Published Sunday, March 16, 2003
at Splash Lagoon
By Erin Palko
Herald Staff Writer
When you're planning a mid-winter get-away to someplace warm and sunny, thoughts often turn to Florida, the Bahamas or Hawaii. Erie, Pennsylvania, probably doesn't come to mind.
But if you're craving palm trees, steel drum bands and tropical drinks with little umbrellas in them, and time or money won't allow you to plan a trip to the Caribbean to escape this winter's harsh winds and mountains of snow, Erie -- believe it or not -- may be your best bet.
Splash Lagoon, the only indoor water park in Pennsylvania, opened to the public on Feb. 28. Located on Peach Street in Erie just off Interstate 90, it's an easily reached destination for the winter-weary.
Since the Marriott Residence Inn and the Holiday Inn Express are both attached to the two-story water park and three nearby restaurants -- Damon's Grill, Applebee's and Quaker Steak and Lube -- deliver right to the hotel rooms, guests can remain indoors for their entire length of their stay, if desired.
My husband and I had the opportunity to experience Splash Lagoon last weekend the day after it opened. Even though it had only been open for 24 hours, it was obvious people were looking for a break from the cold. By 10 a.m. the place was packed. Guests had come from as far away as Pittsburgh and Buffalo, N.Y.
Splash Lagoon has everything a traditional outdoor water park would have, including water slides, swimming pools and hot tubs. The tables have umbrellas over them, and the Surf Shop near the main entrance sells everything you need for a day at the beach.
Adding to the ambiance are live parrots, a steel drum band, neon palm trees and a thatched-roof bar complete with tropical beverages with names like "Tiki Twister."
One unique Splash Lagoon feature is the five-story Tiki Tree House and the Double Tipping Bucket, which dumps 1,000 gallons of water over the park floor and anyone in the vicinity at regular intervals. Fortunately, a horn sounds before the bucket is about to tip to warn those who don't want to get soaked.
For thrill-seekers, there are seven water slides, including Hurricane Hole, The Cyclone, The Big Kahuna, The Black Hole, Maui Wowie and two kids' slides, PJ's Plunge and Lola's Lane.
Our personal favorite was The Cyclone, which hurtles you and your inner tube along 125 feet of slide. After plunging down the first hill, the slide circles rapidly several times, giving you the effect of being flushed down a giant toilet bowl.
The slide dumps you into the Lazy Crazy River. At most water parks, I love the Lazy River attractions because they give you the opportunity to sit back in your tube and relax. However, at Splash Lagoon, the Lazy Crazy River path is lined with several standing water guns. Anyone looking for a serene trip down the Lazy Crazy River might just find themselves sprayed in the face repeatedly by some very enthusiastic kids.
Speaking of kids, the park is very child-friendly. Older kids will enjoy playing basketball in Adventure Bay, while younger children can play in Monkey Shines Island kiddie pool. A hot tub is also available for younger people.
For grown-ups looking for a little peace from the frantic slides and water guns, the Paradise Cove hot tub, located in a secluded corner, is for adults only.
The resort boasts the temperature is 84 degrees year-round. While the warmth was nice after being cold for so many months, I have to say I missed one ingredient available at most outdoor waterparks: sunshine. However, for those craving the sun's rays, a tanning salon is available on the premises.
If you're planning an overnight or weekend trip to the park, I would recommend booking a room for the night after visiting the park, so you can return to your room afterwards and keep most of your personal belongings there. For example, if you want to spend Saturday at the park, get a room for Saturday night. We stayed the Friday night before we went to the park, and we had to check out of our room by 11 a.m.
That meant we had to drag our coats, shoes and street clothes into the park with us. Locker space is available inside the park, but on busy days they go fast.
For those who just want to make a day of it without staying over, Splash Lagoon is only a 90 minute drive from the Shenango Valley. To get there, just take I-80 to I-79 to I-90, then take exit 24 for Peach Street.
On the whole, Splash Lagoon is a fun little getaway for those cold, wretched winter months.