Comparing Auaboggan Waterpark and Funtown Splashtown, USA from the perspective of moms with littles.
If you live in Southern Maine, chances are you have been asked or have asked yourself which waterpark is better: Aquaboggan Waterpark or Funtown Splashtown USA. The short answer? They are not apples to apples. Each has its own perks, drawbacks, and “sweet spot” depending on your kids’ ages, heights, and personalities. Here is my breakdown after years of visiting both.
When Funtown Splashtown USA Shines
If you have one or more kids under 48 inches tall, especially under 38 inches (free admission), Funtown can be a great fit, especially if you are a season ticket holder or might potentially become one.
Here is why: daily tickets are pricey, and for toddler parents who often only stay a few hours before nap time, it is hard to justify. The exception is if you plan to upgrade to a season pass, which you can do within 7 days of your visit by saving your bracelet and receipt. I cannot begin to tell you how many families with similarly aged children I have converted to season ticket holders after just one visit, upgrading their tickets on the spot. And no, I do not work for Funtown and this is not an ad.
I have been purchasing a season pass at Funtown every year since my oldest was 3. What I’ve loved about it up til this point is that both kids have been able to enjoy the kiddie rides together, and those rides are genuinely fun all the way up to that 48 inch mark. If you have just one kid, or a baby in tow, you can still go and have fun because kids can ride almost all of the kiddie rides without you. Once they pass 48 inches, the ride options narrow if they are not into the big thrill rides yet. Speaking from experience, my mama heart still needs time before I am ready to see them on some of those big thrill rides they are technically tall enough to ride.
Even if you are only thinking waterpark initially, the amusement park side of Funtown is a huge bonus for families with littles. There are loads of toddler-specific rides that are perfect for kids under 48 inches, and our routine is usually to spend an hour enjoying those rides before heading over to Splashtown to cool off until it is time to leave for nap.
Cost Considerations:
Daily tickets are pricey, which can feel hard to justify for toddler parents who often head home for naps after just a couple of hours. The park opens at 10:30 a.m., so if you are only there for a short morning it is tricky. In 2025, there is a 3:00 p.m. ticket discount that makes an afternoon visit more affordable.
Waterpark Experience:
Splashtown’s water playground is big, powerful, and exciting, perfect for kids who love the water as they will get very wet. But visibility can be tough and you may lose sight of your child unless you are right there with them. The good news is the area is contained with one exit, but I still find myself joining in the fun rather than watching from the sidelines more often than not.
Pro Tip:
Wear a ball cap you do not mind getting wet on the Splashtown water playground. Buckets of water get dumped on your head regularly, but the hat will prevent much of the water from going over your eyes allowing you to have a better chance of keeping up with your kids, who will be seemingly unaffected by it.
Other highlights include the basic pool – people on local moms groups are always asking about local outdoor pools they can visit and I always feel like I have the secret pool access! On hot days I am definitely glad to be in there. And one thing I have to mention: this park is very clean. If your mental image of waterparks leans toward grimy, this place will change that.
When Aquaboggan is the Better Pick
Just down the road from Funtown, Aquaboggan is a larger waterpark that also offers go-karts, mini golf, and even a drive-in movie theater.
Cost Considerations:
Daily rates are generally more affordable, making it a practical one-day trip. Admission for kids under 38 inches is just $6, and adults can buy a pool-only pass if they are not riding slides.
Toddler-Friendly Setup:
The toddler splash area is gentle and approachable, ideal for little ones who are still unsure about the water. It is small enough that many parents can sit and watch their kids play. But adventurous water-lovers may lose interest quickly and head for the wave pool, which is fun but requires active supervision. Unlike the water playground at Splashtown, your school-aged kid likely won’t want to play here long.
Managing Multiple Ages:
This park works best if you are visiting with either all littles or all bigger kids. Mixing toddlers and older kids can be tough without enough adults to divide and conquer. The toddler splash area is right next to a shallow pool that bigger kids love, but if your toddler sees a sibling in there, they will probably want to join, which often means you are getting in too.
Where My Family is Now
With my oldest crossing the 48 inch mark next summer and my youngest still below it, we are taking a break from Funtown season passes. The draw for us would now mostly be the water playground, and if we are going for water fun, we will probably opt for Aquaboggan season passes instead.
The tipping point for many families is when both kids are confident in the wave pool and you do not mind joining them or when they are ready for the bigger slides. Until then, a couple of day trips to either park might be enough.
We also stick to mid-week visits. If weekends were our only option, we would probably go far less often to either park.
Bottom line:
Can you really go wrong wuth either waterpark? Not in my opinion. Each of the truly do have something for everyone. How fortunate are we to have 2 excellent options like this right in our backyard? I just try my best not to take them for granted.
