On May 21, Zoombezi Bay became the first water park in America to feature an outdoor slide with built-in light shows and a personalized sound system when it unveiled the SoundSurfer.
Dubbed “The King of Beats,” the SoundSurfer is a modified version of Zoombezi Bay’s longest slide, formerly known as the Tahitian Twister. Now, thrill-seekers can enjoy 512 feet of acceleration drops and vortex loops while soaked in a kaleidoscope of colors and while jamming out to Beyoncé, Skrillex, Florida Georgia Line, Ellie Goulding, Johnny Cash and other popular artists. Riders have an opportunity to select their preferred musical genres from a push button panel.
“Being the first slide in the country to deliver a personalized light show and jam session, the SoundSurfer is going to take the water park experience to a whole new level,” said John Gannon, senior vice president of guest services and business strategy. “People aren’t just going along for the ride anymore, they are truly becoming sound surfers.”
The purple and black slide has been repainted a bright orange color. The slide accommodates two to five people per ride, and offers eight musical options of the riders’ choosing. The genres include:
- Rockin Rafts, featuring AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Kid Rock, Motley Crue and Metallica
- PopParadise, featuring Taylor Swift, DNCE, Ellie Goulding, Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga
- New Wave Country, featuring Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney
- Rave Rider, featuring Skrillex, LMFAO, Martin Garrix, Galantis, DJ Snake/LilJohn
- Hip Hop Drop, featuring House of Pain, Mark Ronson/Bruno Mars, Beastie Boys, Will Smith/DJ Jazzy Jeff, Beyoncé
- Beach Party, featuring The Surfaris, The Beach Boys, The Trashmen, Jimmy Buffet
- Random Beats, featuring Republica, Rage Against the Machine, Tag Team, Johnny Cash, Ozzy Osbourne
- Tahitian Twister, featuring storm, wind and wave sound effects – a nice throwback to the original version of the water slide
Riders must be 48 inches tall to ride, or 42 inches tall if accompanied by an adult. The SoundSurfer is included in admittance into the water park. More information about SoundSurfer can be found here. According to the TEA Theme Park Index, Zoombezi Bay was the 17th most visited waterpark in North America in 2015. All tickets to Zoombezi Bay include free entry into the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
Speaking of the Columbus Zoo, there’s more new fun happening there for 2016 too. The new 4D theater and interactive park, which were announced earlier this year, are now open. Yes, if you look at those construction pictures from March 28th, you can see they literally built it all in less than two months!
Pirate Island is back at the Columbus Zoo for the 2016 season. Sail past over 150 moving, singing, swinging animatronic characters. If you’re a fan of Disney’s Jungle Cruise then you’ll love all the corny pirates jokes here. But sadly, this is the closest I will come to riding Pirates of the Caribbean anytime soon. Check out our fun ride through video of the Pirate Island boat ride:
The Columbus Zoo is one of the best in the country and it just keeps on getting better! Will you be visiting this summer?
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