Sandcastle Waterpark Blackpool Review

Sandcastle Waterpark
Blackpool

www.sandcastle-waterpark.co.uk

Reviewed by Emma Lydon

The Sandcastle Waterpark in Blackpool is the largest indoor waterpark in the UK and boasts over 18 different slides and attractions. We visited last year and were super excited to be able to visit again with whatsgoodtodo.com to do a review. The sandcastle is located on the main Blackpool promenade, opposite the Pleasure Beach and there is a pay and display car park on-site. However there is also plenty of free street parking just a short 5-10 minute walk away and it is a lovely, if not bracing, walk along the promenade.

The four of us, myself, my husband, and our two girls aged three and six, chose to visit on a Sunday and arrived at about 10:30am. The park opens from 10am and when we arrived it was very quiet, with no queues at the ticket desk. On top of the general admission price, there is the option to add on the Hyperzone wristband which gives you access to the 4 ‘thrill-seeking’ slides. We were lucky enough to be offered these wristbands as part of the review for the grown-ups (the wristband is available for 8+ years) and there is also a reduced price wristband for 6-7 year olds which allows them to ride the Sidewinder slide and this was provided for our 6 year old.

The staff at the ticket desk and information desk are welcoming and friendly, it is well signposted and as soon as you enter the building the decor and atmosphere really give you a tropical holiday feel. Again, the changing rooms are well signposted and there are both male and female changing rooms as well as a family changing room which is handy. Plenty of cubicles and lockers are available, lockers are charged at 50p which is refundable. The changing rooms are impeccably clean and well maintained, with plenty of shower blocks in all three changing areas.

The waterpark itself is split into two large pools, Typhoon Lagoon (which is also an intermittent wave pool, you need to listen out for the tune to let you know it will be starting) and Shimmering Shallows/Lagoon Bay. Shimmering Shallows was perfect for my 3 year old who cannot swim and there is lots there to keep little ones entertained: there is an interactive treehouse, a pirate ship with jets and cannons, and the Fort Riptide water slides which are designed with smaller children in mind and was just the perfect size for my youngest to climb up herself and slide down to meet us at the bottom. There is also a lazy river which is lots of fun, just shallow enough for my six year old to be able to stand up and has lots of hidden surprises along the way. Also included in the general admission price and suitable for all ages is the Treetops Water Chutes where three riders can race against each other, and the Thunderfalls Waterslides which are huge 300ft slides with plenty of twists and turns – these are great fun and you are allowed your little ones to sit on your knee so no-one has to miss out on the fun. My eldest was confident enough to slide on her own and very much enjoyed beating Daddy down to the bottom! The Duelling Dragons slide is also available with general admission and is advertised as wet, wild and white knuckle and I can testify that this is true! The two chutes are certainly fast and furious and not for the fainthearted! My husband’s favourite, not so much me as I think I swallowed about a gallon of water but still lots and lots of fun.

The Hyperzone wristbands give you access to the MasterBlaster (the world’s longest indoor rollercoaster waterslide), the Sidewinder (the hyperzone slide that riders aged 6+ can enjoy), Aztec Falls, and Montazooma. Luckily for us, my parents came with us so they were happy to watch the children while took ourselves off for some thrills and spills! My favourite is Aztec Falls where you can ride in a solo or double tube into a pitch black chute before dropping into a space-like chasm followed by another pitch black corkscrew chute. Montazooma is a solo slide, where you lay down on you tummy and hold on to your mat, zooming down loops and turns. The Masterblaster is also really fun, a single tube ride that whizzes you round the entire waterpark. The Sidewinder is the only hyperzone slide suitable for 6years+ and can be ridden in solo or double tubes. It is a u-shaped slide where you drop down from quite a height and although a little scared at first, once she had been on once there was no stopping my 6 year old.

I’d say you could easily spend a good 4 hours in here, it is very much a full day out, so it is great that it has a number of catering facilities available, both in and out of the actual park. A good range of hot and cold snacks are on offer, as well as a good selection of kids meals. Prices are reasonable, and portion sizes are good so this certainly won’t break the bank. Loads of seating all around the waterpark, and anyone who is not swimming is welcome to come in and spectate from here.

For anyone who fancies relaxing and unwinding, there is the Sea Breeze Spa, fully equipped including a sauna and steam room. This is charged at an additional cost and is for adults only.

The waterpark was quiet as we went in but by 11am or so it had filled up. Saying this, we never had to queue more than 5 minutes or so for each ride, there were still plenty of seating available, we never felt as though it was too busy in the pools and we only had to wait a couple of minutes for our food.

All four of us had the best time at the Sandcastle, the kids haven’t stopped asking when we’re going back and we will definitely be returning for another visit. I would recommend the waterpark to adults and families alike, with both young and older children. The standard price for a single 12+ years is £14.50, 3-11 years is £11.50 and under 3’s are free. The Hyperzone bands are an extra £6 for 8+ years and £2.50 for the Sidewinder only. There are lots of Saver options available which makes it that little bit more economical and I find that these prices are comparable to most other attractions and we spent the best part of the day there.

Family-friendly and fun, I give the Sandcastle Waterpark a fabulous 5 out of 5.

Rating: 5/5 

For more information or to book tickets online visit www.sandcastle-waterpark.co.uk.

Sandcastle Waterpark, South Beach, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY4 1BB | 01253 343 602