Amusement Park News

Margaritaville at Lanier Islands, Georgia, greatly expanded its bevy of attractions at the resort's waterpark this year, even rebranding the park itself as Fins Up. Among the new additions last year was the debut of the state's first waterslide coaster of its type.

The slide, dubbed Apocalypso, offers a combination of exciting drops and powerful uphill blasts along with some 418 feet to slide.  With vertical ascents, steep drops, and a zero-gravity top summit, the coaster's average water speed is 30 miles per hour.

Apocalypso is the centerpiece of a new complex of four slides, which also include three others on the same mega tower: Serpentine Storm, Dreamsicle Dive and Mango Mania. Serpentine Storm features a downward spiral along its descent; Dreamsicle Dive is an intense slide that includes both open and closed tubes; and Mango Mania hits the sweet spot of water thrills for younger guests as a less intense aqua tube slide. The new additions brought the water complex to a total of 15 slides as of this summer. Also expanded: Wibit Aquatic Adventure, the park's unique inflatable on-water obstacle course. The expansion created additional space and activities with new modules such as High Bars, which provides different heights for guests to swing out over the water, WiggleBoard balancing fun, and MatchBall, a team game.

Before the new ride additions, the waterpark highlighted tube rides such as Raging River, Twister, CAT 4, Typhoon, with CAT 4 a fan favorite for its interplay of dry slide racing that concludes with a splash into the park's lake. Tubeless water slides at the park include Intimidator and Triple Threat drop slides, the enclosed-tube ride Blackout, and two-lane racing slides such as Racing Waters, Fin Dunker Drop, and the Splash Down mat ride.  



During the construction phase of the new four-ride tower, cameras recorded the renovations to build excitement for the wide-ranging changes at the park, which cost in the multi-millions to complete.

According to Bucky Perry, the vice president of Margaritaville at Lanier Islands, the “blockbuster tower of slides, featuring Georgia's first waterslide coaster” was an “epic addition.” The four new attractions represented the largest investment in the waterpark since its opening in 1974, although the park added water slides and a wave pool in 1987. The resort as a whole includes the waterpark, hotel, golf course, boat docks and beaches.

The new water coaster and slides were created in a partnership with WhiteWater manufacturing. Whitewater's v.p. of business development, Jordanna Bower, noted that the slides were directed at “a range of thrill levels, kids and parents will be able to enjoy the rides together.” The height requirement is 42 inches.

More expansion was also afoot in the waterpark such as new retail and dining outlets, as well as luxury cabanas. Additionally, the resort's year ‘round Camp Margaritaville added a pool, playground, and a pickle ball court as well as a pavilion for its 175 RV sites, cabins, and glamping tents.

Closing the year, the park's License to Chill Snow Island returned December 6th, a winter wonderland experience that includes a mammoth 575-foot snow tubing adventure called Blizzard Mountain, one of the longest snow rides in the U.S., per the park's PR. Team.  Single riders are required to be 42” in height. Frosty's Ice Rink has also opened for the season for skating fun; as did carnival-type amusement rides including a Ferris Wheel, merry-go-round, a Tilt-A-Whirl, house of mirrors, and a small roller coaster.



In Snowball Alley, snowball fights and photo-op snow angel poses are encouraged. For dining, the Glacier Café and Glacier Bake Shop serve up seasonal treats including s'mores.  Adult beverages are available at the Tipsy Snowman. Snow Island offers a one day pass at $54.99 adult and $39.99 for kids 4-7 and seniors this season.

Also on site at Lanier Islands for the holidays this year is Lakeside Lights Spectacular. Tickets for the sparkling walk-through experience evening event were priced at $19.99 for adults and $14.99 for children. The event was previously a drive-through attraction, but the 2024 edition featured some high-tech light shows as well as walk-through tunnels with recorded holiday tunes.  



There was a kid-friendly New Year's event planned at the resort's game room, the Game Changer. Along with game play, families can enjoy a DJ spinning kid-friendly tunes, face painting, a sparkling cider toast, and a midnight countdown on London time. Admission is free with games and food purchases as well as bowling lane play available at individual cost. The resort also hosts a New Year's celebration for adults with live music and champagne toast.

Season passes for the resort for ‘round park access are priced at $129.99. Passes offer unlimited access to License to Chill Snow Island, Lakeside Lights Spectacular, Fins Up Water Park, and LandShark Landing water sports recreation area, plus 10% off on dining and retail. The combo plus pack features the above admissions with 20% off dining and retail and is priced at $149.99. A summer-only season pass runs $109.99 for the 2025 season.

“Our aim with these expansions and renovations is to position Margaritaville at Lanier Islands as the ultimate destination for family fun and entertainment  Perry attests. “Year-round, friends and families can enjoy a range of thrilling to chilling activities at Fins Up Water Park, Camp Margaritaville RV Resort or License to Chill Snow Island.”