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Jan 30, 2025

An Inside Look into the Real Cost of Building a Waterpark

Curious about the cost of building a water park? You're not alone. The answer is complex, with costs varying widely based on numerous factors. Let’s go over what influences the cost of building a waterpark and what you need to consider.


The Basics of Waterpark Costs

The cost of building a water park starts with the scale and size of the park, which are determined by a specific business model around which the park is developed. The model considers the daily and annual attendance the park aims to capture and ensures it is designed to meet those expectations while delivering an exceptional guest experience.


What Is "In-Park" Capacity?

In-park capacity for a water park refers to the maximum number of guests that can be reasonably accommodated at any given time.  In park is not a code driven number, although code can factor into the equation.   Several factors influence this number:

  • Ride and Attraction Capacity: The number of people each ride or attraction can handle at a given moment in time. People in the pool, in a line, on an attraction, etc.
  • Queue Space: Many attractions have a line – waterslides are the primary example. A slide complex is considered vertical capacity and is factored into the analysis.
  • Non-Aquatic Capacity: The capacity of dining areas, restrooms, retail, etc.
  • Passive and transitory: Guest moving around the park from point to point, guest in a deck chair, or in a cabana, etc.
  • Space Utilization: Deck yield is a major factor in park capacity. The area of deck will yield a higher or lower capacity based on the type of furniture.

Managing in-park capacity is crucial for ensuring guest satisfaction, safety, and operational efficiency. It includes everyone in the park, from those in a pool to those standing in line or using restrooms. Understanding in-park capacity helps determine the necessary size of the park to effectively serve its guests and meet revenue goals.



Daily Attendance vs. In-Park Capacity

Water park daily attendance and in-park capacity are two distinct metrics. Daily attendance refers to the total number of guests who visit the water park over the course of a single day, a cumulative count of all guests who enter from opening to closing time.

In contrast, in-park capacity refers to the maximum number of guests that can be comfortably accommodated within the park at any given moment.  In-park capacity guides decisions on park layout, ride capacity, facility sizing, and crowd management strategies.

It's important to note that daily attendance differs from in-park capacity. Guests come and go throughout the day, so a water park might experience 1.2 to 1.4 times its in-park capacity over the course of a day. This daily attendance contributes to the total seasonal visits.   A market and feasibility study, usually conducted by a specialized third party, provides insights into potential visitor numbers and pricing strategies. This study helps developers estimate the capital required and determine a project size that can generate a return on investment.


Factors Influencing Development Costs

Several elements impact the cost of developing a waterpark:

  • Land: The price of land varies widely based on location. In high-demand areas, land costs can be significant, potentially requiring incentives to offset these expenses.
  • Terrain: Developing flat land is generally less expensive compared to hilly or mountainous terrain. While each type of terrain has its own advantages and challenges, flatter land is usually more cost-effective but it does not suggest a superior park plan or experience. A small degree of elevation change can work to the plans advantage and add some texture to the park experience that is missing from a flat site.
  • Engineering Philosophy: There are vast underground and behind the scenes infrastructure which goes into a waterpark. This is far from a ‘one-size-fits-all’ situation.  There can be millions of dollars in cost differences due to design philosophy, material criteria, system specification, etc. Developers have seen upwards of a 2-million-dollar swings on projects (10+ acre). Many times, designs are created without knowing the end contractor which may lead to a design engineer being very conservative.
  • Soil Conditions: Each site has unique properties which could impact the site work costs- high water table, rock and granite, loose soils, etc. Soil can impact the cost of the project in some ways.
  • Weather: Same as soil, this can impact your project budget and schedule duration. Time = money on construction sites.
  • Utilities: Proximity to essential utilities, such as three-phase power, public water, and sewage systems, can help reduce overall costs. Lack of utilities at a site will require substantial capital to make happen and increase the project duration.
  • Theming: The park’s brand and thematic elements may play a crucial role in design and costs. Brand and theme are similar but different and a project would benefit from a clear brand identity early in the project to help inform the design and development team to make sure the desired theme translates into the park.
  • Labor: Construction labor costs can increase in markets with high union or prevailing wage rates or in markets that are very busy.



Features and Their Costs

When starting a water park project, it's crucial to avoid the common pitfall of focusing too much on specific features like rides and slides early in the planning process. This can lead to delays, spending money prematurely and even become a path to a budget bust. Instead, the initial emphasis should be on developing a solid business plan and determining the project's scale based on reliable market data.

