Travel Tuesday-Wet N Wild Splashtown

It is getting hotter and hotter.  How are you cooling off this summer?  What plans to do you have for you and your kids?  We like to cool off at waterparks.

This is a sponsored post in collaboration with USFG and Wet'n'Wild Splashtown.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience. 

Thanks to Wet'n'Wild Splashtown for inviting my family for a visit to come check out the multi-million dollar transformation which includes the new look, the new attractions, the updated facilities and so much more.

One of my favorite areas was Wet 'n' Wild Jr.  It has an expanded kid's area that includes eight water slides, including a body slide and triple track racer, an extreme gushing spray tower, a continuously drenching waterfall as well as jumping spray fountains.  There are seats along the walls so you can be close to your kiddos.  There is a toddler-only play zone with additional shading, floor bubbler, and a clam shell toddler slide. 

We had an awesome time.  This was the perfect way for our family to cool off.  This is a great place for the entire family to enjoy this summer.

For more information, go to www.wetnwildsplashtown.com.

Houston-Check ALL NEW Wet'n'Wild SplashTown

Disclosure-I a USFG blogger.  This is a sponsored post.

Houston is Hot!  My family and I are water babies.  Everyone needs to cool off some how, right?  Growing up there was a waterpark we all headed to in the Summer, Splashtown. 

This is not the waterpark we grew up going to.  It is all new, introducing Wet'n'Wild Splashtown.

Wet'n'Wild SplashTown is Houston's largest and closest water park with over 80 acres of water park Fun.  Featuring over 42 rides and attractions, Wet 'n' Wild SplashTown offers something for everyone including an extraordinary collection of the wettest and most thrilling water rides including Tornado, RipQurl and Texas Freefall.  Experience the parks newest attractions, Big Kahuna, an unforgettable mega-thrill raft ride that blasts through a whitewater journey filled with alternating tunnels and plenty of twists and turns.  Younger visitors can play in their own version of the wettest thrills when they will step into Wet 'n' Wild Jr., the new interactive children's area.  Visitors of all ages and skill level can catch the continuous, perfect wave on the FlowRider double, which means more than one can ride at a time - doubling the fun!

For the most up to date information, visit the parks website at wetnwildsplashtown.com.  For all other park inquiries, please send a detailed message to info@wetnwildsplashtown.com

Check them out on their social media channels as well:

https://www.facebook.com/Splashtown
https://twitter.com/WnWSplashTown

World's Tallest Roller Coaster-Schlitterbahn Galveston

***Disclosure-I am a USFG blogger.  I am sharing this in exchange for complimentary passes for my family.

Have you ever been to Schlitterbahn Galveston? 

Did you know Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Indoor Waterpark has been around for 10 years now.  It was built in 2006.  This waterpark is located on historical Galveston Island and has been voted as the World's Best Indoor Waterpark for 8 straight years. This park features more than 33 attractions and a mile long Transportainment River system.

There are different types of waterslides.  There are different variations but most fall under these 3 -

1)  Gravity-which is a traditional water slide like the Screaming Serpents or Cliff Hanger

Travel Tuesday-Schlitterbahn Galveston Island

2)  Blasters-that can have drops, used with tubes or rafts.

3)  Water Coasters-To celebrate its 10 year anniversary, Galveston will be unveiling a new ride, which will be the world's tallest water coaster - MASSIV!

What's a Water Coaster?  A water coaster is a water ride that has multiple uphill sections, uses a ride vehicle (boat, tube, or raft), and has other ride elements (spirals, fish ladders, water screens, etc.) to deliver a thrilling and fun filled ride.

Head on over to Schlitterbahn.com to plan your next visit and make sure to follow online and enter any of the contests on Schlitterbahn Waterparks, Schlitterbahn South Padre Island, Schlitterbahn Galveston, or Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Facebook pages.  Your next visit could be FREE.

