If you lived in the Midwest during the mid-2000s, you probably remember the giant, colorful tubes snaking out of a building right next to the Mall of America. It was hard to miss. That was the Water Park of America. For a solid decade, it stood as a massive indoor playground for families brave enough to face Minnesota winters. It was loud. It was humid. It smelled like a swimming pool on steroids.
Then, things changed.
Nowadays, if you pull up to that same spot in Bloomington, you won’t see the "Water Park of America" sign. It's gone. Many people think the place just closed down or failed, but the reality is more about a massive corporate facelift and a shift in how these mega-resorts actually make money. Honestly, the story of this park is basically a lesson in how the "bigger is better" era of indoor water parks had to evolve or die.
The Wild Scale of the Original Water Park of America
When it opened in 2006, the scale was genuinely impressive. We're talking about a facility that claimed to be the largest indoor water park in the United States at the time. It had a signature feature: a slide tower that stood ten stories tall. That’s roughly 90 feet in the air. You’d lug your raft up those stairs—which felt like a workout at the gym—just for a 45-second rush.
The park was built to complement the Mall of America, even though it wasn't actually part of the mall itself. It was technically attached to the Radisson Hotel. This created a weird dynamic where people would get confused about whether they could walk from the LEGO store straight into a wave pool. You couldn't. But the proximity was the whole point. It was part of that Bloomington "tourism orbit."
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Inside, the vibe was pure chaos. You had the Lake Superior wave pool, which was always crowded, and the 10th-floor Body Slide. There was also a "FlowRider" surfing simulator. If you ever tried that, you know it was basically a machine designed to strip your swimsuit off if you didn't hold on tight enough. It was a flagship attraction that drew people from all over the North Star State.
Why the Branding Disappeared
So, why don't we call it the Water Park of America anymore? In early 2017, the property was sold. Great Wolf Resorts, the massive chain known for its woodland-themed hotels and animatronic wolves, bought the whole thing. They didn't just want to keep the lights on; they wanted a total overhaul.
They closed the doors in January 2017.
When it reopened later that year, the Water Park of America name was scrubbed from the building. It became the Great Wolf Lodge Minnesota. This wasn't just a name change. Great Wolf dumped roughly $30 million into the renovation. They gutted the old cafeteria, changed the arcade, and—most importantly—moved away from the "public park" model.
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Under the old management, you could just buy a day pass and walk in. It was a popular spot for local birthday parties. Great Wolf changed that. They prioritized hotel guests, which is their standard business model. It shifted from being a local hangout to a high-end destination resort. Some locals were pretty annoyed. It felt like a community staple was being gated off.
The Logistics of Running a Giant Indoor Lake
Building a water park in Minnesota is a massive engineering headache. You’re dealing with extreme temperature differentials. Outside, it’s -20°F. Inside, you’re trying to maintain 84°F with 60% humidity. If you don't get the ventilation right, the building literally starts to rot from the inside out because of the condensation.
The Water Park of America used a complex HVAC system to keep the "rain" from falling inside the building—which happens when warm, moist air hits a cold ceiling. When Great Wolf took over, a lot of the investment went into these invisible things. Better filtration. Better air quality. Things you don't see but definitely notice if they're missing.
What actually happened to the slides?
The physical structure of the slides mostly stayed the same during the transition. Those iconic tubes sticking out of the building? They're still there. You can’t exactly move a 10-story steel and fiberglass structure without spending a fortune. However, the interiors were refreshed. They added new lighting effects and updated the "splash-down" areas to meet modern safety standards.
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The Competitive Landscape of Bloomington
The Water Park of America didn't exist in a vacuum. It was always competing with the fact that the Mall of America itself is a massive entertainment hub. For years, there have been rumors and off-and-on plans for the Mall of America to build its own actual on-site water park, potentially called "Mystery Cove."
If that ever happens, it would be even bigger than the old Water Park of America. This looming threat is likely why the original park needed a brand like Great Wolf to survive. You need a "hook" beyond just having slides. You need the "MagiQuest" games, the character breakfasts, and the brand loyalty that keeps families coming back.
Is it Still Worth the Trip?
If you’re looking for the Water Park of America today, you’re looking for a nostalgic memory. What exists now is a polished, corporate version of that dream. It’s cleaner. It’s probably safer. It’s definitely more expensive.
The 10-story slide tower is still the king of the hill. If you have kids, the "Fort Mackenzie" structure (which replaced the old play area) is a hit because of the giant tipping bucket. But if you’re a local looking for a cheap afternoon swim, those days are mostly over. The "all-in" resort model is the new king of the industry.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Visit
If you are planning to visit the site of the former Water Park of America, keep these practical tips in mind:
- Book Mid-Week: Great Wolf Lodge prices fluctuate wildly. Staying on a Tuesday can be 50% cheaper than a Saturday.
- Check the Pass Policy: While they primarily serve hotel guests, they do occasionally release "Half Day" or "Full Day" passes on their website if the hotel isn't at 100% capacity. You have to check early in the morning.
- Factor in Parking: Since it's right by the mall and the airport, parking isn't always free or easy. Check your booking details to see if a parking pass is included.
- Bring Your Own Food: The onsite dining is convenient but pricey. Since the rooms are designed for families, many have fridges. Use them. There are plenty of grocery stores in Bloomington within a five-minute drive.
- Wristband Technology: The new system uses RFID wristbands for everything—room keys, park entry, and payments. It’s convenient, but keep an eye on your kids’ spending if you enable "charging privileges" on their bands.
The era of the standalone Water Park of America ended years ago, but the building remains a landmark of Minnesota tourism. It’s an evolution from a local attraction to a national brand destination. Whether that’s a good thing depends on whether you prefer a local vibe or the polished experience of a major chain.