Mt. Olympus: Where Myth Meets Water Park History
The water park capital of the world is home to a number of superlatives. The largest water park in the United States. The largest indoor water park in Wisconsin. And soon enough, Wisconsin Dells will welcome the first rotating water slide in the Americas: Medusa’s Slidewheel.
Before Medusa’s Slidewheel steals the hearts of first-time riders and seasoned water park aficionados, we’re taking a step back to admire the park it’ll call home: Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park. Having been in the water park capital of the world for more than half a century, the park is a Wisconsin Dells institution with a vision for the future of water park fun.
In this post, we’ll explore how a park that takes inspiration from mythology is writing a new story with Medusa’s Slidewheel.
Where mythology meets water park history
Don’t let the replica Trojan horse and imitation Colosseum fool you. Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park pairs an appreciation for the classics with forward-thinking water park attractions. The park’s newest water slide proves it.
Opening summer 2022, Medusa’s Slidewheel is the first of its kind in the United States.
“The most exciting thing for me is imagining parents driving down the road, their children sitting in the back seat,” says Nick Laskaris. “When those kids see the Slidewheel for the first time, being wide-eyed and in awe. That’s what it’s all about.”
It makes sense that Laskaris’ focus is on family. After all, Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park is owned and operated by the Laskaris family. Laskaris’ father, Demetrios “Jim” Laskaris, founded Big Chief, a hot dog stand that evolved into a go-kart track, in the 1970s. Over the past half-century, the park has evolved, adding roller coasters, expanding its grounds, and merging with Treasure Island in 2004 to become the Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park visitors frequent today.
Now the park features more than 20 water slides, two lazy rivers, two wave pools, and a 27,000-square-foot pool. [1] In 2022, the park is also renovating the Mt. Olympus Indoor Water Park and expanding it by 50%. The 22,500-square-foot addition will include a large wading pool and an activity pool as well as Medusa’s Slidewheel and other guest amenities. [2][/vc_column_text]
Another first for the water park capital of the world
The water park capital of the world is set to capture the water park industry’s attention once again. Come summer 2022, all eyes will be on Medusa’s Slidewheel.
While this level of hype is fairly routine for Wisconsin Dells, there’s nothing ordinary about the Western Hemisphere’s first rotating water slide. Towering 74-feet above Wisconsin Dells Parkway, Medusa’s Slidewheel combines the water-generated propulsion of a water slide with the rotation of a Ferris wheel. When it’s not actively thrilling riders, the massive Slidewheel will serve as a billboard for water park fun.
It’s fitting that the first Slidewheel in the Americas has found its home at Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park. In one form or another, Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park has been in Wisconsin Dells since it became the water park capital of the world. The park is part of the region’s history—and with Medusa’s Slidewheel, it’s part of its future, too.
Writing a new chapter in the history of Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park
Before Medusa’s Slidewheel thrills guests, Ramaker and WhiteWater are collaborating on a series of articles that catalog the significance of the slide and stories behind its installation at Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park.
Read more articles from the series here:
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