Waterpark Tips for Frugal Moms

***Disclosure-Sponsored Conversation.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

It is HOT outside and it is waterpark time.  Going to a waterpark does not have to break the budget.  So before you head to the waterpark, here are some frugal tips:

1)  Feed the kids before heading to the park.  Save money by eating breakfast at home.  Remember the saying, you must wait 30 minutes before you head into the water.  This way your food will have already gone down and you won't have any upset tummies.  This is also a good way to get your kids to eat all their foods.

2)  Plan your day.  Get more bang for your buck, get to the park early so you can stay all day.  

3)  Pack lunch.  Bring a family cooler full of food your family loves.  I suggest cubing watermelon and freezing it.  This will keep it cool and it will be ready to eat when the family is ready for a snack.  Bring lots of water.

4)  Pick the perfect spot that makes since for you.  I like to be close to the restrooms but not too close.  I have a toddler that we seem to live in the restroom with lately.  Do you want to be in the sun or will you need shade?

5)  Protect yourself from the sun.  You don't have to break the bank to protect the family from the sun.  The dollar store carries sun glasses, and hats.  Use the money you save there to buy a good sunscreen.  And remember to reapply.  I would reapply all the family when you take a break for lunch.

6)  Have fun!  Try the water slides.  Sit on a tube on the lazy river.  Lay in the water.  Make memories with your kids.

So head on down to Galveston to Schlitterbahn.  Their parking is free, no tube rental fee, and their food prices are reasonable and healthy options abound.  Did you know the Schlitterbahn in Galveston is the World's favorite indoor park?  And don't forget to try the inland surfing ride, the Boogie Bahn.

Travel Tuesday-Schlitterbahn Galveston

Disclosure-I am a member of USFG.  I wrote a sponsored post Mom's Ice Chest Challenge #BahnCooler and in return I received four complimentary passes to Schlitterbahn Galveston.  All opinions stated are my own based on our own personal experience.

This Summer has been a rainy one, and on our schedule has been a day at Schlitterbahn Galveston.   Rain or sun shine, we were making it a Sunday Family Fun Day. 

Oh what a difference 1 year makes.  This is my Lil Bit.  Last Summer, she was at 29" and this year she is at 33".  But that is not all that has changed at Schlitterbahn Galveston, the Screaming Serpents is a new addition.

My son and I rode down the this slides that twist and inter twine and when you come out, you aren't where you started.  This was such a fun slide.

On our way to this I hit a part of the waterpark I had never been too, believe or not.  We have our favorite places we normally go to with our first stop being the lazy river.  This time we decided to walk around the entire waterpark and I discovered a whole another side of the waterpark I had not seen.

There is a beach volleyball court.  You can join in a game anytime.  There were games going on all day long.  What was so nice is that you didn't even have to know the people.  Everyone just joined teams and started planning, so much fun!

We were having so much fun, all the water fun, and fun in the sun made us hungry.  We packed #BahnCooler ready with snacks and drinks.  But just one sniff of the pizza and we were sold.  We got a large pizza to share.  We were so full after we ate we needed to take a break.  I was telling my husband, "All that is missing now is a big hammock to take a nap"....and voila!



 



The weather was perfect.  While my daughter took a nap I was able to ride more rides with my teen.  What a wonderful day we had, until next time. 

 



Sunday Family Fun day at Schlitterbahn Galveston

***Disclosure-I received family passes in exchange for a sponsored conversation on Facebook, Twitter, and a giveaway.  Any and all opinions expressed are my own based on my personal experience.

We headed south for a fun day with the family.  But guess what, it started raining.  We had already made plans and my husband had even taken the day off.  We were thinking what should we do?

Then we remembered Schlitterbahn has an indoor water park section that is always open.  Plus, my friend was planning on doing her son's birthday party there and they were not cancelling.

We arrived!  Rain or shine we were going to have some fun.  First thing - first - pick our spot!

My friend set up her son's birthday party  in this section where there are picnic tables for all guests to use.  You get there and you can set your stuff on there.  There is plenty of room and a lot of tables.  This is just one section of the park where there are tables available.

