articles

Review: Sahara Sam's Oasis

By Tracy Gallagher, Hopewell Junction Macaroni Kid July 29, 2014
Sahara Sam's Oasis was fun for the whole family. It's not often that you can go to a place that everyone has a good time from a 15 month old to the adults. Warren (15 months) loved the indoor Lizard Lagoon Play Zone. His favorite outdoor area is a toss up between the wave pool (with a grown up of course) or the Splish Splash play area. Both the Lizard Lagoon and Splish Splash are is perfect for littler ones, with shallow waters, sprayers and a smaller slides, it was tough to get him to go anywhere else.

My two other boys (5 and 11), like the tube and body slides the best. Nathaniel 
at 5 is a fish and would spend all day in the water so when I asked him what was his favorite he shouted "all of it"! Jared tried the surf simulator called FlowRider.  It was a little tougher then he thought but he tried it a few times. I can absolutely see why the minimum age for this specific ride is 8 (and a parent must sign a waiver so bring your DL in with you).

As a parent at a water park, I'm always on high alert making sure my crew is accounted for. I was really happy to see the life guards doing constant checks in and around the water. The is one of the few places that I saw that go on all day long not just during guard changes. The life vest for the kids were readily available, and clean. I hate getting a life vest that smells like mold or has mold stains. There are a few rides that younger children are required to wear a vest, so pleae make sure to put one on before you enter the water with them. I did see guards ask a few parents to leave an attraction and return with a vest on their child. 

All in all the kids loved being able to enjoy rides inside AND outside. Each area has different rides and or pools so it is a nice to do everything if you can. They even have a family tube ride which we went on I'd say 10 times. Warren was to small so the adults did have to switch off ridding with the boys. 

The newly refurbished arcade and food court are very clean and bright. Outside food is not allowed but you can leave Sahara Sam's to go to your car and return back with no problems. While we chose not to eat at the Oasis, food prices were what we expected and there is many different items to choose from. The restrooms and changing rooms were clean and they try very hard to keep the floors dry to avoid slipping. Make sure to bring your own towels! 

For more information, tickets, hours etc. please visit Sahara Sam's website



I received complimentary products for the purpose of this review.  All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.