5 Virginia Amusement Parks To Check Out This Summer

VIRGINIA — Schools are out, COVID-19 vaccination rates are exceeding goals, and Virginians are eager to get out of the house and celebrate summer. Theme park operators who lost millions of dollars last year during the pandemic hope to recoup their losses with an economic boom this summer.

Amusement parks are operating at full capacity, some sites no longer require masks for those who are vaccinated, and the industry is preparing for a rebound.

"This year, everyone in the United States will be open and people will have options," Robert Niles, editor of Theme Park Insider, recently told The Washington Post. "I think we will see the pre-pandemic experience return later in the summer."

The state of emergency in Virginia will end on June 30, after being in place since March 12, 2020, Gov. Ralph Northam said. That means masks and face coverings will no longer be required in any setting, including in schools or camps, though businesses will still be permitted to set their own mask requirements.

Courtesy of the Virginia Tourism Corporation, here's a list of some of the state's most popular thrill-seeking destinations:

Kings Dominion and Soak City, Doswell

Kings Dominion has 400 acres packed with more than 60 rides, shows and attractions for all kinds of explorers. Thrill-seekers will get their adrenaline fix with one of the East Coast’s largest collection of breath-taking roller coasters — 13 in all — including Intimidator 305, which stretches 305 feet tall and screams at more than 90 miles per hour.

Families can explore Planet Snoopy with zany shows and activities featuring Snoopy and the entire Peanuts gang plus 20 rides designed for families to experience together.

Soak up the sun in the recently expanded Soak City, Kings Dominion's all-inclusive 20-acre water park, filled with exciting water slides, two wave pools, cabanas and an interactive splash pad for kids.

Season passholders must make a reservation to Kings Dominion only, or Kings Dominion and Soak City in advance. If you will be visiting only Kings Dominion and not Soak City Waterpark, you must purchase your ticket online or on the Kings Dominion mobile app prior to visiting the park. All tickets are dated and do not require an additional reservation. Tickets will not be available for purchase at the front gate.

If you will be visiting Kings Dominion and/or Soak City Waterpark, you may purchase a ticket from the park's Daily Tickets with Waterpark Reservations page.

Busch Gardens, Williamsburg

Busch Gardens Williamsburg is an action-packed European-themed adventure park with 17th-century charm and 21st-century technology, boasting more than 100 acres of family fun. Home to top-rated, world-class roller coasters, including Griffon and Verbolten, more than 50 rides and attractions, shows and delicious culinary experiences. Busch Gardens has been voted the "World's Most Beautiful Amusement Park" every year since 1990.

In order to manage capacity and maintain physical distancing, all guests to Busch Gardens Williamsburg are required to make a reservation prior to visiting. Visit the park's website to make a reservation and buy tickets.

Water Country USA, Williamsburg

Whether on summer break or a family vacation, there are tons of things to do at Water Country USA, Virginia's largest water park. With twists and turns and epic drops, our water slides make it the best place to cool off this summer, and there's tons of fun for your little ones, too, with themed play areas, child-sized water slides and shallow pools.

Cutback Water Coaster, the only RocketBLAST coaster on the East Coast and Virginia's first hybrid water coaster, is a fan-favorite at the Williamsburg waterpark. The revolutionary water propulsion ride will merge two unique technologies — a water jet propulsion system and exhilarating saucer feature, and will take water propulsion coasters to a whole new level with heart-stopping turns, lightning-fast drops and thrilling speeds.

In order to manage capacity and maintain physical distancing, all guests to Water Country USA are required to make a reservation prior to visiting. Visit the park's website to make a reservation and buy tickets.

Ocean Breeze Waterpark, Virginia Beach

In 1974, Ocean Breeze Waterpark began with three mat slides and the distinction of being the only waterpark in Virginia Beach. Forty-seven years later, the park has grown to over 30 slides, rides and attractions. The park has a 1 million gallon wave pool, a quarter-mile tubing river and pirate-themed water playground for children and Operation Splashdown, a six-story family raft ride.

One day or season passes to Ocean Breeze Waterpark can be purchased at the ticket window or online.

Splash Valley Water Park, Roanoke

Splash Valley Water Park is a large outdoor family leisure pool with fun aquatic activities for everyone. The park contains a 34-foot bowl slide, a 6-foot starter slide, a 34-foot flume slide, a SprayGround for children's water play, a zero depth entry leisure pool, a current river and concessions.

Located adjacent to Roanoke County's Green Ridge Recreation Center, the water park is located just off Interstate 581, exit 2N.

Splash Valley Water Park is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. On weekends and holidays, season pass holders and Roanoke County residents get to enter the park one hour early — at 10 a.m., while everyone else can enter at 11 a.m. The park closes at 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Visit the park's website to purchase one-day tickets and season passes.

Related:

• Virginia Meets President Biden's Goal For COVID-19 Vaccinations
• VA Governor To End COVID-19 State Of Emergency On June 30

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