America’s First Family of Waterparks
Setting Schlitterbahn apart from anything else is its unique combination of state-of-the-art water attractions with a family-friendly atmosphere. Schlitterbahn introduced the world's first surfing ride, the world's first uphill water coaster, the world's first tidal wave river, plus inner tubing on a scale never seen before or since. By 1996, Schlitterbahn had achieved national recognition when it was voted the nation's number waterpark by the readers of Inside Track magazine. As word of the one-of-a-kind resort spread, guests from all over the nation, representing nearly every state in the union, flocked to the resort in numbers approaching one million during the park's 110-day season.
The second member of he Schlitterbahn family opened on the southernmost tip of Texas at South Padre Island in 2001. Schlitterbahn Beach is a multi-faceted destination containing not only a waterpark but also restaurants, clubs and nightly entertainment all in a beautiful beachfront setting. Hundreds of palm trees and tropical plants create a lush, exotic environment. Schlitterbahn Beach also introduced the world's first Transportainment® river system. Combining various river experiences from slow floats to whitewater rapids, Transportainment is part transportation, part sport and part entertainment. Guests can float from attraction to attraction without ever having to get out of the water. They spend more time immersed in the fun rather than standing in line. The immediate success earned Transportainment the industry's highest innovation awards.
Schlitterbahn Beach
broadens the Schlitterbahn water entertainment concept to include
interaction with One great park leads to another...and another. As Schlitterbahn's brand awareness grew, further opportunities presented themselves. The third Schlitterbahn waterpark located on Galveston Island not only contains signature water features, it also is the world's first convertible waterpark -- one that can operate year-round. The new Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark expands the Transportainment concept to cover the entire park, fully interconnecting three large rivers into one mile-long river system. Schlitterbahn recently announced plans to develop the next generation of family entertainment destinations, Schlitterbahn Vacation Village in Kansas City, Kansas. The Schlitterbahn Vacation Village is a $749 million groundbreaking, trend-setting retail entertainment destination comprised of multiple shopping, dining, lodging and entertainment venues connected by a Transportainment river system. In the Vacation Village, manmade rivers carry guests between lodging units and a large summertime Water Resort, Marine Park and a covered Riverwalk with shops and restaurants. By putting families first and providing them with unique water entertainment found nowhere else, Schlitterbahn has become America's First Family of Water Resorts! Schlitterbahn Waterparks - 28 Years of Family Fun - History Highlights |
I
n 1966, along a
stretch of a tree-lined, spring-fed river on the edge of the Texas
Hill Country, Bob and Billye Henry and their three children began
creating what would eventually become the world's first water resort
and the nation's most popular summertime waterpark. Since what they
were building had never been attempted before, the Henry's relied on
their own vision of combining water fun and resort accommodations
into a family destination.
Schlitterbahn has
been featured in several Hollywood movies, dozens of national TV
programs, and many international publications. Amusement Today
magazine readers voted Schlitterbahn the world's best waterpark in
1998, an honor the park has received annually ever since. In 2006
Schlitterbahn was named the world's number one waterpark by the
Travel Channel.