WaterPark Safety & Accessibility
WaterPark Safety & Accessibility
Massanutten WaterPark Safety & Accessibility Guide
At Massanutten WaterPark we strive to create a safe and remarkable experience for all of our guests. Many water park slides and attractions incorporate height and weight safety systems designed by the manufacturer to accommodate people of average physical stature and body proportion. These safety systems may place restrictions on the ability of an individual to safely experience the ride. Extremely large or small individuals, guests who have heart, back or neck trouble, pregnant women, people who have had recent surgery, people with casts, braces, restrictive devices or certain disabilities may not be safely accommodated per manufacturer requirements. For example, height requirements are based on the size needed to properly fit in a tube and the level of maturity usually associated with a certain height. Massanutten WaterPark’s policies have been developed in consultation with industry professionals, based on the recommendations of the manufacturer, our past experience and our evaluation of each attraction using our knowledge of the attraction in both normal and emergency operating conditions. Our prime consideration is the ability of each person to endure the dynamics of an attraction without risk of injury to that person or other riders. Any guest who feels they may be affected by this policy is encouraged to visit our Guest Services counter at MerchanDice Surf Shop or contact us at 540.437.3387 or waterpark@massresort.com.
Guests with Disabilities: Pre-arrival and Check-in
We recognize that guests of Massanutten WaterPark may have disabilities which impact the way they are able to experience our attractions. We will accommodate those disabilities where reasonably feasible. We encourage guests with disabilities to contact Massanutten WaterPark prior to your visit, so that we can answer any questions and ensure that you are able to take full advantage of your visit.
Upon arrival, guests with disabilities along with the rest of their party are invited to check-in at the Guest Services counter at MerchanDice Surf Shop on the main level of the WaterPark. Staff will be able to answer any additional questions you may have and assist you during your visit.
Accessibility
Handicapped accessible parking is available in the designated lot. A valid government issued hangtag or license plate must be displayed. Just inside the park’s entrance is an elevator providing access to all levels. Accessible restroom facilities are available on all levels. Additionally, accessible locker room and changing facilities are located on the aquatic level, including an accessible family changing area.
Accommodations to enter, exit or access the slides are limited by the unique nature and construction of waterpark slides and the exits of the slides which are typically into catch pools or run-out.
Special Services
Our goal is to make Massanutten WaterPark as enjoyable and barrier-free as reasonably practical. Listed below are some of the services we offer. Please feel free to suggest areas in which we might better accommodate your needs in the future.
Wheelchairs
Massanutten WaterPark has waterproof wheelchairs available for use at no charge during your visit, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Dietary Restrictions
Although food and beverages are not allowed to be brought into the park, individuals who have special dietary needs can contact us at 540.437.3372 to discuss how we can accommodate your needs.
Service Animals
Service animals are welcome at Massanutten WaterPark; however service animals will not be permitted to enter the water. Service animals must be physically controlled on a leash or harness at all times. Due to the nature of water slides, service animals must remain with a non-riding member of the guest’s party. Massanutten WaterPark team members are not permitted to take control of service animals. Guests whose service animals demonstrate aggressive actions toward our guests or employees will be directed to remove the animal from the park.
Flotation Devices
Lifejackets are provided at no additional charge on a first-come, first-served basis and must remain in the WaterPark. Outside floatation devices are allowed, however only U.S. Coast Guard-approved floatation devices are permitted.
Autism Accommodations
Queue Fast-Track
Queuing can be a difficult experience for some of our guests with autism, so where possible, we will endeavor to ‘fast-track’ you though lines. Guests with queuing difficulty and the members of their party should check in at MerchanDice Surf Shop to obtain special wrist bands.
Autism Friendly Quiet Room
A quiet room may be available at designated times to members of the party during your visit. Please contact Guest Services about this option.
Noise Cancelling Headphones
Noise cancelling headphones can be a handy tool for dealing with the difficulties caused by loud spaces. While we encourage guests to provide their own noise cancelling headphones, they are also available on a first-come, first-served basis for use free of charge while using the park.
Safety Policies
Massanutten WaterPark’s rules are as follows (subject to change; see posted Rules):
- Please obey the Lifeguards & Attendants at all times.
