Disclosure: I received free admission to Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston Island. All opinions are my own.
This is part 1 of our weekend in Galveston, Texas. 
My husband and I thought S was at the perfect age to enjoy a waterpark and since on our Summer Bucket List was a weekend trip the two fit together perfectly.
Here are 5 tips for the getting the most out of your visit to Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston Island.
1. Arrive early to avoid the crowd
We arrived at Schlitterbahn Galveston about 15 minutes prior to park opening and the ticket booths were already open to purchase tickets. When the gates opened, everyone held up their wrists while going Into the park.
2. Reserve a shady spot
If you want an area in the shade, I would head there first. We got a picnic table in the shade and put all our stuff on it. I suggest looking at a map ahead of time, so that you know where you want to place your things.
3. Bring your own drinks and food to reduce expense
Schlitterbahn allows guests to bring in food and beverages (no glass or alcohol). This helps families save money, satisfy picky eaters and/or eat healthy. I had froze bottled water and in the shade the bottles stayed icy cold for the whole time we were there, about five hours.
4. Extras are included
Schlitterbahn Galveston offers free parking, free life vests, and free use of their inner tubes. The park also had numerous lifeguards; everywhere I looked was a lifeguard keeping an eye on the guests.
5. Ride the biggest slides first
We rode the water slides early in the morning while the wait was minimal, as the day wore on the lines did grow but they moved quickly.
While there were a lot of people at Schlitterbahn Galveston it did not feel crowded especially since there was so many thing to do spread out throughout the park.
My daughter enjoyed a particular frog slide in the Tiki Tikes Area. I think she went down it two hundred times!
We rode the Kristal River all the way around the park. My husband and I really like the rapids/waves area; our daughter however did not. There were definite waves but nothing that would capsize the raft.
We also enjoyed hanging out in Kristal Beach. A great place to stay cool and lounge.
Schlitterbahn Galveston is a large waterpark with lots to do for every age group and adventure level. We enjoyed our day at Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston Island and hope to visit again soon.
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We are going to head to the coast next month and I was thinking we may give a water park a try if the beach wasn’t what we hoped. Thanks for the idea.
I hope you enjoy your trip to the coast!
That looks like an awesome water park! I’m glad y’all had a good time!
Oh wow, I didn’t realize you could take your own food and drinks into this water park. Since I had allergies, that is very helpful! My husband and his family used to take trips to Schilitterbahn every year, but I’ve never been. Need to add this to the bucket list. 🙂
Isn’t that awesome Nicole! I love that they allow you to bring in a picnic.
It looks like y’all had a really fun day, a great summer day trip! All of y our tips are wonderful. There sure is a lot of different activities there.
Thank you Shirley! It was a fun day.
My kids have always loved a good water park and this one looks like loads of fun!
Waterparks can be a lot of fun, especially with all this heat! 🙂
This place looks really fun!! Thanks for sharing I think a lot of your tips can work at any park like this one!
Yes MJ, you are right!
Whata fun park! I love that the extras are all included…definitely perfect for a family.
Me too Tiffany!
How fun! It has been years since I have been to a water park. Six Flags near me just opened one and every time we plan to go it starts to rain. I need to hurry quick before the cold weather hits. Thanks for the ideas Paris!
I hope you and the girls enjoy a trip to the water park!
I saw this park featured on the Travel Channel once a few years ago and it’s been on my bucket list ever since. I have yet to had a reason to go to Galveston (other than the park) so I haven’t visited but if I do I’ll keep your tips in mind. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Ashley! I hope you find an excuse to visit Galveston!
Great tips! The food thing is such a money saver and healthy choice!
I love that they let you bring food in!
Great tips! I wish we had a waterpark in Ireland, it’d be a blast. Looks like you all had such a fun time xo
Thank you Fiona!
Looks like a blast 😉
xoxo
The Accidental Mama
http://theaccidentalmama.com
Lots of fun for sure!
I LOVED watermarks when I was little. Haven’t been to one since I’ve been an adult but it seems like it would be just as much fun!
Yes, adults can definitely have just as much fun at a waterpark
These are some good tips. I think they could be applied to most water parks as well, which is good considering how far away I am from Texas minimizing the likelihood of me ever visiting this park. So thanks for sharing 🙂
Yes, many of these tips could be used at other water parks. Thanks Mary!
This looks and sounds like a great place to visit. I love waterparks and big funky slides!
Alex – Funky Jungle
The big slides can be so much fun!
OMG I remember seeing this water park on the Travel Channel when I was younger! I have always wanted to go!
That’s really cool! Thanks for stopping by.
What a fab water park – our children would quite happily play there all day! Thanks for linking up and sharing your fun photos and helpful tips with Country Kids.
Thank you Fiona!
That looks like such a great water park!! My girls would love it x
Yes, it was quite fun!
What a cool place! Wish I lived closer (I’m a state away). I also love the extras–safety equipment, allowance for bringing in outside beverages etc. Keep cool this summer! xo
Thanks Tiffany!
That sounds like a ton of fun!
Thank you Ashley! We had lots of fun!
Goodness where is this! Looks so much fun to visit. My son loves to the waters and I would feel safer if he will play here. Nice tips too =) #countrykids
This Schlitterbahn is in Galveston, Texas, but there are several locations in Texas. Thanks Merlinda
Some great tips – and it looks like S had a blast! I like when waterparks don’t charge for admission. They don’t over in Disney World, but we’re going to SeaWorld’s Aquatica later this year and they charge 12 bucks plus tax!
Wow that’s a lot for parking on top of admission costs and food!