Six Flags Hurricane Harbor (Atlanta)

Last autumn Brian's job had him taking some teenagers to Six Flags Over Georgia. Lucky us... Eli and I got to tag along. And to make the most of it, we upgraded our tickets to 2014 season passes.

We've visited the main amusement park a couple of times this year, but we hadn't been to the new Hurricane Harbor water park. Six Flags says it is the largest expansion in their history. Tucked in just beyond the Scream Machine and the Cotton States Exposition area, Hurricane Harbor offers four main attractions and is free with regular admission. I wish I'd snapped a few more pictures, but I had a squirrelly five year-old at my side and there was water splashing everywhere.

1. Calypso Bay Wave Pool -- This gigantic pool slopes gently ever-deeper just like a beach. (It goes from less than an inch to six feet deep.) Periodically, ocean-type waves cycle in for beachy fun. Awesome! I love to bob around in the waves at the seaside, yet because I am a product of the Jaws generation, I'm always looking around for dorsal fins. No sharks here! Also no grit in the swimsuit or yucky mystery objects to step on. ("Eeeek! Was that a crab?!) In just minutes, Eli learned to body surf like a pro. Click HERE for a video. The pool is perfect for all ages and various size life jackets are available for kiddos. Some small fountains at the edges give babies and toddlers something extra to enjoy.

2. Paradise Island -- This water play structure is an acre in size and has six water slides from short-and-open to long corkscrew tubes. One even plunges you through complete darkness. The structure itself is a maze of tunnels, nets, walkways, and stairs. As you explore, there are multiple roof-level cascades to surprise you, but there are so many water elements that sometimes it feels like rain is coming from all directions. Guests can get into the action, interacting with sprayers, tilting buckets, squirters, blasters, misters, water pumps, etc. etc. etc. Click HERE for a video that will give you a better idea of the place. There are some gentle areas and slides that are good for small tots.

3. Bonzai Pipelines -- A 41-foot tower offers three long slides that guests can ride solo or in pairs. Speeds can be in excess of 16 mph -- which is fast when you're plunging four stories. Our favorite was the purple tube, which has a bowl feature that gives you giddy, 360-degree, swirling fun. (Kids must be 42 inches tall.) Click HERE for a video of the green tube.

4. Tsunami Surge -- Kids have to be 48 inches tall to partake, so Eli has to grow another couple of inches before we can try this one. It looks fantastic! Up to four riders can go at a time...dropping five stories, spinning a complete circle, and experiencing zero gravity. Click HERE for a video.

One Mama's Two Cents:
Okay, we adore this place. Eli and I belly-laughed our way through a summer afternoon, so what's not to love?!
        Well, the locker prices are not to love. A tiny locker is $13 while the large and jumbo are $15 and $17 respectively (cash or card). But I was able to squeeze my school-sized backpack into the smallest one and I was grateful to be able to enjoy myself without worrying about my stuff. The lockers are rented by the day, you can access them as often as you want, and a set-your-own-pin-number system means you don't have to worry about a key or forgetting a combination.
      Six Flags has made it easy to kick back and enjoy the place. There is a small shop in case you forgot your swimsuit or want a snack. (You can also rent tubes for Calypso Bay; outside floating toys are not allowed.) There's a cafe if you need lunch. They also put lots of cabana chairs, benches, and umbrellas around. After the busy rush of the amusement park, this place offers some peaceful and shady spots even if there is still a good bit of noise. The bath house offers an easy place to change clothes too.
      What to bring? Swim suit, towel, and sunblock are no-brainers. Goggles might be nice for Paradise Island. I saw quite a few kids wearing them on this play structure, which must have helped with all the sudden splashes. (Contact lens wearers, beware!) As for shoes, some people were barefooted in Hurricane Harbor while others wore water shoes. Some of the cement surfaces got a little hot and the Paradise Island rope netting sections were tough on bare toes, so I'd recommend them. In the information section of the park's website, it said only aqua socks are allowed, but I saw folks wearing everything from sandals to Crocks.
      My sister-in-law just had knee surgery after months of painful walking, so that reminds me to add that there are tons of stairs involved with everything except Calypso Bay. There are a few things to enjoy on ground level for Paradise Island, but most of Hurricane Harbor requires flights of stairs. Good way to burn off amusement park treats!
      Hurricane Harbor's hours don't always match the rest of the park, so check the Six Flags website when you make your plans. It usually opens either at 11am or 12pm. It closes most nights at 6pm. Click HERE for the Six Flags calendar.

For more Hurricane Harbor information, click HERE.

Little Guy was talking about Hurricane Harbor long after we were tootling down the interstate towards home. Then he suddenly got quiet...