- Management reserves the right to refuse admittance to or to suspend privileges of any persons failing to comply with any rules.
- People under the influence of alcohol or drugs are not allowed in the WaterPark.
- Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a responsible adult who will directly supervise them during the entire visit.
- Guests with children under the age of 5 must be within arm’s reach of the child at all times.
- Additional rules are posted at each attraction.
- People with infectious diseases, communicable diseases, or open sores are prohibited from using the WaterPark.
- All guests are required to shower before entering the water.
- All diaper-dependent guests must wear an approved swim diaper.
- Proper swimwear is required. Exposed metal and loose strings are not permitted.
- Only U.S. Coast Guard-approved floatation devices are permitted.
- Lifejackets are provided at no additional charge on a first-come, first-served basis and must remain in the WaterPark.
- No running, pushing, rough play, or shoulder riding in the pool areas.
- Lockers are available and we encourage their use. We are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damage property.
- Please leave rafts, balls, chairs, and all toys in your car.
- We may close during inclement weather.
- The WaterPark maintains a Non-Smoking environment.
- No outside food or drink is permitted.
- There is video surveillance at this facility.
- Massanutten WaterPark is an aquatic environment. Be prepared to get WET!
Casts & Braces
Guests with casts and braces will be restricted from riding rides where the cast or brace will present a hazard to the guest or others. Guests with full arm (elbow restricted) and full leg (knee restricted) casts or braces are restricted from most slides.
Prosthetic Devices
This policy is aimed at fostering the best guest experience possible, while maintaining the safety of all of our guests, and observing operational restrictions and guidelines. Reasonable accommodations will be made for prosthetics on an individual basis on waterslides and The Pipeline with consideration given to the following:
- Riders must be able to safely enter and exit the slides.
- Riders must be able to assume the prescribed riding position.
- The prosthetic must not pose a danger to the rider themselves, others in the ride, the riding vehicle and/or the riding surface (for the safety of all guests).
- Guests wearing prosthetic devices must cover any exposed metal with a padded material, such as a neoprene wrap.
- Due to incompatibility with ride features and construction, certain prosthetics may not be permitted.
Recent Surgery, Heart, Back, Neck Problems and/or Pregnancy
Guests with a history of recent surgery, heart trouble/high blood pressure, neck trouble, back trouble, or any other condition that may be aggravated by riding, or who are pregnant, should carefully heed all warning signs at each attraction entrance. If you are in doubt about your ability to safely experience an attraction, please consult your physician.
Size Restrictions
Due to ride manufacturer and/or tube manufacturer requirements, height and weight restrictions are in place for specific rides and must be adhered to. These restrictions can be found on ride specific information and signage.
Loose Articles
When planning your day at Massanutten WaterPark, it’s best to travel light. Bring only items that can be safely secured in lockers, or left with a non-rider. Unfortunately our slides cannot accommodate loose articles including cell phones, pagers, hats, cameras, stuffed animals, purses, backpacks, basketballs, umbrellas, beverage containers, personal entertainment devices, etc. Lifeguard and slide attendants cannot be responsible for these items. Please do not leave valuable items on the aquatic floor or at the WaterPark. Daily locker rentals are available on the aquatic floor by the locker room area. Glasses must be secured by an athletic strap or they cannot be worn on the ride.
Camera Policy
For safety reasons, we cannot permit on-ride photography of any kind on any ride, with the exception of a “Go-Pro” or similar digital filming device that is firmly in the hand of the rider or on a hand grip accessory. Use of the “go-pro” or similar device is subject to approval from management and may be rescinded at any time in the interest of safety. Under no circumstance shall “Selfie-Sticks” or cameras/phones on a pole be permitted on a ride. Any type of photography or use of video recording devices is strictly prohibited in all restrooms and changing areas.
In General
All riders should be in good health and free from any conditions known or unknown that might be aggravated by riding. To ride, guests must have the ability to brace themselves upright in the provided tube and support their head and neck during the slide/water movements.
Attraction Specific Information & Policies
Massanutten Meltdown
This central feature of the Indoor WaterPark has a bit of everything- water cannons, waterfalls, and slides.
Height/Weight Requirements: The maximum operation load is one person per lane, weighing up to 300 pounds.
