THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, July 19, 1994 TAG: 9407200606
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DEBRA GORDON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 104 lines
DAY TRIP. In the midst of one of the hottest summers in recent memory, there was only one option - Water Country USA, in Williamsburg.
And so here I was, huffing and puffing my way up the twisting wooden steps to the top of the Double Rampage, a 75-foot water slide. It took us 15 minutes standing in line to get to the top, but only three seconds for my 7-year-old son, Jonathan, to take one look at the 60-degree angle drop and change his mind.
``Uh, no way. No way am I going down that,'' he said, backing away.
``OK,'' I said. And then I did a really stupid thing - I went down without him.
There is something very therapeutic about emitting a blood-curdling scream in the middle of a crowded water park on a bright summer's day. Sure, your throat gets sore. But afterward, you feel this sense of relief, of catharsis, of having let go of everything that was troubling you.
It felt so good I did it again on the Malibu Pipeline, a twisting, turning ride down 468 feet of enclosed black tubing; and again on the Jet Stream, in which you ride your inner tube through a twisting flume, approaching speeds of more than 25 mph before plunging into the water; and yet again on the Atomic Breakers, a white-water rafting simulation.
All to the amusement of my son, who had picked this outing and who was getting great joy out of leading his tired, out-of-shape mother around the park, up and down steep risers of stairs clutching an overgrown inner tube like a security blanket. Worse yet, I had to wear a bathing suit through all of this.
Admittedly, there was no better place to be on a steaming July day. We barely had time to get warm before we were plunging again into the refreshing coolness of one of the water rides.
But even for the faint of heart, Water Country offers something. My favorite ``ride'' was the relaxing Rambling River, in which I sank into the softness of the inner tube and floated peacefully around the perimeter of one of the ``miniparks'' within the park. I stayed on that ride for a good hour - until Jonathan overturned my inner tube and demanded that we ``ride more rides.''
A day at Water Country is not cheap. In addition to the $18.95 admission, there's the $4 locker rental (a must to store your belongings) and the additional $4.50 the park lures you into spending on your own, personal tube.
Technically, you don't need your own tube, they're supplied at all rides; but if you want to avoid the lines, you get a tube. Tube-renting visitors have their own separate entrances to most of the rides, and one 15-minute wait in line was all it took to persuade me to rent two tubes.
Food is surprisingly inexpensive. A giant cheeseburger and huge order of fries with drink cost less than $6; but avoid the overpriced, too-sweet juice drinks street vendors sell - $2.50 for a plastic fruit holder and curly straw is $2.25 too much.
For the little kids, Water Country offers an extensive children's play area - both in water and out of water, complete with miniature slides and tubes, climbing equipment and a tot-sized wave pool.
A word about the grown-up wave pool. It's enormous, and, on first glance, seems calm and just like any other suburban swimming pool. Then, just as you've relaxed into your float and closed your eyes, you hear this deep rumbling sound and your float begins gently rocking. Very quickly, that gentle rocking turns violent as the 4-foot waves push you toward the shallow end. Try this before lunch - seasickness is a definite possibility.
We were too busy riding the water rides to take in any of the shows, but there are several. The 1994 U.S. High Dive Team executes breathtaking dives from an 85-foot tower (we did see them practicing) and in ``High Jinx,'' divers perform their routines off a trampoline.
In ``W.C. Duck Water Safety Show,'' water safety rules are taught through audience participation; and the ``Sea to Believe'' show offers magic and juggling for kids and parents.
Some suggestions for a fun day:
Take plenty of sun screen and apply it liberally.
Wear surf shoes. The rubber shoes can be worn into the water, so you don't have to keep putting your shoes on and off.
Take frequent breaks. We went without stopping much of the day, and on the ride home we were so exhausted, the 7-year-old fell asleep.
Take a day off from work and go during the week. It was still crowded but manageable. The thought of what the park (and the lines) would be like on the weekend scared me more than the rides. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Graphic
JUST THE FACTS
Food, amenities: A surf shop, gift shops, five eateries, two game
areas, complimentary bathhouse facilities, temperature-controlled
pools, locker rental and free, in-park use of life vests for guests
of all ages are available.
The park is very clean, and very pretty, with flowers and
extensive landscaping throughout.
Safety is paramount, and several lifeguards patrol every ride and
pool.
Prices: $18.95 for adults and $15.95 for children (ages 3-6).
Children 2 and younger are admitted free. All children 8 and younger
must be accompanied by an adult.
Season passes are $75.95 for adults and $64.95 for children ages
3-6. Combination Water Country USA and Busch Gardens Williamsburg
passes are available for $104.95 for adults and $94.95 for children
ages 3-6.
Information: 1-229-9300
by CNB