sunbabe

Can any Fodorites tell me if there is an outdoor water park in the Sarasota, FL area? I know Busch Gardens is in Tampa, but I was hoping to find something closer to Siesta Key, where we will be vacationing this summer. DS#2 really isn't a big fan of the beach and would much rather spend an afternoon at a water park. Go figure!

Thanks!

sunbabe

Anyone?

samschack

I think you'll have a hard time finding a water park closer than Tampa from Sarasota. For what it's worth, there is a YMCA in the south Sarasota that has a really kool outdoor pool with a water slide and some of the things you might find at a water park but it certainly would not compare to one of the real water parks like Adventure Island. It probably wouldn't keep you occupied for more than a couple of hours as well.
Other than staying at a hotel with a large pool to enjoy you aren't going to have much of an alternative to driving up to Tampa.

sunbabe

I appreciate the info, sam. I'll keep the Y in mind, too.

seawitch1

sunbabe - I live three miles from the beach and my daughter, too, would prefer to spend the day at a water park. I don't get it. The beach is free, for the most part... She tells me it has to do with the sand getting into everything. I, myself, prefer the beach anyday.

sunbabe

sea~ My DH and DS#1 love the beach and can't wait to get there! Since DS#2 doesn't like the beach we try to be fair and take non-beach vacations, too.

I try to be sensitive to DS#2's feelings. I know he is afraid of jellyfish and the possibility of sharks.

Enjoy your beach!

Neopolitan

There's a huge and fantastic water park near Sarasota. It's called "The Gulf of Mexico". What on earth did we all do before the days of platic slides, artificial waves, and fake concrete beaches?

roy

Terribly sorry old chap but here in Sarasota we don't have water parks but rather formaldehyde parks. After all, this is Heavens waiting room.