Sandcastle Water Park — Attraction in West Homestead

If I could leave a 0 I would.. I will never go there again & I will make sure everyone I know doesn’t either. Not my personal experience, but sharing so people know what kind of place it really is..

Super unimpressed with Sandcastle.We were getting ready to leave Monday when I watched security ask a group of young black men to come out of the wave pool. They had been swimming right next to us so I walked over to hear what was going on. Apparently one(or three the story kept changing) of them had been accused of knocking someone over and pulling her top down so they all were asked to leave the park.They were upset (who wouldn't be?), but no one was swearing or belligerent. They asked to see video because several witnesses confirmed that this action never happened.We were told that there was no video and then later that the video was blurry. In the midst of the conversation one of the boys pushed another and security immediately handcuffed the two boys. I heard the manager later tell police that a boy pushed the security guard. This simply never happened.

Another manager came out and was concerned with only how loudly the remaining six young men were talking. He had no answers, but kept telling them to stop yelling. At this point they were angry and ready to leave so simply asked for a refund or return tickets. He said they had to "investigate the situation." Shortly thereafter the Homestead police came and he disappeared and was not seen again. The police did nothing to deescalate the situation. When one of the young men mentioned being hot and just wanting to swim he said "do you think I want to be here? I'm in full gear. I could be sitting in my air-conditioned car." After a few more moments another officer came over and told them that Sandcastle wanted them out so "you have 5 minutes to leave or I put you all in cuffs." We stopped at guest services on the way to ask again for a refund and they were told that none would be given.

As we left we counted seven police cars and one of the young men asked "Man why did you bring so many cars for eight kids?" and the officer told them that Sandcastle had called in "a fight among a large group of men." Again there was no fight. The police insisted on following them out so we all crammed in my van and drove across to the other side of the Waterfront and I asked them to please call their parents and stay safe.

This could have gone so differently and I am thankful that so many of them were level-headed. Sandcastle's story changed many times and at no time did they even pretend to listen to the story of these young men. I am so angry that they have to be more grown-up than the adults and that they lost their last two hours of what should have been a fun summer day. Please talk to your teens and let them know that Sandcastle is not a safe space. Please contact Sandcastle. (I will be!) and let them know that...

Chose this park for mine and my daughters birthday, brought out of town family as well. Slides were fun. Operators were all mostly friendly, except for one girl. When asked for the location of something, she was quite rude like she didn’t enjoy her job:/ and no, she didn’t answer the question but we quickly found someone else who did. Now the food situation….we came expecting to spend money, however, the fact that the employees behind the counter (the young boys) showed 0 sense of urgency nor did they communicate, left me wondering why we pay so much for terrible food that took wayyyyy too long to receive. Not only that, but while waiting for our loaded $20 loaded nachos, others that ordered after us, got their food before us. Literally the same nachos we ordered, went to the guys behind us (I’d say gentlemen but they knew full well that we were before them and waiting, but took the nachos anyways) I also over heard that the kid that was on “nacho duty”, apparently went on break and didn’t say anything to anyone, so they were just not getting made. Which was what prompted me to say something to the nice older lady behind the counter. After waiting 25 almost 30 min. For said loaded chicken nachos, they were just disappointing. Portion size…great. But price for quality?! Hardly. We had souvenir cups and a couple of red shirt workers just stood and watched the scanners not work for refills at that particular station but let people keep trying. Didn’t say “hey, try another station” or “it’s not working rt now, but we’re working on it”. Nothing. I’ve just never seen a more unhappy, not helpful, moving at the speed of turtle staff. Also, I find it peculiar that they didn’t announce anywhere that the lazy river was closed due to being short staffed because of them returning to school. Surely they knew that before today. We were really looking forward to that. The bathrooms were not attended to the entire day either. Soap dispensers were empty, dryers didn’t work, garbage overflowing, floors were so filthy and just really gross. I’m hoping today was just a fluke, and everyone as a whole, was just having an off day. It’s a neat place but they definitely have some things to work on, especially for the price that’s paid. We will try again next year. Happy 41st and 12th bday...

I wish that I could give 0 stars after this situation. A traumatic experience just happened for two young ladies on "The Dragon's Den,” Sunday June 29th, around 5pm, 2nd staircase. Stay hydrated, everyone during this hot season. My daughter’s friend, 15, passed out.  Not one single soul tried to assist in any way. From others in the line, the staff member above never came down the staircase to see what was happening, nor the staff that my daughter made eye contact with below, on ground level when she was shouting multiple times for help. My daughter noticed her friend starting to wobble and went limp over the railing and passed out. My daughter, making sure she didn’t fall over the railing too, grabbed her friend the best and fastest way that she could, and made many shouting attempts for help.

No excuse for anyone ignoring my daughter shouting for help! People just stood there watching and ignored her. Shame on those adults too, in line, and the staff she made eye contact with choosing to do nothing. The display for the lack of care for a child passing out in front of many, was really sad! Wouldn’t you want your child to be helped?

All my daughter could do was hold her friend, not knowing if she would wake up. Just hoping that she would wake up. She just held her on the staircase in front of all of those people not wanting to leave her friend, because no one was coming. So my daughter was just left confused on what to do next. Thankfully, her friend woke up and just the two of them carefully made their way down off of the ride, to get her friend some water. Of course, her friend eventually was able to call her dad.

I've already made the complaint to the West Homestead Police Dept. and filled out a complaint with Sandcastle. I haven’t heard back from Sandcastle. But the officer that I spoke with, said that he was actually stationed at Sandcastle out front around that time, and didn’t get a radio in for anyone passing out. Which is my point. No one bothered to make it known someone needed help. Let’s do better showing care for one another, whether it’s a child or an adult. If anyone is shouting for help, or if I notice something is wrong....