After long delay, $10.5 million South MS water park is open. What to know before you go
Now that school’s out for summer, parents looking for a wet and wild place to take the kids can head out to Serengeti Springs.
The new $10.5 million water park at the Hattiesburg Zoo opened just in time for Memorial Day Weekend after a delay for materials to build the park.
The weather was warm and dry and the crowd impressed. “We had some really good comments” said Kari Zendejax, creative and digital media specialist for the Hattiesburg Convention Commission.
“The best day,” one person commented on Facebook after being among those first to try the park, which has the same look and feel of the African Serengeti as the neighboring zoo.
Nine water slides, with names like Peacock Plunge and Blue Rapid Run speed or twist to a splash down. Serengeti Swirl has a 48-inch height requirement and several others require a child to be 40 inches or taller to ride. Little Tikes slides are for smaller kids.
Two tipping buckets fill and splash water down on those below. A 150,000-gallon lazy river ride has a swim-up bar, so people can pull over and get a cold drink to sip while floating along.
What to know if you go
Hours: The park is open daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and those who buy tickets online before they arrive at the park save a couple of dollars and assure themselves admission.
Tickets: Admission is $25 Monday through Thursday, pr $23 if purchased online until 9 a.m.the day of ticket use. The cost is $30 Friday through Sunday, or $28 if purchased online. Children under the age of 2 are free. For safety and fun, there’s a daily ticket limit and unless purchased ahead or early in the day, it’s possible tickets will be sold out at the gate. Tickets do not include admission to the zoo.
Refreshments: Food trucks and concessions are available for food, drinks and ice pops. Coolers and outside food and drinks are not allowed.
Facilities: Restrooms with changing rooms and showers are provided along with locker rentals. Among the items not allowed at the park are animals, outside chairs (with the exception of ADA accessible chairs), beach balls and other toys, masks and swim fins, umbrellas or shade structures.
Cashless payments: Serengeti Springs Serengeti Springs doesn’t accept cash for admission, refreshments or the gift shop, but does take Google Pay, Apple Pay, debit and credit cards plus Serengeti Springs gift cards. An ATM machine is available on the property.
Accessibility: Most of the park will be handicap accessible
Address: Serengeti Springs is at 1700 Hardy St., Hattiesburg, about an hour from downtown Gulfport. Take U.S. 49 to the Hardy Street exit and go east.
Party and find some shade
Party pavilions can be rented for birthday celebrations and family reunions, or for something smaller to get out of the sun and nap, the waterpark rents cabanas.
They come with a safe to stow wallets, keys and phone, a ceiling fan to create a breeze on a hot afternoon, USB charging port for phones and tables, along with and other amenities.
Cabanas be reserved and paid for online up to 24 hours in advance of a visit or at the park when you arrive, depending on availability. Prices range from $69 to $119 depending on the day and the level of service.
