Powell, OH – The wildest water park in town is returning on May 21, with Sneak Peek weekend in collaboration with Kroger, Pepsi, and the USO. On May 21-22, 2022, Zoombezi Bay will be open for all guests and Season Pass Holders from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. to kick off an exciting summer and celebrate military families. The regular season will begin on May 28, with daily openings until August 12. Zoombezi Bay will then be open weekends only from August 13 through September 5 (Labor Day), followed by the return of ZOMBIEzi Bay, presented by Mtn Dew, starting on September 16.
Get ready to splash into Zoombezi Bay’s 2022 season, as several new features and exciting offerings are sure to delight guests of all ages.
Reimagined entrance. The fun starts in a new way with a reimagined and relocated park entrance! Located near Big Boa Falls and Python Plunge, this beautiful new plaza will feature easy, direct parking lot access for all guests, expanded ADA parking facilities, a new ticketing building, improved security procedures, a refreshed, still-exclusive Season Pass entrance for Season Pass Holders and Gold Members, and continued access to the Zoo through a new admission gate in Adventure Cove.
This new park entrance also means that guests no longer need to first enter the Zoo to access Zoombezi Bay and can head straight to the new park entrance to expedite their arrival.
One-Stop Shopping Experience. Once inside Zoombezi Bay, guests will be greeted by a new shopping experience at Sea Star Sundries! This retail location will feature a new look and exciting merchandise and will be the dedicated location for strollers, wheelchairs, and Electric Conveyance Vehicles (ECVs).
Enhance Your Visit
Additional amenities are available for guests throughout the waterpark. All Zoombezi guests can opt to have access to electronic lockers for an additional fee. Guests can access their rental locker using a pin code keypad, minimizing the need to wait in line. Zoombezi guests looking for a little more privacy can also reserve a cabana or premium lounger. All cabanas include a private, shaded shelter with chaise lounges, dining table and chairs, mini fridge, and pin-code safe; Standard and Deluxe cabanas offer the additional full service food and beverage menu and private attendant service. Premium loungers are available for guests ages 21 years and older, and are located within the adults-only Croctail Creek area. These loungers feature a dual chaise with a shade canopy, lock box, and drink service from the Sandbar.
Season Passes and Gold Memberships are also available for guests wishing to experience all that Zoombezi Bay has to offer in 2022!
Events and Activities
The 2022 season will also offer an action-packed line-up of family fun for Zoombezi Bay guests.
World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™. As guest safety is the top priority at the waterpark, Zoombezi Bay is once again joining forces with the world’s top water safety and training organizations to serve as a host site for the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™. This event will be held simultaneously with hundreds of locations in more than 20 countries, on Thursday, June 23 from 10-10:30 a.m. in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record. The event will offer a basic, 30-minute swimming lesson to children ages 2 through 12 years old (parents are also permitted to be in the water with their children) and is designed to help build awareness about the importance of teaching children how to swim in order to help prevent drowning. To encourage participation, Zoombezi Bay is offering participants a discounted entry of $17 each, which includes access to the entire water park following the lesson, as well as the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Registration is free for Zoombezi Bay Season Pass Holders.
Zoombezi Bay Summer Nights, presented by Velvet Ice Cream. On Friday evenings in July, Zoombezi Bay Family Nights, presented by Velvet Ice Cream, will provide guests the opportunity to enjoy extended park hours. Select attractions will remain open while a family-friendly Dive-In Movie plays on the jumbo screen at the Wild Tides Wave Pool until 10 p.m. The show schedule is as follows:
- July 1, 2022 — Incredibles 2
- July 8, 2022 — Iron Man 2
- July 15, 2022 — Sing 2
- July 22, 2022 — The Santa Clause 2 (in honor of Christmas in July)
- July 29, 2022 — Frozen 2
Christmas in July, presented by Wendy’s®. From July 23-31, Zoombezi Bay will be decking the halls and pouring on the holiday cheer during Christmas In July, presented by Wendy’s®. This celebration will feature festive holiday activities, including visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, meet and greets with Character Ambassadors, music, games, prizes, specialty foods and gifts for sale, and more!
Zoombezi Bay Sensory-Friendly After Hours Event. This sensory-friendly evening on August 9 from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. is designed to meet the needs of those who may feel overwhelmed by a typical visit to the waterpark and want to enjoy the outdoors in a unique setting. Modifications to the Zoombezi Bay experience will include: smaller crowds due to limited ticketing; music will be turned off throughout the park; and sensory-friendly kits with noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, and fidget devices will be available at Guest Relations for a $10 refundable deposit. Reservations are required.
ZOMBIEzi Bay, presented by Mtn Dew (Returning Fall 2022)
Starting on September 16, 2022, the waves of terror are returning to Zoombezi Bay, presented by Mtn Dew! The fun-filled waterpark will transform into a horror theme park with four haunted houses, two scare zones, and six amusement rides, including the Sea Dragon roller coaster. Sinister surprises await at ZOMBIEzi Bay.
Now Hiring!
Zoombezi Bay is now hiring! Team members can earn between $13-$17/hour in various positions that include food/beverage, retail, maintenance, and lifeguards. (Lifeguard certification courses are provided by Zoombezi Bay.) Positions offer flexible hours and the opportunity to work at ZOMBIEzi Bay during the fall and the Zoo during the late fall/early winter event, Wildlights, efficiently powered by AEP Ohio. Interested team members can view and apply for open positions online and attend our open interviews on Thursday, May 26, 2022 from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. in Lakeside Pavilion at the Columbus Zoo (located next to Zoombezi Bay).
For additional updates about Zoombezi Bay’s attractions, events and more, visit the waterpark’s website, and be sure to follow Zoombezi Bay on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.
###
About Zoombezi Bay
Zoombezi Bay is a 22.7-acre water park that features 19 state-of-the-art water attractions, including the aquatic adventure area, Otter Banks; themed water slide, SoundSurfer; the multi-level play structure, Baboon Lagoon; a wave pool; an action river; a lazy river; a kiddie play pool and more. During the regular summer season, admission to Zoombezi Bay includes the Columbus Zoo, and proceeds from the water park support the Zoo’s operation and mission. Please visit www.zoombezibay.com for more information.
