PTR: Schlitterbahn KC

[chadster]

I attended coaster club day at Schlitterbahn KC on Aug 14, 2011 and had the pleasure of eating breakfast with Terry Adams. At the time, the name sounded familiar, it was only after about 30 minutes that I realized she was the COO of Schlitterbahn, how cool is that?!?! I suppose eating alone has it's privileges

 

So here is what's going on at Schlitterbahn KC. A few weeks ago they opened up an Aquaveyor that basically completes the short loop from the Kristal River back to the Torrent River. At 2:30pm on August 13th they opened the new slide tower. Okay, for you water park enthusiasts, the tower actually came from Wet-N-Wild in Las Vegas, has been fully refurbished, and rebuilt on a man-made island. Unfortunately, shortly after opening, they had to close the Comal Express and as of the 19th it remained closed for additional tweaking. As for the rest of the attractions, they are are putting the finishing touches on King Kaw rapids and were going to do their first test run of the pumps and whatnot on the evening of the 14th. They is still alot of work to be completed. This winter's snow and the spring's rain delayed their abilities to get the concrete poured and the slide tower erected as the work site was just too soft. But rest assured, it will all be up and running 100% by next season and very well could have additional components opened prior to the end of this season.

 

As far as next year is concerned, they will focus on guest amenities such as additional restrooms, a new swim up bar, and other eateries in the new section of the park.

 

As for their flagship property, look for something special to be announced. No, it won't be a new attraction, but a small adjustment to their operating schedule that will be welcomed by many a spring breakers.

 

So, thats that, on with some photos, and a construction tour!

Welcome to Schlitterbahn!

An overview of the park

Now this is a welcome addition! Basically, you load up your wristband in $5 increments so there is no need to worry about cash/credit cards in the park for drinks, food, or stuff!

If you don't want to wait in line, come during the week. They even encourage it!

This train one day will bring guests from the parking lot to the park for an additional charge.

And this area will eventually be similar to the San Antonio Riverwalk, will be open year round, and will ultimatley be connected to their resort hotel.

So here is an overview of the Torrent River screw and their original slide tower.

This screw is smaller than the new one they are installing for the King Kaw, but, it produces nice big waves that we all enjoy.

Basically, you enter the river, and then go position yourself in front of the giant wave maker on the upper right hand side of the photo.

The waves then push you thru the river and past a long line of people waiting for the Wolf Pack slide.

And then after about 15 minutes, dumps you off here.

The excess water from the slides also dump into the same general area.

Entering here will give you two choices. The first is to chose the left hand river that will take you to the master blaster, the middle takes you to the Raging River.

As you can see, there are tons of people wanting to get blasted. The far right river is a return from the Kristal River.

Swim up bar!

They even have a couple of kiddie areas.

Which are near the big blasting slide.

Speaking of, you float up here and take an aquaveyor to start your journey.

NERD SHOT!

So here is the end of the Raging River which dumps you into the Kristal River. You have two choices at this point. The first being to take the slow boat around the Kristal River, the other is to make a U-turn and head for the aquaveyor to send you to the front of the park.

Oh yea, I suppose you can also get out/in here too. So that would mean you have 3 choices.

For those of you who live under a rock, Schlitterbahn lets you bring in your own food and beverage. If you get here first, you can be under the teepee.

They also have lots and lots of free tubes.

Noted!

How about a construction tour of the Mighty Mo, Boogie Bahn, and King Kaw River? Yes you say? Ok, here goes. This will be a collection pond amongst other uses.

This would be a big belt that will take you from the river and then dump you into the King Kaw.

Giant screw motor.

Giant screw.

Conveyor belt nerd shot!

The belt will dump you off here, were you will either get out for the Boogie Bahn, float on down the river, or just plain get out.

This is what the business end of the giant screw looks like. I don't advise putting your fingers in here.

The new slide complex as seen from the unfilled King Kaw!

So let's begin our walk-thru shall we? Watch your head!

These people were like, what are you guys doing down there in an empty river

So once you enter, you'll be in a narrow channel which will run faster and have some ripples, it will then dump you in to a larger pool where you slow down, then do it all over again

and we're walking

you'll wind and twist and turn around the back side of the park, where, one day you will find tree houses!

Chris says that building back there will house boys rooms next year. And girls rooms too perhaps.

Part of the way thru, you will have the option to get out, or get in.

depending on which optioin you choose, you might float down more rapids, or, you might be lame and get out.

But if you do get out, you can get your boogie on on the Boogie Bahn

The excess water from the river that bring you down from the master blaster and from the Boggie Bahn will dump below and then rush out two tubes that will form the Might Mo tube chute. And just from what little water is being pumped in there now, you can tell that this will be one fast tube chute!

Here is where the Mighty Mo will begin.

And this is about where it will end.

One of these two guys owns Schlitterbahn, can you tell which one?

 

Anyway, thats it for the tour, hope you have enjoyed it! Next year promises to be an awesome year. This year, attendance has been up and as they make improvements will soon be the top destination in the midwest for waterparks, so come out before the season ends or for sure make a visit next year!

[disneyfan1313]

Great TR! Thanks!! It is great to see regional waterparks like this. I was surprised to see the lazy river color choice was "concrete" brown and not blue or white like most waterparks. Any idea why this is? Is it an attempt at theming?

[chrguy606]

I went on the last day of the operational year, and they had most of the attractions done and open. The river was especially nice, and hopefully everythin else will be too.

[-Edge of Beast-]

Yet again, great trip report! Schlitterbahn isn't my favorite water park, but it is definitely the cleanest and has the cleanest water! I can't wait to go again next year since I didn't go in 2011.

[gisco]

It will be nice to see everything up and running later this year!