By David J. Sangree
Summary: The latest biannual survey of indoor waterpark resorts in the U.S. and Canada by Hotel & Leisure Advisors, LLC (H&LA) indicates that the number of new indoor waterpark resort projects is expected to decline in 2009 after steady growth from 2004 through 2008. However, despite the economic recession in both the United States and Canada, a number of exciting new projects will be opening in 2009 which will create leisure opportunities for family travelers.
Our research indicates there are 132 open indoor waterpark resort properties in the United States and Canada. Of the total, 46 are considered “indoor waterpark destination resorts” offering more than 30,000 square feet of indoor waterpark space. Additionally, our survey found that in 2009 the growth in indoor waterparks in terms of square footage will be the smallest since 2004. There will be 13 openings of indoor waterparks and five expansions of existing indoor waterpark resorts projected for 2009. The 2009 openings include only two indoor waterpark destination resorts. There is still significant interest by developers to construct new indoor waterparks but, due to the current challenges of finding financing and investors for these entertainment-related projects, most projects are in a holding pattern.
Definition: An indoor waterpark resort is defined by H&LA as a lodging establishment containing an aquatic facility with a minimum of 10,000 square feet of indoor waterpark space and inclusive of amenities such as slides, tubes, and a variety of indoor water play features. Although numerous hotels bill their indoor pools as waterparks, those with less than 10,000 square feet should be categorized as properties with water features rather than as waterparks. H&LA has divided indoor waterpark resorts into two categories: hotel with indoor waterpark and indoor waterpark destination resort. A hotel with indoor waterpark is a hotel with an attached indoor waterpark with 10,000 to 30,000 square feet of indoor waterpark space where the indoor waterpark serves as an amenity of the hotel versus a true destination. An indoor waterpark destination resort is a resort with more than 30,000 square feet of indoor waterpark space and is considered a true destination resort, which families visit on a year round basis primarily to visit the waterpark and secondarily to visit other attractions or events in the area. An indoor waterpark destination resort will typically have a number of slides and pools and high quality theming. A hotel with a smaller indoor waterpark may offer only a few slides and pools and little or no theming.
Existing Supply: We have conducted a survey to determine the number of indoor waterpark resorts which were open as of year-end 2008 and those which are projected to open in 2009. The following maps indicate the number of open indoor waterpark resorts in the United States and Canada by state.
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