Schlitterbahn is the name used for either of three water parks located in Texas. They are considered to be some of the top water parks in the United States. Schlitterbahn is a German word for "slippery road," apparently a metaphor for a water slide. Schlitterbahn's catch phase is "The hottest, coolest time in Texas! Come Play. Schlitterbahn." The park allows customers to bring in their own food and non-alcoholic drinks. This is a rare feature among modern amusement parks.
The Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort in New Braunfels, Texas, originally opened in 1979 with four water slides, is built along the cool spring fed waters of the Comal River. Bob and Billye Henry purchased 40 acres (162,000 m²) on the Comal River called Landa Resort in the early 1970s. They slowly added the water recreation that is now known as Schlitterbahn West. In 1991, the Henrys bought another 25 acre (101,000 m²) piece of property known as Camp Warnecke and transformed it into Schlitterbahn East.
The two parts of the park are separated by several city blocks with free parking available at both locations and a free shuttle between the two areas. Schlitterbahn East is further divided into two themed areas; Surfenburg, built in 1991, and Blastenhoff, built in 1996. In 1994, Schlitterbahn opened the first ever uphill water ride, known as the Dragon Blaster.
In 2001, the 15 acre (61,000 m²) Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark opened in South Padre Island, Texas. A third Schlitterbahn park, the Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark, is scheduled to open in Galveston, Texas in May 2005.
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