Schlitterbahn opens Schatze’s Storybrook Park, new Hillside Terrace

AT: Jeffrey Seifert

jseifert@amusementtoday.com

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas — In April, Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort New Braunfels continued its tradition of premiering first-of-its-kind attractions by adding Bow Wow Blaster, the world’s first water coaster for kids. The new water coaster is part of Schatze’s Storybrook Park, an all-new kids' area that was developed in the original section of the park.

The new area, named after Schlitterbahn’s short-legged mascot pup, features not only the world’s first kids water coaster but six new waterslides, more than 70 interactive water features, spray toys, splash pads and a 1,200-gallon tipping water bucket.

“We unveiled the first new attraction in over a decade right here at Schlitterbahn — Schatze’s Storybrook Park,” brand activation and communications senior manager Chris Ozimek said during the opening ceremony held in April. “You probably know Schatze very well, but it’s always been Schatze’s dream to have a place where all of his friends can play together every day. That dream has finally come true.”

Bow Wow Blaster is a pint-sized version of the park’s famous Master Blaster, which opened in 1996 as a follow-up to the original Dragon Blaster — the world’s first uphill water coaster. The new water coaster, dubbed a Mini Blaster, was supplied by WhiteWater West of British Columbia, Canada, which also supplied the Fur-Bidden Fort AquaPlay 550 waterplay structure and the new slides.

Like most Master Blaster water coasters, Bow Wow Blaster utilizes specially designed rafts to accommodate two riders, although participants may ride alone if they are at least 40 inches in height and weigh at least 120 pounds. The minimum height is 36 inches but those between 36 to 40 inches must be accompanied by an adult. The maximum weight is 275 pounds per raft for either one or two people combined.

Storybrook Park is a redevelopment of the space that was formerly used for Polywog Pond and Tadpool. But not everything from those two attractions was abandoned. Schatze’s Fairy Tail Trail had a lot of nostalgic elements that the park felt needed to be preserved and although Polywog Pond and Tadpool were older, the park purposely refurbished the iconic frog slide and reinstalled it. The faeries at the top of the AquaPlay structure are exact replicas of the faeries that were in the Polywog Pond, and the whimsical mushrooms in the spray ground pay homage to the mushrooms that were in the original pond.

The new area, next to Schatze’s Central Park, is divided into three storybook lands: Fur-Bidden Forest, Schatze’s Pawn’d and Fairy Tail Trail. Sidewalks connect the three areas like a babbling brook — a “storybrook” — that cascades through an enchanted land. Classic stories are reimagined with Schatze’s reinterpretation into puppy-themed fairy tales including Little Red Riding Hound, Houndsel and Petzel, Rapawnzel and the Three Little Pugs. The new park also features shaded seating areas under which guests can relax or enjoy a meal.

“Schlitterbahn has always been known as a place where families come together to have fun, make memories and stay cool during the hot summer months,” said Darren Hill, vice president and general manager of Schlitterbahn Water Parks and Resorts. “We are known as a water park that introduces first-of-its-kind attractions, and with the addition of the world’s first water coaster for kids and Schatze’s Storybrook Park in 2024, the tradition of families making lifelong memories in New Braunfels will continue for many years to come.”

It's been a recent trend to reimagine iconic adult attractions into kid-sized versions. When Amusement Today asked who came up with the idea of a mini water coaster, Hill credits Rick Belhumeur, assistant general manager of Schlitterbahn Galveston Island. “We were talking about new children’s capital in both the Galveston and New Braunfels parks, and he said he really wanted to do a kids' master blaster,” said Hill. “New Braunfels won the contest of where the ride would go.”

Storybrook Park wasn’t the only capital improvement project for 2024.

“We have a whole new section of the park entrance that has huge brand-new restrooms,” Ozimek said. “There’s new lockers, new changing areas and then there’s a new restaurant on the rooftop and it’s got this great view of the river below, so this isn’t the only thing new here this year.”

The new Hillside Terrace replaced the old Festhaus. According to Hill, the renovation of that space was much needed. It also required a partial rebuild of the Hillside Tube Chute that used to go through the Festhaus building. Even though it is the same length, the tube chute now has better flow, so it is a new experience for guests. To better accommodate all patrons, the new terrace includes a much-needed elevator to transport guests who might have difficulty with stairs from the lagoon pool level to the street level.

Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort New Braunfels is a perennial favorite among water park connoisseurs. The park has won Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Award for Best Waterpark for each of the 25 years that the award has been presented.