ACE South Central: ACE Day at Big Rivers Waterpark & Adventures

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originally posted on 5/27/2022 1:08:00 AM

Enthusiasts gather for a first-ever event at Big Rivers Waterpark & Adventures.
All Photos: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.

On Saturday, May 14, 47 ACEers and Thrill Seekers United members gathered at the front entrance of Big Rivers Waterpark & Adventures in New Caney, Texas, just north of Houston, for a first-ever event at the park. Wristbands were distributed that included admission and a deluxe meal of the attendees’ choosing. To start the day, attendees were led into the park to a pavilion reserved all day just for the group and then over to the new Fairgrounds section to enjoy some ERT on the park’s newest attractions, including Rolling Thunder, an SBF spinning coaster. After ERT, attendees were free to enjoy all the attractions the park had to offer — and there were a lot.

Rolling Thunder.
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The waterpark consists of several attractions, including a dozen slides, a huge activity structure, a wave pool and a lazy river. But there is much more to do than just water attractions. In addition to the waterpark, attendees were able to enjoy ropes courses, ziplines, a petting zoo, a maze, gator interactions, axe throwing, archery, an inflatable waterpark on a lake and more.

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How cool is this? Inflatable activities on the lake make for out-of-the-norm fun for a waterpark.
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It’s not every event where archery is included!
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At 3 p.m., attendees gathered at the nature center for a meet and greet with the park’s owner, Monty Galland. This was a great opportunity for attendees to ask questions and hear about future plans for the development of the current park, as well as the future Grand Texas theme park. It was a real treat to hear Galland talk about his travels and experiences at parks across the country, as well as his plans and passion for developing Grand Texas so the Houston area has a park again, after the closure of AstroWorld back in 2005. He even mentioned how a couple of former AstroWorld employees were involved at the start of the Grand Texas project and the attempt to purchase Greezed Lightnin’ for the park. While this may have been ACE members’ first time to the park and first time meeting Galland, he is well aware of ACE and how ACE helps the amusement industry through feedback.

Owner Monty Galland speaks to ACE members during an afternoon break.
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After the meeting with the owner, attendees were once again free to enjoy the park until closing at 7 p.m.

With so much to do besides the waterpark, some attendees realized they would need two days at the park to be able to enjoy everything and were already making plans to return.

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ACE South Central thanked Big Rivers Waterpark for inviting ACE out and specifically Vincent Cook and Galland for taking time out of their busy day to welcome ACE to the park. It was great interacting with so many friendly employees who clearly enjoyed working there. ACE is already looking forward to returning next year!

— Jason Knutson, ACE South Central Regional Representative