Park Policies

• Obey listed age, height, weight, and health restrictions.
• Observe all posted ride safety rules.
• Keep hands, arms, legs and feet inside the ride at all times.
• Remain seated in the ride until it comes to a complete stop and you are instructed to exit.
• Follow all verbal instructions given by ride operators or provided by recorded announcements.
• Always use safety equipment provided and never attempt to wriggle free of or loosen restraints or other safety devices.
• Parents with young children should make sure that their children understand safe and appropriate ride behavior.
• Never force anyone, especially children, to ride attractions they don’t want to ride.
• If you see any unsafe behavior or condition on a ride, report it to a supervisor or manager immediately.

• Waterpark safety is a partnership between parents and parks. Parents should always directly supervise their children, especially if children are young or weak swimmers. Below are a few tips to keep in mind when visiting a waterpark.
• Small children, non-swimmers, and weak swimmers should wear a Coast Guard-approved life vest while enjoying waterpark attractions. Bring your own if you are unsure of availability and fit.
• Dress appropriately, including water shoes, a hat, and loose shirt for when you’ve had enough sun. Monitor how much sun children, especially toddlers, are exposed to.
• Apply waterproof sunscreen before leaving home (reapply throughout the day) and drink plenty of fluids (avoid beverages with sweeteners or with caffeine).
• Children in diapers should be dressed in waterproof swim diapers to minimize leakage. Change diapers only in restrooms.
• Read the signs at every waterpark attraction and listen to all audio instructions provided by recordings or staff. Obey all rules and experience-level guidelines.
• Follow the lifeguards’ instructions and signal them if you see someone in trouble.
• Like visits to amusement parks and attractions designating a meeting place is always smart in the instance some one is separated from your party.  The buddy system is an excellent way to ensure no children are left alone.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in the U.S. recommends all swimmers be vigilant in following three basic guidelines to prevent disease transmission:

• Do not swim if you have diarrhea. This is especially important for children in diapers.
• Do not swallow the pool water. Try to avoid getting water in your mouth if possible.
• Practice good hygiene and shower before swimming. Also, wash your hands thoroughly after using the restroom or changing diapers.

For more information, visit cdc.gov for healthy swimming recommendations.

In addition to these steps, the CDC has issued these additional recommendations for parents with young children:

• Take your children to the restroom often throughout the day.
• Only change diapers in a restroom and away from the pools and attractions. Germs can be spread from objects around the pools and attractions.

Each ride has its own safety policies and restrictions. If a ride has height or weight restrictions, then the ride manufacturer and insurance companies have developed these. Ride operators are trained to only allow guests on their ride or attraction who meet these standards. For specific safety policies, please see the Safety Requirements page.

• Each ride is inspected each day prior to being opened to the public by the park’s maintenance staff. Ride operators must also follow an inspection checklist before opening a ride. Ride operators are empowered to shut down the ride at any point during the operation if they feel it is necessary. If your favorite ride is not operational when you come to the park, please know that the park’s maintenance staff is working as fast as it can to complete any repairs properly and get the ride back into operation.
• All rides are also inspected before the start of the season by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Rides and attractions open only after this inspection has been completed. Any injury on any ride is reported to this office, and a ride may be closed, under State law, pending an investigation by the Fire Marshal’s office.
• Though an injury may appear minor, it is important to have one of the EMTs complete a report on an incident to provide the State with this essential information.
• The rides and attractions have numerous safety devices. Some are even electronically linked into the control panel, prohibiting the start of the ride unless all the devices are engaged. Operators are trained to use all devices. You can help them by being ready to use each device in your seat, and keep the devices engaged until the end of the ride.
• Running is prohibited in the park.
• Severe weather may force the park to put some or all rides and attractions into a ‘Safety Standby Mode’. Lightning, strong winds, and heavy rains are common reasons for a ride or attraction to go into ‘Safety Standby Mode’. ‘Safety Standby Mode’ does not mean that the park is closed. Gift shops, restaurants, games and arcades remain open during a ‘Safety Standby Mode’. The park’s management does understand that this creates a significant disturbance in your day, but the rides and attractions will resume normal operation once the conditions improve. Even though a storm may have passed, if weather information suggests that more severe weather will be arriving shortly, rides and attractions may remain in ‘Safety Standby Mode’ until a longer period of calm weather is certain. Please note that all rides must complete a test cycle before being resuming normal operation.
• Power failures may cause a similar inconvenience in your activities. These are unpredictable, and usually short-lived. Once power is restored, a test cycle must be completed, and the rides and attractions will reopen for your enjoyment.

You can find more in-depth industry-related safety information courtesy of IAAPA.