$5 million water park addition to open at Gaylord resort’s Summerfest in Grapevine
Gaylord Texan Resort is making a splash on Memorial Day weekend with the grand opening of its $5 million water play structure at its outdoor water park.
Gaylord’s 13th Annual Summerfest runs May 27 through Labor Day weekend and features author Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.”
Visitors will take a trip through the looking glass, with a variety of Alice-themed activities including a 4D walk through “Wonderland Adventure” attraction, “This Way & That Way” scavenger hunt, Cups & Canvases kids crafts, Hatter’s Tea Party, Queen of Hearts “Light Up the Night” Party, The Queen of Arts local art walk and giant sand sculptures from Wonderland.
New this summer, the resort will feature a free 3D visual light show— Breaking Through the Looking Glass — where visuals, lights, music and sound effects take visitors down the rabbit hole as the indoor atrium structures are transformed into a live canvas filled with Alice-themed imagery.
On select dates, Glass Cactus will host the “Electric Lake Festival” for families and adults. By day, families can enjoy a festival atmosphere featuring food and beverage concessions, a beer garden, games for the kids, retail booths and rotating DJs. By night, those 21 and up can enjoy a live DJ concert series.
Additional SummerFest activities include a Junior Chefs Camp for kids, happy hours and spa specials.
Out at the resort’s 10-acre outdoor water park, Paradise Springs, families at the hotel will enjoy a 600-foot-long winding lazy river and a 6,000-square-foot family lagoon with a walk-in beach, two horseshoe-shaped hot pools, a 27-foot water slide, a designated toddler pool and water basketball.
“Making the experience even bigger this summer, the resort has added a $5 million water play structure featuring three additional winding waterslides, a variety of new water features and more pool seating,” Gaylord spokeswoman Martha Neibling said during a tour on Tuesday.
For more information on SummerFest events or to book a room package, visit www.GaylordTexan.com/SummerFest or call 817-778-1000.
Marty Sabota: 817-390-7367
If you go
Free events May 27-Sept. 5
Queen of Hearts Light Up the Night Party: Features strolling characters, balloon artists and music. Every Friday and Saturday night plus Sunday nights over Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day weekends. Begins at 9 p.m.
Breaking Through the Looking Glass - A 3D Visual Light Show: Mission Plaza walls magically transform into a live 3D canvas with Alice-themed imagery. Every Friday and Saturday night plus Sunday nights over Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day weekends. begins at 9:30 p.m.
Queen of Arts Tour: Features a journey through more than four acres of lush indoor gardens with Alice-themed sculptures, paintings and blown glass from local artists.
This story was originally published May 18, 2016 at 2:50 PM with the headline "$5 million water park addition to open at Gaylord resort’s Summerfest in Grapevine."