Be The Superhero Of Your Beach Vacation—Take The Family To Tropic Falls at OWA

Here at BeachGuide we’re always on the hunt for fun family activities to spice up visits to the beach and we’ve hit the jack pot with this recommendation! A day (or two) spent at Tropic Falls at OWA Parks & Resort in Foley, Ala., promises to be a highlight of your vacation and it will elevate your status to hero with your family—no superpowers or cape required.

There is nothing quite like Tropic Falls on the Gulf Coast with its 23 theme park rides and an awe-inducing indoor Water Park beneath a convertible glass roof for year-round tropical vibes! Encompassing 520 acres and conveniently located near Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, OWA is the ultimate family destination with something to thrill and delight all ages. 

Theme Park Thrills For Everyone

Get ready to ooh and aah—and scream—on the rides at Tropic Falls. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly rides with a touch of thrill or full-on adrenaline pumping scorchers, the theme park has you covered with its 23 rides. Two of our faves that will leave your knees wobbly are the Alabama Wham’a which whirls you through the air at great speed and the Rollin’ Thunder, a soaring roller coaster with plenty of twists, turns and stomach-dropping dives! If you have younger ones in your group, don’t worry there are plenty of kid rides they will love. Check out the height requirements for all the rides to plan your ride schedule on your visit.

These thrill rides at Tropic Falls will send your heart racing:

• Air Racer delivers a hang-gliding experience complete with a G-force thrust with plenty of dives and loops
• Alabama Wham’a twirls you vertically through the air similar to a ferris wheel but at impressive speeds
• Crazy Mouse is a roller coaster that may seem tame with its cute mouse cars, but it delivers a super crazy ride with lots of twists and turns
• Rollin’ Thunder induces plenty of screams as it takes you on a high-flying roller coaster ride. 
• Twister spins 360 degrees in multiple directions for a head-spinning ride! Try it at night as the lights are spectacular.
• Wave Rider features a cool ocean theme and the ride mimics a crazy ocean voyage with plenty of spinning.

Climb aboard for plenty of fun on these family-friendly rides:

• AeroZoom is an exciting ride that dips, tilts and zooms across the sky from the seat of your very own hang glider.
• Flutter By is an interactive ride allowing you to pedal and take control of the butterfly you are riding so you feel like you are flying through the air.
• Flying Carousel glides you through the air on a high-flying merry-go-round with beautiful lights that light up the park at night.
• Flying Tigers is perfect for young wanna-be pilots who can jump into the seat of a colorful fighter plane to bank, tilt and turn for a fun thrill.
• Mystic Mansion will spook you as you weave your way around this haunting attraction, while competing to defeat the main ghost Boocifer.
• Rockin’ Raft careens you down a whitewater gauntlet minus the water as the raft takes you back, forth, up and around without having to worry about getting wet!
• Sky Balloons mimics the feeling of being aloft in a hot air balloon as you take flight and drift high above the ground.
• Southern Express is mining train themed ride with plenty of tilts and turns.
• Tea Time is a classic spinning tea cups ride that delights all ages. 

Get ready for giggles and smiles on these kid rides:

• Flying Aces features classic colorful biplanes that send you spinning and dipping across the sky!
• Gully Washer is a kid-friendly, free-falling ride that bounces riders along on its journey to the bottom.
• Happy Haulers is truck driving ride where kids join the convoy and chug around the track through the turn-of-the-century atmosphere, kids will be overwhelmed with excitement and adventure.
• Leap Frog takes riders on a bouncing ride atop a colorful frog for endless fun! 
• Swingin’ Fun is a giant swing giving riders some fun air time as the ride accelerates and swings each way.
• Zip Zap Race sends kids on a fun driving adventure in a classic brightly colored hot rod.

“Big Water” Park Fun Is Guaranteed

It’s not surprising that OWA’s Tropic Falls delivers big splashes when it comes to water park fun—especially when you consider that OWA (pronounced like oh-wah) means “big water” in the Muscogee Creek language. Claiming the title of the region’s largest indoor waterpark with more than 100,000 sq. ft. of indoor space, Tropic Falls is bigger than a football field and covered by a convertible roof of 1,800 glass panels. Rain or shine you can splish and splash to your heart’s desire thanks to the convertible roof! The park features watery thrill slides, a relaxing lazy river, and a children’s play structure with five slides. Steps away from the indoor water park, you’ll find a tropical themed 30,000 sq. ft. outdoor wave pool called Big Water Bay along with Coastal Curl, a cool surf simulator where you can catch the perfect wave! 