Schlitterbahn is great for all ages.  Even if you have little ones.  There are signs all over the park.  Checking

what rides your kids can and cannot ride is so easy.  And most, they can still ride as long as they are accompanied by an adult.  If you have a daredevil like my daughter, then you won't have a problem getting on most rides.  You also do not need to worry if you have kids that do not know how to swim or are beginners, there are life guards all over the park.

The life guards are trained.  They are also not in the same spot all day long.  They rotate around all day.  This is great to me because it keeps them alert.  We did spot the Bahn boys when we were on the lazy river.

We had so much fun.  The rain did not stop our fun.  The water park stayed open all day long.  We had our picnic, enjoyed the entire water park, and made great memories.

 As we walked to our car, the kids did not want to go home.  But we will sure be back to have some more fun in the sun?  Yeah, maybe next time the sun will come out for us?

Where are you headed next weekend?  Schlitterbahn- Galveston, San Marcos, South Padre, or Kansas?

And the Winner is...Schlitterbahn Tickets

Congratulations goes to...

Kim C. said...
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June 24, 2013 at 1:34 PM

- See more at: http://www.independentmami.net/2013/06/giveaway-schlitterbahn-waterparks.html#sthash.1j1ypTmc.dpuf

Had a hard week and you need to relax, head on down Schlitterbahn....  (Galveston)

1)  Wasserfest Swim-Up Bar and Heated Pool: Year-Round

2)  Kristal River

3)  Kristal Beach

4)  Blastenhoff Heated Pool

Go to Schlitterbahn.com and use the day planner to plan your water fun!

Schlitterbahn Galveston Featuring Kids' Areas

***Disclosure-I received complimentary passes for my family.  All opinions stated are my own.

We are headed to Schlitterbahn Galveston not this weekend but next.  I am so excited and I cannot wait.  I am ready to ride the rides and do some slides.  There is something for everyone in the family.  Big or small.

Here is the two I am most excited about:

1)  Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride

I have been wanting to zipline since my honeymoon.  1/4 mile flight, It goes backwards and forwards too.

2)  Boogie Bahn: Year-Round

If you saw my post, Travel Tuesday-South Padre Island Schlitterbahn you saw that I tried this and had so much fun!

Just in case you are wondering, Schlitterbahn is so baby, toddler, and kid friendly.  I know most parents dread going places where they cannot take the kids, but there is so much for them to do.  

Here are some kid friendly areas:

1)  Tiki Tikes

There is no height requirement.  This is a kid's play area.  It also includes slides that are their size.

2)  Treasure Island Kids' Play Area and Pool

My daughter loves slides.  The pool is shallow so it is perfect for your little ones.

The next two places are open year round because this is an INDOOR water park in case you didn't know.

3)  Torrent Beach Kids' Area

4)  Wasserfest Kids' Area

Remember hot or cold, rain or shine-this park is open!!

Schlitterbahn-Waterpark Survival Tips

***Disclosure-4 passes were donated to my family.  All opinions are my own based on my personal experience.

Are you headed to the waterpark?  We are but before we head out we need to pack.  I hate getting to a place and someone is missing.  So this time I am making a check list before packing our bags.  Here are the items on my list:

 1. Swim shoes or flip flops – Schlitterbahn parks are among the largest in the nation.  The temperature has been very high lately.  Hot concrete can make your feet melt.  Make sure you plan ahead and get water shoes, flip flops, or some kind of protection from the hot concrete.  Especially for walking toddlers.  I use $1 flip flops, but whatever works for you.

2. Suncreen – Water rides remove the best in sunscreen. Apply, ride, repeat.  Skin cancer is not a joke.  Neither is a sunburn.  Protect yourself from those UV rays even when the clouds are out.  They have sunscreen you can spray on the kids even when they are wet.  Find the right one that fits your needs.  My rule of thumb is sunscreen then load up.  That way it is dry by the time we get to the waterpark.  It is as important as putting sunscreen on the first, REPEAT.  I usually do this when we take a break for lunch.  I rub or spray everyone down, then they will be ready after they eat to hit the water again.

