Powell, OH – The wildest water park in town is returning in two days, on May 22, with Sneak Peek weekend in collaboration with Kroger, G&J Pepsi, and the USO. On May 22-23, Zoombezi Bay will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. to celebrate military families. The regular season will begin on May 29, with daily openings until August 8. Back to School Weeks at the waterpark will occur August 9-13 and August 16-17 from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Zoombezi Bay will be open weekends only from August 21 through September 6 (Labor Day).
Get ready to splash into Zoombezi Bay’s 2021 season, as several new features and exciting offerings are sure to delight guests of all ages.
Preparing For a Visit to Zoombezi Bay
As Zoombezi Bay welcomes back guests, a two-part plan is in place to coincide with Ohio lifting most COVID mandates on June 2.
Arrivals
All entrance procedures are reverting to normal. Single-day guests will enter Zoombezi Bay through the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s front entrance, and Season Pass Holders will enter through Zoombezi Bay’s Season Pass Entrance.
May 22–June 1 Plan
Guests will be required to wear masks indoors, and outdoors when social distancing from other groups (safely and consistently) is not possible, and masks should not be worn on water attractions. Lounge chairs will be spaced apart. From May 22-June 1, all Zoombezi Bay visits will require a dated, timed ticket, including Season Pass holders and Gold Members, until 3 p.m. After 3 p.m., no reservations are needed for Gold Members and Season Pass holders. Single-day tickets for entrance at 4 p.m. are also available for online purchase. (No tickets will be sold at the park until further notice.)
June 2 Plan
Zoombezi Bay will mostly return to normal operations without the majority of COVID-19 restrictions on June 2. Per CDC guidance, vaccinated guests will no longer need to wear face masks; unvaccinated guests will be recommended to wear face masks, except while on water attractions. Gold Members and Season Pass holders will no longer need to make reservations effective June 2. However, as Zoombezi Bay gradually returns park capacity to normal, day ticket holders will be required to make an advanced reservation online until further notice. Bring-A-Friend tickets will also be sold in person at the Season Pass entrance on a first-come, first-serve basis.
New for Zoombezi Bay’s 2021 Season
ZOOMPASS Bands
This summer, save time with our new ZOOMPASS band--this virtual queue system will hold your place in line electronically, so less time is spent waiting to get on popular rides! Now available in Gold, Premium, and Diamond options, the new band has a touchscreen interface to make reservations easier for guests – no more trying to find a reservation kiosk! ZOOMPASS bands will be available to purchase at the front of the park and Season Pass entrance when the park opens on May 22. Guests can view pricing information on the ZOOMPASS webpage.
Statewide High School Senior Celebration Day (June 1)
On Tuesday, June 1, high school seniors are invited to celebrate their graduation at Zoombezi Bay for a discounted rate of $20.21. Advanced ticket reservations are required and can be made online.
Adults-Only Premium Loungers
Lounging at Zoombezi Bay just got a little sweeter, as all-new Premium Loungers for guests age 21+ have been added to the park. Guests can reserve an Adults-Only Premium Lounger, conveniently located near the entrance to Croctail Creek. Each double lounger is cushioned and equipped with a retractable canopy and a built-in lockbox. Rental also includes service from a cocktail server, providing items from the Sandbar menu.
ZOMBIEzi Bay, presented by Mtn Dew (Opening Fall 2021)
Waves of terror are coming to Zoombezi Bay this fall! The fun-filled waterpark will transform into a wicked new world with four haunted houses, two scare zones, the Sea Dragon roller coaster, and other non-water rides. Sinister surprises await at ZOMBIEzi Bay.
Additional amenities are available for guests throughout the season. All Zoombezi Bay 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 Bay guests can also reserve a cabana. Families with younger children will enjoy cabanas located near the Baboon Lagoon children’s area, while adults or families with older children may prefer a cabana near the Wild Tides Wave Pool. 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.
Returning Features: Attractions Favorites
In 2020, the Zoombezi Bay staff made many modifications to help keep guests safe throughout the global COVID-19 pandemic. This season, the following features are returning:
- Basketball activities will return to Baboon Lagoon and Sand Dollar Shores
- Baboon Lagoon tipping bucket will be turned back on
- Wave Pool waves will be on
- All three entrances to the Action River will be open as normal
Special Events
Guests can also start planning now for their favorite events to return, including:
World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™
On Thursday, June 17 from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m., Zoombezi Bay is joining forces with the world’s top water safety and training organizations to present the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™ to build awareness about the vital importance of teaching children how to swim to help prevent drowning. Water parks, pools, and other aquatic facilities around the world will host swim lessons in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record.
The event will offer an introductory, 30-minute swimming lesson to children ages 2 through 12 years old (parents are also permitted to be in the water with their children). To encourage participation, Zoombezi Bay is offering participants a discounted entry of $10, which includes access to the entire water park following the lesson, as well as the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Registration will open soon and is free for Zoombezi Bay Season Pass holders.
Summer Nights, presented by T-Mobile
As the sun goes down, guests can enjoy extended park hours and a DJ mixing tunes on June 25 and July 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30. Select attractions will remain open while a family-friendly Dive-In Movie plays on the jumbo inflatable screen at the Wild Tides Wave Pool until 10 p.m. The show schedule is as follows:
June 25, 2021 Trolls World Tour
July 2, 2021 The Mighty Ducks
July 9, 2021 Mary Poppins Returns
July 16, 2021 Black Panther
July 23, 2021 National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
July 30, 2021 Coco
Subtitles are available upon request and guests must make the request to the Guest Relations department by 7 p.m.
Christmas in July, presented by Wendy’s®
From Monday, July 19 through Sunday, July 25, Zoombezi Bay will be decking the halls and pouring on the holiday cheer during Christmas in July. This celebration will feature festive holiday activities, including the Holiday Rolling Celebration, games, prizes, specialty foods and gifts for sale, and more!
For additional updates about Zoombezi Bay’s events and more, visit the waterpark’s website, and be sure to follow Zoombezi Bay on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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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. 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.
