order one inside the gates they are $10 ea, so you're saving $6. They are large meals too! Ours had 4 or 5 large chicken strips, about 2 cups of fries and a fountain soda all included. I posted photos of the menu. Cash and card are both accepted. From the website you can order food to avoid the line as well!

Adults, they have well drinks, beer on tap, wine, canned beer and blended drinks. These range about $7-9. The smoking area is just outside the gates so you don't have to smell smoke, but is very close. Hands are stamped for reentry. The bar is not open until close for those wanting to grab one more quick drink.

Speaking of re-entry, YES, re-entry is allowed. If you leave something in your car, kids want a quick snack or drink, you can run to your car and come back in. NO FOOD OR DRINKS are allowed in the park unless you purchase them inside other than UNOPENED water bottles. They do bag checks, so be prepared.

There is ample seating I'm the covered areas and in the sun. We got here at 1pm on a thursday and had no trouble getting seats. There are lockers available for $6(sm), $7(m) and $8(L). We left our towels on our chairs and a zipped bag the whole time and no one messed with it. I bought a waterproof phone pouch with a lanyard prior to coming and kept my car key, cards, phone and cash in it while in the wave pool though. They dont allow it or any phones on the water slides.

There are several slides for all levels of adventure seeking, a lazy river, splash park for littles, and wave pool. For those wondering, there is not wifi available.

COVID UPDATE: Masks are required and enforced. You have to wear a mask if you're sitting or standing around, getting food, getting drinks, going to the restroom etc. If you're in the water or walking from one attraction to the next (inside the water park) you do not have to mask up. The staff is friendly about reminding those who forget to put it up once they sit down unlike many places where it seems you're harrassed...

The water park is pretty good with a Revamped kid section. The kid section allows parents to slide with their children together for the most part, and has a tiny wave pool with a gentle gradient maxing out at 2.5 feet of water which is perfect for toddlers. The rest of the park is standard with a decent amount of fun slides and a giant wave pool for the taller guests.

Cons- The park cement can get extremely hot and burn the bottom of your feet. It is my impression they don't give adequate shade in many places around the park to push selling water socks, shoes, sun block and rent out their canopies littered around the park.

Certain rides don't have any shade at the top of the 5 flights of stairs you have to climb to ride the ride, resulting in waiting on hot cement (one of the life guards took water from the ride and had to splash the stairs to cool them down). If you try to use sandals and leave them at the start of the waiting line, you will have to travel a decent distance and burn your feet because you guessed it.... No shade anywhere between rides.

Another con in my opinion is the lazy river. It is pretty short and shallow compared to other parks I've been to. It's good for kids, but parents should be with them supervising (hopefully). The lazy river is about 2.5 to 3 feet deep causing everyone to crouch and do squats to move around the river.... Not very "lazy" huh. Also I twisted my ankle on a divot containing a jet to push the water. It didn't have a cover.

When the venue opens, the lines can be very long resulting in possible long wait times to enter. I usually go after the rush, but it can be a serious problem sometimes. Also having the standard up charging from food vendors and common cheap items that are found at retail stores being marked up substantially. - This happens at every park, but still annoying that food will be taken from you at the entrance. I'd pack a lunch... but you don't have the right to bring and eat your own food at water...