The Best Local Water Parks in Arizona

It's starting to warm up here in Arizona and soon we will be in that dry heat that is loved by some and hated by some. However, the great thing about living here is that there is always a way to cool down and even enjoy the heat while catching some waves. Yes, waves in Arizona at your local water parks. All the water parks offer birthday party packages for your family's special day.

Golfland SunSplash: This park has been around since I can remember. Golfland currently offers eight types of slides including Thunder Falls that is around seven stories tall with three drops as you careen down towards the pool. On their website, they state that they are getting ready to unveil a new slide called The Storm Rider sometime in 2011. I would suspect that it would be ready in time for their summer opening. To ride most of these slides you have to be at least 48 inches tall. For the smaller kids, there is a Toddlers Tadpole Pool for the tykes under seven years old and even offers two small one-foot slides.

Prices range from two and under at just $2.98 and for seniors $19.99. Adult and children admission is under 48 inches you get in for $19.99 and over 48 inches is $25.99. Numerous specials throughout the summer are on the website. My favorite would have to be the Super Splash Fun Pass at $34.99 that includes unlimited Mini Golf, Laser Tag, Bumper Boats, Race Cars, and SunSplash Waterpark. After 4:00 pm until close, admission is $19.99 (this does not include special evening events). You will have to call for the hours for when this special is available.

The water park opens May 14, 2011 11:00 am to 6:00 pm with special evening packages available. Golfland SunSplash is located at 155 West Hampton Avenue Mesa, AZ 85210. Phone number: 480-834-8319.

Breakers Water Park: Although for me, this is a bit of a drive outside of the Phoenix area, it is well worth the drive. This park offers one of the better attractions for smaller children called Captain Kidd's Surfari with slides, a wading pool, sprinklers, and a bucket that dumps water on the little ones. For the older kids, there is a great wave pool, the largest in Southern Arizona, and The Bonzai Pipeline that has five separate slides.

The park is smaller with less attractions than Golfland (there not any video games, bumper boats, racecars, laser tag or mini golf), it is less pricey on their admission prices with coupons available for print out on their website. Prices for 12 years and older is $20.95 plus tax, children 4 '" 11 year is $14.95 plus tax, seniors and spectators are $10.95 plus tax, and children 3 and under are free. After 3:00 pm, admission is just $12.95 plus tax.

The water park opens on May 28, 2011 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and is located at 8555 West Tangerine Road Marana, AZ 85658. Phone: 520-682-2304.

Kiwanis Park Recreation Center: This water park is admittedly not as fancy as the other water parks in Arizona. However, it is a wave park with three-foot waves and only one water slide. The best part about this water park is that it is indoors so there is no need to worry about getting sunburned or over heated. There is also an indoor lap pool / fitness pool available. There is open swimming and family swimming for the family who is not interested in the waves.

This by far is the smallest of the water parks in Arizona but it is also one of the cheapest places to go for a day in the water. The amount of time this park is open is also not as long as most parks. The food and drinks are also inexpensive and directed towards a child's palate. Lap and swim pool is adults (13 +) $2.25 and children (12 and under) $1.25. For the wave pool general admission (13 +) is only $6.00 and youth admission (2 '" 12) is only $3.00. Mid-day wave rates are adults $4.00 and children $2.00 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

The water park is currently open on Saturdays, after Memorial Day will be open every day from 1:00 pm '" 5:00 pm, and is located at 6111 South All-America Way
Tempe, AZ 85283. Phone: 480-350-5201.

Big Surf: This was my first experience with a water park and I was young when I first went. Back then, there was a wave pool and maybe one water slide. Now, the park has eight water slides and the required heights range from 36 inches to 48 inches tall. One in particular that is a family favorite is The Black Hole, an enclosed slide that keeps you in the dark until the end. There is Waikiki Beach to float around in with a wave pool and for the little ones, there is Captain Cook's Landing. They even offer boogie board sessions everyday of the week from 5:00 pm '" 5:30 pm. It is by far the most extensive of water rides of all the water parks.

The price range from $3.00 for less than two, general admission is $26.00, and three years old to 48 inches tall, and seniors is $19.50. Military, fire, and police all have a discounted admission for $19.50. Twilight hours (3 '" 6:00 pm) admission is just $15.00. Starting on June 4 from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm, go for H2O Overload for just $15.00 every Friday night.

The water park will be open starting May 27, 2011 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Big Surf is located at 1500 North McClintock Drive (Hayden Road) Tempe, AZ 85281. Phone: 480-994-2297.