As you know, Hawaiian Falls is not free. But, hang with me here. There are BOGO coupons at the end of this post, and a lot of pretty pictures to look at along the way!
Zero depth beach entry to the lazy river
Hawaiian Falls Pflugerville opened two years ago to some backlash, as you may recall, mostly because of ongoing construction as sections of the $30 million entertainment complex opened in stages. But now, in its third season, the water and adventure park located just northeast of Austin is fully open and ready for sliding, splashing, and floating the summer away.
Wave pool
At the invitation of Hawaiian Falls, I took my five children–ages three to 16–to spend a day at the park this week. We reserved a cabana by the lazy river and set up camp for the day. Then, the big kids were off to the races (waterslide races, that is). My three-year-old and I grabbed tubes for the lazy river, and stayed there floating in circles for much of the day. While there, I shared a photo on Instagram, and got quite a few questions. So, based on what folks were asking, here are five things we loved about Hawaiian Falls Pflugerville!
Hawaiian Falls Pflugerville is Not Huge
Okay, 23 acres sounds huge, but this suburban amusement park is actually quite easy to navigate, and most importantly, manageable with small children. Rides encircle the centrally located lazy river, so you never have far to walk and it’s always pretty easy to track down bigger kids who have gone off on their own.
So, what’s there? A 1,100-foot lazy river, race slides, tube slides, body slides, an activity pool, and a wave pool. Plus, there’s an indoor event center with inflatables, and an outdoor family adventure park that features the Big Island Adventure Trail, the Pineapple Express Zip Tour, a three-level Challenge Course, a six-story Free Fall, a Rock Wall, and a Cargo Climb.
Enjoy Two Parks in One
Both the Water Park and Adventure Park are included with admission, so you get two parks for the price of one! In the Adventure Park, children of all ages can explore the Big Island Adventure Trail. Just note that kids smaller than 42″ must be accompanied by someone who is at least 17 years old and all participants must be wearing closed toe shoes. The Adventure Trail’s 18 different rope bridges and tunnels climb nearly as high as the zip line and criss-cross over the Water Park’s lazy river.
Lazy river passing under Big Island Adventure Trail
The Adventure Park’s Challenge Course (pictured below) consists of 45 different ropes activities for guests ages six to 99. To participate in the three-level Challenge Course, guests must be at least 48″ tall. After signing a waiver, participants are suited up in a full-body harness and instructed on The Smart Belay System by EDELRID (this system consists of two lobster-claw lanyards, one of which is always connected to the safety line–if one claw is not locked on the line, the other will not open, ensuring the guest is always secured). The course starts at two feet off the ground and progresses up to 60 feet high, ending in a zip line ride to a nearby tower and then back again.
Challenge Course
Adventure Park participants must wear closed toe shoes and be completely dry. No flip flops are allowed and proper attire is required (shirts or swim suit cover-ups). So, if you plan to visit the Adventure Park, you may want to do so first, before getting wet at the Water Park.
Fun for All Ages
The most frequent question I get about Hawaiian Falls is: What age is it best for? I say, kids two and under, because they get in free. Ha! Kidding. While there are plenty of ways for babies and preschoolers to get wet, there are no water slides for children under 42″ tall. That is why Hawaiian Falls structures their pricing based on height (a Lil’ Kahuna is someone under 48″ and a Big Kahuna is someone over 48″).
Here’s the scoop on slide height requirements. Reef Racers (the side-by-side belly slides where you race on a mat), and the Green and Blue Aquatube body slides and the Blue Pool Slider (the three slides pictured above), all require riders to be 42″ tall. The other four water slides require riders to be at least 48″ tall. Of those four, two are single-tube rides, one is a double-tube ride that requires two riders (the Diamond Head Drop purple slide pictured below) and one is a chute-drop body slide (where the floor drops out from under your feet – eek). The bottom line is you must be at least 48″ to ride a slide with a tube, or at least 42″ to ride any slide at all. Click here to read about the rides.
Although children under 42″ can’t ride slides, they can still enjoy the Pfluger Cooler lazy river, the Splashwater Harbor children’s activity pool (pictured below), and the Breaker Beach wave pool. All of those attractions have zero depth entry, which is great for littles.
Splashwater Harbor, the activity pool
Free life jackets
Complimentary life jackets are available to borrow, and I highly recommend them for small children. Even the activity pool (pictured above) gets up to 4′ deep by the lily pad crossing. In the wave pool, kids in life jackets are required to stay in the shallow end, which gave me peace of mind since this pool gets up to 11′ deep. If you want to bring your own life jacket, Puddle Jumpers are allowed (but floaties are not).
There are lots of ways to save on Hawaiian Falls admission
- Champions Day – Tuesday, August 13, 2016 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. “Champions” (special needs children and adults) will get in free on this date. One family member or caregiver accompanying them can get in for only $5, and additional immediate family members are also offered discounted tickets. Champions and their families will have exclusive access to the parks 8:30-10 a.m. before the general public is allowed to enter. The park will open to the public 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Season pass holders can get in at 10 a.m.) Champions, caregivers and families can enjoy the park all day for no additional charge.
- Military Discount – Show a valid ID at the park and admission will be $24.99.
- Special Offers Page – Check this page on the Hawaiian Falls website for frequently updated coupons. Current promotions include:
- Maui Moms Mondays – On Mondays before noon, use this coupon to get a free child admission with the purchase of a regularly priced Big Kahuna ticket.
- $2 Twosdays – On Tuesdays, use this coupon to get one Big Kahuna ticket for $2, with the purchase of a regularly priced Big Kahuna ticket.
- Surf’s Up Sundays – On Sundays, use this coupon to buy one regularly priced Big Kahuna ticket, and get one free.
- Facebook – Like this page as Hawaiian Falls occasionally offers same-day coupons.
- AdPages – There is currently an offer online for $21.99 tickets, while supplies last.
For more information, and to plan your day, visit the Hawaiian Falls Pflugerville website. Be sure to check out the FAQ page for information on parking fees and cooler fees.
You might also be interested in 2016 Fireworks & Dive-In Movies at Hawaiian Falls Pflugerville.
Hawaiian Falls Waterparks Pflugerville
18500 N SH 130 SVRD SB
Pflugerville, TX 78660
