Kids Life Tuscaloosa May/June 2023 | Page 9

Thrilling Rollin ’ Thunder . This coaster will have you twisting , turning , looping and dropping all day long , and it is one of the most popular rides in the park .
Downtown OWA : Here , you will find dining , shopping , and entertainment , plus award-winning accommodations are nearby . We took a break from the ride area and dined at Valerio ’ s Pizza and Italian restaurant . Try the delicious Parmesan Alfredo , Spaghetti Pomodoro , and Baked Meatballs . The kids ’ menu has perfect portions . You will find numerous dining options , including Paula Deen ’ s Family Kitchen . Step back in time to a 1950 ’ s vibe at the Hershey ’ s Ice Cream Parlor — delicious ! I was happy to find my favorite store , Fairhope Soap Company , along with other specialty shops .
For entertainment , try the Brandon Styles Theater , featuring a lineup of everchanging acts and shows , including his variety , magic comedy , impressions , as well as dinner shows . The kids were entertained while Lance “ dropped ” a few dollars at the Arcades at OWA and Tropic Falls . Fun ! Collins named all the stuffed animals , and they made it safely back to Tuscaloosa .
Tropic Falls ’ Indoor Water Park offers an island vibe beneath a soaring , convertible room , and just outside , visitors can bask in a tropical-themed wave pool . Tuki ’ s Tower is a kid friendly tropical play structure featuring 5 slides and a dump bucket tower . This is where Collins and I spent most of the day while Lance and Landon dove in for an adrenaline rush on exciting water attractions .
Serpentine Swirl is a body slide that turns and twist with high-banking loops . At Aqua Chaser , grab 3 family members and compete to see who reaches the bottom first . Lance and Landon had the most fun on the Citrus Cyclone on a boat-like inflatable tube . Each boat drops and dives throughout the slide , accelerating into high-speed turns .
You do not need to leave the waterpark to find good food . At Grub , celebrate the Caribbean vibes of Tropic Falls ’ islandinspired menu . The pizza was amazing and passed our little grandchildren ’ s , AKA pizza connoisseurs ’ taste test . The hamburgers were big and juicy also . It was great to enjoy a meal around a table and rest for a while . Of course , there is too much to do at OWA to rest for very long . We packed this OWA
memory away , along with the hundreds of photos Larry made , and checked it off for round two next year . For park information , call 251-923-2111 or visit , www . VisitOWA . com

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For accommodations and park tickets , stay the night at OWA at TownePlace Suites by Marriot — steps from the park . Ask about Tropic Falls Thrill and Chill Combo Ticket Package , and use the promotional code THM when booking online at https :// visitowa . com / hotel /