In a twist of irony, Big Splash Water Park was nearly destroyed in a flood. That was in 1984, the first year the park was open. But the owners didn't want a watery grave to be the new park's fate. So they rebuilt it, and in the more than 30 years since, it has grown to far exceed the original in both size and scope.

Originally equipped with just a kiddie pool, the park now sprawls in every direction with colorful flumes, umbrella-shaded walkways, and a bevy of thrilling rides. For example, the famous Master Blaster tube-coaster shoots raft-riders through a course of gravity-defying twists and turns, and the towering Silver Bullet slide sends guests down a breathtaking 72-foot plummet. And after all the excitement, the Lazy River invites visitors to take it easy with a relaxing float free of kings hollering, "Get out of my moat!"