Will Houston’s Long Anticipated AstroWorld Replacement Ever Open?

Sorry, amusement park lovers and summertime swimmers. It looks like you won’t get a taste of the long-awaited Grand Texas Theme Park any time soon.

After more than five years in the making — initial plans were revealed way back in February of 2013 — this would be AstroWorld replacement is still stuck treading water.

Grand Texas is delaying its opening yet again, new date TBD.

“In the past, we’ve given you our best guesses for an opening date, but weather and other challenges have caused delays, disappointing both you and the Big Rivers team,” a statement from park officials reads.

Thrill seekers were rightfully, well, thrilled this April when Grand Texas revealed plans to finally open on June 29. Grand Texas’ Big Rivers Waterpark and Gator Bayou Adventure Park were both scheduled to open on that day.

But on June 19th, the Big Rivers Waterpark Facebook page declared that the grand unveiling would be pushed back until July due to “inclement weather patterns and projections from the National Weather Service.”

We thought that delay was a bit of a tease, but fine. After all these years, it was just water under the bridge.

But now July is ending.  It’s almost time to say so long to summer, and there’s been more bad news. It came like a splash of cold water to the face.

Ground first broke on the waterpark part of the proposed 632-acre mega amusement park complex at the intersection of Highway 242 and I-59 in New Caney in December of 2017. You could say this has been a long time coming.

Grand Texas officials did not respond to PaperCity’s requests for comment.

Apologetic Facebook messages have been posted on  both the Grand Texas and Big Rivers Waterpark pages, promising to keep everyone in the loop.

“We absolutely appreciate everyone’s patience as the Big Rivers/Gator Bayou team continues to work diligently towards opening day. We understand everyone has eagerly awaited an update for Big Rivers Waterpark and Gator Bayou Adventure Park. This video provides a glimpse of our progress. As always, we thank you for your understanding,” the post reads.

The accompanying video features clips of employees all over the park saying “You deserve our best” along with some aerial shots and a voice over sharing the construction progress. It’s been viewed 13,000 times and racked up nearly 100 comments.

Grand Texas Doubters

Some of the Facebook feedback is supportive and encouraging, like “Thank you for the update. Can’t wait for y’all to open! Taking your time and doing it right while not putting your employees in harm’s way is much better than rushing and it not being done correctly.”

Others are feeling a little frustrated. “I don’t see this park opening this summer,” and “Thanks for not responding to my message/email directly to the park. Welcome to the community,” are some of the messages posted.

It looks as though some are losing faith that the theme park will ever open. “Where’s the theme park that was supposed to be open two years ago?” one Facebook commenter asks.

People who’ve purchased the 365 Pass shouldn’t worry. They’re in the clear with their passes still valid.  The pass isn’t a season pass. Instead it is valid for 365 days upon activation — whenever that will be.

Back in April, when June 29 was the opening date, Grand Texas CEO Monty Galland promised in a statement that it would all be worth it.

“We had hoped to open earlier, but building the area’s only adventure park, and what we believe will be the area’s best waterpark, is a complicated task,” Galland wrote. “It will be worth the wait.”

At this point, it had better blow people out of the water.

Big Rivers aims to bring the lazy river to end all lazy rivers. Rio Grand Lazy River is projected to be the largest of its kind in the entire Houston area. Park goers can drift down in tubes or head to the Boca Chica Wave Pool.

Gator Bayou Adventure Park will be all about action, with ziplines, nature trails, ropes courses, a giant maze and a seven-story free-fall tower. Plans call for kids to be able to get up and close with animals at the petting zoo and pony ride, and even check out gators at the educational center.

Hopefully, it all opens soon. But Grand Texas has a lot to answer for — it’s in some pretty deep water.