3. Pack a lunch – Schlitterbahn allows ice chests, but no glass or alcohol. Water, water, water everywhere.  Make sure you drink a lot of water.  Pack enough water for everyone to stay hydrated during your waterpark outing.  If you are going to pack a lunch, pack in seal tight containers or zip lock bags.  I pack lots of fruits and veggies, bite size or snack size, so they are easy to just grab and go.

We always leave room for funnel cakes!!

4.  Bag - Bring a bag for the wet clothes.  I always forget this one.

So who is ready for the waterpark, I am!!

***CLOSED***Giveaway-Schlitterbahn Waterparks

***Disclosure-I will be receiving complimentary tickets for my family in exchange for this post.  Any opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

Last month in my post Aren't you suppose to be on Vacation, I told you about my awesome get-a-way trip (sponsored) to South Padre Schlitterbahn Resort.  Summer has begun, the kids are out of school, and the weather is perfect to hit their waterparks. 

Need some excuses to hit the waterpark:

1) INDOOR WATERPARK-Worried about being in the sun all day?  No worries because with an indoor waterpark you can stay nice and cool and away from the sun.  You can bring the babies and toddlers without risk of being in the sun too long.  (Schlitterbahn is America’s #1 waterpark for 15 years and has won awards for the best indoor waterpark, best waterpark ride, and best new ride.)

2) SURFING 101-If you read my post last month, you know I did the Boogie Bahn and had a blast.  It was so much fun!  I never had tried surfing but this was so much fun to try and actually do.  If my 14 year and I can do it, so can you!! (Schlitterbahn has been the birthplace of nearly every waterpark ride innovation including the world’s first uphill water coaster and the inland surfing ride, the Boogie Bahn.)

3) Need more reasons or excuses to grab the family and go to these waterparks because there is more than one.  And each is different and has so much fun things to do.

Every park has a claim to fame:
· New Braunfels: So much fun to relax and enjoy this tude ride! (World’s longest tube ride; America’s Favorite Waterpark)

· South Padre: So cool.  You don't even have to walk because of the interconnected river feature.  (World’s first Transportainment system where interconnected rivers are queue lines for rides.)

· Galveston: So close to home for us.  (World’s favorite indoor park)

· Kansas City: We haven't been here, not yet but have it on our bucket list.  (Midwest’s longest tubing adventure)   4)  It won't cost you and arm and a leg with a special discount via this link-  http://www.schlitterbahn.com/bloggers   The promo code for the 2 day $7 Off discount is 299000334

The promo code for the $5 off discount is 299000335

Valid at ALL Texas Schlitterbahn Parks!

5)  BEST REASON EVER...BYOP!! You can bring your own picnic.  Bring your own cooler.  (No alcohol or glass containers, coolers will be checked)  Schlitterbahn saves mami’s budget by offering free parking, and free life jackets.  Food prices are reasonable and healthy options abound.  

Well I will give you one more reason, win free tickets here!! 

How to enter:  

1)  MANDATORY-You must be a blog follower, and tell me your favorite park or ride at Schlitterbahn. (1 entry)

2)  Facebook Share- Make sure you tag Schlitterbahn’s FB page (1 entry/per share/per day)

3)  Tweet.  (1 entry/per tweet/per day)  

Enter to #win @schlitterbahn #BahnFever #giveaway @independentmami ends 7/18   http://tinyurl.com/mowz7j6


This giveaway ends 7/18/13 at 5 am.  1 winner will be randomly selected.  You must leave your email in the comment.  US only.  The winner will have 24 hours to claim their prize.  Winner will receive 2 Schlitterbahn tickets from sponsor.    

Texas Summer Bucket List and Offers

***Disclosure-No compensation was reeived.  Informational post only.

Do you have a Summer Bucket List for the Family?  Do you need some ideas?  Are you on a budget?  Staycation an option?

