SoCal Water Park 2021 Season Outlook

All Around Southern California

As we approach the summer season and the prospects of a return to semi-normalcy in the theme park world, we wanted to provide a heads up on the water park situation around Southern California. Recently, all there of L.A. and Orange County’s water parks have made announcements that they will be open for the 2021 season. Knott’s Soak City, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, and Raging Waters will all be operating under reduced capacity, with advanced ticket purchases and reservations required, all under State of California health safety policies.

After being closed for the 2020 season, it will be a welcome boost to the parks to be able to operate this year. Though it will be interesting to see how the rules and regulations are held and enforced in a water park setting (for example, how do you keep track of your masks?), here’s hoping that guests will be respectful and mindful of the regulations, and the parks will enforce the rules (unlike one particular Southern California establishment…).

Knott’s Soak City

Soak City will follow it’s across-the-street neighbor with a “soft reopening” for passholders later this month before opening to the general public on Memorial Day Weekend. The water park will be open select dates through the summer and into the weekend after Labor Day.

Soak City will be open for the first time in two years later this month.

From the press release:

Knott’s Berry Farm Announces Reopening of Soak City Waterpark for May 29 

WHAT: Orange County's largest water park, Knott's Soak City Waterpark, reopens for the 2021 season with limited capacity and reservation requirements. Guests can catch a ride down 23 different speed, tube, and body slides or take a relaxing trip down one of the longest lazy rivers in the country.  The 15-acre water park has something for each member of the family, an interactive kid's area, and for the more adventurous families, The Wedge, a rip-roaring family raft ride. Guests can also enjoy new additions to the food lineup, such as a poke bowl, chicken taco sandwiches, and so much more.

Knott's Soak City Waterpark will safely reopen to Gold and Platinum Season Passholders for a special preview on May 22 and May 23, with plans to reopen to the public select dates beginning on May 29 through September 12. 

To properly manage physical distancing of guests, capacity will be limited each day and may sell out. Ticket sales and reservations will be available starting May 10 at 10am PST.

The safety and health of our guests remain our top priority. Knott's Soak City Waterpark follows state, county and local health guidelines. There are several safety measures and operational changes established to ensure guests' safety.

For all details regarding Knott’s Soak City and the water park’s current health and safety screenings, please visit knotts.com/soak-city.

WHEN: The water park will open to Gold and Platinum Season Passholders for preview days on May 22 and May 23 with the water park fully reopening to the public, select dates starting May 29 through September 12.

WHERE: Knott’s Soak City - 8200 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor

Hurricane Harbor, adjacent to Six Flags Magic Mountain, will also open to passholders for a week before allowing access to the general public. Their timeline is a week ahead of Knott’s, respectively. The park has invested a lot of infrastructure in maintaining safe operations, and like Knott’s, has received generally favorable reviews for how they’ve handled guest flow and experience in a COVID era. Hopefully, that can follow suit through the summer as more and more of the park opens up!

I didn’t get any media images from Hurricane Harbor, but here’s one from Soak City that shows an example of a water slide that’s also at the Six Flags water park. That works, right?

From the press release:

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor to Reopen May 15

Waterpark Will Have Extensive New Safety Measures in Place

VALENCIA, California —Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, located next door to Six Flags Magic Mountain, announced plans to reopen the park to Members and Pass holders on May 15-16, and to the general public on May 22, 2021. In accordance with state and county reopening guidelines for waterparks, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor will operate at reduced attendance levels utilizing the company’s new reservation system. The waterpark will also utilize the extensive safety measures employed at Six Flags Magic Mountain, including several new advanced technology systems to protect guests and employees. The plan, developed in consultation with infectious disease experts, sets standards for executing at the highest levels of hygiene and social distancing protocols. These procedures will be adjusted on an as-needed basis to ensure compliance with state and county recommendations.

