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 Number of Indoor Waterpark Destination Resorts Grows in 2007
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By David J. Sangree, MAI, CPA, ISHC - 
February 2007

Summary: The year-end survey of indoor waterpark resorts in the U.S. and Canada by Hotel & Leisure Advisors, LLC (H&LA) indicates that the number of indoor waterpark destination resorts has grown from 30 available properties as of year-end 2005 to 43 available properties as of year-end 2006. Twelve waterpark additions to existing hotels or new construction properties, all of which meet our definition of indoor waterpark destination resorts, are projected to open in 2007. Additional resorts are currently in development and likely to begin construction in 2007. As of January 2007, we are tracking over 240 new indoor waterpark resort development projects and indoor waterpark additions to existing hotels. The Great Wolf Lodge brand offers the greatest number of indoor waterpark destination resorts in the United States and Canada and also has the greatest number of new resort properties under construction. 

In most markets, there are few family entertainment resorts featuring indoor waterparks. However, in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, where indoor waterparks were first introduced, there are six indoor waterpark destination resorts and 10 smaller hotels with indoor waterparks. 

Definition: An indoor waterpark resort is defined by H&LA as a lodging establishment containing an aquatic facility with a minimum of 10,000 square feet of indoor waterpark space and inclusive of amenities such as slides, tubes, and a variety of indoor water play features. Although numerous hotels bill their indoor pools as waterparks, those with less than 10,000 square feet should be categorized as properties with water features rather than as waterparks. H&LA has divided indoor waterpark resorts into two categories: hotel with indoor waterpark and indoor waterpark destination resort. A hotel with indoor waterpark is a hotel with an attached indoor waterpark with 10,000 to 30,000 square feet of indoor waterpark space where the indoor waterpark serves as an amenity of the hotel versus a true destination. An indoor waterpark destination resort is a resort with 30,000 square feet or more of indoor waterpark space and is considered a true destination resort, which families visit on a year round basis primarily to visit the waterpark and secondarily to visit other attractions or events in the area. An indoor waterpark destination resort will typically have a number of rides and pools and high quality theming. A hotel with a smaller indoor waterpark may offer only a few rides and pools and little or no theming. 

The following table indicates H&LA�s definition of the three types of indoor waterparks, which currently exist and are being developed in the United States and Canada. 

swimming pool, slide, toddler area with mushroom, spray gun  multiple slides, tree house with slides, spray guns, tipping buckets, Jacuzzi, various pools, lazy river  multiple slides, tree house with slides, spray guns, tipping buckets, Jacuzzi, various pools, lazy river, wave pool, water coaster, surfing, outdoor waterpark features 
Existing Supply: We have conducted a survey concerning the number of indoor waterpark destination resorts which were open as of year-end 2006 and are projected to open in 2007. We have also analyzed the number of hotels with indoor waterparks that plan to open in 2007. The following table indicates the existing supply as of December 2006 of indoor waterpark destination resorts. The figures indicated for the waterpark square footage represent the net indoor waterpark area excluding areas such as the arcade, gift shop, mechanical rooms, etc. For advertising purposes, some resorts indicate higher figures by including these additional spaces. 

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The table indicates the existing supply of indoor waterpark destination resorts. The Great Wolf Lodge brand is the ownership group and brand with the most indoor waterpark destination resorts. They offer eight properties in the United States and Canada. The vast majority of indoor waterpark destination resorts are independent properties not affiliated with a national hotel franchise. The number of indoor waterpark destination resorts grew by 12 properties in 2006. These additional properties were either indoor waterpark additions to existing hotels or new construction properties. 

2007 Openings: We have researched the 2007 projected openings of indoor waterpark destination resorts. The following table indicates those properties which we expect to open in 2007. 

