Our favorites, unfortunately, seemed to run from one end of the park to the other. We liked the family tubes--where up to five could ride in the same tube, so we could all be together--like Kowabunga and Congo Bongo. Our favorites though were Black Thunder, an extremely, fast, fast ride in the dark, a double tube ride. It was excellent. Another favorite was Flashflood, a rollercoaster-type ride that ends at the bottom in water. Whoever designed this ride was a genius. The only way out of this is by walking over the bridge, where the ride thrusts water onto the bridge. Timing is perfect. There are metal bars to hang onto, and if you're not, you could get knocked off your feet, the force of the water is so great.

All in all, there are 40 water slides, two wave pools, two endless rivers, mini-golf, arcades, 12 eateries, and five gift stores. There were shower and changing rooms and coin-operated lockers. There are also optional innertubes available for rent at $4 for the entire day, which was great for the wave pool. I also liked that idea that you could find something else to eat besides burgers, hot dogs, and nachos. We had a very reasonable lunch of chef salads and tacos, which only ran us $16 and was pretty tasty.

The most impressive thing overall was their safety factor. Eight lifeguards at the wave pools, two or three per slide, top and bottom, and I lost count on the long endless river. We felt very safe letting our 11-year-old venture a little ways from us. I was told that they have received the nations's top award for Aquatic Safety. Also, everything was very clean, from bathrooms to chaises to the water -- no debris. This was an exceptionally fun day for our family. We would return in a heartbeat, even though it's 900 miles from us.

About every 2 years, the park puts up a new attraction, which means a big new waterslide. It seems like every time we go, they have something new to ride. The most recent slides were the Stingray, which is a double-person tube where you sit facing your partner and feel as if you are going to fall out the edges (don’t worry, nobody ever does). And the Point of No Return! This is the tallest waterslide in the park and makes The Plunge (face-first slide where you slide down on a mat) look like a kiddy ride. Here, you go down on your back, but from the top, it looks like you are going straight down. My advice for the first time you ride it is to close your eyes.

My favorite slide of all time is Black Thunder. It is a series of different slides that you go down in in a tube in blackness. The entire tube is enclosed, and every once in a while, you see a bit of light. You don’t know when you will hit the water; it’s a ton of fun. There is also a family version so you can enjoy the experience with several people.

If you are more for the traditional slides, check out Sidewinders, the Bermuda Triangle, and Jungle Rapids. These are more your traditional waterslides, with either you using a tube, a mat, or just yourself! Jungle Rapids is a favorite of my mother’s.

In addition, there are two large wave pools (you can rent tubes), two lazy rivers, and the Lagoon Area. I would suggest a stop here if the adults are a little tired but the kids are still raring to go. There are lily pads to climb over (okay, balance on), some chute tubes, small slides, and two cable drops (these seem to be getting harder as we get older). There are a ton of lounge chairs nearby and a bar that sells beverages and snacks, just in case you need a little pick me up.

The food here isn’t grossly overpriced as the area and amusement parks go, and there is something for everyone. In addition, there are several shops where you can purchase souvenirs if you want them.

Some words of advice: When you get there, get a locker and look for coupons (they are everywhere), and don’t bring a towel or flip-flops - you will just end up running all over looking for them. Purchase or bring one of those waterproof wallet holders that go around your neck, and ladies, make sure that your swimsuit it secure, or better yet, wear a one-piece.