“As warmer temperatures return this year, we are excited to offer guests a safe, outdoor environment for fun in the sun,” said Six Flags Magic Mountain & Hurricane Harbor Park President Don McCoy. “Six Flags Hurricane Harbor is a great place to enjoy some of the most thrilling water slide attractions in Southern California with friends and family.”

The park’s reopening date is subject to change based on local, state, and federal guidelines related to COVID-19. Detailed reopening plans include:

Park Reservations System to Control Capacity

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor has established attendance caps that are in accordance with current state guidelines to allow for proper social distancing. All Members, Season Pass holders and all guests with a single-day or group ticket will need to make a reservation at www.sixflags.com/reserve. Guests who need single-day tickets will be able to reserve during the purchase process.

Protocols for the safe operation of rides

• Easy-to-identify distance markers have been added in all water slide lines;

• Handrails will be regularly sanitized throughout the day; and

• Masks must remain on except while experiencing a slide or water attraction.

Health Screenings for Guests and Team Members

• Contactless IR thermal imaging will be used to screen temperatures of guests and employees prior to entry;

• Advanced security screening technology will allow for touchless bag checks;

• Individuals will be required to acknowledge and abide by the company’s health policies, which prohibits park entry if guests have recently been exposed to or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19;

• Following CDC guidelines, all guests over the age of two and all team members will be required to wear face masks covering the nose and mouth throughout their visit/workday (exceptions apply in pools and on waterpark attractions); and

• Disposable masks will be available at Guest Relations, and reusable masks will be available for purchase at in-park retail locations.

Strictly Enforced Social Distancing

• Easy-to-identify distance markers have been added in all park entry, restroom, retail locations, and slide and dining queue lines; and

• Dining areas have been adjusted to allow ample space between seated parties;

Extensive Sanitization and Disinfecting Protocols

• Trained and dedicated cleaning teams have been put in place;

• Increased sanitization and disinfecting of high touch points including all public seating, tabletops, counters, handrails, doors, deck chairs, life jackets, tubes, rafts, and trash cans will occur frequently;

• Restroom staff will be available to disinfect each stall and sink area on a frequent basis;

• Multiple alcohol-based hand-sanitizer stations will be located throughout the park; and

• All work areas will be regularly sanitized and disinfected.

Sanitized Food Preparation and Service

• Modified menus and implementation of mobile food ordering will help facilitate touchless transactions;

• Condiments, self-serve cutlery, and napkins will be provided to guests with their meals as required; and

• Attendants will serve beverages, and guests will receive drink bottle refills in a paper cup each time they refill.

Commercial-Grade Cleaning Equipment and Supplies

• All employees will be issued Team Member Action Packs which will include: two reusable face masks, safety glasses, and disposable gloves;

• Low pressure backpack sprayers will be utilized for disinfecting large areas;

• Abundant supplies of sanitizers and disinfectants will be available;

• Microfiber cloths will be used to sanitize surfaces; and

• Queue line supplies, fencing, and tents will be in place to promote safe social distancing.

Multi-Layered Guest and Team Member Communication

• Frontline team members will go through extensive COVID-19 training;

• Safety messaging and reminders will be communicated on Six Flags’ website,

  newsletters, and in-park announcements;

• Distance markers and physical distance indicators will be in place; and

• Informational safety signage will be posted throughout the park.

Raging Waters

Finally, though we didn’t get a press release for it, I did notice that Raging Waters also announced their opening for the 2021 season. Opening day will be Saturday, May 29th, right in time for Memorial Day Weekend and the traditional kickoff of the summer season. Raging Waters has also set out an extensive policy for operations that parallels the general practices that have been enacted—temperature checks, face coverings, social distancing, limited capacity, advanced reservations, and frequent sanitation are planned to be in place.

Knott’s Soak City again, but hey, gotta break up the text with photos once in a while!

From the FAQ page:

We want you to know the health and safety of our Guests and Team Members is our top priority. We are fully committed to creating the cleanest and safest environment possible for your visit.

