Local Findings: Baytown's Newest Attraction - Pirate's Bay Water Park
Thursday, July 15, 2010
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This week my Mother-In-Law called us out of the blue and said, "You guys HAVE to come. It's so cool and the kids are going to love it!" She offered to pay (SCORE!) and I had the chance to be my "blogger self" and take pictures of all the attractions to bring to you guys.
So, Pirate's Bay Water Park in Baytown, is it worth it?
About Pirate's Bay Water Park:
Pirates Bay features attractions for everyone with zero beach entry, a large active and colorful Pirate themed water play center complete with a large dumping bucket and an awesome array of spray nozzles, tot slides, and water guns, a 671 foot long lazy river and two large slide towers. Tower activities include fun for both the little ones and daredevils with everything from run-out slides to racing tubes.
The feature attraction is the Flowrider surfing machine which provides an endless moving mountain of water to emulate ocean surfing. The park also features a climbing wall, crossing challenge, and a small rectangular pool for lap swimming and programs such as swim lessons, and water volleyball.
I'm going to break it down into two simple sections What Momma Liked and Momma Improvements. Of course, these are totally my opinion and I'm open to hearing what other people think of the water park, but I feel honesty is key if our little town is going to successfully market this to the Houston Area families.
What Momma Liked:
- Play Areas: I have three children. With the youngest being 3-years-old, I was worried he would be left out being he can't do most of the slides, however, Pirate's Bay is VERY family friendly giving each age group plenty do do. There were two play areas for my little one and a relaxing area with splashing mushrooms.
- Crossing Activities: My older two (ages 6 and 8) liked being in an "older pool". There aren't any kidlets running around and they can do the crossing activities and the climbing wall. This area is where swim lessons take place (which we REALLY need to take).
- Slides: My children could do ALL, but the Space Bowl, mainly due to how deep the end pool is (8 ft.). Each were easy to do, fun, and lifeguards made it easy if it was your first time.
- Beach-Like Entry: All the play areas have a beach-like entry which makes it easy for my children (and myself) to get in and get out.
- Lazy River: When you're ready for a break from slides and stairs the lazy river is key to relaxing. It's great that it leads into both play areas somewhere along the way too.
- Life Jackets: They make it easy on you. Don't bring your floaties. Pirate's Bay supplies Life Jackets for children so you don't have to lug more than you have to.
- Seating: There is PLENTY of seating and shaded areas to "make base". If not on the reclining seats, you have gazebo type areas with picnic tables.
- Concessions: Prices are reasonable compared to other amusement parks I've been to.
- Coolers: LOVE LOVE that they allow you to bring in your own food and drinks. Stay away from alcohol beverages and glass containers.
- Season Pass: My Mother-In-Law bought our season pass for us and, with it, you get a souvenir cup. I know, I know... another cup to lug around, BUT you get free refills with that magic cup giving our pocket book a break. **Must present your Season Pass at concession stand**
Momma Improvements:
With our trip to Pirate's Bay I was easily sucked into everything I liked about it, but there were a few things I feel need improvement.
- FlowRider Line: This, by far, is the coolest attraction according to my kids. They get to actually go surfing. What I found was the line was always long and slow moving, which is understandable because it's so cool, however, the reason for it made me, as a parent, somewhat agitated. After watching my children stand in line, which felt like forever, my husband and I realized the multiple lifeguards on duty were taking turns surfing themselves. You know. One person would surf, then a lifeguard. Another person would surf, then a lifeguard. Not cool man, especially when paying customers are waiting their turn. Suggestion: Better management on what the lifeguards are actually doing. Hey, it's cool for them to take their turn (on their off time).
- Different Rules for Different Lifeguards: I found as each Lifeguard switched positions each one had different rules than the other. My children WANT to follow the rules, however, each lifeguard changed them in the play areas. Suggestion: Standardized training that gives each lifeguard understanding of what the rules actually are as not to confuse young children.
- Play Area Lifeguards: I understand monitoring the toddlers might get boring since the water is like an inch deep (okay, not that shallow, but you get my point), but can you leave the obvious flirting and inappropriateness to another time? Suggestion: Lifeguards show area parents you're responsible and that we can trust you to save our child's life if the incident ever arises. We need to trust you and then will we trust the park itself.
- Rain Chance: If it happens to rain while you're there, they don't issue rain checks or refunds for another day. Yep. You just lose your money all together. Suggestion: Buy a Season Pass and you won't have to worry about bad weather ruining your time.
