First time at OWA? Here's everything you need to know to plan your best trip
Brandon Girod
Years ago, if you wanted to get outside for some fun in the water, your options were the beach, a swimming pool or a hike out to visit Big Kahuna's in Destin. In just a few weeks, however, there will soon be one more option in the region when the Tropical Falls Water Park joins the massive entertainment complex known as OWA.
OWA is a 520-acre family fun theme park located in Foley, Alabama, which first opened in 2017. Prior to the upcoming June opening of the water park, OWA already features 23 attractions with unique dining and live entertainment, too.
100,00-square-foot indoor water park:Tropic Falls at OWA: Phase 1 of new 100,000-square-foot indoor water park opens in June
The Park at OWA, which means "big water" in the Creek Indian language, was developed by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians in cooperation with state and local government to accompany Foley's new $40 million sports tourism facilities, which include 16 state-of-the-art outdoor sports fields, which opened in 2016, and a 90,000-square-foot indoor events center that opened in the summer of 2017.
The initial phases represent a $241 million investment by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The overall capital investment will total more than $500 million. The facility is expected to provide thousands of jobs and have a more than $244 million annual economic impact.
OWA has continued to follow its plans for a luxury RV resort, resort-level condominiums, four hotels and an indoor water park with the first phase of the indoor Tropic Falls Water Park set to open in June.
Interactive Map:Check out the full complex
What's new at OWA in Foley?
OWA started with a 14-acre amusement park, 21 rides and two restaurants. It has since expanded to add two new rides, several more attractions and it has beefed up its downtown offerings with more entertainment and dining options.
OWA Theater
The 430-seat OWA Theater debuted on June 7, 2019, with the Legends in Concert show that gave tribute to musical legends like Bruno Mars, Reba McEntire, Elvis Presley, Whitney Houston and more.
Sad you missed it? Don't be! The Legends in Concert series in 2022 started running again on Feb. 9 and will continue until May 29.
Tickets start at $39.95 for adults and $22.95 for kids.
Mystic Mansion
OWA's interactive "dark ride" made its debut a few months after the OWA Theater on June 14, 2019. The Mystic Mansion is a one-of-a-kind ride with a unique storyline.
Each four-person ride car (Doom Buggy) features interactive game-play and frightfully fun characters to “blast” with a ghost-blaster as riders compete for the highest score.
Before hopping inside the Doom Buggy, guests are greeted by Professor Phearstruck in the line, where he will explain the history of Mystic Mansion, its curse and who haunts it now. Pay close attention because there are 15 different scenes in which the Mansion’s ghost could appear.
Riders will heed the warning of the Professor, then hop in a Doom Buggy at their own risk to weave their way around this haunting yet family-friendly attraction, complete with neon colors, black lights, and a spooky storyline featuring the main ghost: Boocifer.
Gravity Island Watersports
Gravity Island Watersports brought some chill vibes and two wet attractions to OWA in the summer of 2021.
The Aqua Play has two inflatable obstacle courses in the lake at OWA. Guests can slip and slide, trying not to fall off, as they make their way through the obstacles.
The Wake Park is a little more serious, with a two-tower cable system that stretches across the lake. It uses an overhead cable that spans 700 feet with a carrier that pulls riders by rope, allowing them to wakeboard, wakeskate, kneeboard, waterski or go tubing.
Operated by local professional wakeboarder, T. J. Allen, and his wife, Caitlin, their team will provide hands-on training with the cable system to help you glide across the lake: with certified lifeguards on hand to ensure a fun, safe experience for all guests.
Last up, anyone with experience can get some air on any of the five UNIT Parktech features of the course. These have small and large kickers, a medium pipe, ollie box rooftop and more.
OWA main attractions
Tropic Falls Theme Park
For anyone who has never been to OWA, the Tropic Falls Theme Park is likely what people will imagine. Once referred to as The Park at OWA, Tropic Falls features all the land rides below:
Kid rides
Fluttery By - An interactive ride that allows you to pedal and take control of a butterfly.
Flying Aces - Take a casual ride around in multi-colored biplanes. Two seats are available in each plane.
Flying Tigers - Not unlike Flying Aces, Flying Tigers gives riders the chance to fly high in the sky with a co-pilot seated behind them.
Gully Washer - The Gully Washer is a kid-friendly free-falling ride that lifts kids off the ground and bounces them up and down.
Happy Haulers - Kids will jump behind the wheel of a happy hauler and jump into a convoy of other trucks that chug around a track.
