Enjoy a Splash at a Fun ‘Staycation’ Attraction

Go ahead and laugh but it’s true: I had never been to Splish Splash, Riverhead’s infamous water park, before this summer. I had never even driven to the 98-acre fun spot even though my own kids went so often one almost bought a season pass.

How can this be you wonder? Well I’d opt for a beach or pool any day over a water park. Second, I’ve done my years of trekking through Hershey Park and Sesame Place pushing a stroller most times for nearly a decade of summers. Third, well, it’s a fear thing. I can’t be any higher than a ladder without vertigo hitting hard. Heck I can’t even watch a Discovery show about roller coasters without my stomach flipping over. So typically the only ride I go on at a water park is the lazy river and you can only do that so many times.

But as Splish Splash is now home to a new water roller coaster, one that seems destined to be the latest and greatest ride on Long Island, I decided to make the trek. I brought a few kids to experience the new ride while I spent time exploring what I discovered to be a beautiful, clean and enjoyable water park.

I checked out all the amenities, talked to staff, walked the winding and hilly paths as my kids enjoyed hours of riding “Bootlegger’s Run” and came away with some useful tips for those who haven’t yet hit Splish Splash as a Long Island ‘staycation’ option.

FYI, Bootlegger’s Run is a four-man raft that actually goes uphill with new generation hydromagnetic technology. It flies like a roller coaster without rails, at least according to the company’s information.

Tip 1: It’s more than worth it to get there early, even before the park officially opens (10 a.m.) as you can get into the park starting at  9:30 a.m. Not only will you avoid any line getting in, you’ll get to park near the entrance and not in one of the many lots strewn across acres of pavement. There is no shuttle from parking to the park like at Disney and by parking close you can run to and from the car for any needed necessities if you choose not to get a locker.

Tip 2:  Don’t bother bringing anything except a towel and necessities (sun lotion, money, phone) as all bags are thoroughly checked upon admission. This means no food or drink so your options are to eat in the park, or run to the nearby car at lunch to eat from coolers or tote your lunch to the park's picnic area. You can leave the park as long as you get your hand stamped on the way out.

Tip 3: Get a locker. It’s an easy place to keep items (glasses, pocketbooks, cameras, phones) safe and dry. There are plenty, and again getting early avoids lines to grabbing one.

Tip 4: Use the amenities right near the entrance before heading down to the park opening gate. You’ll avoid having to find a bathroom inside the park and you can get to the head of lines a bit quicker when the horn blows signifying the park is open.

Tip 5: Take advantage of the huge wave pool for activity breaks. It’s fun, and there is plenty of seating. It’s a great spot to choose for having kids regroup every few hours to ensure everyone’s still in one piece and for reapplying the sun lotion.

Tip 6:  Don’t forget the sun lotion. In fact bring two tubes. One for the car in case the one in the locker runs out. While there is plenty of shade and nicely treed walkways, most of  the rides are out in the bare light and when the sun is out it can be hot. The water and perspiration make lotion a bit tricky to keep on so reapply at pool and food breaks.

Tip 7: Get familiar with the park while you’re waiting for the ride gate to open.  Checkout the park’s website ahead of time so you’ll be a bit familiar where food stations and restrooms are within the park. Figuring out where your kids’ favorite areas are and rides most appropriate for ages is more fun before the stress of being in the park and kids beginning to whine they want to get on a ride. You’ll also find some useful tips and know ahead of 

Tip 8: Talk to the staff. They’re all young, they know the park and they can offer up quick and easy short cuts to bathrooms and rides you can’t seem to find. Everyone I talked to was exceptionally friendly and if they didn’t know an answer they just got on the radio to find out an answer from someone else.

Tip 9: Hydrate, hydrate and hydrate. Next to sun burn, getting dehydrated at a park, even if it’s a water park, can be easy.