Major Water Park Attraction Slated for Manatee County

BRADENTON – Rumors have swirled for nearly a decade that Manatee County would be getting a major water park on par with those operated by Disney and Busch Gardens, but the colossal ups and downs of our local real estate market have always managed to halt actual development. If one Florida business has its way, that will all change in the very near future.

Jungle Falls Inc. plans to build three such parks within the state over the next five years, starting with Manatee County, which they plan to open within the next 18-24 months.

“Manatee’s proximity to St. Petersburg and Tampa was the key factor in our site selection,” said Paul Saulo, who's on the company's board of directors. “We have been in talks with several local land owners and are within weeks of deciding our final location.”

The project's founder and CEO Garrick Newman says that they are considering property near Port Manatee and the I-75 corridor, but are still in final talks with landowners. The park's plans designate 15 acres and include a 20,000 square foot wave-pool lagoon with a simulated tropical beach, volleyball courts and more than a dozen of the industry’s latest water slides – including thrill slides, tube rides, surf & body boarding rides, children’s activity areas and play pools.

Newman says he expects to draw approximately 250,000 visitors a year from March through October and anticipates employing 100 workers during the peak summer season and that tickets will be around $30, notably lower than similar parks in the state.

"We really want this to be something families can do on a more regular basis than the more expensive parks. We're planning a seasonal pass for under $50," Newman explained.

Jungle Falls has already tapped some heavy hitters in the amusement park industry including Wet Engineering and WhiteWater West, who've been involved with the development of some of the biggest attractions in the world including Busch Gardens, Cedar Fair, Sea World, Six Flags, Universal Studios and Walt Disney World.

Newman thinks that the timing is perfect because of affordable land prices and a rebounding economy and says that a family-oriented water park fits Manatee County's character to a tee.

"This is truly something the local area deserves and I'm excited to be a part of it," says Newman.

For more information, visit www.junglefalls.com or email Mr. Newman at garrick@junglefalls.com.