I took my 6-year-old and 8-year-old children to Wet and Wild Hawaii for a day of fun.
We booked in advance through a website called VELTRA from Japan, and were able to purchase the tickets for slightly less than buying them on-site on the day.
We went on a weekday, and it was less crowded than we expected, allowing us to enjoy the park leisurely.
So, this time, I’ve compiled my impressions of visiting with children, how to manage valuables without using lockers, and the crowd situation.
If you’re planning to go in the future, please feel free to use this as a reference. Please note that the information is current as of August 2023. Make sure to verify with the latest updates.
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About Parking Facilities
We arrived at 10:00 AM in the morning, and since it was a weekday, it was not crowded
The parking fee was charged, around $20 if I recall correctly. However, we were informed that if you’re just being dropped off by a taxi or similar means, you can mention it at the parking gate and enter for free.
About Check-in Process
When you show the voucher at the counter, they provide you with pre-printed tickets that already have your name on them.
There is a baggage inspection, and only unopened water bottles are allowed. So, we purchased water in advance from a supermarket and brought it with us.
They conduct fairly strict checks, and any items other than water are instructed to be discarded.
Additionally, it was mentioned to bring a copy of your passport, but it wasn’t actually necessary.
I didn’t make a copy, but just to be safe, I took a photo of my passport on my phone. However, there was no need to show it.
About Crowd Conditions
In a word, it was simply uncrowded.
There were plenty of chairs and tables available, and there was no competition for them. In fact, there were more unused chairs than occupied ones.
In contrast to the image in Japan where popular pool facilities can make it difficult to secure chairs, there were so many chairs that each person could have one
There were covered rest areas and chairs in shaded spots, along with various types of resting places. Since cabanas were expensive to rent, I felt that opting for a regular spot instead of a cabana would be just as good.
The water slides had waiting times of 5 minutes or less each, the wave pool was also uncrowded, and free inner tubes and life jackets were available for rental at any time you liked.
About Managing Valuables
Coin lockers cost around $15 (about 2,000 yen), so instead of using lockers, I purchased a waterproof case for my phone from Amazon for about $10 in advance.
I placed my smartphone, credit card, and a small amount of cash into the waterproof case, while other belongings went into a pool bag. This way, I didn’t use lockers.
In the pool bag, I put water, sunscreen, underwater goggles, towels, and other items that would be okay even if they were stolen, just in case.
In reality, there was no need to worry about leaving items on benches or elsewhere, as theft and similar concerns were not an issue.
About Meals
Bringing outside food is not allowed, so you’ll need to purchase all meals within the park.
The menu includes items like hot dogs, fried chicken, potatoes, soft serve ice cream, and similar fare, with prices ranging from around $15 to $20 for each item, giving off a somewhat junk food vibe.
Also, ice cream was priced around $7 to $8.
Unexpectedly Enjoyable for Children
Several times throughout the day, there was an event near the center of the park where lots of fluffy bubbles were released, which the children really enjoyed.
The participation was free, and the force of the bubbles flying around was unlike anything they had experienced before. The children were absolutely delighted.
A mysterious machine produced a massive amount of bubbles, covering the children from head to toe. Even though it was a pool, it created a peculiar scene as if they were playing in snow.
Families with children are sure to have a great time, so it’s recommended to check the start times of events at the reception in advance.
Taking unique photos of children playing in the snow-like environment while wearing swimsuits is a great way to capture memorable moments!
Many attractions are closed!
I had some understanding from my pre-research, but there were indeed attractions that were closed. I believe there were around 2 or 3 such places.
Furthermore, depending on the time of day, some attractions that were operational earlier might be closed, possibly for maintenance. So, if a desired attraction is available, it’s recommended to give it a try without hesitation.
It might have been due to the weekday, as the park closed at 3:00 PM.
Considering the Japanese perspective, there’s a possibility of early closing, so if you want to make the most of your time, it’s recommended to arrive early.
Also, the wave pool had areas with water depth that even adults couldn’t touch.
For families with children, it’s recommended to rent life jackets and keep a close watch to ensure safety.
Summary
With attractions ranging from the kids’ area to the wave pool and water slides, there’s a wide variety of options for everyone, including families and couples, to enjoy.
By making reservations from Japan in advance, managing valuables without lockers, and bringing your own water, you can save to some extent. I highly recommend enjoying Wet and Wild Hawaii while getting the most value out of it.
This report is based on August 2023. Please make sure to verify with the latest information.
