Water World makes big splash with its first drop-capsole slide

Water World is ready to debut its largest development in more than 40 years. The Colorado water park announced its new attraction area Summit Canyon opens Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

The outdoors-themed Summit Canyon area features Lookout Tower, the tallest point in Water World, as the launchpad of four new waterslides: Runoff Rapids, Marmot Mayhem, Columbine Cascade, and Aspen Falls.

Water World is also opening its first drop-capsule water slide, where a guest enters a vertical tube with a countdown to when the floor drops out, sending the rider on more than 400 feet of slide.

The park said Summit Canyon has a Critter Cove children's area with zero-depth entry pools, spray-play features, and five pint-sized slides. The zone has an obstacle course, in-water basketball hoops, and Emerald Lake, a leisure pool designed for guests 16 and older.

Summit Canyon also has new food and beverage options, including alcoholic beverages, the park said. Water World officials said Summit Canyon will host new after-hours events including "Sunset Swim" for guests 21 and older.

Summit Canyon is the first new area at Water World since the Alpine Springs redevelopment in 2021. Summit Canyon access is included in every Water World ticket.