A Day Out at Atlantic Splash Adventure Disclosure: Our family received a pass in exchange for this blog post about Atlantic Splash Adventure. It’s a great way to bring you great information about things to do and see with your family! All opinions are our own. There is nothing like Atlantic Splash Adventure in Nova […]
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Part 2: Best Tips for Biking the PEI Confederation Trail Last summer, our family biked the Eastern half of the Confederation Trail in PEI, going from Elmira to Tignish (140km). This year, I decided that we were going to go back and finish biking the Western half of the Island! So we did another 140km […]
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A Day Out at Atlantic Splash Adventure Disclosure: Our family received a pass in exchange for this blog post about Atlantic Splash Adventure. It’s a great way to bring you great information about things to do and see with your family! All opinions are our own. There is nothing like Atlantic Splash Adventure in Nova […]
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Part 2: Best Tips for Biking the PEI Confederation Trail Last summer, our family biked the Eastern half of the Confederation Trail in PEI, going from Elmira to Tignish (140km). This year, I decided that we were going to go back and finish biking the Western half of the Island! So we did another 140km […]
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Disclosure: Our family received a pass in exchange for this blog post about Atlantic Splash Adventure. It’s a great way to bring you great information about things to do and see with your family! All opinions are our own.
Under new ownership, Atlantic Playland has now become Atlantic Splash Adventure! The beloved and cherished park that we all know and love will be revitalized and refurbished. With six new waterslides – Nova Scotia will finally have its very own waterpark!
As a youth attending summer camps, Atlantic Playland was where we went for day trips. So, when I heard they had rebranded and reopened, we couldn’t wait to go check it out!
There are 2 sides to Atlantic Splashland – the waterpark side and the amusement rides side.
Water Park Side
This is the area of the park that was most recently renovated, adding 6 new water slides.
And, they are very awesome!
With 2 of the slides, you need to go down in a raft – either in a single seater, or a double seater.
With the singles, the maximum weight is 250lbs and with the doubles, make sure your combined weight is not more than 400lbs! A few couples got turned away at the top.
The Fundy Bowl spits you out into a round bowl, circling until you are spat out again at the bottom.
The Cabot Trail Twister was my favourite tube ride, as you are in the dark unsure which way you will turn next!
Of the 4 body slides, there are some for a variety of heights and thrill seekers. The Bluenose Blaster and Puffin Plunges are straight down while the Halfpipe Harbour winds more slowly down, making it perfect for younger children.
At the bottom of the main stairs is a line where you can wait for an available tube. It only takes a few minutes to get one.
Then, line up on the left to go down on your tube, while the right-hand side is for those not using a tube. It’s all perfectly marked and easy to follow.
Watch this video of Daniel going down the Puffin Plunge!
We went on an incredibly hot day. At the time, they were still refurbishing the 2 original water slides, so they were not open for business, making more people in the line up for the new water slides. The tube line up wait was approximately 30 minutes, and the body slides were only about 5 minutes.
The red slide, the Lobster Lure, was definitely my favourite while the boys like the straight drop down the Bluenose Blaster! I must admit, I wasn’t brave enough to try that one!
In the area round the slides, there are some deck chairs, or we just laid out on the turf. There is little shade, so consider bringing a shade umbrella.
There are cabanas, but I think you have to rent them for the day.
On the day we were there there were several jugs of free cold water for guests. This is an awesome added feature!
The pool below the original water slides was also open, as well as a splash area and mini water slides for little ones.
There is so much here in this section alone of the park to keep a family busy for most of the day!
Amusement Side
I overheard one of the attendants telling a visitor how there is a plan for the complete refurbishment of the park. The first step was the water slide park.
Over time, other rides will be upgraded and added.
For example, they are building a roller coaster! For now, my son calls it the IKEA roller coaster!
Other rides include the tilt-a-whirl, Ferris wheel, mini golf bumper cars and carousel.
There is a haunted house that is rated for 8+. It is REALLY dark inside, so a lot of it is an exercise in navigating in the dark. We are happy to report we successfully made it through!
There is also a series of little rides in kiddie land.
Our favourite ride by far was the bumper boats that has the added feature of being able to spray people! You definitely do get wet on this ride!
The Go Karts and batting cages are extra.
Have Patience
The main piece of advice to visitors is to have patience when visiting Atlantic Splash Adventure! It is a work in progress, and it will be fun to go back and see the changes and upgrades over time.
We are lucky to have new owners who are investing in a fun place for Nova Scotians to play!
In the interim, please do not yell at the attendants – many of whom are teenagers! This is not helpful, and something we witnessed.
Go there knowing it is a work in progress.
Hours and Admission
Currently the park is open every day from 10-6 (STC).
You can purchase a pass just for the water park, just for the rides, or a ride-and-slide pass. Build your price based on what you would like to do there.
Less than an hour’s drive from Kentville in the Annapolis Valley, Atlantic Splash Adventure is worth the drive for a fun day out with your family!
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Part 2: Best Tips for Biking the PEI Confederation Trail
Last summer, our family biked the Eastern half of the Confederation Trail in PEI, going from Elmira to Tignish (140km).
This year, I decided that we were going to go back and finish biking the Western half of the Island! So we did another 140km over 4 days.
Here’s how, and our analysis of the trail.
Our first step was to reread my blog post from last year! It is full of a ton of great information about what to pack and things to do before you even set out.
When we left off biking last year, we stopped in the community of Breadalbane, almost directly north of the bridge (and incidentally where my great aunt lived!)
We came across the bridge to PEI, headed north to Breadalbane, and picked up the trail there, where we had left off.
Once again, we had my parents as our roadies, dropping us off and picking us up at the end of our biking. Plus, they let us use their van because it has a trailer hitch for the bike rack!
We could not have done it without them!
Here is our 4 day route:
Day 1: Nova Scotia to PEI via the bridge, then straight to Breadalbane. We biked from Breadalbane to Summerside (32km)
Day 2: To make it easier to go home at the end of the trip (ending up closer to the bridge) we started at mile marker 0 at Tignish and headed to the centre of the Island. Tignish to O’Leary = 44km.
Day 3: O’Leary to Northam = 34km.
Day 4: Northam to Summerside = 32km.
Total: Approximately 142KM
This year, I improved our equipment, by buying a few packs for my bike including a handlebar holder for my phone. This way, I could easily take pictures, and text my dad to pick us up!
This came from the Loonies and Toonies store in Kentville!
And, I got a crossbar pack from Walmart to hold the map and first aid kit (which we did end up needing a band-aid or two).
There are a LOT of hills in the western half of the Island! Long, slow grades that seem to go on forever! Of course, this means that there were a few downhills, too, but the up hills are easier to remember!
Tignish to O’Leary: Loose gravel, and lots of hills. This was by far the toughest section of the trail! Once you hit Lauretta, it becomes easier and there is more shade.
O’Leary to Northam: Easier biking with fewer hills. Compact gravel. This was the most scenic section, going through bogs and forest.
Northam to Summerside: Mix of up and down hills. Compact gravel. There were quite a few places with amenities at the major junctions. Not much shade or interesting scenery.
Summerside to Breadalbane: Packed gravel. Because this region has a higher population density, there are a lot of major roads to cross. Quite industrial with major farm operations. Little shade. Lots of amenities, including a great ice cream Frosty Treats in Kensington!
Overall, the Western half is hilly. The eastern half is more at sea level, and we found had lovely scenery along the water. If you had to make a selection, we love the trail around St. Peter’s most of all!
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