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Last edited by Bearcat (talk | contribs) 26 days ago. (Update) |
| Raging Waves Waterpark | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Slogan | "Illinois' Largest Waterpark" |
| Location | Yorkville, Illinois |
| Coordinates | 41.6984° N, 88.4445° W |
| Theme | Australian |
| Owner | Bowlero Corporation |
| Operated by | Premier Parks, LLC |
| General manager | Jeff Hansen |
| Opened | June 28, 2008 |
| Operating season | Memorial Day to Labor Day |
| Water slides | 32 water slides |
| Children's areas | 3 children's areas |
| Website | ragingwaves.com |
Raging Waves Waterpark is a 58 acre [1] Australian themed waterpark located in Yorkville, Illinois, within the Chicago metropolitan area. The park opened to the public on June 28, 2008 as Illinois' largest waterpark[2]. With 16 attractions[3], the park offers 32 water slides, wave pool, lazy river, and three kiddie pool areas.[1] Originally opened as a family run and operated park[4], Raging Waves was sold to Bowlero Corporation in May 2024 and is operated by Premier Parks, LLC.[5]
The park operates seasonally from early June to Labor Day weekend.
History
editRaging Waves is an over 20 year dream of park co-founder Randy Witt who decided to exit the corporate world to pursue a business in the amusement industry. The first concepts of Randy's concept consisting of a go-kart racetrack and mini golf course. Later on, someone told Randy that he should add "one of those waterslides" and after some research, he abandoned the go-kart idea to pursue a water park business, a relatively new concept at the time.[6]
Randy and his wife, Dawn, and their kids would travel throughout the country for the next 20 years speaking to water park owners, operators, designers, and manufacturers.[6]
In 2004, Randy's brother-in-law, Scott Melby, would join Randy and Dawn, in forming a business partnership to reach out to investors and bankers to fund Raging Waves.[4]
In 2005, due to public opinion not in favor of building the park in Sugar Grove, Illinois, the Witt's purchased 45 acres of farmland in Yorkville and construction began in 2006. Construction delays and overruns followed as a result of the Great Recession.[4]
Raging Waves opened three weeks late on June 28, 2008 with 17 waterslides, lazy river, wave pool, and two kids areas. [6]
In 2012, an outside firm approached firm approached the park in installing a zip line which operated from 2012 to 2015, and demolished in 2017.
In 2013, the park added two dry attractions with
In 2024, Randy and Dawn decide to sell the park to the largest bowling center operator Bowlero Corporation for $49 million dollars. Bowlero partners with water park operator Premier Parks to manage the park.
Attractions
edit| Attraction | Picture | Year opened | Manufacture (Model) | Park Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wonambi | 2016 | ProSlide
(TornadoWAVE) |
Take on the challenge of our exhilarating 4-person raft ride, Wonambi! Towering 68 feet above the earth, riders will travel through the slithering path of the beast as they enter a 720° downward spiral. Picking up speed and intensity, riders will travel at speed over 30 mph as the soar up the 43 foot wave wall for a near vertical, zero gravity experience! Ranked one of the tops rides at Raging Waves, are you ready to brave the wave? Wonambi – It’ll Take Your Breath Away! | |
| Crocodile Mile | 2008 | ProSlide
(DarkMAMMOTH) |
||
| PJ's Plummet | 2008 | ProSlide
(FreeFALL) |
||
| Tasmanian Twisters | 2008 | ProSlide
(TurboTWISTER) |
||
| Cyclone | 2008 | ProSlide
(CannonBOWL) |
||
| Platypus Plunge | 2008 | ProSlide
(PipeLINE) |
||
| Aussie Mat Dash | 2021 | ProSlide
(RallyRACER) |
||
| Boomerang | 2008 | ProSlide
(TORNADO) |
||
| The Three Sisters | 2008 | ProSlide
(PipeLINE) |
||
| Wild Wallabies | 2018 | ProSLIDE
(TWISTER) |
| Attraction | Picture | Attraction type | Year opened |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Great Barrier Reef | Wave Pool | 2008 | |
| Kookaburra Kreek | Lazy River | 2008 |
| Attraction | Picture | Attraction type | Year opened | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kangaroo Falls | Play structure | 2008 | ||
| Koala Kove | Kids pool | 2008; expanded in 2015 | ||
| Quokka Nut Island | Kids pool | 2018 |
| Attraction | Attraction type | Opened | Closed | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Ol' Billabong | Swimming Pool | 2008 | 2015 | A swimming pool repurposed the now catch pool of Wonambi |
| Cowabunga | Zip Line | 2012 | 2015 | Operated by an outside vendor, this attraction
included four separate zip lines totaling 2,200 feet |
| Outback Road Rally | Pedal Carts | 2013 | 2016 | |
| Sea Lion Splash | Live Show | 2013 | 2013 | |
| Sinbad and the Search
for the Golden Pineapple |
Live Show | 2014 | 2014 |
References
edit- ^ a b Heron, Noreen (May 2021). "ILLINOIS' LARGEST WATERPARK – RAGING WAVES – OPENS FOR THE SUMMER ON JUNE 5" (PDF).
- ^ "15 Summers of Fun – Raging Waves". Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ^ "Attractions – Raging Waves". Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ^ a b c "About Page – Raging Waves". Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ^ "Largest Water Park In IL Bought By Bowlero: Report". Aurora, IL Patch. 2024-05-08. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ^ a b c "About Page – Raging Waves". Retrieved 2024-09-24.