DreamWorks Water Park in the American Dream Mall is just an hour south of the Hudson Valley. It also happens to be the largest indoor water park in North America. Yesterday, my wife and I went to see what all the fuss was about.

It's hard to know where to start, because the park was one of the most overwhelming places we'd ever been. The space was HUGE (below), and the rides were epic, but we also noticed a few details that they definitely don't mention on their FAQ page.

Entrance to DreamWorks Waterpark
DreamWorks Water Park in the American Dream Mall is a short drive from the Hudson Valley, and is the largest indoor waterpark in North America (TSM Poughkeepsie)
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The first holy cow what is this place? moment came as soon as we walked inside the enormous space. It was a surreal experience to be in 80-degree weather with snow right outside the windows, but that was just the beginning of the adventure.

DreamWorks Waterpark
To give a bit of perspective on how big the park is, there are rides behind this vantage point, as well as rides hidden in the shadows past the hanging Shrek (TSM Poughkeepsie)
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"Secret" #1 About DreamWorks Water Park: They Weigh You

Just like many rides at other parks, there are height requirements for certain experiences. What we had never seen in a waterpark before, however, were scales. For some multi-person tube rides, attendants ask groups to step on a scale together to make sure they are neither under nor over specific weight requirements.

Some of the many waterslides inside the park (TSM Poughkeepsie)
Some of the many waterslides inside the park (TSM Poughkeepsie)
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"Secret" #2 About DreamWorks Water Park: The Lazy River Is NOT Lazy

This may come down to personal preference, but the Bubbly Lazy River is anything but. It had the fastest current of any lazy river we had ever experienced, and the loop is littered with water features that you'll need to expertly dodge if you're looking for relaxation.

Shrek was a major part of the branding for the DreamWorks Waterpark (TSM Poughkeepsie)
Shrek was a major part of the branding for the DreamWorks Water Park (TSM Poughkeepsie)
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"Secret" #3: Some of the Ride Names Will Make You Giggle

While rides like the Surfari Slider and Trolls Rainbow Racers sound innocuous, other rides will elicit a laugh from more immature minds (like ours). The hot tubs, named Forbidden Waters, sound like they belong in a romance novel, and Shrek's Sinkhole Slammer could either be a wrestling move or... something else.

The DreamWorks Dream Runner as it loops around the entire park (TSM Poughkeepsie)
The DreamWorks Dream Runner as it loops around the entire park (TSM Poughkeepsie)
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BONUS "SECRET": They Have a Water Rollercoaster

One of the best surprises was the DreamWorks Dream Runner, described as "the world's longest hydromagnetic rocket coaster". The logic-defying ride uses a mix of gravity and what looks like treadmill technology to zoom you around the entire park (above), and was one of the highlights of the day.

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As far as an overall experience, we had a blast. It certainly helped that the park was nearly deserted on a random Tuesday afternoon in January, which meant lines were scarce (although some food options were closed). Ticket prices are steep, but it was a day we won't soon forget.

A Checklist of 10 Fun and Fantastic Upstate New York Water Parks (Indoor and Outdoor)

Warm weather means heading to the river with a canoe or kayak, or sitting out back playing the the kids under a garden hose, visiting the town community swimming pool, or heading to any of Upstate New York's wonderful lakes. But for many, summer means heading to the waterpark!!

Here is a checklist of 10 of the best waterparks in Upstate New York. This is just a short list, as we know there are plenty that we may have missed. This gallery showcases the big monster waterparks, such as the two Great Escape parks in the Darien Lake and Lake George area, as well as smaller "family waterparks" for all ages.

We have also included both indoor and outdoor waterparks. If you have a favorite in Upstate New York that we missed, please visit our Facebook page and give it a shoutout. We really do want to hear from you!


Gallery Credit: Chuck D'Imperio

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