{{Short description|Water park in Spring, Texas}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox water park |name = Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown |image = Hurricane harbore splashtown.png |caption = |location = Spring |location2 = Texas |location3 = U.S. |coordinates = {{coord|30.070167|-95.431935|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} |theme = |homepage = [https://www.sixflags.com/splashtown Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown] |owner = EPR Properties |general_manager = |operator = Six Flags |opening_date = {{Start date|1987}} |closing_date = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> |previous_names = SplashTown USA<br />SplashTown Houston (-2005)<br>Six Flags SplashTown (2005–2006)<br />SplashTown Houston (2008–2012)<br />Wet 'n' Wild Splashtown (2013–2018) |season = May–September |area = {{convert|48|acre|m2}} |pools = 2 |slides = 9 |children_areas = 2 |slogan =Houston's Largest Water Park |footnotes = }} {{Refimprove|date=May 2009}}
'''Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown''' is a water park located north of Houston in Spring, Texas, United States.<ref name="SpringCDPMap">"[http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/MapItDrawServlet?geo_id=16000US4869596&_bucket_id=50&tree_id=420&context=saff&_lang=en&_sse=on Spring CDP, TX] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901210132/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/MapItDrawServlet?geo_id=16000US4869596&_bucket_id=50&tree_id=420&context=saff&_lang=en&_sse=on |date=2009-09-01 }}." ''United States Census Bureau''. Retrieved on May 5, 2009.</ref>
== History == The land that Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown now occupies was, in the early 1980s, home to a theme park known as Hanna-Barbera Land.<ref name="Water attractions: Tropical theming gives way to local schemes" /> Hanna-Barbera Land only operated for two seasons before its owners, Kings Entertainment Company, sold the park to private investors. The amusement park had all its rides removed, with the new owners installing a water park with several water slides. Much of the park's Victorian buildings, street lights and landscaping remained.<ref name="Water attractions: Tropical theming gives way to local schemes">{{cite journal|last=O'Brien|first=Tim|title=Water attractions: Tropical theming gives way to local schemes|journal=Amusement Business|date=October 5, 1998|volume=110|issue=40|page=21}}</ref> Splashtown USA opened to the public shortly after.
In the 1990s, the park changed owners twice: first to the Morris Family in 1994, and then to Six Flags in May 1999. The acquisition was made by Six Flags to eliminate the park from being a competitor to its WaterWorld water park, also located in Houston.<ref name="Six Flags makes acquisitions in Atlanta, Houston and Mexico City">{{cite journal|last=O'Brien|first=Tim|title=Six Flags makes acquisitions in Atlanta, Houston and Mexico City|journal=Amusement Business|date=May 17, 1999|volume=111|issue=20|page=37}}</ref><ref name="Six Flags Events produces 'Celebracion,' draws 150,000">{{cite journal|last=O'Brien|first=Tim|title=Six Flags Events produces 'Celebracion,' draws 150,000|journal=Amusement Business|date=May 29, 2000|volume=112|issue=22|page=36}}</ref>
For most of its ownership under Six Flags, the park was listed as "A Member of the Six Flags Family". For the 2005 season, the park was rebranded as Six Flags SplashTown and adorned a new logo.
Following the closure of Six Flags WaterWorld and the adjacent Six Flags AstroWorld in October 2005,<ref name="Six Flags pulls plug on 37-year ride at AstroWorld theme park">{{cite news|last=Dawson|first=Jennifer|title=Six Flags pulls plug on 37-year ride at AstroWorld theme park|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2005/09/19/story7.html?page=all|access-date=February 1, 2014|newspaper=Houston Business Journal|date=September 18, 2005}}</ref> Six Flags engaged in a restructuring of Six Flags SplashTown, which resulted in the termination of the park's General Manager, Operations Manager and Food Service Manager in early November 2005. In January 2006, it was announced that the former Operations Manager of WaterWorld would be the new Splashtown Operations Manager. Several of WaterWorld's attractions were relocated to SplashTown.<ref name="Six Flags pulls plug on 37-year ride at AstroWorld theme park" /> The park underwent a "facelift" as well as general cleaning to prepare it for its opening day, April 28, 2006. The entrance received a new sign, with the addition of renovated buildings and ticket booths.
