There was a time when the idea of a water park was based around the summer months and geographically warmer climates. Often a seasonal operation the parks would either shut down for the cooler months or transform into a winter adventure such as the Camelback skiing park in the Poconos becoming the Camelbeach water park. Once the possibility of year round customers was identified however, there was an explosion of Indoor Water Parks in Wisconsin Dells (now known as the capital of Indoor Water Parks), a trend that has since followed around the country.

The Polynesian Resort's Indoor Water Park in Wisconsin Dells is widely recognized as one of the first indoor water parks in the United States. It was this park that triggered everything with weekend occupants of the resort sky-rocketing in 1994 after a water squirting ‘gizmo' was added to their indoor pool. Hotels and resorts in Wisconsin Dells, across American and later throughout the globe took quickly took notice. Shortly after the Wilderness Resort copied the tactic and suddenly there was an incredible boom of Indoor Water Parks in Wisconsin Dells.

Today there are over 15 hotels and resorts within the Wisconsin Dells featuring some of the biggest, most innovative and popular indoor water parks in the world. Local residents and visitors are now coming year-round to the Indoor Water Parks in Wisconsin Dells in droves, and families all over the world are planning their vacations to Indoor Water Parks.

The trend has not stopped there however, with Indoor Water Parks popping everywhere. Areas that previously were restricted to outdoor parks only open in the summer are taking advantage of the year round customers an indoor park offers, and winter wonderland attractions such as Boyne Mountain in Michigan are varying the vacationers options with their Avalanche Bay Indoor Water Park (appropriately themed with an icy quality). The trend has even crept across the borders of America, as attractions the size of Niagara Falls have been capitalised upon with the Fallsview Indoor Water Park being built above the great spectacle.

At this point do not expect the trend starting with a couple of Indoor Water Parks in Wisconsin Dells to end anytime soon as with the immense number of vacationers heading towards an indoor water park and resort for the weekend, they are already battling to defend their title as the indoor water park capital.

And who can blaim them? Who doesn't want to hit the water slides in balmy inside conditions, totally protected from the rough and ready winter conditions outside? With the parks based around luxurious resorts and featuring all the relaxing perks the everyday working parent's desire, while also providing enjoyable activities for kids of all ages.

Can you think of a better way to spend a family vacation?