Water Park of America vs Soak City
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 | Water Park of America | Soak City |
|---|---|---|
| Parking | ||
| Arcade |
Only at Water Park of America
- lazy river
- Arcade
- wifi
Only at Soak City
- cabana rentals
- swimming pool
- picnic areas
Both parks share 1 amenities including Parking.
About Each Park
Water Park of America
Minnesota
Water Park of America sits inside the Mall of America complex in Bloomington, making it one of the most unique water park experiences you'll find. This indoor park runs year-round, which means you can be splashing around in 84-degree water while it's snowing outside. The centerpiece is a massive wave pool that generates four-foot waves every few minutes - kids love body surfing while parents can wade in the shallow end. The lazy river winds around a good portion of the park and moves at just the right pace for floating on tubes. For thrills, there are several body slides and tube slides, including a couple that dump you into deep pools with a serious splash. The kids' area features smaller slides, water buckets that tip over, and plenty of interactive play features at different heights. What really sets this place apart is the convenience factor. You can literally park at Mall of America, shop, eat, and hit the water park all in one trip. The locker rooms are spacious and clean, though they can get crowded during peak times. Food options are typical water park fare but reasonably priced for being inside MOA. The arcade area gives kids something to do when they need a break from the water. Since it's indoors, you don't need sunscreen, but the air can get pretty humid. I'd recommend arriving right when they open to avoid the worst crowds, especially on weekends and school holidays. The park works well for families with kids…
Read the full Water Park of America guide →Soak City
Minnesota
Soak City at Valley Fair gives you two parks for the price of one, though honestly, most families spend their whole day just at the water park. The wave pool here is legit - it creates decent-sized waves every few minutes, and kids love jumping into them while adults float on tubes nearby. The water slide collection covers all the basics, from gentle family slides where parents and kids can ride together to steeper speed slides that'll get your heart pumping. The kiddie area is where Soak City really shines for families with toddlers. It's got miniature slides, water fountains, and shallow pools where little ones can splash around safely while parents relax on nearby lounge chairs. The whole setup feels connected but not overwhelming, which is perfect when you're trying to keep track of kids of different ages. Since it's part of Valley Fair, you get that amusement park level of maintenance and staffing, so the facilities stay clean and the lines move reasonably well. The food situation is standard water park fare - burgers, pizza, nachos - but it's filling and you don't have to leave the park. Pro tip: arrive right when they open to snag the best lounge chairs near the wave pool. They go fast on busy summer days. The concrete gets scorching hot by afternoon, so water shoes are a must-have. If you're planning to make a full day of it, consider splitting time between Soak City and the main Valley Fair rides. The…
Read the full Soak City guide →Ready to visit Water Park of America?