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Aquatopia Unveiled at Camelback

TANNERSVILLE — Despite the snow in parts of northeastern and central Pennsylvania Thursday morning, inside Camelback Resorts’ Aquatopia it was a war...
aquatopia

TANNERSVILLE -- Despite the snow in parts of northeastern and central Pennsylvania Thursday morning, inside Camelback Resorts' Aquatopia it was a warm 80 degrees.

The area's newest indoor waterpark opened with a big explosion of water.

The first official unveiling of the indoor resort took place Thursday, but it's still not officially open to the public. By June of 2015, it will be one of four indoor waterparks in the Poconos.

Exploding water cannons and waves helped welcome guests to the newest resort in the Poconos as Camelback unveiled its new Aquatopia indoor waterpark in Tannersville.

"It's been a long time, you know, over two years of planning and getting everything together and here it is and it's just amazing. We're excited to have the guests come," said co-owner Tim Gantz.

The $163 million resort is the newest one of four indoor waterparks in this region, competing against Split Rock Resort in Lake Harmony, Great Wolf Lodge in Swiftwater, and the soon-to-be Kalahari Resort in Mount Pocono scheduled to open in June.

"We'll be the largest indoor waterpark destination on the east coast, and that's saying something. This is the future," said Robert Uguccioni, retired tourism bureau executive director.

Aquatopia resort owners say they've built the largest indoor waterpark and family entertainment center in the northeast. That includes 13 slides, seven pools, a wave pool, and flow rider surfing adventure.

Officials expect most business to be driven in from a 250-mile radius, including New York and Philadelphia families.

"85 percent of the population are potential visitors to a waterpark, so just the dynamics of the numbers warrant the opportunity for us to have this kind of experience here," said Carl Wilgus, Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau.

As students from Wallenpaupack South Elementary took to the water, they already gave this park the kid stamp of approval.

"It's really fun," said third grader Hailey Coch.

Guests will have to stay to swim at Aquatopia and even the kids know, that comes along with a price tag.

"I'm pretty sure it's going to be pricey, but I'm going to want to come," said fifth grader Nick Hussung.

Tourism experts say with four indoor waterparks costs might not climb too terribly high.

"For the consumer, it's going to be great, because they're going to start competing for the customer. And one of the areas you compete in is rates."

Guests will be able to check into this waterpark next Friday.

The opening was a bit behind schedule but is now on track to open May 1.

 

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