Know Before You Go

Waterpark Rules

• All persons entering the waterpark enclosure must pay the appropriate fee.
• Children under twelve (12) years of age must be supervised by a guardian sixteen (16) years and older, at all times.
• Non- swimmers and small children must have an adult within arm’s reach at all times.
• Lifeguards are on duty to respond to aquatic emergencies. Parents, please watch your children.
• Please refrain from talking to the lifeguards while they are on duty.
• Waterpark attractions may include activities that are strenuous and inappropriate for persons with health restrictions.
  • Users must be in good health.
  • Pregnant women, individuals with heart conditions, or any individuals under the care of a physician should not engage in strenuous activities.
  • Users must observe and evaluate attractions for risk to personal health and safety before participating.
• For your safety, only authorized staff are allowed in the filter buildings, storage rooms, chemical rooms, control areas, kitchens, staff areas, and offices.
• NOVA Parks waterparks are smoke-free facilities.
• Pets, other than assistance pets, are not permitted within the waterpark enclosure.  Pets are not permitted in any pools or waterslides.
• Children 6 years of age and older must use appropriate locker rooms. Please use discretion when bringing children of opposite sex into the locker rooms.
• Additional waterpark-specific rules may apply.  Please refer to all posted signs.

Swim Attire

• All persons must wear appropriate swimming attire, acceptable to the standards of the community and meet Health Code requirements.
• Gym pants, cutoffs, and street clothes are not considered swimming attire.
• No rivets, zippers, or buttons are permitted on waterslides.

Use of Pools

• Please shower before entering the water.
• Only children six (6) years of age or under, supervised by an adult, may use the infant wading pools.
• Non-toilet trained guests must wear a swim diaper in all pools.
• Persons unable to demonstrate to the lifeguard their ability to swim and handle themselves well in water will not be allowed in water over their shoulders.
• Persons with skin disease, open wounds, nasal or ear discharge, inflamed eyes, diarrhea, or any communicable diseases are not allowed in the water.
• Diving is not permitted in any pool.
• Running, pushing or horseplay is prohibited.
• Mermaid tails or other toys deemed dangerous or inappropriate for pool use by waterpark staff are not permitted.  Plush water balls and sand toys are permitted as long as they do not interfere with other guests’ ability to enjoy the waterpark.
• The actions and conduct of organized groups are the responsibility of the group leaders.  Misconduct of any group member may be considered action by the entire group and may subject the entire group to the consequences.
• Profanity and abusive language or behavior is prohibited.
• NOVA Parks assumes no responsibility for personal property.
• In the event of an electric storm, the pool and deck area must be vacated immediately.

Personal Flotation Devices

• Only United States Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices are permitted.
• Children using personal flotation devices require direct one-on-one adult supervision.
• Water wings, swim noodles, inner tubes, or other personal flotation devices not approved by the Coast Guard are not permitted.

Food and Beverage

• Outside food or beverage is not permitted in the waterparks. Baby food and water are allowed. Parks are not permitted to store food for guests.
• Chewing gum is not permitted.
• Management must approve of any exceptions for persons with disabilities or special needs regarding food and beverages.
• Glass containers are prohibited.
• Food and beverages, purchased from the waterpark concessions stand, are only allowed in designated areas

General Waterslide Use  

• Please refer to specific posted waterslide rules at each waterpark.
• Only one person is permitted on a waterslide at a time.
• Slides are restricted to persons weighing less than two hundred and fifty (250) pounds.
• Handheld or loose objects (i.e. sunglasses, towels, sunscreen bottles, etc.) are not allowed on the waterslide.
• Sliders must ride feet first, sitting down.
• Standing, sitting, kneeling, rotating, tumbling, stalling and stopping are strictly prohibited while riding the waterslide flume.
• Rafts or flotation devices of any type are not permitted.
• Sliders must exit the waterslide landing area immediately.
• Each slider must wait until the preceding user has cleared the landing area before sliding.

Waterslide Height Over 10 feet

• Waterslides may be considered a strenuous activity.
• All riders must wait in turn to enter the flume start when directed by the lifeguard supervising the activity.
• Please see posted height restrictions for slides (Atlantis, Volcano Island, Great Waves 48” or taller; Pirate’s Cove, Ocean Dunes 42” or taller).
• Pulling, propelling, or other accelerated starts into the flume are not allowed.
• Users must slide in a position of feet first while lying on backs with arms crossed over chest.  Arms, hands, and legs must remain inside the flume at all times.

The health, safety, and comfort of our visitors are our top priorities. To maintain a safe environment, we have a capacity procedure that limits the number of individuals allowed in our facility at any given time.

Why We Have This Policy

This policy helps us:

• Ensure safety: Avoid overcrowding.
• Maintain a comfortable experience: Allow all visitors to enjoy the facility without feeling cramped or rushed.
• Follow local guidelines: Comply with all relevant safety or health regulations.

How It Works

• Real-time updates: This facility has a set maximum capacity based on Health Department requirements that we continuously monitor based on admission of daily visitors, Annual Passholders, groups, and other reservation guests. Once we reach this limit, we temporarily suspend ticket sales or admissions to new arrivals.
• Wait time: If we are at capacity, you may need to wait before ticket sales resume. Some parks offer alternative options for your visit like mini golf, batting cages or other park activities.
• Pre-factored bookings: To ensure a smooth experience, we pre-factor in visitors with reservations that include admission to the waterpark such as shelter reservations that require admission tickets, reserved groups, reserved birthdays, reserved special events, etc. This allows us to account for those who have reserved spots in advance, ensuring their places are secured, while still managing available space for same-day walk-ins.

What You Can Expect

• When we are at capacity: Admission sales and entry may be closed until space becomes available. We encourage you to check our website and social media for real-time availability before you leave home.
• We will admit new guests as other depart. Please be advised that not every guest leaving the waterpark will result in one admission.  Guests with re-entry ability will not be considered exited until their final departure.
• Advanced notice: In some situations, we may notify visitors ahead of time when we expect to reach capacity or close temporarily. This is typical on weekends, holidays, and great weather days.
• Weekends & Holidays: Waterparks typically hit capacity within the first hour after opening on weekends, hot weather days and holidays.  Typical guest visit times range from 2-4 hours, although guests have the ability to stay all day.  Please consider this when planning your waterpark trip.  Once capacity has been reached, general admission may not resume for several hours. 

Thank You for Your Understanding!

We understand this may be inconvenient at times, but these measures help ensure that everyone can enjoy their visit safely and comfortably. Thank you for your patience and cooperation!  If you have questions about our procedures, please reach out to the waterpark through social media or email or ask to speak to a manager when at the waterpark.

For your safety, all waterpark guests will be cleared from the water in the event of thunder or lightning indicated on our lightning detection system. The pools will remain closed until our system indicates that it is safe to return to the water.

Facilities may delay opening or close early due to dangerous weather, low attendance, rain, air temperature below 70 degrees, mechanical failure or other safety reasons. We reserve the right to suspend admission sales in the event of potential inclement weather.  

If The Rain Won't Go Away, You Can Come Back Another Day

• If operations are suspended for 30 minutes or more prior to 4:00 pm, guests can exchange their receipt for an all-day rain check.
• If a rain check is issued and the pool reopens, guests will be required to use the rain check to gain re-admission into the facility.
• During the last two hours of operations, only “After 4:00 PM” rainchecks will be issued.
• No refunds or early issued rain checks will be given.
• You must present your receipt to be issued a rain check.
• Rain checks are valid for the remainder of that current season (Unless otherwise noted).