Strength in numbers: a survey of the nation's waterparks reveals surprising results. Where does your park fit in?(2005 WATERPARK SURVEY)

If information is power, then waterpark operators don't have much of it--at least when it comes to statistics. Trying to find any aggregate statistical information about waterparks, beyond their hours of operation, is like trying to slide down a waterless slide: You don't get very far.

That's why we decided to do our own survey. Conducted online, the Aquatics International 2005 Waterpark Survey represents responses from nearly 300 waterparks across the nation. It's not a scientific sampling, but in the information-starved world of waterparks, it's valuable stuff--everything from where most waterparks are located to how much more they're paying for insurance these days.

In the end, it's information you can use. How you use it is up to you.

People and Places

Despite the visibility Of larger commercial waterparks in California and Florida, most are smaller, community-sized and generally located in the Midwest.

 
IN WHAT REGION OF THE COUNTRY IS YOUR PARK LOCATED? 
 
West            19% 
Midwest         38% 
South Central    5% 
Northeast       17% 
Southeast       21% 
 
WHAT IS YOUR WATERPARK'S 
ANNUAL ATTENDANCE? 
 
More than 300,000      8% 
200,000 to 300,000     8% 
100,000 to 200,000    14% 
50,000 to 100,000     21% 
25,000 to 50,000      19% 
Under 25,000          30% 
 
Note: Table made from pie graph. 
 
DO YOU HIRE INTERNATIONAL STAFF? 
 
Yes     29% 
No      71% 
 
Note: Table made from pie graph. 

Park Types