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The number of projected destination resort openings in 2007 is comparatively small, reflecting the challenges of finding financing and investors for these entertainment-related projects. All of the destination resort properties listed in the chart above with exception of the Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, Texas and the Canad Hotel in Grand Forks, North Dakota represent indoor waterpark additions with or without room additions to existing hotels or resorts. The Great Wolf Lodge properties are integrated indoor waterpark destination resorts focusing primarily on the family leisure traveler. The Silver Mountain Resort and the Holiday Inn Express Splash Universe Resort are both adding rooms in addition to their indoor waterparks. The four CoCo Key Indoor Waterpark properties, located in Rockford, Illinois; Danvers, Massachusetts; Omaha, Nebraska; and Sharonville, Ohio, are being developed by a partnership led by Sage Hospitality. Sage has two other CoCo Key properties which opened in late 2006 in Arlington Heights, Illinois and Newark, Ohio. Two other CoCo Key properties are due to open in 2008 in Kansas City, Kansas and Mount Laurel, New Jersey. 

In addition to the 12 destination resorts listed above, we are also tracking 10 new construction hotels with smaller indoor waterparks or additions of indoor waterparks smaller than 30,000 square feet which are due to open in 2007. Additionally, we are tracking over 240 proposals for new indoor waterpark resorts or indoor waterpark additions to existing properties. Most of these proposals are in the planning stages and have not yet begun construction. H&LA projects continued growth in supply in 2008 and 2009 as additional projects begin construction. 

Indoor waterpark resorts have emerged as a leisure option for families looking for a convenient weekend getaway or vacation. Historically, the indoor waterpark resorts were located in the Wisconsin Dells region, but growth continues throughout the United States. We project continued development of indoor waterpark resorts in the northern United States because they offer an attractive year-round leisure opportunity for families and attractive investment returns for developers. There is substantial growth in supply in the waterpark segment, and saturation of the market could become an issue in the future. Therefore, we recommend thorough feasibility analysis be performed for projects to ensure that the project's return on investment is adequate for the development. 

Author 

David J. Sangree, MAI, CPA, ISHC is President of Hotel & Leisure Advisors, a national hospitality consulting firm. He performs appraisals, feasibility studies, impact studies, and other consulting reports for hotels, resorts, waterparks, golf courses, amusement parks, conference centers, and other leisure properties. He has performed over 1,000 hotel studies and over 100 indoor waterpark resort market feasibility and/or appraisal studies across the United States and Canada. 

He was formerly employed by US Realty Consultants in Cleveland and Columbus, Pannell Kerr Forster in Chicago, and Westin Hotels in Chicago, New York, Fort Lauderdale, and Cincinnati. Mr. Sangree received his Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University School of Hotel Administration in 1984. He became a certified public accountant in 1989. He became an MAI member of the Appraisal Institute in 1995 and a member of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants in 1996. 

Since 1987, Mr. Sangree has provided consulting services to banks, hotel companies, developers, management companies, and other parties involved in the lodging sector throughout the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. He has spoken on various hospitality matters at seminars throughout the United States, and has written numerous articles for, and is frequently quoted in, magazines and newspapers covering the hospitality field. 

He can be reached via telephone at 216-228-7000 or via e-mail at [email protected]

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Contact:

Hotel & Leisure Advisors, LLC 
14805 Detroit Avenue 
Suite 420 
Cleveland, Ohio 44107-3921 
Phone: 216-228-7000 
Fax: 216-228-7320 
Web Site: www.hladvisors.com

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Also See: Indoor Waterpark Resort Numbers Increase in �06 / David J. Sangree / August 2006
Financing Your Indoor Waterpark Resort / David J. Sangree / September 2006
Appraisal and Market Analysis of Indoor Waterpark Resorts / David J. Sangree / September 2006
Indoor Waterparks and Hotels - Year end 2005 Overview / David Sangree / February 2006
Indoor Waterpark Resorts Continue Impressive Growth in �05; a Viable Segment of the Travel / David J. Sangree / January 2005
Indoor Waterpark Resorts Expand Nationwide / David J. Sangree / April 2004


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