A Look Inside:
Still not sure you want to visit Pirate's Bay? Take a peek into our visit:
***NOTE*** Since Whrrl no longer exists our slideshow is not working. Please stay tuned with individual photos to be posted. Thanks for your patience.
Visit Pirate's Bay:
Water park is located in Baytown, TX at 5300 East Rd. and open from 11:00am-7:00pm.
Admission: 48" and above $15.00, Below 48" $12.00, Resident Season passes are available. For more information visit: www.baytown.org/piratesbay
I love featuring my local readers:
Planning on going to Pirate's Bay with the family or visited any Momma Findings Local Finds? We'd love to feature you! All you have to do is send me an email, tweet me, or facebook me. I'll then be in touch to gather a picture of you at the place and additional information all to be posted here at MommaFindings.com.
Have you been to Pirate's Bay? I want to know what other area families think!
For a baytown attraction i thought it was neat but i didnt like it much. I have a family of four and it was frustrating to walk in and find that every tables reserved and there are no lawn chairs for me and my young ones to sit... In my opinion they need to have more tables and more chairs with umbrellas. also that day there were very many angry parents because the staff were getting rude because they over sold tickets and were not allowing people who do smoke to walk out and come in.. its not our faults the park over sold. and my children who are the ages of 2 and 4 didnt have as much fun as oppose to going to Schlitterbahn. I found that the kiddy area was fun but a little to compact. my son whos 2 kept getting ran over my slightly older children. over all the park was ok on a scale from 1-10 id give it a 6.
My first time to go to the park was last weekend. It was very crowded but I dont mind it. It is the only waterpark in this area besides in Mt.Belvieu. We went after 4 when it was discounted and that made it easier for us. It wasnt so costly for our group of 4. I have a 12 year old, 5 year old and 4 year old. There were alot of kids running in the kids area but I am one of those parents that will get on to other kids if they are too close to knocking mine down. I figure that if you cant watch your kids it gives me the opportunity to say something...if you dont like it then make them mind you...I have to look out for the safety of my little ones. I did enjoy the waterpark. My kids asked to go back. I will gladly do that today after 4 o'clock. I was able to get a locker last time we were there and I am hoping I will be able to again. I didnt pay much attention to the staff because I just feel like there are doing their job...if I feel they are being inapporpriate...I will say something. but that is me...I look forward to going rather it be busy or not. My kids love it and that is all that matters to me. :)
We enjoy Pirates Bay. We did buy a season pass & go there almost weekly.
My poor daughter 3.5yo as much as we explain "just go on your turn" she insist to get permission from the life guard standing beside her & they will IGNORE HER! And we are left screaming up at my daughter "GO!" ...
I understand its not their job to babysit but a simple "Go" or "Yes your turn" wouldnt hurt would it? Or am I out of line?
Also they want the kids in life jackets (understandable!) but sometimes the right size is not available so now we bring our own- which im not sure if its Lifeguard approved but my daughter feels safer in hers.
I really wish their height requirements were not so strict! My daughter wants to go on them so bad! She does great on all the rides at schlitterbahn.
I have called for hours to get prices on party paks and finally got someone on phone when she gave me another number to call to get a recording to call the previous number back. I tried for hours again to get the first number to answer and it just rang off the wall. If you can't even get a person to give the information to you that you need, what will it be like once you arrive?
I am a guard at Pirate's Bay, and we will be having a lot of changes with how our guards act next year. It was our first year and we were hit with some surprises including losing two of our supervisors. None of that excuses any of our guards being rude or not doing their jobs correctly. For that I am sorry and next summer it should be better. If you see something that you are not comfortable with the first aid room is attached to the office where our boss is, she is very nice and will help you with any problems. I hope that you all return next summer.
Hi, My dad is trying to find out where we buy out tickets.... Can you help? Do we buy them when we get there or??
Thanks!
I'm not sure where to buy the tickets, could you tell me where I get them? Do I buy them when I get to the gates or do I have to get them online or something?
Please email me at --> Lizzywheeler@att.net
The changes at Pirate's Bay for the 2011 season are really wonderful. My daughters and myself LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the Itty Bitty Beach parties on Wednesday mornings in June-just wish they had had them through July as well. My 7 year old loves it and enjoys her daddy days out there because mom is not such a big fan of water slides. It's very family friendly and in the times we have been have never encountered any rude staff or locals. The price has gone up$2 but that is expected. Also my husband and daughter got home a while ago due to rain and YES- They were issued RAIN CHECKS!
You have good information on your blog but you may want to do some updating on the price and the rain out policy. I do hope this is helpful to others in the area.
is pirates bay open for spring ! please let me now im looking foward to go