FOLEY — What has been years in the making will last a couple more days.

Material and labor shortages have delayed everything from home construction to now, to the dismay of families who brought their towels and water gear Monday morning to beat the already sticky Alabama Gulf Coast heat, Tropic Falls at OWA’s new indoor water park. The park, owned by Poarch Band of Creek Indians and located at Foley Beach Express and County Road 20, was set to open Monday.

The wait won't be long. Guests are invited back Wednesday, June 27.

Kristin Hellmich, OWA’s director of marketing and public relations, said the delay is due to unanticipated, last-minute snags in project materials and labor shortages.

“With numbers like 1,800 glass panels and over 750,000 color-changing lights, the indoor water park is a marvel of construction, engineering and tropical design. And it’s almost done,” she said Monday.

The 100,000-square-foot indoor, enclosed portion is the region’s largest indoor water park. It’s also the only one in the nation with a retractable roof.
And that’s just the beginning. This August, phase two will see a 30,000-square-foot wave pool, surf simulator and concert stage.

While the public had to wait two more days to start sliding and playing and lounging, OWA officials offered a behind the scenes for media look at the almost-open park on Monday. Here are five things you need to know before you go.

1. Water play, any way

There are 11 slides inside. Six are for thrill seekers, including the 75-foot free fall – nearly vertical drop – named Tangerine Scream. From the top of the park, you’re discarded underground. The Aqua Chaser features three parallel slides with mats that allow riders to race. Hope into your inflatable tube and drop, dive and splash your way through the Citrus Cyclone, which features high speed turns. Forbidden Falls takes riders through twist-in-runs and straight runs, or accelerate through open flumes on the Serpentine Swirl.

For those seeking a calmer experience, there is a lazy river and five slides in the kid’s area, where adults are allowed to ride with their little ones and play in the 6-inch pool. Listen for the bell to signal a dumping of thousands of gallons of water from the top of Tuki’s Tower.

2. Safety and requirements to ride

There are height and other requirements to ride certain slides. For example, you must be 48 inches to get on the Tangerine Scream. Lifeguards on site will help direct people to the slides they are allowed to safely ride, or you can find more information at https://visitowa.com/water-park-attractions/.

About 120 lifeguards have been hired for the indoor park, and there are openings still as they go into phase two and the outdoor wave pool. They have been training for two months in conjunction with local municipalities that have offered their pools and resources. For employment information, go to https://visitowa.com/employment/.

Lockers are available to store personal belongings, and there are restrooms and showers.

3. Dry off and enjoy

There are plenty of amenities that don’t involve getting soaked but still offer a tropical atmosphere. Get reenergized at the Grub Bar, which serves up pizza, burgers, fries and other items. Hydrate and libate at the cocktail bar. A beer or seltzer is $7.

Or go play in the arcade, which also openes Wednesday.

4. What's not ready yet?

There will be party rooms that can be booked and private cabanas that can be rented, but those are not open yet. A retail store will also open behind the Grub Bar.

The outdoor water park, called Big Water Bay, will feature huge TV screens – hopefully just in time for the Alabama-Auburn football game – and more seating and sunning spots.

5. How much to get in?

According to Home ToGo, Tropic Falls at OWA is the most affordable amusement park in the nation when comparing the average cost of an admission ticket, parking and nearby vacation rentals. Right now, you must buy a combination ticket for $69.99, which gets you all-day access to the theme park and water park. You can also just buy a theme park ticket for $26.99. Season passes range from $269-$299 with unlimited visits to both parks, bring a friend tickets and discounts for lodging, dining and merchandise. The park is open year-round.

For more information on tickets, go to https://visitowa.com/plan-your-visit/tickets/.

You do not have to rent the multitude of bright, tropical-colored chairs that are all over. You can bring towels and beach bags.

Here's a bonus: The plants and trees are all real.