Drop Zone Waterpark Set for Grand Opening Saturday

The Lil' Jumper area provides a playground for children as young as 18 months.

A large crowd is expected Saturday morning for the area's newest water attraction, Drop Zone Waterpark, which officially opens with a ribbon cutting and limited free admission at 8:30 a.m.

Three sessions are scheduled for Saturday with free admission for guests as a celebration of the park's first day of business. The two afternoon sessions required advance registration and are full. However, the morning session offers free admission wristbands distributed on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 8:30 a.m. The morning session lasts from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

The park's regular hours for paid admission begin Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The park will be open for the holiday on Monday, then on weekends only until June 16.

The $24 million, 12-acre park includes:

-- An Olympic-size swimming pool (right).

-- Two large water slides where guests can participate in "mat racing" from a tower down to the water below.

-- An open-air water slide and a tube slide from the same platform.

-- A "Lil' Jumpers" water play structure for kids from toddlers to 10 years.

-- Ground Geysers that shoot up from the concrete to surprise visitors.

-- The Meridian Springs pool, which is shallow enough (4 feet) for youngsters to play and take beginning swim lessons.

-- The Jet Stream: A "lazy river" attraction (left) in which guests can float slowly around a large island.

-- The Flow Rider: An attraction which allows guests to body surf and stand-up surf.

-- Beach volleyball.

-- The "Fill Station" snack bar and covered eating area.

-- Locker rooms serving both the big pool and the attractions on the other side of the park.

-- Banquet rooms and cabana areas available for rent.

Daily general admission (42 inches and above) is $18. Season passes (through September) cost $53 for local residents and $62 for non-residents.

Drop Zone Waterpark is located at 2165 Trumble Road in Perris, just north of Highway 74 and east of the 215 Freeway. For more information, call 951-210-1600 or visit the park's website.

Water slides are the main attraction at the north end of the park.