With temperatures hitting 100 degrees already, I am dreaming of one of my most favorite vacation locations, Schlitterbahn Waterpark New Braunfels. It is a rare thing for me, my husband, my teen and my tween to agree on something but our desire to visit this waterpark again is unanimous. Reminiscing on our last trip, I thought I would share some of the Do’s and Don’ts we will consider when we visiting the waterpark again in the future.
Do Your Research
Schlitterbahn Waterpark New Braunfels is the flagship location and can be found just outside of San Antonio, Texas. We visited the park as part of a larger San Antonio vacation but it definitely takes the entire day to enjoy the fun at the waterpark. It is separated into two sections, Schlitterban East and Schlitterbahn West which are both further divided into two sub-sections. The original park is Schlitterbahn West and is powered by the natural river water from the Comal River. The attractions in the original section use spring fed river water and stays 72 degrees (which can either be cold or refreshing depending on your perspective).
Do Plan your Strategy
With over 51 attraction set on 70 acres, this waterpark is enormous! Parking is ample and free. We recommend spending the morning in the East and riding the free tram to the West after lunch. The water in the West section is much colder and will feel great in the afternoon heat. The West also has lots of long tube rides perfect for relaxing (one is even 45 minutes long!) after the thrill rides in the East. If you did not purchase a Blast Pass (which we didn’t do), head for the attractions with typically long wait times such as the Master Blaster Water Coaster. (Pro tip: Is you stay at one of the lodging options at Schlitterbahn you get to enter the Blastenhoff section of the waterpark one hour early. I personally want to stay at The Treehaus Luxury Suites!)
Don’t Forget the Essentials
While you don’t want to be loaded down for your trip, there are a few items that were necessary for us.
- Sunscreen. Obviously.
- Water shoes. Forget fashion…the sidewalks are HOT and you will want to protect those piggies.
- Waterproof case for phone. I got this one from Amazon and loved that I could still use my phone for pictures and video to capture memories without the risk of getting it wet. I also purchased one for my teen so I could find her if we got separated.
- Towels. They are not provided at the waterpark and will cost you a pretty penny if you have to buy them.
- You are allowed to bring food and drink (except alcohol) into the waterpark but we opted to purchase inside the park. There are lots of options and the lines were not terrible.
- You do not need to bring life jackets or inflatable tubes as they are provided.
Don’t Lose Your Way
If your headed to the waterpark with your family, it’s best to set up a base camp or a designated spot to meet up in case you become separated. There are multiple options such as free tables and chairs, lockers and even elaborate cabanas for rent. When we visited Dollywood’s Splash County, renting a cabana was the best money we spent. However, because Schlitterbahn is so expansive, I didn’t feel like the cabanas were convenient as we never saw the same part of the waterpark twice. Instead, we rented a locker (which was $10 but you get a $2 refund when you turn in the key at the end of the day) and make it our home base for the day.
Also, you should know that some of the longer lazy river type rides have a “choose your own adventure” theme where you will have to choose which path to take. If you have young kids, you want to keep your group together or decide in advance which way you will go so you do not get separated.
Do Have a Blast at Schlitterbahn Waterpark!
Leave your fear and inhibitions at home! Be a kid again and make memories with your family that will last a lifetime. Have you been to a Schlitterbahn Waterpark? Let us know your tips in the comments below!
