In what case is a more radical change required?
After a facility operator has reflected on the waterpark’s current season and audited the condition of the equipment, it may become apparent that something more significant than a thorough clean, fix, and polish is required. For instance, it may be identifying areas where particular guest demographics are underserved, the need to have a ‘hook’ for marketing seasons passes and considering the investment required for a new attraction, or perhaps it is figuring out a way to increase the revenue per guest by keeping them in the park longer.
That said, the following are three strategies a facility operator and/or manager can implement that can give a waterpark a new lease on life without investing in a new ride or attraction.
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Colour counts
A facility operator may not know they can completely change the colour of their waterslides without having to replace them. This investment is less than a new slide, but appears as though a new ride was installed. Ask any designer about the impact colour can have on freshening up an environment. This alone can help draw guests to an underused corner in a waterpark.
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Tell a new story
Most water play structures are able to have themed elements added to them, which can create a new look that ignites the imagination of younger guests. Play structures can even be renamed as a way to remarket it in communications. When kids dive into a world fuelled by their imagination, they tend to play peacefully for longer periods, which allow families to extend their stay and have happy memories of their day.
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Add Interactivity
Game overlay slideboarding can be retrofitted to slides by adding scoring light targets throughout the flume that riders need to ‘hit’ by pressing a button on their slideboard as they pass under them. With 64 levels and a smart system that recognizes riders and serves up their next level (and even music choices) when they return, it will keep them coming back to that slide as they attempt to beat their score and their friends.
It is never too late to add more water play elements to existing structures or to retrofit old ones as another way to add interactivity. Tipping buckets, water blasters, and other interactive elements can help add new life and playability to an older structure. Changing up play surfaces by replacing netting with a new deck or stairs can also help to freshen up the look.
