Big Kahuna's Opens -- Offers New Favors for Locals

As of today, Destin’s Big Kahuna’s Water and Adventure Park is open for the 2007 season, it’s 21st anniversary. The park, which offers 40 water attractions, mini golf, thrill rides, Super Speed Raceway and more spread out across about 25 acres, will open at 10 a.m. today with special grand opening celebration activities offered until noon.

The park is now open for weekend business only. Starting May 18, it will be open every day. With a new year comes new additions to the park, most noticeable being its latest icon — a 12-foot-wide, 12-foot-tall, 180-degree rotating, two-faced tiki head scheduled to arrive next week. It’s giant red eyes flash and smoke protrudes from its ears and mouths. “It’s our new icon,” said General Manager Tom McEvoy. “People will say, ‘Go to the place where you see the big, giant tiki head.’” It replaces Big Kahuna’s former icon of 10 years, a B-25 WWII bomber that is now retired to the Jimmy Doolittle Air and Space Museum in China.

For the locals who regularly utilize the park, Big Kahuna’s offers new deals this year. The cost for seasonal passes has decreased. A gold pass, which includes unlimited weekends and weekday afternoons after 2 p.m., is $49.99. Cost for a platinum pass is $79.99, which offers unlimited use during normal operating hours. Anyone, regardless of their residence, is welcome to purchase the passes.

Seasonal pass holders will be given a photo ID, which they can use throughout the season. Once the park closes in mid-September, pass holders may take their Big Kahuna’s ID to area participating businesses, such as Fudpucker’s, Chickfil-a and Jersey Mikes, and receive discounts or upgrades throughout the winter. It’s called the Locals’ Club, and it’s a new feature this year. “It’s our effort to give back to the local community,” said Merry DiSalvo, director of sales and marketing.

About 90 percent of Big Kahuna’s summer business comes from tourists who visit mainly Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Therefore, for those looking to visit the park during the slower times, DiSalvo recommends weekends — the time when tourists are either coming or going — and weekdays after 2 p.m. — the time when most leave the park to begin evening plans, she said.

Also new this year, swimmers are allowed to wear eye goggles, alcoholic beverages — including beer, wine, margaritas and daiquiris — are served, and numerous new cabanas are available for rent offering patrons the option to “host your own event.”

General admission for an adult is $34.99; a child is $28.99.

Published on Saturday, May 5, 2007