Physical Requirements:
- Riders being free of medical conditions, including but not limit to pregnancy and heart, back or
musculoskeletal problems and not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, are allowed to ride.
- The Massanutten Meltdown sits in water 6 inches deep. The exit lanes for slides have a water depth of 9 to 10 inches.
- Eyeglasses must be securely affixed to riders with head straps.
- Swimwear with exposed zippers, buckles, rivets, or metal ornamentation is not permitted.
- Riders must be barefoot.
Accessibility: The Massanutten Meltdown splash and play area is accessible from a sloped zero-depth entry. The slides are accessible only by stairs.
Blue Ridge Rapids
Blue Ridge Rapids is an indoor lazy river where guests float with the current on single or double inner tubes.
Height/Weight Requirements: Guests less than 42 inches tall or under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a responsible adult who directly supervises them during the entire visit.
Physical Requirements:
- Blue Ridge Rapids has a maximum depth of 3' 6" feet. It is recommended that weak swimmers wear a life jacket at all times.
- All guests must remain in their tube at all times.
Accessibility: Blue Ridge Rapids is accessible from a sloped zero-depth entry.
Shenandoah Cove
Play with the entire family in this pool area of Blue Ridge Rapids.
Height/Weight Requirements: Guests less than 42 inches tall or under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a responsible adult who directly supervises them during the entire visit.
Physical Requirements:
- This pool has a maximum depth of 3 feet 6 inches.
Accessibility: Shenandoah Cove is accessible from the sloped zero-depth entry of Blue Ridge Rapids.
White Caps
Enjoy the sun and surf at Massanutten WaterPark’s outdoor wave pool. Inner tubes are not permitted in this attraction.
Height/Weight Requirements: Guests less than 42 inches tall or under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a responsible adult who directly supervises them during the entire visit.
Physical Requirements:
- Do not ride if you are pregnant, have physical ailments, or are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- This pool has a maximum depth of 8 feet 6 inches. It is recommended that weak swimmers wear a life jacket at all times.
Accessibility: White Caps is accessible by a sloped zero-depth entry area.
Splash-A-Nutten
A fun filled activity pool with Splash Zone, water basketball, and lily pad crossing.
Height/Weight Requirements: Guests less than 42 inches tall or under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a responsible adult who directly supervises them during the entire visit.
Physical Requirements:
- Must be able to grasp above the head onto activity pool ropes to cross the lily pads.
- This pool has a depth of 3 feet 6 inches in some areas.
Accessibility: Splash-A-Nutten is equipped with an aquatic lift and accessible stairs.
Tube Slides
Enclosed tube slides twist and turn through steep banks and curves before plunging into the pool below. Inner tubes can accommodate one to three riders.
Height/Weight Requirements: Guests under 42 inches tall are not permitted on these rides. Country Cooler and Melting Mogul have a maximum operational load two people with a combined weight up to 400 pounds. Peak Splash has a maximum operational load three people with a combined weight up to 600 pounds.
Physical Requirements:
- Riders being free of medical conditions, including but not limit to pregnancy and heart, back or
musculoskeletal problems and not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, are allowed to ride.
- Tubes should be ridden in a seated position, facing forward. Riders must remain on the tube during the ride.
- These slides exit into a catch pool with a maximum depth of 3 feet 6 inches.
- If riding triple, the larger rider must sit in the middle and smallest rider in the front.
- Eyeglasses must be securely affixed to riders with head straps.
- Swimwear with exposed zippers, buckles, rivets or metal ornamentation is not permitted.
- Riders must be barefoot.
Accessibility: The Tube Slides are accessible to riders only by stairs. Observer areas at the bottom of the slide are wheelchair accessible.
Body Slides
Starting from 39 feet up, riders will experience over 250 feet of thrills with sudden drops and sharp turns on this enclosed body slide.
Height/Weight Requirements: Guests under 42 inches tall are not permitted on these rides. The maximum operation load is one person per lane, weighing up to 300 pounds.
Physical Requirements:
- Riders being free of medical conditions, including but not limit to pregnancy and heart, back or
musculoskeletal problems and not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, are allowed to ride.
