Hydro Adventures
| Previously known as Bluff Falls Water Park | |
  Hydro Adventures | |
| Location | Poplar Bluff, Missouri, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 36°43′57.186″N 90°24′8.776″W / 36.73255167°N 90.40243778°W |
| Status | Defunct |
| Opened | May 22, 2003 |
| Closed | 2020 |
| Owner | United Parks, LLC |
| General manager | Edgar Novoa |
| Operating season | Water Park: May-September Dry Park: Year-Round |
| Attractions | |
| Water rides | 7 |
| Website | hydroadventures |
Hydro Adventures was an amusement park, waterpark and family entertainment center located in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and owned by national amusement park operator, United Parks.[1] Hydro Adventures' Water Park operated from May through September, and the Dry Park was open year-round. According to the website, the park consisted of 7 water attractions and 8 dry attractions of varying “thrill levels.”[2] Hydro Adventures was unable to open for the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and was soon put up for sale.[3]
History[edit]
Hydro Adventures opened in 2003 as Bluff Falls Water Park.[4] It was purchased in 2014 by United Parks and re-opened under the new name, Hydro Adventures. In addition to the new name, United Parks made improvements to the facility that included the addition of a major new water slide named Twisted Six and a Triple Threat Basketball attraction.[1] The park added five new rides in 2015: the Tiger Coaster, Tilt A Whirl, Truck Stop, Tea Cup, and Spring Ride.[5] They added two new rides in 2016: the Scrambler and Galaxy Coaster.[4] And in 2017 they added a Laser Tag Arena and a 4,300 square foot arcade.[4] Other updates have included new go-carts with a state-of-the-art control system, and renovations to the mini-golf course and batting cages.[6]
Following the park's 2018 season, all dry rides and midway attractions were closed and sold off.[7][8] For the 2020 season, the park was unable to open as the direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with refunds being provided to all season pass holders and pre-purchased tickets. The park began to evaluate its future, with all options under consideration on how to move forwards, including a sale/redevelopment of the park.[9] In early August 2020, park officials announced on social media that they had opted to sell the park to any new buyer, citing the impact of COVID-19 as well as the operator's decline in interest to run the park.[10] After failing to immediately attract a new buyer, the entire contents of Hydro Adventures were actioned off online, with the auction lasting from October 29, 2020, to November 18, 2020.[11] Contents of the catalogue included the park's waterslides, arcade games, tables, chairs, maintenance equipment, kitchen utilities, and more.[12]
Rides/Attractions[edit]
Water Rides[edit]
Twisted Six[edit]
A WhiteWater West matt racing water slide with six lanes. Sold to Alabama Splash Adventure in the park auction of November 2020. It was renamed "Rocket Racer".
Poseidon’s Pipeline[edit]
An aggressive water slide on which riders use a tube to slide down the pipeline.
Crashing Waves Bay[edit]
A wave pool with separate sections for calm floating and wave riding.
Accident on Jun 2, 2019: Some kid fell off, causing him to sink.
Easy River[edit]
A lazy river-style water attraction.
Accident #1 on May 30, 2018: an 11 year old boy twisted his ankle while entering.
Accident #2 on June 2, 2019: a tween boy fell off his raft and sank into the water.
Splish Splash Bay[edit]
A shallow water attraction for young children, featuring various age-appropriate slides, spouts and other water features.
Dry Attractions[edit]
Ground Rides[edit]
The following amusement park rides were installed along with a new midway in 2015:
- Tiger Coaster
- Truck Stop
- Hydro Maiden
- Caravan
- Tip & Twirl
- Poplar Hopper
Poplar Putters[edit]
An 18-hole miniature golf course.
Tailpipe Alley[edit]
A challenging go-kart attraction for riders of appropriate age and height.
Missouri Bombers[edit]
Park visitors can test their baseball skill in the park’s batting cages.
Triple Threat[edit]
Hydro Adventures’ basketball attraction.
Midway Games[edit]
- Flying Frogs
- Roller Baller
- Pepsi Toss
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Former Bluff Falls Waterpark under new ownership". Amusement Today. April 4, 2014.
- ^ "About Us". Hydro Adventures. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
- ^ Heller, Marsha (July 1, 2020). "Hydro Adventures to remain closed for 2020 season". KFVS12. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Hydro Adventures Overview". Better Business Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
- ^ "Hydro Adventures Makes An Even Bigger Splash in 2015 With Lower Prices And New, Exciting Rides". Fox Radio Network. April 23, 2015.
- ^ "Dry Attractions". Hydro Adventures. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
- ^ "Hydro Adventures (Poplar Bluff, Missouri, United States)".
- ^ "Home".
- ^ "Hydro Adventures to remain closed for the remainder of the 2020 Season". Amusement Today. July 2, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ^ Ford, Jeremy (August 7, 2020). "Hydro Adventures Waterpark for sale". KFVS12. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ^ "Missouri FEC & Water Park Online Auction".
- ^ "Missouri Water Park and Fun Center | Bill Ramsey & Associates, LLC".