In January 2007, Six Flags announced that Six Flags SplashTown, along with six other parks, would be sold for a total of $312 million. The agreement saw Six Flags sell the properties to PARC Management, who in turn sold the properties to CNL Lifestyle Properties. CNL would then lease the properties back to PARC Management under a 52-year triple-net lease.<ref name="Six Flags sells seven parks">{{cite journal|title=Six Flags sells seven parks|journal=Park World Magazine|date=February 6, 2007|url=http://www.parkworld-online.com/news/archivestory.php/aid/232/Six_Flags_sells_seven_parks.html|access-date=January 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202104017/http://www.parkworld-online.com/news/archivestory.php/aid/232/Six_Flags_sells_seven_parks.html|archive-date=February 2, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, after less than three years into the 52-year contracts, CNL terminated their agreements with PARC Management in November 2010.<ref name="CNL ends lease deal with PARC Management">{{cite journal|title=CNL ends lease deal with PARC Management|journal=Park World Magazine|date=November 25, 2010|url=http://www.parkworld-online.com/news/archivestory.php/aid/1853/CNL_ends_lease_deal_with_PARC_Management_.html|access-date=January 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214044716/http://www.parkworld-online.com/news/archivestory.php/aid/1853/CNL_ends_lease_deal_with_PARC_Management_.html|archive-date=December 14, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> In early 2011, CNL appointed Premier Attractions Management, LLC (now Premier Parks, LLC) as the new operators of the park. At the time, the limited liability company was led by former Six Flags employees Kieran Burke, the former chairman and CEO, and Gary Story, the former president and chief operating officer.<ref name="CNL announces new management for eight parks">{{cite journal|title=CNL announces new management for eight parks|journal=Park World Magazine|date=January 25, 2011|url=http://www.parkworld-online.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/1897/CNL_announces_new_management_for_eight_parks.html|access-date=January 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203005033/http://www.parkworld-online.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/1897/CNL_announces_new_management_for_eight_parks.html|archive-date=December 3, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In November 2013, CNL Lifestyle Properties acquired rights to the Wet'n'Wild brand in the United States from Australian firm, Village Roadshow Theme Parks.<ref name="Hawaiian Waters sold, to be renamed Wet 'n' Wild Hawaii">{{cite news|title=Hawaiian Waters sold, to be renamed Wet 'n' Wild Hawaii|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2009/05/04/daily43.html|access-date=November 23, 2013|newspaper=Pacific Business News|date=May 7, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Premier Parks to take over operation of Wet 'n' Wild Hawaii">{{cite news|last=Silverstein|first=Stephanie|title=Premier Parks to take over operation of Wet 'n' Wild Hawaii|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2013/11/21/premier-parks-to-take-over-operation.html|access-date=November 23, 2013|newspaper=Pacific Business News|date=November 21, 2013}}</ref><ref name="CNL buys Wet 'n Wild Phoenix">{{cite news|last=Shanklin|first=Mary|title=CNL buys Wet 'n Wild Phoenix|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-wet-n-wild-arizona-20131121,0,530084.story|access-date=November 24, 2013|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|date=November 21, 2013}}</ref> In the months to follow CNL rebranded several of its properties to Wet'n'Wild water parks, including SplashTown Houston, which became Wet'n'Wild SplashTown.<ref name="Wet'n'Wild Palm Springs news">{{cite news|last=Descant|first=Skip|title=Knott's Soak City to become Wet 'n' Wild Palm Springs|url=http://www.mydesert.com/article/20131217/NEWS01/312170009/Wet-n-Wild-Palm-Springs-water-park-Knotts-Soak-City-new-name?nclick_check=1|access-date=December 29, 2013|newspaper=The Desert Sun|date=December 17, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Splashtown will undergo multi-million dollar transformation to Wet 'N' Wild brand">{{cite news|title=Splashtown will undergo multi-million dollar transformation to Wet 'N' Wild brand|url=http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/ranch/news/splashtown-will-undergo-multi-million-dollar-transformation-to-wet-n/article_bb3d72f6-83b2-11e3-850f-001a4bcf887a.html|access-date=January 25, 2014|newspaper=The Rancher|date=January 24, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Water park launches rebranding, new attractions as competition heats up">{{cite news|last=Pulsinelli|first=Olivia|title=Water park launches rebranding, new attractions as competition heats up|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2014/01/water-park-launches-rebranding-new.html|access-date=January 25, 2014|newspaper=Houston Business Journal|date=January 21, 2014}}</ref> The park itself received a multimillion-dollar renovation.<ref>Alexander, Heather. "[http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/woodlands/article/Houston-waterpark-to-reopen-with-millions-in-5442317.php Houston waterpark to reopen with millions in renovations and new name]" ''Houston Chronicle'' April 30, 2014. Retrieved on May 12, 2014.</ref>
In late 2016, CNL Lifestyle Properties announced that it was selling ownership of fifteen attraction properties, including Wet'n'Wild Splashtown, along with five small family entertainment centers to EPR Properties for approximately $456 million. The transaction was completed in April 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170406006303/en/EPR-Properties-CNL-Lifestyle-Properties-Announce-Closing|title=EPR Properties and CNL Lifestyle Properties Announce Closing of Transaction|access-date=January 23, 2018|language=en}}</ref> Premier Parks LLC remained as the operator.