Here is a list of special offers for this summer-

Six Flags Fiesta Texas - Save $15


Hawaiian Falls - Save $7

Splashtown - Save $7

Moody Gardens - Save up to $12
NRH2O - Save $5
Water Works - Save $3
Bahama Beach Waterpark - Save $2
Granite Beach Waterpark - Save $2
Shore Club at Volente Beach - Save $3
Adventure Landing - Dallas - Buy One Get One FREE
Other Great Texas Deals-

Save $10 Off Harlem Globetrotters Summer Skills Clinics

Don't forget about Kids Bowl FREE This Summer with AMF!!!

Travel Tuesday-Schlitterbahn South Padre Island Beach Resort

Disclosure-Thanks to Schlitterbahn South Padre Island Beach Resort for hosting my family and other bloggers for 2 nites/2 meals.  All opinions expressed are based on my personal experience and as always are my honest opinions. 

My family and I had a wonderful experience this past weekend.  We have visited Schlitterbahn parks before and have always had a wonderful experience but this resort takes the cake.  We actually felt like we had left Texas.  I know South Padre is an Island but in Texas.  We felt like we were in Cozumel or somewhere tropical.  The weather was wonderful, remember we are in May.  The weather has been crazy - one day cold and one day hot, or even both on the same day.  But you don't have to worry about that when you go to Schlitterbahn as they are an indoor waterpark. 

The part I really enjoyed was learning the history behind this new beach resort and waterpark.  Do you remember the Bastrop fires that burned for days on end?  I do.  We pray hard, and pray hard, and pray hard until finally the fires were controlled. 

In 2011 over 32,000 acres were destroyed in the Bastrop fire. The resort was been built using logs from the fire - logs saved from the chipper and instead turned into everything from sculpture to tables, from outside walls to night stands and cabinets.

In August of 2012 the park did a soft opening of the brand new 221 room resort on the beach. The resort is combined with an indoor waterpark featuring 9 different rides/attractions including a wave river, two five story tall water slides and a pirate themed kids area.

 It's an amazing example of sustainable building practices. Frankly the entire resort is a testament to Texas style recycling - over 3 miles of 3 inch mooring ropes of dozens of ships are painstakingly wrapped around giant concrete structural poles on the new upstairs 10,000 square foot patio, for example. The retractable greenhouse roof that covers the indoor waterpark is from an old Schultz nursery. Even the check in counter is from salvaged walnut trees pulled from a road project in Kansas. But it's the Loblolly pines that have the most dramatic effect, especially to those who know the story of the fire.
  Everywhere you look, you will see items that have been repurposed around the park.  The wood, the craftmanship, and the design are so beautiful to the naked eye.  If you DIY, you will love all the cool wood pieces all over the resort.    Reasons why you should visit:   1)  You can bring your own food, and water.  You can even bbq.  They have bbq pits and cabanas.

 2)  You need to experience the BoogieBahn Surf Ride at least once.  (young and young at heart)

3)  Water, water, and more water...fun in the sun

4)  Beach.  Room with a view. 

5)  Baby, toddler, and kid friendly.  (indoor waterpark that stays at 80ish degrees, heated pool that stay 80ish, and plenty of kid friendly areas)

There is so much to do, and I can go on, and on.  Right when you walk in with the Sea Trek tank full of fishes that caught my daughter's attention to all their safety features all over the park and resort.  The experience was great.  The staff was wonderful.  The shuttle driver didn't know who I was and started telling us about all the park and resort's history.  We were able to leave our stuff in one place and not have to worry about it.  Our room had a kitchen and we cooked our breakfast.  We also were able to keep milk and drinks for the kids in the refrigerator.  The room also had a washer and a dryer which was awesome.  We dried all our wet clothes after being in the waterpark all day. We had plenty of living space and everyone had a bed.  The twin bunk bed knook with a fan and a tv was my son's favorite part of the room.   So if you are looking for a place to visit this is the place to do it all.  For more information, visit http://www.schlitterbahn.com/spi/