5 Amazing Water Parks Near Disneyland Anaheim

A hot day in Southern California means one thing: It's time to hit the water parks! If you're looking for thrills, spills, and chills, you'll find them all at these five amazing water parks near Disneyland Anaheim.

Knott's Soak City

Just a short drive from Disneyland, Knott's Soak City is the perfect place for the entire family to cool off on a hot day. With 15 acres of thrilling water adventures spread across a traditional water park layout, there's something for everyone at Knott's Soak City.

From the massive Tidal Wave Bay wave pool to the gravity-defying Old Man Falls, you'll find plenty of ways to make a splash. And for the youngest crew members, the three-story Beach House is packed with interactive water features to keep them entertained for hours.

The Adventure Lagoon

Take a quick drive to Northeast Anaheim, and you'll find The Adventure Lagoon, an unconventional water park perfect for visitors of all ages. This unique park sits on top of a crystal-clear freshwater lake, allowing visitors to cool off in a more natural setting.

Stop by Aquapark, a floating obstacle course with a gigantic bouncing dome, a 16.5-foot freefall waterslide, multiple climbing structures, and much more. And once you've mastered the Aquapark, check out Adventure Lagoon's other exciting activities to try your hand at paddleboarding, kayaking, and water volleyball.

Ponderosa Park Water Play Zone

Located less than 10 minutes from Disneyland, this public water play space is the perfect place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the parks. The Ponderosa Park Water Play Zone is a kid-focused splash pad with colorful spraying fountains, ground geysers, and other interactive water features.

There's also a standard playground, a large grassy area for picnicking, and plenty of shady spots for relaxing. Best of all, the Ponderosa Park Water Play Zone is one of the few water-themed things to do in Anaheim for free, making it a great option for families on a budget.

Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center

A 20-minute drive from Disneyland takes you to Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center is a world-class aquatics center offering visitors the chance to cool off in style. The aquatics center features a 50-meter competition pool, a 25-yard recreation pool, and a spa, but the real draw is the family-oriented Buccaneer Bay.

Buccaneer Bay is Splash!'s pirate-themed water park, with three water slides, two spray pad areas, an interactive play structure, and a flowing river channel. And when you need a break from the water, be sure to soak in the sights of the park's decorative pirate features, including an abandoned ship and a spooky skull rock.

Wild Rivers

Take a 25-minute drive down to Irvine, and you'll find Wild Rivers, the largest water park on this list. With over 20 acres of wet and wild fun, this massive water park features 20 water-themed thrills for a full day of family fun in the sun.

The park is home to a massive wave pool, a quarter-mile-long lazy river, and an impressive collection of family raft rides. If you're down for some serious adrenaline, take on one of Wild Rivers' heart-pounding waterslides, like the four-story Fiji Falls or the five-story Tomcat Racers, which takes you head-first down a speedy spiral descent. And if you have little ones, check out Cook's Cove or Kontiki Cove, two areas of the park designed just for kids.

Whether you're looking for an action-packed water park or a more relaxed aquatics center, you'll find it all within minutes of Disneyland Anaheim. Grab your swimsuit and head to one of these amazing water parks for a day of splish-splash fun!