Leap Frog - A leaping take on Disney's Dumbo attraction. Riders will sit in frogs as they leap around in a circle.
Swingin' Fun - Swingin' Fun puts you and several friends in one row of seats that swings back and forth.
Zip Zap Race - The Zip Zap Race seats riders in a brightly colored hot rod to race around a circle.
Family-friendly rides
AeroZoom - A ride that lets you dip, tilt and zoom across the sky from a hang glider.
Flying Carousel - A high-rising take on the classic merry-go-round, this ride transports riders into the air and swings them around.
Flying Tigers - Not unlike Flying Aces, Flying Tigers gives riders the chance to fly high in the sky with a co-pilot seated behind them.
Mystic Mansion - Hop into your ghost-tracking vehicle with up to three other people and take on 15 scenes from the Mystic Mansion in an interactive ride that will have you competing for the highest score.
Rockin' Raft - The Rockin' Raft is a six-row raft that follows a track to simulate careening down a whitewater gauntlet.
Sky Balloons - If you missed the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival, you can still get a glimpse of the experience with Sky Balloons as they lift you into the sky and spin you around high above the ground.
Southern Express - Southern Express is a family-friendly mini-coaster that takes the family on a mining excursion.
Tea Time - Do you like tea cups? Tea Time gives you the same experience without the 8-hour drive.
Thrill rides
Air Racer - Experience the twists, turns, loops and dives of a wild air show.
Alabama Wham'a - Riders board the Alabama Wham'a horizontally before it shifts vertically to resemble a faster ferris wheel.
Crazy Mouse - The Crazy Mouse offers a slight twist on the traditional coaster as it has you spinning out of control. Take in a 360-degree view of the OWA park as you scurry up and down the tracks.
Freedom Flyer (Temporarily closed) - The Freedom Flyer is the flying carousel on steroids with riders flying high enough to see the entire OWA park.
Rollin' Thunder - Rollin' Thunder is OWA's largest and most thrilling rollercoaster. Designed for dare devils, the ride will have you twisting, turning, looping and dropping all day long.
Twister - The Twister spins you around 360 degrees in multiple directions. Need we say more?
Wave Rider - The Wave Rider will take you up and down a track as it spins, nearly perfectly emulating ocean-like movements.
Miscellaneous attractions
Midway Games - Midway Games is a family-friendly take on traditional fair or carnival games. You'll find everything from tub toss to shooting hoops to busting balloons and water gun fun.
Wacky Waters - Closed for the 2021 season.
Downtown OWA
OWA is more than a theme park. It's a full experience — and you can experience the OWA downtown experience for free. Taking full advantage of Downtown OWA's dining and shopping options can be accessed free of charge.
OWA dining options
- Auntie Annie's
- C'est Le Vin Wine Bar & Shop
- Cinnabon
- Coco's Italian Ice
- El Diablo Taqueria & Cantina
- Groovy Goat
- Hershey's Ice Cream Parlor
- Lucy's Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant
- Murder Creek Distillery
- Puala Den's Family Kitchen
- Rum Island Daiquiri Bar
- Sassy Bass Amazin' Grill
- Sushi Co.
- The Spice & Tea Exchange
- Valerio's Pizza & Italian
OWA shopping options
- Alvin's Island
- Body Tune Plus
- Brandon Styles Magic Shop
- Fairhope Soap Company
- Native Treasures
- Paint Party Studios
- Sweet Tooth at OWA
OWA entertainment options
Entertainment options at OWA aren't limited to the theme park. Visitors can find plenty of other fun things to do, including video games, camps, arts and crafts, private wake lessons and more.
Arcade at OWA — The Arcade at Downtown OWA is connected to the Groovy Goat and is open to the public. The arcade is state-of-the-art with more than 50 games available, play-card technology and an esports center. A VIP Player's Card can be purchased for non-season passholders for $19.99 and $9.99 for season passholders. VIP members are eligible to pay one less credit per game (for an equivalent value of 0.25 per game) at the Arcade at OWA, and you can save one credit off PC games at Clash eSports Center! Plus, VIPs qualify for monthly benefits and special offers at the Arcade and Clash.
Brandon Styles Theater — The Brandon Styles Theater is also home to Gulf Coast Comedy Fest, Murder Mystery Dinner Shows, and more! Outfitted with concert lighting, sound systems, projection, and perfect sightlines to the stage, The Brandon Styles Theater is designed and built as the ultimate performance space to view awe-inspiring shows. With 130 seats, this intimacy creates a performance experience that is unequaled. Pick your show & grab a ticket!
