If you haven’t been to the Wisconsin Dells since you were a kid, you have to check it out. As much fun for adults as it is for little ones, the iconic Wisconsin vacation destination just keeps pushing the envelope by adding more attractions, and the folks that have been there for decades keep innovating to keep up. Noah’s Ark bills itself as America’s Largest Waterpark and heading here for a day of fun in the sun is practically a Wisconsin childhood rite of passage. But this place isn’t just for young families and floating on the lazy river. Some of the water slides here are so intense they’ve been upgraded – they’re not just slides, they’re water coasters. Sending folks down as fast as residential cars drive, there are a couple of thrill rides at Noah’s Ark – but the very best is still Black Anaconda.
Noah's Ark is celebrating its 40th year this season, so it's a great time to head back if it's been years (or longer) since you've visited. This fabulous waterpark is a mecca for folks who love a good water thrill ride. There are tons of different ways to get your adrenaline pumping and scare yourself silly here.
No matter what really gets your heart racing and blood pumping, you'll find it here at Noah's Ark. There's a blackout slide, one that takes you 360 degrees, clear tubes, and rides that imitate weightlessness. You'll race up to 40 miles per hour and have a blast.
But for my money, the water slide that I head to over and over again for a thrill ride is Black Anaconda. This one is so over the top it's actually called a watercoaster and it's the only one in the US outside of Splashin' Safari in Indiana.
This massive slide used to be the longest of its kind and it's still one of the first that so successfully incorporates uphill technology. You'll go up six different humps over the course of the winding, twisting, turning ride.
This ride is for two or three riders - the float requires a minimum of 200 pounds and a maximum of 600 pounds. Riders must be four feet tall. You'll climb all the way to the top to get started and that first drop is a doozy, taking you all the way back to ground level. There are a number of conveyor belts that you barely notice that help propel the riders up the different hills.
It should go without saying, but if you're not in love with water, this ride isn't for you. You'll get wet at every twist and turn, with tons of waterfalls and sprays. When you're flying past at 30 miles per hour, it can sometimes sting a bit, as well.
Black Anaconda is one of just three slides like it in the whole county and the only one here in Wisconsin. It's a totally heart-pounding, pulse-racing watercoaster that goes on for more than a quarter mile. It's a long, amazing ride and you'll want to go on again and again.
Buck up your courage and settle in for the ride of your life on this fabulous, gravity-defying watercoaster. You won't regret the rush you feel at the end of this ride and you'll find yourself starting right back up the stairs to do it again!
Find out more about everything Noah’s Ark has to offer, including discounted admission opportunities, on their website. Or head to Facebook for all kinds of fun stuff as they celebrated their 40th year this year.
The park is open every day from Memorial Day to Labor Day. They open at 10 a.m. and closing times vary throughout the summer, so head to the website to find out more. Admission is $39.99 at the gate, but there are a number of discounts and options available online for price savings.