The way we will operate this summer is significantly different from what we are all used to as we adapt to the new landscape created by COVID-19. While we are committed to enhanced standards in an effort to keep you as healthy and safe as possible, there remains an inherent and elevated risk of exposure to COVID-19 in any public place and any place where people are present. Please, read this page fully to ensure the best experience possible as you plan your visit and join us.

Planning a Visit

In order to comply with key health and safety measures surrounding limiting capacity, social distancing, and touch-free payment, planning a visit to Raging Waters Los Angeles will look different this summer.

• Guests will need to register for the date they wish to visit in advance, in addition to their regularly purchased Ticket or Season Pass.

• The RSVP system will be available in 2021.

• If the date you wish to visit is not listed in our online calendar, we may have already reached our capacity limit for that date, in which case you will need to choose another day. If you are looking for a date later in the summer, please check back again as we will open more dates as the summer progresses.

• All those wishing to enter Raging Waters Los Angeles (Guests, Team Members, Suppliers, and Contracted Partners) will have their temperatures scanned before entering the park.

• Any person with a temperature of 100.4°F or higher, or displaying other symptoms of COVID-19, will be denied entry.

• Facial coverings are also required for all entrants, except children under three. Facial coverings are also required in Food and Beverage queue lines, and in enclosed locations like gift shops, bathrooms, locker areas, and first aid.

• Facial coverings are NOT allowed on any attraction or pool and are not necessary while waiting in line or walking between attractions.

Visitors will find many more new proactive measures in place at Raging Waters Los Angeles this summer.

Here are the specific steps we’re taking in accordance with state and federal guidelines.

Face Coverings
Required face coverings for park personnel and guests where appropriate.

Temperature Checks
Checking every guest and employee upon entrance.

Hand Cleansing
Asking everyone to wash hands often with soap and water.

Hand Sanitizer
Providing sanitizer stations throughout the park.

Social Distancing
Requiring social distance of six feet between your party and others.

Limiting Capacity
Limiting the number of guests to facilitate social distancing.

Sanitizing Teams
Performing enhanced sanitizing throughout the day on high-touch surfaces and rides.

Education & Training
Enhanced staff education and training on cleanliness and safety practices. Please read and follow all posted safety signage.

Working Together to Avoid COVID-19

The health and safety of our Guests and Team Members is our top priority. In these unprecedented times, we have implemented enhanced health and safety measures to help protect everyone. But we can’t do it alone. We are counting on everyone’s efforts to do their part by cooperating with these new measures that are designed to keep every person visiting and/or working at Raging Waters Los Angeles healthy and safe.

Guest Responsibilities

• Wear face coverings per CDC guidelines

• Submit to temperature check at arrival

• Wash hands often with soap and water

• Avoid touching your face

• Maintain appropriate (6 ft.) distance from others not in your travel party

While we are committed to enhanced standards in an effort to keep you as healthy and safe as possible, there remains an inherent and elevated risk of exposure to COVID-19 in any public place and any place where people are present. People who do not show symptoms can still spread COVID-19. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and persons with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable and at higher risk for severe illness. Guests should familiarize themselves with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and evaluate their risk in determining whether they should attend our facilities. If you or a family member are ill or think that you may be getting ill, please postpone your visit until you are well.

By visiting our facility, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.

A year in, we now know that the Coronavirus does spread less easily in outdoor environments, which makes water parks a less risky alternative to many everyday tasks that require indoor interactions. However, caution is still prudent while the pandemic is still active. That means exercising patience with limited capacity operations, being respectful of the rules, and considerate of fellow park guests.

With many people vaccinated, the risk is much better than it’s been over the past year, but as we’ve seen from surges in Europe, Latin America, and most prominently in the news now, India, the virus can strike back with a vengeance at any time. So lets continue to keep things going in the right direction and also be able to enjoy ourselves again with some summer fun at the same time!