With the July 7 opening of its Island Water Park, Showboat Atlantic City has clinched its new status as a family hotel and resort. The largest beachfront waterpark in the world, according to claims, features 11 water slides; a winding, Lazy River; a FlowRider surf simulator; and concessions from cheesesteaks to ice cream. During our visit, mermaid greeters propped up on the grotto greeted guests and posed for photos before taking a dip in the Lazy River.
As guests arrive at Island Waterpark, they are greeted by ‘mermaids’ relaxing on the nearby grotto. Photos courtesy of Brittany Chrusciel
The $100 million investment in the year-round, indoor Island Waterpark has officially killed any remaining plans to reintroduce gambling to the Showboat. Originally opened in 1987, the Showboat began the city’s first sportsbook in 1993 and operated its casino for 27 years until the property’s closure in 2014. When it reopened in 2016 under developer Bart Blatstein, it did so as a non-gaming hotel.
Island Waterpark features 11 water slides; a winding, Lazy River; a FlowRider surf simulator; and concessions from cheesesteaks to ice cream.
The historic, high-end Claridge Hotel reopened without its casino in 2014, but few other properties have followed suit. There are nine hotel-casinos remaining throughout Atlantic City, and while the boardwalk offers amusements for kids, most properties with a casino are decidedly adult getaways.
In 2018, Blatstein did apply for a casino license and was approved in 2019 to do so in a new building between the Showboat and Ocean Casino Resort. But by the end of 2020, plans shifted back to the proposed waterpark, which was approved for financial assistance by the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.
The following year, in May 2021, Showboat introduced the Lucky Snake Arcade and Sports Bar, which now takes up most of the former casino floor. Adding to Showboat’s superlatives, Lucky Snake is New Jersey’s largest arcade, with dizzying, jingling rows of video games, claw machines, bowling and more. There is even an adjacent pinball gallery for old-school gamers.
Lucky Snake is New Jersey’s largest arcade, with dizzying, jingling rows of video games, claw machines, bowling and more. There is even an adjacent pinball gallery for old-school gamers.
A serious, neon-drenched go-kart track called the Raceway at Lucky Snake is front and center as soon as you walk into the hotel’s lobby. It announces, with the sound of small engines rather than slot machines, that this is a place for all-ages entertainment. (Just keep in mind the 4-foot, 8-inch height requirement to race.)
And family fun is promised, rain or shine, with both Showboat’s indoor waterpark and arcade. But this is Atlantic City after all, and anyone who thought that trading casino dollars for splashing tweens and gaming teens would be bad business, take a look at the numbers.
There is no shortage of snacks and food available at Island Waterpark at Showboat.
For a family of four, general admission for Island Waterpark begins at $89 per person. With a current buy-three-get-one-free promotion, that’s $267 (don’t forget to bring your own towels but leave food and drinks at home). Four sodas and two pizzas are $76; toss in two ice creams for the kids and round it up to $100.
Tip: Families can save $20 each by entering the waterpark from 5 to 9 p.m. Kids age 3 and younger are free.
Try body surfing, boogie boarding or even traditional surfing at Island Waterpark.
A forthcoming zip line and zero-gravity coaster are $20 per person, each. FlowRider lessons are a splurge at $100 per person. Access to the 21-plus Paradise Adult Island and Bliss Pool is $30 per person. A cabana for the family (semi-private cushioned seating area with a server to fetch your food and drinks — not included) is $499.
By night, the kiddos will want to check out the arcade. There are a variety of combo passes, but games are individually priced and paid for using a refillable game card (games range from $1 to $10). One, 10-lap race on the Raceway is $24.99. Don’t forget about opportunities to mini-golf or mini-bowl.
For more information, visit www.showboathotelac.com.
— Brittany Chrusciel