The first step is conducting a market and feasibility study, which provides insights into potential visitor numbers, demographic trends, competitive analysis, and pricing strategies. The study helps estimate the capital required, forecast revenue potential, and assess the financial viability of the project from an investor perspective. Based on this data, developers can outline a realistic business model that aligns with market demands and financial goals.

With a robust business plan and a clear understanding of the market, the next step is selecting a suitable site. Factors such as accessibility, visibility, local climate, and proximity to other attractions are crucial in site selection. Once the site is chosen, a comprehensive site plan is developed, encompassing all major elements of the water park to ensure a cohesive and well-integrated design.

The site plan includes various components:

  • Water Features: These are the heart of the water park, including wave pools, lazy rivers, swim up bars, activity pools , and other aquatic attractions.
  • Ride Complexes: Detailed planning of ride complexes involves selecting a mix of thrill rides, family-friendly attractions, and kiddie rides to appeal to a broad audience that has suitable through put, marketability and future expansion capacity.
  • Deck Areas and Walkways: Ample deck space is essential for guest comfort, park navigation,  areas for lounging,  relaxation, and socializing. Shaded areas and seating arrangements enhance the guest experience.  Stroller friendly designs are also extremely critical.
  • Revenue Centers: These include food and beverage outlets, retail shops, cabana rentals, and other amenities that contribute to the park's revenue. Careful placement and design of these centers can maximize guest spending and satisfaction.


Throughout this process, it's important to maintain flexibility. Initial plans might evolve based on further research, feedback from stakeholders, or unforeseen challenges. By prioritizing a strong business foundation and a comprehensive site plan, developers can ensure that the water park project progresses smoothly, stays within budget, and meets its opening timeline.

Effective project management, stakeholder communication, and contingency planning are also crucial. Regularly reviewing progress, adjusting plans as needed, and addressing issues promptly will help keep the project on track. Working with a team experienced in designing and building water parks to guide you through these intricacies is crucial to a successful project. Ultimately, a well-planned and strategically executed water park project will not only meet but exceed guest expectations, ensuring long-term success and profitability.


Indoor vs. Outdoor Waterparks

Indoor and outdoor waterparks have many similarities but differ significantly in their business models:

  • Indoor Waterparks: Typically developed with a bed base (such as hotels), which helps justify the significant investment. They usually operate year-round, or very close to year-round. This can be preferable in locations with colder climates.
  • Outdoor Waterparks: Often seasonal, with a few exceptions for year-round tourist destinations like Orlando. Some novice developers may believe they can extend operating seasons beyond the norm; however, it’s important to consider practical limitations. In most locations, the labor pool required for extended operations is often unavailable, and potential guests, such as families, are often tied up with school schedules during these times.


Additional Considerations

When thinking about waterpark development, several other topics are worth exploring:

  • Permits and Regulations: Understand the necessary permits and regulatory requirements specific to the site and land you are on is vital.
  • Maintenance and Operations: Consider ongoing costs and operational needs.
  • Marketing and Customer Attraction: Develop strategies for drawing in and retaining visitors.
  • Case Studies: Learn from successful waterpark projects to see different approaches and outcomes.
Building a Development Team

Financing a waterpark can be challenging, especially for new developers. A credible development team with relevant expertise is crucial. ADG’s Planning Program is a valuable resource for early-stage developers to build a strong team and present a convincing plan. Contact us directly sales@aquaticgroup.com for more information and guidance to get your plan off the ground.


Building a waterpark is a complex but exciting venture. By understanding the many factors involved and planning carefully, you can create a successful and enjoyable destination for guests.


Written by Ray Lauenstein, Director of Business Development – Specialty Construction at ADG. 


For more information on ADG, visit our website at www.aquaticgroup.com or contact us at sales@aquaticgroup.com

Aquatic Development Group (ADG) is North America’s most respected designer and builder of water parks and water ride attractions. For over 50 years ADG has been providing design/build and equipment services to more than 4,000 aquatic facilities worldwide. ADG has installed more than 90% of all wave systems in the U.S. with their patented WaveTek® technology and has provided design/build and equipment services to more than 4,000 public, scholastic, resort and amusement facilities worldwide, winning numerous IAAPA Brass Ring and WWA Leading Edge Awards.


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