I recently visited the park to play with my two boys (age 4 and 14 months). It was a particularly hot day at the park and all we wanted to do was get wet, but avoid having to wait in any lines. The Count’s Splash Castle has always captivated my eldest from a far, but he would not even consider going in even if I begged him. He loves the park’s other water attractions, but something about all of the water squirting and giant bucket falling with 1000 gallons of water scared him. I suggested that we go in towards the back of Splash Castle away from the bucket just to cool off. After some convincing he FINALLY agreed. We entered Splash Castle and headed toward the back away from all of the falling water. We sat down in the shallow water for a while where we were just able to watch the action and the other kids. This warmed him up to the whole idea and after all of the eye candy he couldn’t resist getting in on the fun.
First he started low with a few sprinklers. Then he explored the small slides; which he really enjoyed. He then worked his way up towards the middle of the castle behind the large splashing bucket where he found some water wheels and smaller tipping buckets that he was able to fill up and splash other people. This cracked him up and he spent 20 minutes playing in this one spot. Later he worked his way towards the front of splash castle and even went under the giant tipping bucket, a major accomplishment for a timid fan. Although we didn’t quite make it down any of the big slides this time, he did come along way. Ever since this day The Count’s Splash Castle is his first pick.
My biggest tip to moms with others that may be overwhelmed by this attraction is to enter and head around the back and then just work your way in slowly even if it means making your own splash and taking in the scene. This is a great attraction and a lot of wet fun on a hot day.
http://www.sesameplace.com/sesame2/play.aspx?id=the-counts-splash-castle
