DreamWorks Water Park vs Splish Splash, Long Island
A side-by-side look at two water parks — rides, prices, amenities, and which one fits your trip.
Which Park Is Right for You?
Quick verdicts based on what each park offers.
Amenities Compared
What each park offers, side by side.
| Feature | DreamWorks Water Park | Splish Splash, Long Island |
|---|---|---|
| Wave Pool | ||
| Lazy River | ||
| Water Slides | ||
| Kiddie Area | ||
| Tube Rentals | ||
| Surfing Simulator | ||
| Cabanas | ||
| Food & Dining | ||
| Gift Shop | ||
| Parking | ||
| Picnic Area | ||
| Birthday Parties | ||
| Splash Pad | ||
| Hot Tubs / Spa | ||
| Season Passes | ||
| Arcade |
Only at DreamWorks Water Park
- Surfing Simulator
- Hot Tubs / Spa
- Arcade
- wifi
Only at Splish Splash, Long Island
- Picnic Area
- Season Passes
Both parks share 11 amenities including Wave Pool, Lazy River, Water Slides, and 8 more.
About Each Park
DreamWorks Water Park
New Jersey
DreamWorks Water Park brings beloved animated characters to life in America's largest indoor water park, located inside the American Dream mall in East Rutherford. This place is massive - we're talking 375,000 square feet of water attractions that stay a comfortable 84 degrees year-round. The park does character theming right, with areas dedicated to Shrek, Madagascar, How to Train Your Dragon, and Trolls that actually feel immersive rather than slapped on as an afterthought. The Madagascar Rain Fortress is the centerpiece - a multi-level play structure with water cannons, tipping buckets, and slides that'll keep kids busy for hours. For bigger thrills, the Racing Slides let you compete side-by-side down enclosed tubes, while the FlowRider surf simulator gives you a chance to bodyboard or attempt standing up (spoiler alert: it's harder than it looks). The lazy river here is actually lazy, not a crowded water highway, and winds through different themed sections. Little ones get their own dedicated area with pint-sized slides and splash features. Being indoors means you can visit any time of year, which is clutch for Northeast families dealing with actual winters. The downside? It gets packed on weekends and school breaks since it's the only game in town for indoor water fun. Food options are typical theme park fare - overpriced but decent enough. Pro tip: arrive right when they open to claim your spot and enjoy shorter lines for the first few hours. The wave pool here generates some serious waves, so even strong swimmers…
Read the full DreamWorks Water Park guide →Splish Splash, Long Island
New York
Splish Splash sits on 96 acres in Calverton, Long Island, making it the biggest water park in the state. The park's got that classic Long Island vibe - busy, fun, and packed with families from the city looking to cool off. The Giant Twister is their signature ride, a massive funnel slide that'll have you screaming as you plummet into the bowl below. It's genuinely terrifying in the best way possible. The lazy river here is actually worth the float - it's long enough that you can genuinely relax, unlike some parks where you're doing laps around a tiny circle. For little ones, Splish Splash does kids' areas right. The splash zones have mini slides and water features that'll keep toddlers busy for hours while parents can actually sit down. The wave pool gets absolutely packed on summer weekends, so hit it early or late in the day. What sets this park apart is the sheer variety - they've got everything from gentle family slides to legitimate thrill rides that'll challenge even water slide veterans. The Cliff Hanger drop slides are particularly brutal if you're into that rush of terror before the floor drops out. Food's typical water park fare, but the portions are decent and they don't completely gouge you on prices. The park gets slammed on hot summer days since it's the go-to spot for NYC area families, so arriving right at opening is crucial. Parking fills up fast and you'll spend forever in lines if you show…
Read the full Splish Splash, Long Island guide →Ready to visit DreamWorks Water Park?