Culture / Entertainment

Houston’s New AstroWorld is Finally Opening With a Big Splash: Water and Adventure Parks Begin the Theme Park’s Long-Awaited Massive Rollout

BY // 04.26.18

A colossal new theme park is on its way to the Houston area. And it’s big enough and bold enough that it may have you saying, “AstroWorld, who?”

Houston’s beloved Six Flags left some pretty big shoes to fill. This summer, thrill ride fanatics will finally start finding out just how already long-awaited newcomer Grand Texas Theme Park stacks up.

Grand Texas’ first two attractions are opening on June 29, and they’re already making quite the splash.

The Big Rivers Waterpark and Gator Bayou Adventure Park are throwing their doors open in New Caney at Highway 242 and I-59 after years and years of theme park teasing. The plans for Grand Texas were first revealed back in February of 2013.

Now, more than five years later, the water part of the amusement park is set to arrive.

The complete Grand Texas Theme Park is now projected to be finished in the next few years. Grand Texas Theme Park is only one piece of the seven-part Grand Texas puzzle. Imagine more than 630 acres of roller coasters, dozens upon dozens of rides and live entertainment.

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It’s supposed to be the big attraction that the Houston area has desperately needed since losing Six Flags.

The much-hyped amusement park’s theme is Texas history and culture. You’ll see rich Lone Star State influences throughout the park.

After breaking ground on Big Rivers Waterpark and Gator Bayou Adventure Park in December, it looks like Grand Texas is finally ready to test the waters.

“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. It will be worth the wait,” Grand Texas CEO Monty Galland said in a statement.

Big Rivers brings a Rio Grand Lazy River, the largest lazy river in the Houston area (not that there’s a ton of competition). Park goers can kick back and put their feet up in tubes. For something a little more adventurous, the Boca Chica Wave Pool promises the tallest waves around.

Many amusements are designed with little guests in mind, like the Gator Splash interactive play structure with slides named for Houston’s bayous, and Pollywog Puddle — a wonderland of fountains and sprinklers.

The year-round Gator Bayou Adventure Park brings a whole different scene. It’s an action-packed alternative, complete with ropes courses, ziplines, nature trails, a seven-story free-fall tower and a giant maze. Then there’s the animal angle, with pony rides, a petting zoo and an educational center crawling with, you guessed it, gators.

Tickets for the much-hyped water and adventure parks are already on sale at Big River Water Parks’ website. For adults, prices range from $39.99 for a day pass to $59.99 for an annual pass through the end of April. Annual passes jump in price to $89.99 in May 1.

Each ticket grants access to both the water and adventure parks. During the inaugural 2018 season, parking will be free.

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