If an Australian vacation is out of the question this year, you can still have down under fun, down under Chicago and under an hour away.
Raging Waves, the Aussie themed water park, opened for their 4th season this month. Now that the rainy season is over, and it’s hot and muggy in Chi town, we plan to head down under for a day of splashing in the 6′ waves at The Great Barrier Reef, without all those pesky great white sharks.
Raging Waves spans over 40 acres, making it Illinois’ largest outdoor water park. The park features18 slides, a wave pool, and kiddie area. The waterpark’s main attractions include: Crocodile Mile Family Raft Ride, Boomerang Tornado Ride, and the Three Sisters Tube Rides. USA Today named Raging Waves as Illinois’ Top Summer Destination.
- For now, here’s our photo filled, prior Sagezilla and Du-Jay’s Adventures at RAGING WAVES coverage. ChiIL Mama‘s featured onTheRaging Waves site under the In the News tab!
- Unfortunately, Sagezilla had just broken her ankle attempting cartwheel aerials (no handed cartwheels) and was in a cast up to her knee, so water fun was off the table. She did get a rockin’ dragon tattoo, while her brother checked out the wave pool and inner tubes. It was quite cold and a giant storm blew in, cutting short our slide time. So we all can’t wait to come back and really do it up right.
FUN FACTS
Brock the Crocodile and Izzy the Platypus are the mascots of the Australian-themed waterpark.
Ninety percent of the rides are multi-person rides-some carry up to four people-allowing full families to participate in water rides together.
GOOD NEWS
Discount passes and packages are available including: season passes, family day passes, group passes, birthday packages, corporate event packages, and more.
Twenty private cabanas are available for rent, offering a shaded, private patio, a server, lounge chairs, picnic table, preferred parking, and more.
Free parking is available, and the entire waterpark is a non-smoking facility.
ROCKIN’ AWESOME
Of course, atChiIL Mama we cover all the area kindie rock….and well, rock of all ages. So we’re particularly interested inRaging Waves rockin’ special events.
Kindie King,Justin Roberts, just kicked off their kids’ Wee Widdle Wednesdays season of theatre, animal shows and stories.
They also have aRaging Band Contest coming up every Friday in July, for the big kids or rockin’ adults.
- Raging Band Contest presented by KISS FM
- 6pm – 8pm
You can sign your band up on theKISS FM website at www.1035kissfm.com.
10 lucky bands will be chosen to perform one of the 5 Fridays in July on theHarris Bank Stage at Raging Waves.
Two bands will perform each Friday night from 6-8pm. One winner will be selected each night based on a text vote from the audience, so participants are encouraged to bring family and friends. The winning band from each night will receive a 0 prize.
The band with the most overall votes will receive the Grand Prize of ,000 and their song will be produced and aired in a minute commercial on KISS FM!
GREEN SCENE
AtChiIL Mama, we also go for the green, and love to feature businesses who are taking eco-friendly steps. Here’s the green scoop onRaging Waves.
The trans-fat free cooking oil is recycled and sent to a biofuel company for use as alternative fuel
Pools are solar-heated; Water is recycled to irrigate the park’s landscaping
Raging Waves participates in a recycling program.
The waterpark’s landscaping includes 798 trees, 1,156 bushes, and 273 containers of ornamental grasses.
*The total water used during the season is the same amount as that used by 35 single-family homes in a year!
SAFETY FIRST
Experience 6′ waves at The Great Barrier Reef wave pool
Meander down the lazy crocodile (free) mile in inner tubes and dangle your feet in the water all you want.
More than 400 people are hired as seasonal employees early June through early September.
Lifeguards are licensed through the Jeff Ellis & Associates International Lifeguard Training Program.
Full Day, Individual Admission
General Admission Over 48″ tall: .99
General Admission Under 48″ tall: .99
Senior (62 years old and older): .99
Child 2 years old or younger: FREE
Full-day and seasonal passes are available. Check their web site and follow them on Facebook for special events, deals, and more.
