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]

Hydro Adventures
Previously known as Bluff Falls Water Park

Hydro Adventures is located in Missouri
Hydro Adventures
Hydro Adventures
LocationPoplar Bluff, Missouri, U.S.
Coordinates36°43′57.186″N 90°24′8.776″W / 36.73255167°N 90.40243778°W / 36.73255167; -90.40243778
StatusDefunct
OpenedMay 22, 2003 (2003-05-22)
Closed2020
OwnerUnited Parks, LLC
General managerEdgar Novoa
Operating seasonWater Park: May-September
Dry Park: Year-Round
Attractions
Water rides7
Websitehydroadventures.com

History

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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

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Water Rides

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Twisted Six

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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

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An aggressive water slide on which riders use a tube to slide down the pipeline.

Crashing Waves Bay

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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

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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

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A shallow water attraction for young children, featuring various age-appropriate slides, spouts and other water features.

Dry Attractions

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Ground Rides

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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

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An 18-hole miniature golf course.

Tailpipe Alley

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A challenging go-kart attraction for riders of appropriate age and height.

Missouri Bombers

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Park visitors can test their baseball skill in the park’s batting cages.

Triple Threat

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Hydro Adventures’ basketball attraction.

Midway Games

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  • Flying Frogs
  • Roller Baller
  • Pepsi Toss

References

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  1. ^ a b "Former Bluff Falls Waterpark under new ownership". Amusement Today. April 4, 2014.
  2. ^ "About Us". Hydro Adventures. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  3. ^ Heller, Marsha (July 1, 2020). "Hydro Adventures to remain closed for 2020 season". KFVS12. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "Hydro Adventures Overview". Better Business Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  5. ^ "Hydro Adventures Makes An Even Bigger Splash in 2015 With Lower Prices And New, Exciting Rides". Fox Radio Network. April 23, 2015.
  6. ^ "Dry Attractions". Hydro Adventures. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  7. ^ "Hydro Adventures (Poplar Bluff, Missouri, United States)".
  8. ^ "Home".
  9. ^ "Hydro Adventures to remain closed for the remainder of the 2020 Season". Amusement Today. July 2, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  10. ^ Ford, Jeremy (August 7, 2020). "Hydro Adventures Waterpark for sale". KFVS12. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  11. ^ "Missouri FEC & Water Park Online Auction".
  12. ^ "Missouri Water Park and Fun Center | Bill Ramsey & Associates, LLC".