Water parks, hot season kicks off

The hot water park season is kicking off. From Caribe Bay to Acquavventura, from Mirabilianda to Acquafun, the common denominator is to offer fun, refreshment, slides for breathtaking descents, swimming pools and pools with artificial waves and hydromassage, sports activities and shows. All in marine settings inspired by palm-fringed beaches and exotic scenery. A well-established formula for hours of leisure that appeals especially to families and young people but attracts a diverse audience of all ages.

Yesterday saw the start of the 2026 season at Caribe Bay, an 80,000 square metre water park in Lido di Jesolo, where the scenery and settings are inspired by the Caribbean with 3,500 palm trees, wide expanses of white sand and lagoons of crystal-clear water. Among the season's novelties is a ticket that includes access to Caribbean Golf, a minigolf course obviously with a Caribbean theme. Thanks to a new internal themed passageway, park guests can reach it directly, just like the other attractions. The course, divided into 24 holes, takes players on an adventure inspired by the world of pirates, amidst the wrecks of ancient galleons, treasure chests and surprises waiting to be discovered. The season's other novelties are related to the live shows, four original artistic productions curated by an in-house creative team and performed by a cast of 25 performers from all over the world. From the tribal rhythm of Huracan to the prowess of Swing Circus, to the performance of the Kenyan acrobats group Black Warriors in the show Limbo. Also not to be missed is Mermaids at the end of the day, an enthralling mix of choreography, fire-eating and diving, set on the park's iconic galleon. The park is at the centre of a three-year 40 million investment plan that will end next year and has become, among other things, smoking free with dedicated smoking areas. "Each season represents an opportunity to further expand the guest experience: we want to amaze and involve them," explains Luciano Pareschi, founder and CEO of Caribe Bay. "The 40 million euro investment plan launched two years ago is part of this direction, which confirms our desire to continuously focus on excellence and innovation, introducing elements that enrich the offer and strengthen its overall value. We are aware that our choices can also have a positive impact on the territory'.

In Romagna, Mirabilandia, Italy's largest amusement park covering 55 hectares, plus 12 hectares of the Mirabeach water park, lights up the season with a series of events and live shows. To celebrate the Notte Rosa (Pink Night), which involves the entire Romagna coast, on 20 June cabaret artists Scintilla, Paolo Migone and Sergio Sgrilli will take the stage at Mirabilandia. On Saturday 25 July the Mirabilandia Birthday Party, the park's birthday, will be celebrated with Giorgio Vanni together with his band "I figli di Goku" (Goku's children), for a concert that will make entire generations sing along to the notes of the best-loved cartoon theme songs. Special guest will be Admiral Max Longhi. To follow, the unmissable DJ set "Alla DiscoTEKa" by Daniel Tek to dance until late at night. From 11 to 16 August the "Suburbia summer nightmare", a small anticipation of the incredible atmosphere of Halloween. On Saturday 29 August, there will be colour and music at the Fluo Party by Rds, with energy and entertainment, gadgets, and lots of Rds music. The calendar of summer events closes on Saturday 12 September with the irreverent comedy of the PanPers.

The Mirabeach season will begin on Saturday 13 June with a Caribbean-style setting, including many slides, water courses, a wave pool, relaxation areas, sunbeds and beach umbrellas, green spaces with VIP areas and exclusive full-optional villas, as well as bars, restaurants, chiringuitos and shops. New for the season is 'accessible relaxation', a pilot project for a reserved and equipped area for guests with disabilities, mobility difficulties or wheelchairs. This area is made up of stations with an easy-access platform, XL sunshades and reinforced and raised sunbeds, designed to guarantee greater comfort, autonomy and safety. The "accessible relaxation" area will be located in a strategic position, in the immediate vicinity of dedicated changing rooms and toilets, infirmary, entrance, shop and bar area. A choice designed to minimise travel and improve the usability of the experience, both for visitors with disabilities and their companions, which will be tested this season to test its functionality and study subsequent extensions. "With this new project, the Park reinforces its commitment to increasingly inclusive hospitality, offering a concrete improvement in the accessibility of Mirabeach and allowing guests to enjoy the beach experience in a more autonomous way," emphasises Sabrina Mangia, CEO and general manager of Mirabilandia. "It is a first experiment and represents a replicable pilot project, designed as a starting point for further developments in future seasons and in other parks, always with a special focus on the values of hospitality and respect for the different needs of everyone.

For those in search of adrenaline, the Vuelta Vertigo, the 'V' slide and the Rumba, between curves and rapid descents, are not to be missed. Have fun with friends on the Los Ràpidos multi-slide, while the little ones can play between towers and slides at El Castillo. For a wellness break, nothing beats Laguna del Sol and Baía de Ondas with over 2,000 square metres of waves.