Clash eSports Center — An extension of the arcade, the Clash eSports Center allows you to play the latest games. Play time can be purchased at the center. All equipment is provided and you can use premium controllers with an upcharge.
Gravity Island Watersports — Surprisingly, Gravity Island Watersports can be accessed separately from the main water park. There are several packages available to participate at The Wake Park and Aqua Play, including its own membership package and private wake lessons.
Kidcam Camps — The Kidcam Camp at OWA is for campers ages 5 through 13 and runs May 31 to Aug. 5. Kidcam’s weekly activities promote fun, fitness, friendship and creativity. Campers celebrate a different theme each week, while incorporating a curriculum filled with sports, creative arts, STEM, team building games, life skills, talent shows, swimming and water play, along with 50 years of memorable Kidcam traditions.
Paint Party Studios — Shop unique arts and crafts gifts for all ages. We have local art, art supplies and kits to-go and daily make-and-take art and paint parties for kids and adults.
OWA Theme Park prices and membership
OWA offers a plethora of special offers to help patrons enjoy the park at virtual any price point.
Prices
- One-day general admission to Tropic Falls Theme Park: $24.99 in-person; $22.49 online (includes access to rides)
- Season Pass to Tropic Falls Theme Park: Gold $89.99, standard $79.99
- Non-rider pass to Tropic Falls: Free
- NOTE: The Tropical Falls Theme Park does not include access to upcoming Tropic Falls Indoor Water Park
What is the standard season pass?
A standard season pass gives you unlimited access to Tropic Falls at OWA year-round with exclusive offers, discounts and events.
Pass holders will receive priority access to special event tickets, a special monthly coupon sheet, $5 Buddy Pass periods and $5 off the purchase of general admission tickets.
Gold season pass
Golden season pass holders receive all the same benefits as the standard pass but with more opportunities to save.
Pass holders will also receive double points for each dollar spent with OWA Plus, 10% off food and beverage purchases in Tropic Falls at OWA, 10% off retail purchases in the Parkside Giftshop and 10% off OWA's Marriott TownePlace Suites when purchased at the front desk or through Marriott.com
What's next at OWA?
The Bohemian - an event venue
The Bohemian will be home to an eclectic mix of live music, one-of-a-kind performers, and unique entertainers located in Downtown OWA. The Bohemian’s intimate indoor event space can also be rented for private parties, corporate events and celebrations.
With a projected summer 2022 opening date, be on the lookout for more additions coming soon to OWA’s entertainment district. The Bohemian will be located next door to Valerio’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant in Downtown OWA.
OWA Tropic Falls Indoor Water Park
100,00-square-foot indoor water park:Tropic Falls at OWA: Phase 1 of new 100,000-square-foot indoor water park opens in June
The 100,000-square-foot water park is set to open in two phases, with the first phase slated to open June 27.
Phase one will include six thrill slides, a lazy river, indoor dining location, party rental rooms, an indoor arcade and a children's play structure with five slides.
Phase two will open later this summer and includes a 30,000-square-foot outdoor wave pool, surf simulator, 142-foot-tall slides, a tropical atmosphere with more than 200 palm trees, nearly a million dollars in color-changing lights and additional dining and beverage locations. An opening date for phase two has yet to be announced.
The opening of the indoor water park will also initiate new ticket and season pass options for guests wishing to visit Tropic Falls theme park and indoor waterpark starting at $69.99. Daily admission has not yet been announced.
Tickets go on sale May 25 at VisitOWA.com or in person at Tropic Falls Admissions.
Tropic Hideaway RV Resort
The Tropic Hideaway RV Resort is targeting a fall 2022 opening date. This luxury RV resort will have 190 lots and feature amenities like pickleball courts, pool and clubhouse.
Expect more information on The Bohemian and the RV resort soon.
OWA directions and parking
Find OWA at 101-N South OWA Blvd. Foley, Alabama
Driving directions from I-65 South
- Take Exit 34 – Hwy. 59 South to North Foley.
- Continue southbound on the Foley Beach Express.
- OWA is located at the northwest corner of the Foley Beach Express and County Rd. 20.
Driving directions from I-10 South
- Take Exit 49 – Baldwin Beach Express Southbound.
- OWA is located at the northwest corner of the Foley Beach Express and County Rd. 20.