A few years ago, I got tired of paying for country club membership just to use the pool area for the summer. I got season passes to Gulf Island Waterpark instead and we go every summer. The park is a little over an hour drive from New Orleans on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Here are my six tips for visiting Gulf Islands Waterpark in Gulfport, Mississippi.
Get There At Park Opening
Tables and chairs in the shade are a precious commodity that goes quickly. If you have a family with you, you will want a table for your stuff and food. The park opens at 10 am, and we try to get there at opening to be sure we get a table.
What To Bring and Not Bring To Gulf Islands Waterpark
Besides the obvious bathing suits and towels. I suggest you bring lots of sunscreen, a hat, change of clothes, and cash or credit cards.
Outside food and drink is not allowed into the park without permission from management.
The park provides life jackets and tubes for the lazy river and wave pool. You can bring in your own life jackets if you prefer.
Be prepared for your bags to be checked upon entering the park.
Two Water Play Areas For Little Kids
The park has a huge area in the center of the waterpark for younger children with four smaller waterslides. There is also a new smaller area to the right by the larger waterslides for small children. Both areas are perfect for little kids and they will love playing there.
Height and Weight Requirements For Water Slides
Keep in mind that some of the waterslides and attractions have height and weight requirements. Most of the heigh requirements at 42 inches. You can learn more here.
Food at Gulf Islands Waterpark
One way to save money on food is to pack a lunch and leave it in your car. You can leave to eat and come back as many times as you want. However, the park has multiple places to get food such as:
- Petit Bois Island Cafe’ has Hot-off-the-Grill Chicken, Hamburgers and Hotdogs, Chicken Tenders, Chili-Cheese Fries, Salads and more.
- Dockside Pizza has fresh baked pizza and Coca-Cola Beverages
- Polly’s Sweet Spot has funnel cakes, cotton candy, mini melts and shaved ice.
The food lines tend to get long on the weekends so it’s best to make a plan. I suggest having one of the adults in your party get the food and the other take the kids for a trip or two around the lazy river. Trust me, you’ll be glad that you did this.
Get a Season Pass to Gulf Islands Waterpark
The cost of admission when you purchase an advance one day ticket starts around $30. Prices vary by day and you can find the them here. However the much better deal is the Season Passes which are $65 and $75. Season passes pay for themselves in one to two visits. For our family this is worth the investment!
We try and go every two weeks during the summer and hope your family enjoys Gulf Islands Water Park as much as ours does. Do you have any tips for visiting Gulf Islands Waterpark?
Yes pack a picnic lunch to eat outside of the park as the food is very expensive,, but all drinks are free. Instead of trying to get the free tables,, get a cabana !!! The money you would save by packing a lunch could easily pay for a cabana. We had cabana #12 which is right by the kids play area and next to the lazy river,,, with a lazy river entrance close by. The cabana also has a locker for your things and you supply the lock. Having the cabana made our all day stay at the water park much more enjoyable !!