A look at the former Aqua Thrill Way in Corpus Christi, Texas.

The Aqua Thrill Way water slide kept Corpus Christi kids cool in late '70s and early '80s. Aqua Thrill Way operated from 1978 to 1986. Aqua Thrill Way was a fun popular spot around the same time Magic Isles Amusement Park operated. The water park catered to children, families, and groups.

 

The Aqua Thrill Way franchise was a hit in Corpus Christi. Their waterslides attracted many families and especially children. Children were their primary customers. So the Aqua Thrill Way decided to expand their franchise into Austin. The Aqua Thrill Way franchise which opened water slides along the East Coast of the United States during the 1970s. Eventually the franchise made its way to Texas in cities such as Galveston, Corpus Christi, Dallas, and Austin. (Ref: https://www.caller.com/story/news/special-reports/building-our-future/throwback/2017/09/27/throwback-thursday-aqua-thrillway-water-slide-kept-corpus-christi-kids-cool-late-70-s/709445001/)

When pitching the idea to the Corpus Christi City Council, the developer explained their vision of a tropic Matterhorn where participants sat on polyurethane mats and shot down the channels at speeds approaching 15-20 miles an hour on a continuous flow of water, then splashed into a pool at the bottom. Instead of charging by the ride, a $2 admission fee would let the ticketholder ride as many times as possible in 30 minutes. The $400,000 water slide built to resemble a toboggan run featured three channels built into the side of the hill. (Ref: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/special-reports/building-our-future/throwback/2017/09/27/throwback-thursday-aqua-thrillway-water-slide-kept-corpus-christi-kids-cool-late-70-s/709445001/)

Local thrill-seekers remember the opening of Aqua Thrill Way with such clarity. Aqua Thrill Way opened on South Padre Island Drive between Daly Drive and Nile Drive in the summer of 1978. Here the Aqua Thrill Way was a big water slide located on top of a big mound of dirt on which was actually a hill. The $400,000 water slide featured three channels built into a 35-foot hill where riders sat on polyurethane mats and shot down the channels on a continuous flow of water into a splash pool at the bottom. The water park catered to families and groups along with children. (Ref: http://www.wopular.com/throwback-thursday-aqua-thrillway-1978)

Despite its popularity, Aqua Thrill Way would not stay open for decades. Aqua Thrill Way would close in 1985 for whatever reason(s).

Only 2 of the 3 slides were working prior to closure in 1985. The pools were covered with slimy green algae. A driving range was established after it closed. This driving range sat in the middle of an empty lot. It is unknown how long the driving range operated.

However the driving range was short lived and the Aqua Thrill Way became an abandoned eye sore for many years. The property was purchased by Century Theatres in late 1997 for a movie theatre called Century 16 Theater and an Applebee’s restaurant. Today Aqua Thrill Way is now home to a movie theatre called Century 16 Theater and an Applebee’s restaurant.

Aqua Thrill Way was located at South Padre Island Drive between Daly Drive and Nile Drive in Corpus Christi, Texas, US. The actual location was 6685 South Padre Island Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas, US 78412. (Ref: https://propaccess.trueautomation.com/clientdb/Property.aspx?cid=75&prop_id=200098560)