Water rides in places such as Raging Waters,San Jose are popular alternatives for the amusement park industry because they offer cheaper rates than traditional amusement parks.  It is also appealing to those looking for something new.  The New Year and its promises of new technology will satisfy many different types of visitors, from child to young adults, to parents.  These speed slides offers the excitement that thrill seekers yearn for while at the same time, the wave pool, slow boat rides and many such types will satisfy the low-keyed visitors. 

Although, water parks’ popularity came after the 1950’s, the very idea for a water park is credited to a Hungarian spa.  Today, Raging Waters San Jose park and similar facilities features waterplay areas such as water slides, splash pads, spraygrounds, lazy rivers, and other recreational bathing environments.  Surfing or bodyboarding in wave pools or flow riders are also an additional atraction.  Of course, US has the largest and most concentrated waterpark market.  (Notable water parks in CA include:  Raging Waters,San Jose and in San Dimas.  Knott's Soak City USA in Buena Park, Chula Vista, and Palm Springs.)

The terrorist attacks of 911 slowed the $10.8 billion industry’s momentum.  The economy suffered while many Americans took refuge in their homes, not wanting to go out.  After a few years of financial disappointment, theme and amusement park owners decided to increase their budget and spent an abundance of money improving their park attractions.  As a result, more sophisticated rides such as Raging Waters Dragon’s den opened.  Dragon’s Den (a two-person bowl slide) is Raging Waters,San Jose newest, breathtaking answer for maximum thrill-seekers while claiming to be the first of its kind.  Dragon’s den claims to be the newest wave in slide design and technology.  Parks nationwide have spent an estimated $750 million on new rides and upgrades for this year.  New rides are especially important for attracting visitors in a mature amusement park market because pools that cater to an older crowd have proven to be more successful.

Still, other amusement parks such as Wet n Wild went all out:  Cinema on water.  In 1933, the first time drive-in movies appeared in the United States. It is not surprising that America has blended cinema while sunbathing in a pool.  The term used for it is “dive-in” cinemas.  Imagine splashing and screams all afternoon followed by eager eyes lined up in a giant screen.  Of course, a heated in-door pool would seem more appealing relaxed with your favorite movie. By the time dusk turns into night, coffees and smoothies are served with popcorn. 

Already, similar scenes have played out at public and private pools across the country.  The summer "dive-in" will prove to be the outdoor movie of choice for families.  Even prior to that, bathers watched movies outdoors while hanging from a tree.  So dive-in theaters should not be a new concept for Raging Waters in California.  Somehow, the idea of floating in a pool while watching a good movie sounds like a perfect vacation. 

However, it has only been in the past few years that poolside cinema has spread to small towns and big cities across the country.  Sponge Bob Square Pants, the Movie and Shark Tales have entertained pool bathers from as far as Australia.  The cinema industry in conjunction with the water park industry could prove a lucrative business.  So, fans of Raging Waters Park should get ready to await the merging of what will be a new wave in the entertainment business.  It will not be long before the demand is met.  Meanwhile, ``folks in February can load up the car with their bathing suits and ice scrapers and head to the water park.”