Too Much Water in Water Rides?

I live here in the sunny state of Florida and always love having the chance to spend a day at a theme park, as I am only 25 minutes away from Universal Orlando. One of my favorite things at parks is going on a water ride. Who doesn't love to get a little wet on a hot summer day? It's so refreshing to plunge down toward the bottom of that mountain and have that BIG SPLASH!

But dang, do we have to get so wet? I remember when I was a young grade school lad, when water rides were much different. I remember going on a water ride and getting excited if one of my arms got a little splash. Or maybe my head and chest would get pelted by a couple drops of water. That was awesome! I never got too wet, but it was all good. It was just wet enough to cool off.

Now things have changed. I look at the last three water rides that I have gone on. While at Universal's Islands of Adventure, I went on the "Toon Lagoon" and "Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges." The next day, I went to Sea World and sat in the front row while riding "Journey to Atlantis." All three of these rides were very enjoyable and I recommend them to anyone who has not been to these parks yet. However, I think it would really be great if we didn't get so wet!

Those of you who have been on these rides know what I'm talking about. When I say "wet," I mean "DRENCHED." If you want to get an idea of how wet you'll get, then simply jump in a nearby swimming pool with all of your clothes on, and then jump back out. Yes, that's how wet you get.

Why has it come to this? Why can't it be like the older days? Why can't I go on a water ride and not have to worry about my shorts and underwear drying out in a timely manner? Are these parks getting us drenched because they think we love the thrill and sensation? Or are they simply throwing more water at us so we can buy their cheesy ponchos? In some cases, people even have to go directly to souvenir shops and buy an extra set of clothes just so they can enjoy the rest of the day in comfort.

Hey, I'm not trying to sound like a party pooper, I just wish they had some way of decreasing the "wet factor." It's great to get soaked when the weather is sunny and unbearably hot, but on those cloudy or slightly overcast days, I really prefer not to get so wet, you know?

Although, I must admit . . . there is nothing funnier than seeing a drenched old man returning from a wet ride with drenched, see-thru white pants, revealing his skimpy yellow and pink briefs worn underneath. That's always worth a couple laughs!