I think the water rides actually make a bigger difference in the GP's perception. Having family near Michigan's Adventure, many locals buy season passes just to hang out in the waterpark. Add in tube rental, sunscreen sales, and others and a waterpark is a good addition to any park. It also can keep people in the park longer, because when people get too hot in the rides park, they can go to the waterpark to keep cool during the hotter part of the day.
-James Dillaman
It also establishes a continious water area in the park, you have this "Dry Zone" between the spashdown ride and the rollersoaker area, now it will be all water in that area. It makes a lot of sense to do it that way. I'm kinda sad to see the tinkertoy zone in Midway America but with the parks centenial next year they had to do something big, one ride would not be enough.
