Adventure Bay Water Park Tips For Families
Pack the towels and sunscreen then plan on spending those hot Iowa summer days relaxing and splashing at Adventureland’s premier waterpark Adventure Bay. There is something for everyone including a wave pool, lazy river, water slides, and much more. Children will enjoy splashing at Shipwreck Shores and hanging out at Heron Harbor, while older kids and adults can race down an assortment of wild water slides. Plus…a special treat for the 21+ crowd…the swim-up bar is where you want to be for cocktails and comradery!
We spent a day splashing around at the park this summer and had a wonderful time! Today we’re sharing some tips to help you make the most of your visit to the Adventureland Water Park and Adventureland experience.
Is Adventure Bay Included in Adventureland?
The Adventureland water park is included in your Adventureland admission price. But keep in mind that the water park is not always open at the same hours as the amusement park. Be sure to check their website for dates and times of operation.
You’ll want to do the water park first thing in the morning. As the day gets longer and hotter, more people will find their way to the back of the park to cool off. If you do the water park first, you can avoid the crowds and schlepping all your pool stuff around while doing rides.
Adventure Bay is located at the very back of Adventureland. It is a good walk to get there so it helps to go early while your family’s legs are still fresh.
Be sure to bring a change of clothes that you can wear over your swimsuit. Clothing is required to enter Adventureland Park.
You might also think about bringing a travel towel that packs up small so you have less to carry around – wet towels get heavy! We spent time drying in the sun while enjoying an ice cream cone so we weren’t too wet by the time we were ready to leave and enjoy the regular park rides.
How to Get a Seat at Adventure Bay
Snagging a sun chair is important to have a home base at Adventure Bay Water Park. The earlier you get there, the better chance you have of finding a good spot.
We managed to score some lounge chairs in the shade under the big water slides, but a little bit of shade is hard to come by.
We always had at least one person watching our spot (we were there with my parents and sister so there were plenty of adults), but I would feel safe leaving my items on the chair.
We get nervous at big, busy pools with a three-year-old and it just helps us feel better if he has his life jacket on. Almost all the young children I saw were also wearing life jackets.
I did keep my phone on me in a waterproof pouch that hung around my neck in a super cool way, but you can also rent lockers for $10. If you don’t want to worry about finding a chair or place to set your stuff you can rent a cabana for the day for $55 – $200, depending on the season and cabana location.
Do You Need Money at the Water Park?
Admission to Adventure Bay family water park is included with your Adventureland park ticket, but you will need to pay if you want to rent an inner tube for the lazy river or wave pool. Tubes are not required to enjoy these attractions but we enjoyed using them. The slides that require tubes are free to use but you can’t use the slide tubes elsewhere.
Adventureland is cashless so make sure you have your debit or credit card on you!
Are There Life Jackets?
There are plenty of complimentary life jackets you can use, or you can bring your own.
Please note, that the water park feels very safe with lots of lifeguards at every slide and patrolling the water areas. There is no standing water in the children’s area – just lots of sprinklers, fountains, and water slides.
My final tip for parents is to join in on the fun! I had a great time enjoying the water park, probably just as much as my young son and he had a blast! Don’t be afraid about embarrassing yourself by going down a water slide or surfing the waves on an inner tube because you will have a ball and make good family memories while you are at it.
We had a great time at Adventure Bay Iowa and I hope you get a chance to visit soon! If you have visited recently, do you have any tips to add to the list? I’d love to hear them!
Other Adventureland Resources to Save!
- How to Get Discounted Adventureland Tickets
- Top Tips for Visiting Adventureland Park
- Adventureland Inn – A Great Family Escape
Frequently Asked Questions
Adventureland is currently owned by Palace Entertainment.
Adventureland Inn offers fun suites and an indoor waterpark families will enjoy after riding rollercoasters all day!
Yes! Purchasing a gift card is a great experience gift. They can be used towards single tickets or season passes.
Yes! Take a look at our full list of festivals and carnivals happening throughout central Iowa this Summer and save the date for the annual Iowa State Fair too!
