Long's Retreat Family Resort vs Soak City at Kings 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 | Long's Retreat Family Resort | Soak City at Kings Island |
|---|---|---|
| Parking |
Only at Long's Retreat Family Resort
- hiking trails
Only at Soak City at Kings Island
- wave pool
- gift shop
- group rates
Both parks share 1 amenities including Parking.
About Each Park
Long's Retreat Family Resort
Ohio
Long's Retreat Family Resort sits on a sprawling property in rural Latham, Ohio, and it's exactly what the name suggests - a genuine family retreat that happens to have some excellent water attractions. This isn't your typical massive commercial water park with towering slides visible from the highway. Instead, it's more like a summer camp for families, where the water features are just one part of a bigger outdoor experience. The main pool area centers around a good-sized swimming pool with a separate shallow end that works perfectly for younger kids. You'll find a couple of moderate water slides - nothing that'll terrify a 7-year-old, but fun enough to keep tweens entertained for hours. The real gem here is how uncrowded it stays, even on busy summer weekends. While other parks have you waiting 20 minutes for a slide, you can usually walk right up here. The lazy river winds through some nicely landscaped areas, and they've done a smart job incorporating natural shade trees rather than building expensive structures. Kids love the splash area with its smaller slides and water features designed for the under-10 crowd. What sets Long's Retreat apart is the full resort experience. You're not just getting water park access - there are picnic areas, hiking trails, and that relaxed atmosphere where parents actually seem to unwind instead of stress about logistics. The food situation is basic but reliable - think burgers, hot dogs, and pizza rather than gourmet options. Pricing stays reasonable because they're not…
Read the full Long's Retreat Family Resort guide →Soak City at Kings Island
Ohio
Soak City at Kings Island sits right next to the famous amusement park in Mason, giving you a solid water park experience without the resort price tag. The park's main draw is its collection of body slides and tube slides that'll get your heart pumping, plus a decent-sized wave pool that actually generates some real waves (not just ripples like some places). The lazy river winds around a good chunk of the park and moves at just the right pace - not so slow you're basically floating still, but not so fast you can't relax. For families with younger kids, the multi-level play structure has smaller slides, tipping buckets, and plenty of interactive features to keep the little ones busy for hours. The park gets packed on summer weekends, so your best bet is arriving right when they open or hitting it up on a weekday if you can swing it. The concrete gets blazing hot by mid-afternoon, so water shoes are practically mandatory unless you want to do the hot-foot dance between attractions. Cabana rentals are available but book up fast during peak season - they're worth it if you're planning to stay all day since shade is limited around the main pool areas. Food options are typical water park fare with burgers, pizza, and overpriced snacks, though the portions are decent. What sets Soak City apart from standalone water parks is the convenience factor - if you're already planning a Kings Island trip, adding a water park day…
Read the full Soak City at Kings Island guide →Ready to visit Long's Retreat Family Resort?