- The correct riding position is feet first, lying on back, legs firmly crossed at ankles and arms crossed over chest (to prevent elbows from contacting the flume.) No headfirst sliding. Riders must be able to maintain this position until coming to a complete stop in exit lane.
- The exit lanes for slides have a water depth of 9 to 10 inches.
- Eyeglasses must be securely affixed to riders with head straps.
- Swimwear with exposed zippers, buckles, rivets or metal ornamentation is not permitted.
- Riders must be barefoot.
Accessibility: The Body Slides are accessible to riders only by stairs. The slide exit area is accessible from the second floor of the WaterPark, inside the arcade area.
Rockingham Racer
Race downhill on a mat on this fast paced, head-first water slide.
Height/Weight Requirements: Guests under 42 inches tall are not permitted on this ride. The maximum operation load is one person per lane, weighing up to 300 pounds.
Physical Requirements:
- Riders must be free of medical conditions, including but not limit to pregnancy and heart, back or musculoskeletal problems and not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Slide must be used with a proper mat. Rider must ride the mat down the slide head first with a firm grip on both mat handles at all times.
- Eye glasses must be securely affixed to riders with head straps.
- Swim attire with exposed zippers, buckles, rivets, or metal ornamentation is not permitted.
Accessibility: Rockingham Racer starting point is accessible to riders only by stairs. Observer areas at the bottom of the slide are wheelchair accessible.
The Pipeline
Learn to body board or surf on the FlowRider®, where 50,000 gallons of water each minute flow under you to create an ocean-like wave. It’s a great environment to test out some new bodyboarding and surfing skills. This is a strenuous ride.
Height/Weight Requirements: Guests under 42 inches tall are not permitted on these rides.
Physical Requirements:
- Single riders only.
- Riders must be free from health limitations, nervous disorders, or any other medical condition.
- It is highly recommended that pregnant women and persons with a history of heart, back, neck, shoulder or joint problems do not participate on this ride.
- Riders under the influence of alcohol or drugs are not allowed to ride.
- Riders must be able to swim in turbulent moving water.
- Jewelry, hats, eyeglasses or loose articles of any type are not permitted on this ride as they may injure the participant.
- Riders must be barefoot.
- Riders may not have sharp or pointed objects on their clothing, this includes metal rivets.
- The flowing water may pull off bathing suit tops, bottoms and loose clothing.
Cover-ups are suggested.
Accessibility: The Pipeline is accessible by wheelchair, but wheelchairs may not be taken onto the rider area.
Frog Pond
Splash around in this pool, perfect for babies and toddlers. They will enjoy sprinklers, swings, and sliding down the frog’s tongue.
Height/Weight Requirements: This pool is for guests under 42 inches tall. Children under the age of 5 must have a designated responsible adult within arm’s reach of them at all times.
Physical Requirements:
- The pool has a maximum depth of 12 inches.
- All diaper-dependent guests must wear an approved swim diaper.
Accessibility: The area around the Frog Pond is accessible by wheelchair. The Frog Pond is not sloped or zero-depth entry.
Shenandoah Hot Springs
Soak your troubles away in our indoor/outdoor hot tub for the entire family. The outdoor portion is only open when it is above 70 degrees outside.
Height/Weight Requirements: Guests less than 42 inches tall or under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a responsible adult who directly supervises them during the entire visit.
Physical Requirements:
- Pregnant women, elderly persons and persons suffering from heart disease, diabetes or high or low
blood pressure should not enter the hot tub without prior medical consultation and permission
from the doctor.
- Guests under the influence of alcohol, tranquilizers, or drugs that cause drowsiness or that raise or lower blood pressure are not permitted in the hot tub. This pool has a maximum depth of 3 feet 6 inches.
- Lengthy exposure may result in nausea, drowsiness, or fainting.
- Observe reasonable time limits of 10 to 15 minutes in the hot tub. Exit and cool down before another brief stay.
- During winter months, prolonged exposure to chlorinated water may cause an adverse allergic skin reaction for those guests with sensitive or dry skin. We recommend that you take a cool shower before leaving the park.
Accessibility: Shenandoah Hot Springs does not have a wheelchair accessible entrance. The accessible hot tub may be used at Massanutten Fitness & Rec Club.