Here’s a rundown of the water park rides for every age and thrill level:

• Aqua Chaser features three parallel slides with mats allowing riders to compete and see who reaches the bottom first.
• Big Water Bay is a whopping 30,000 square feet of tropical, wave-pool action!
• Castaway Creek is a lazy river meandering around the indoor water park.
• Citrus Cyclone is for the thrill seekers! Hop into a boat-like inflatable tube and drop, dive and splash your way through high-speed turns.
• Coastal Curl is a surf simulator located in Big Water Bay where you can “hang ten!”
• Forbidden Falls takes up to 2 riders on an inflatable through twist-in-runs and straight runs.
• Piranha Plunge is not for the faint of heart! It delivers a fast-paced ride with a floor drop and 360 loop.
• Serpentine Swirl is a body slide that accelerates riders through open flumes, back-to-back turns and seriously high-banking turns.
• Tangerine Scream is another body slide featuring a nearly vertical drop and narrow flume, sending you screaming at high speeds.
• Tuki’s Tower is for the younger set with a tropical play structure with five slides and a dump-bucket tower.

Nestled at the top of the wave pool, you’ll find a performance stage area with seasonally inspired live performances. There is also a 48’ wide LED screen where you can catch the latest water-themed movies as you swim in the wave pool. 

Fuel Your Fun-filled Day With Delicious Food Offerings

With all the swimming and frolicking at Tropic Falls, you will surely work up an appetite. Good news—there are tasty spots to grab a bite to eat within the park. Breakers Bar & Grill is a tropical inspired open-air restaurant at Big Water where you can grab a snack, meal or a specialty cocktail and cast your cares away. Another favorite spot is Baja Grill which features classic theme park favorites with a tropical twist. We highly recommend the Baja Nachos as the perfect snack to help you power through the day! Inside the indoor water park, check out Grub, a Hawaiian-themed restaurant with great food, beer and a pineapple Dole Whip signature dessert. Inside, you will also find Libations which features a tropical cocktail menu. It’s hard to pick a favorite drink with choices like Key Lime Colada, Bushwacker and Big Kahuna Margarita! Don’t forget the sweet treats—it’s vacation after all! Tiki Treats will satisfy your sweet tooth with funnel cakes, cookies, Dole pineapple soft serve to name a few of the indulgences.

Take A Break And Stroll Through Downtown OWA

When you need a break from the thrill-a-minute rides, you can stroll around Downtown OWA which is right outside the Tropic Falls gates. This quaint, pedestrian-only shopping and dining area has something for everyone with boutiques, a wine bar, candy and ice cream shops, restaurants, and a distillery among many other must-see spots.

What To Know Before You Go

Before planning your visit, check the park’s website for its hours as they vary depending on the season. The park is open seven days a week during the summer, and parking is free to guests. There are single and multi-day tickets available as well as seasonal packages—plus children ages three and under may receive a free Pre-K day admission. 

Cabanas are also available to rent in the water park giving your family a spot to rest and relax throughout your visit! Cabanas are available as a full-day rental (does not include admission) on a first come, first serve basis.

Don’t forget to get a selfie with the park’s mascot Tuki the Toucan—he’s hard to miss! Look for the giant colorful toucan dancing around the park and get ready to smile with delight! Your family will have so much fun at Tropic Falls that you may want to get a multi-day pass. Or better yet cement your superhero status and plan to stay at OWA for your vacation at the award-winning TownePlace Suites by Marriott within the resort, or Tropic Hideaway, a luxury RV resort featuring amenities such as pickleball, pool and clubhouse, all with a tropical vibe.

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About OWA Parks & Resort: Award-winning OWA Parks & Resort in Coastal Alabama is owned and operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.  OWA’s name is derived from a Creek word for “big water,” and the tropical theme of the 520-acre property was inspired by the Gulf of Mexico, minutes away via the Foley Beach Express. At the heart of OWA is Tropic Falls, which includes a 23-ride theme park and the region’s largest indoor water park—bigger than a football field and covered by a convertible roof. Just outside the ticketed areas is Downtown OWA. This pedestrian-only streetscape was inspired by Southern small towns and features numerous options for dining, shopping, and entertainment.  The destination resort offers a full calendar of events, from Downtown OWA’s own Mardi Gras Parade to the annual Christmas tree lighting with fireworks and snowfall. With its own award-winning TownePlace Suites by Marriott, OWA is the place in Coastal Alabama to thrill, then chill.

About the Poarch Band of Creek Indians: The Poarch Band of Creek Indians is the only federally recognized tribe in Alabama. From hospitality to aerospace, the tribe continues to operate in a variety of industries across the World.