On May 22, 2018, Six Flags acquired the leasing rights from Premier Parks LLC to manage several parks owned by EPR Properties. Splashtown was renovated in the offseason and in 2019 changed its name to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/spring/business/article/Spring-s-Wet-n-Wild-SplashTown-acquired-by-Six-12940306.php|title=Spring's Wet'n'Wild SplashTown acquired by Six Flags along with a handful of other attractions|last=Hlavaty|first=Craig|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|date=May 25, 2018|access-date=May 8, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chron.com/business/bizfeed/article/Six-Flags-to-rename-renovate-Wet-n-Wild-13610759.php|title=Six Flags to rename, renovate Wet 'n' Wild Splashtown|last=Takahashi|first=Paul|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|date=February 12, 2019|access-date=May 8, 2019}}</ref>
Due to the growing concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic, Six Flags announced a suspension of operations across the company on March 13, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbs19.tv/article/news/local/six-flags-over-texas-six-flags-fiesta-texas-suspend-operations-through-end-of-march/501-ced6cfb1-ac59-48c9-9ebd-4960b1149dd7|title=Six Flags Over Texas, Six Flags Fiesta Texas suspend operations through the end of March|date=March 13, 2020|access-date=July 1, 2020}}</ref> Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown was scheduled to open for the 2020 season on May 22, but released a new opening date of June 29.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/houston/article/Six-Flags-Hurricane-Harbor-Splashtown-is-set-to-15333789.php|title=Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown is set to reopen June 29|date=June 11, 2020|access-date=July 1, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/six-flags-hurricane-harbor-splashtown-opens-july/285-b94bbd88-00dc-4ee5-b57d-4b8ea7a72da9|title=Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown announces opening date|date=June 11, 2020|access-date=July 1, 2020}}</ref> On June 26, three days prior to the new opening date, the water park announced that its reopening was delayed indefinitely in order to follow local county government guidelines.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/houston/article/Six-Flags-Hurricane-Harbor-Splashtown-reopening-15369321.php|title=Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown reopening delayed indefinitely|date=June 26, 2020|access-date=July 1, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abc13.com/six-flags-hurricane-harbor-splashtown-waterpark-austin-covid-19/6275147/|title=Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown delays reopening due to COVID-19|date=June 27, 2020|access-date=July 1, 2020}}</ref> In early August, park officials announced that the 2020 operating season had been canceled and that Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown looks forward to open again in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://communityimpact.com/houston/spring-klein/coronavirus/2020/08/04/six-flags-hurricane-harbor-splashtown-to-remain-closed-for-2020-season/|title=Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown to remain closed for 2020 season|date=August 4, 2020|access-date=August 5, 2020}}</ref> This would be the first season for the water park to not operate since its inception in 1984. The water park reopened again, the following season on May 1, 2021.
Two months after reopening for the 2021 season on July 17, 2021, over 60 park visitors were exposed to an airborne chemical leak and decontaminated.<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 17, 2021|first=Alejandro|last=Serrano|title=Dozens affected by chemical leak at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown in Spring|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Chemical-leak-reported-at-Six-Flags-Hurricane-16321717.php|website=Houston Chronicle}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/17/park-goers-exposed-to-chemical-leak-at-hurricane-harbor-splashdown-at-texas-water-park.html |title=More than 60 people decontaminated after chemical leak at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashdown water park in Texas |date=July 17, 2021}}</ref> Six Flags officials stated that a third-party service company improperly installed the water filtration system for an outdoor kiddie pool.<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 5, 2021|title=Source determined in Six Flags water park chemical leak that sent dozens to hospitals|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2021/08/05/six-flags-water-park-texas-hurricane-harbor-splashtown-chemical-leak-source/5498428001/|website=USA Today}}</ref> After the incident, the park remained closed for inspections until August 5, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 5, 2021|title=Hurricane Harbor Splashtown reopens almost 3 weeks after chemical spill|url=https://abc13.com/hurricane-harbor-splashtown-spring-waterpark-reopens-chemical-spill-texas/10929819/|website=KTRK-TV}}</ref> {{clear}}
== References == {{Reflist}} [http://baltimorerealestate.citybizlist.com/yourcitybiznews/detail.aspx?id=103478/ CNL Terminates agreement with PARC]
== External links == *{{Official website|https://www.wetnwildsplashtown.com/}}
{{Six Flags}} {{Spring, Texas}} {{Houston, Texas}} {{CNL attractions}} {{PARC Theme & Water Parks}}
Category:1984 establishments in Texas Category:Buildings and structures in Harris County, Texas Category:Former PARC Management theme parks Category:Six Flags water parks Category:Tourist attractions in Harris County, Texas Category:Water parks in Texas