VR Waterslide Set to Transform Utah Waterpark Experience
Splash Summit Waterpark intends to introduce a pioneering virtual reality attraction next summer as part of its strategy to grow within its existing site in Provo, Utah. Following a recent setback involving plans for a brand-new waterpark, the organisation has shifted focus to enhancing its current facility. The forthcoming feature will reportedly be Utah’s first virtual reality waterslide, positioning the park as an early adopter of immersive technology within the regional leisure market.
Management at the waterpark has indicated that the decision follows several years of exploration into expansion routes. An earlier informal proposal, presented last spring at a Provo neighbourhood meeting, sought permission to purchase city-owned land near Slate Canyon for a new resort and waterpark complex. Local resistance surfaced quickly, and by July, Provo’s mayor confirmed the land would not be sold. This development effectively paused the park’s relocation ambitions and prompted leadership to pursue innovation on site instead.
The new VR attraction serves as the initial phase of a broader modernisation effort. According to park representatives, the organisation remains committed to growth, although the long-term approach has yet to be determined. Options still include site expansion or a potential move, though neither scenario has been confirmed. For the moment, management has signalled that its priority is delivering new experiences to guests, beginning with the virtual reality waterslide.
The ride itself will utilise technology from Ballast VR, a company known for aquatic virtual reality systems. Visitors will be issued waterproof VR headsets calibrated to match the contours, turns, and drops of an existing slide. The system intends to deliver synchronised visual sequences, giving riders the illusion of travelling through fantastical environments while physically descending the slide. Early plans indicate a variety of themes, ranging from outer-space journeys to safari-style scenes, designed to encourage repeat participation and heighten guest curiosity.
Participation will be optional, and guests may still ride the slide in its traditional format. Those who choose the virtual reality element will pay a modest additional fee. Park leaders have described the concept as a logical evolution of the attraction mix, emphasising a desire to surprise and engage visitors with novel experiences not previously available in the state. Internal messaging highlights a belief that the VR slide represents a competitive differentiator within the local amusement market.
Virtual reality waterslides have gained traction internationally, particularly in Asia and Europe, where they appear in multiple facilities. In contrast, adoption in the United States remains limited. According to Splash Summit’s leadership, only two similar installations currently operate nationally. The upcoming launch will therefore place the Provo park among a small group of early users, reinforcing the organisation’s interest in technological innovation.
Further enhancements are expected in subsequent years as the park continues its pursuit of expanded amenities. While broader site plans remain unsettled, the forthcoming VR attraction marks a significant milestone in the company’s revised growth strategy, demonstrating a commitment to advancing guest entertainment despite earlier barriers to physical expansion.
