Indoor Water Parks Open
Big Splash Adventure
4.1(3,675)4.1 out of 5 stars, 3675 reviews Indianapolis, IN
About Big Splash Adventure
Big Splash Adventure offers a 5-star fun experience in what reviewers often describe as a 3-star (dated) hotel. Its unique value proposition lies in being an affordable indoor water park, often the only one of its kind within a 3-hour radius, providing immense fun for kids despite facility shortcomings. The convenience of rooms located just steps from the water park and the ability to bring your own food and adult beverages adds significant value for families.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families seeking an affordable indoor water park getaway, especially in areas with limited alternatives.Weekend trips or short stays for families with children aged 4-9+ looking for active fun.Families wanting a fun indoor activity during cold weather or snow.Parents who prioritize their children's enjoyment over luxury accommodations and are budget-conscious.Families who prefer to bring their own food and drinks to save money.
Why families love it
- Ample lifeguards actively working to keep everyone safe, creating a sense of security for parents.
- Specific room locations are available just a few steps from the water park, allowing one parent to quickly return to the room while the other stays with the kids.
- Includes a free, hot, fresh, and delicious breakfast buffet with a variety of options (biscuits & gravy, fried potatoes, sausage, eggs, fruit, yogurt, cereal, drinks).
- Allows guests to bring their own cooler with food, non-alcoholic drinks, and even adult beverages, saving on dining costs.
- Features 4 main water slides (2 body, 2 tube) with often nonexistent wait times, allowing kids to ride continuously.
- A long lazy river and a dedicated kids' water play area with small slides cater to various age groups.
Insider tips
- Manage your expectations: Go in expecting a fun water park experience for the kids and a budget-friendly hotel, not a luxury resort. The fun factor often outweighs the hotel's datedness.
- Prepare for colder temperatures: Bring extra towels, cover-ups, or robes for children as the water and air in the water park can be cold, causing shivering.
- Utilize the free breakfast: It's generally well-regarded and offers good variety.
- Bring your own food and drinks: Take advantage of the policy allowing outside coolers to save money and ensure preferred options, especially if you have picky eaters or want adult beverages.
- Inspect your room upon arrival: Check beds and towels for cleanliness or any issues, and request changes if necessary.
- For families with young children, be prepared to monitor them in the adult-only hot tub, as lifeguard enforcement can be inconsistent.
Good to know before you go
- If you expect a modern, luxurious, or high-end resort experience; the accommodations are dated.
- If your children are highly sensitive to cold water/air, as they may shiver and become uncomfortable quickly.
- If you have high expectations for on-site dining beyond the free breakfast, as other food options received poor reviews for quality and price.
- If you are particular about pristine room conditions (e.g., spotless sheets, new towels, modern decor).
- Water and air temperatures in the water park are frequently described as too cold, leading to shivering children and discomfort.
- Crowds
- Wait times for slides can be 'nonexistent,' allowing for continuous play, suggesting it may not always be overly crowded.
- Value
- The price is generally considered 'good for what you get' and 'not very expensive,' offering a '5-star fun experience' despite '3-star hotel' amenities. This suggests strong value for family entertainment. The free breakfast adds significant value. However, the on-site Boatyard buffet cost $72 for a family of 4 and was deemed a 'waste of money' due to poor quality, indicating potential hidden costs if not cautious about dining choices.
- Food
- Outside food, non-alcoholic drinks, and adult beverages are permitted in coolers. This is a significant cost-saving benefit.
- Accessibility
- Elevators are available for access (though one had a broken button), implying multi-floor accessibility. No other specific accommodations for special needs were mentioned.
- Safety
- Ample lifeguards are present and actively working to keep everyone safe.
What parents say
"Honestly, I don’t know what all the hate is for. We brought our kids, ages 8 and 9 for the weekend and we all had a great time. We felt safe there, as there were ample lifeguards who were doing a great job of keeping everyone safe, and while the place is a bit dated, it was clean. No, it isn’t 5 star accommodations, but it’s for the kids. The food at the boatyard was reasonable and good. We didn’t eat at the concession because the pizza didn’t look great, but that’s probably more personal preference than anything. Our only complaints are pretty minimal - the water is colder than I’d like, so t"
2 months ago
"Overall, our stay was okay. We took our 4 year old for a night. Check-in was easy, and the employee was nice. The room was ok, but the beds weren't made all the way. Itchy blankets. The beds need to be updated. You can feel the springs. Also the towels in our room were damp and smelled like mildew guessing from.not drying them completely. Rooms could really use updates, especially for the price. As for the water park, it was ok, but it was cold with those big fans going, and the water is warm in some places and cold in others. Our daughters lips were blue after an hour and shivering. The heat "
a month ago
"A wonderful place to take the kids during any season. The indoor waterpark is amazing with several slides to choose from as well as a lazy river, and a large hot tub for the adults, ( life guards need to do a better job keeping the children out of this area for safety) They do have life best available, and they should be worn by all children. They have outdoor pools available, weather permitting. The breakfast buffet, consisted of, biscuits and gravy, fried potatoes, sausage links, scrambled eggs, fruit, yogurt, cereal, orange juice, milk, coffee, and assorted soft drinks. The breakfast was ho"
a month ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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