Schlitterbahn, number one waterpark, kicks off summer

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas, April 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark, the #1 Waterpark in the World for 15 consecutive years, opens Saturday, April 27, in New Braunfels, Texas. Located on the banks of the spring-fed Comal River, the waterpark kicks off the summer season with 40 attractions on more than 70 acres.

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The most awarded and most popular attraction is the Master Blaster. Starting six stories high, it combines the up and down thrills of a roller coaster with the unique experience of being propelled by jets of water. After an initial plunge, a twisting tunnel, figure-eights, blasts uphill and down, you finish in a pretzel-shaped downward spiral. The ride was the "Best water Attraction" according to Amusement Today 1998-2002, 2004-2009 and runner up 2003 and 2010-2012. It was "Best New Major Ride", "Best New Technology" and "Best Water Ride" in 1993 according to International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) – the only new attraction, to date, to ever sweep all three "best new product" award categories.

That's just a taste of what makes Schlitterbahn exceptional. The New Braunfels park is also home to the world's first man-made surfing wave, first uphill water coaster, the world's longest tubing adventure, and the innovative transportainment river which allows tubers to stay in the water and float throughout a large part of the park. There are also eight tube chutes, seven kid play areas, a wave pool, and swim up bars in heated pools for adults.

Family-friendly and a great value, the park offers free parking, allows guests to bring picnics, and has no additional charges for tubes, life vests or bodyboards. There's also food for sale in the park – including new red velvet and chocolate chip funnel cakes!  You can reserve one of the cabanas scattered along the Comal River bank for a home base, too. If you really want to impress the kids, Schlitterbahn also offers lodging right in the park – the onsite resort rooms have recently been remodeled and there are now contemporary lofts and river bend cabins. Schlitterbahn's iPhone/iPad app, day planner and website offer great tips for optimizing your time at the park.

Fans voted Schlitterbahn New Braunfels the "World's Best Waterpark" fifteen years in a row. In addition to the Master Blaster® awards, the park also won prizes for the "World's Best New Waterpark Ride" for the Dragon's Revenge water coaster (2008), the Congo River Expedition heavily themed jungle ride (2009) and most recently The Falls, the world's longest tubing adventure (2011).

When you go, New Braunfels also offers the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers that first brought visitors and a whole range of family-owned and managed attractions that make the entire city one giant entertainment center with a small town vibe and big time amusement park fun without big prices, big parking lots and the need for a big wallet!

Downtown is "walkable" and entertaining, too. From the giant murals that highlight the town's history to the art league's gallery, the oldest bakery in Texas, to live entertainment at places like the Phoenix Saloon and the Brauntex Theater, it's a great stroll and more fun. Check out the QR-launched Cultural Heritage Tour, "Footprints in Time" for your smart phone.

Check out a few of the other great attractions that make New Braunfels one of the most popular family vacation destinations in Texas:

• Gruene Historic District
• Gruene Hall
• Natural Bridge Caverns
• Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
• Texas Ski Ranch
• McKenna Children's Museum
• Canyon Lake
• Dry Comal Creek Winery

Located on IH-35, New Braunfels is between Austin and San Antonio – two other popular Texas vacation destinations. They make great day trips – enjoy Austin's music scene along 6^th Street and San Antonio's River Walk and The Alamo while you're there. A variety of museums, amusement parks and other Texas Hill Country attractions including more than 30 wineries make New Braunfels the ideal headquarters for exploring central Texas year around.

The summer season kicks off Saturday, April 27, with the New Braunfels Schlitterbahn opening – check out the New Braunfels Convention & Visitors Bureau for help in planning your trip!

SOURCE New Braunfels Convention & Visitors Bureau