America’s 1st Virtual Reality Waterslide Opening In PA This Month

PENNSYLVANIA — A Poconos resort will celebrate the fifth anniversary of National Waterpark Day on July 28 by launching a new piece of history: the country’s first-ever virtual reality waterslide.

In a partnership with BallastVR, a company that makes underwater virtual reality experiences possible, Kalahari Resorts has upgraded its Anaconda ride to include thrilling twists beyond the expected waterpark fare. Wearing a VR headset, riders can choose between one of three immersive experiences: adventuring on an action-packed African safari, chasing aliens through outer space, or flying through castles surrounded by fire-breathing dragons.

BallastVR first brought this tech to a waterslide at Galaxy Erding in Munich, Germany in 2018. The Anaconda slide at Kalahari Resorts’ Pennsylvania location will be the U.S.’s first VR waterslide offering.

“In the past four years, Ballast VR has introduced several new attractions that heighten the thrill of virtual reality by merging out-of-this-world visuals with incredible physical sensations,” the company said in a news release.

The system safely allows riders an immersive virtual reality experience while riding down real waterslides, according to the waterpark.