Chav haven Over the years the Staffordshire area has seen an increase in water based leisure areas that offer more than the bog standard swimming pool but over those same years waterworld has lost its appeal As you enter you are greeted by the same stereotyped clientelle that visit. They can sometimes be friendly (which they should do paying the price you have to to get in!) The centre offers a number of slides, a young childrens area and your average wavepool and rapids. The slides look and feel quite dated and manned by lifeguards who look like they wish to be elsewhere. The water is warm.. once you get over the shivering and turning blue stage. The kiddies section is average, not amazing but nevertheless entertains the mini's for a while. It consists of a couple of slides and small shallow pool that leads onto the main pool. There is onsight food and drink facilities but they are not of the highest quality or designed for the healthier tastebuds. Yet not being a fussy eater myself they suit my sort of custom fine! It is an ok day out for any age group but there are better places slightly further afield if you are willing to splash out a bit more dosh. read more

Waterworld is a really nice place to go. Its like a waterpark themepark. there are rapids and lots of different water slides. it is very safe there are life guardes everywhere and they do nights where it is themed. They have a christmas night coming up. On the plus side for food they have a really wide range. Outside they are attached to subway and you can get hot food. Inside by the pool in the waiting area for spectators they have ice cream and chips, small meals. They have a really good party deal, have not used it myself but have heard good things about it. Would recomend going. read more

I've had some bad experiences at this waterpark, including being kicked in the head at the bottom of a water slide when the member of staff allowed the next person in the queue to follow straight down. I've also had the pleasure of seeing someones half eaten burger float past me in the main pool when someone had obviously let their child wander back to the pool with their food from the cafe. The staff on reception are vacant think is the best way to describe it, and the staff in the pool are divided being OTT diligent in their duties (ie, you sit still for a moment and are asked if you're moving on so you arent in the way?!) and turning a blind eye to any kids running riot just so they dont have to put up with the confrontation. read more

Waterworld has got a number of slides, a young persons area, wavepool and rapids. The slides are quiet old now. The lifeguards are rather miserable. There is food and drink facilities but they are not great. Its an ok day out for the kids but is getting quiet dated. read more

Waterworld on the Festival Park is one of the few large indoor water parks in the country. It has been open since 1989 and they have gradually added more and more attractions throughout the years. There is a wide variety of water slides for all ages from the black hole which is a long pitch black tunnel type slide for older children to the smaller slides and separate pools for younger children. There is also a heated outdoor pool, an oval rapids and the main pool has a wave machine which can be very good fun but possibly a bit too rough for younger children. There is a café/restaurant on site but the food isn't anything special or particularly cheap but it's ok for a snack if you are feeling hungry after your swim. read more

Pros Waterworld is located in the middle of Hanley and is a great day out. The water theme park consists of swimming pools, wave pool, water rides, river rapids and slides, and there are restaurants and an ice cream bar on site. The rides are great fun for all the family, and the park has a nice relaxed atmosphere. Go after 12 for cheaper tickets! Cons If some of the rides aren't working (which used to happen a lot in the past but isn't so frequent now) that can put a downer on your day. Also, much like any pool, hygiene can be an issue- nothing like finding an errant plaster to put you off! read more

A bit shabby nowadays, but still a fun day out for the younger generation. The wave machine in the large pool is a good way of teaching kids to become a stronger swimmer, although supervision is required at all times. The rapids pool can get very busy so if you're not a totally competent swimmer its best to avoid it as you could end up getting stuck! The outside whirlpool is a nice place in the warmer summer months becaus eit is slightly heated, but avoid in the winter unless you like the blue look! read more

You're paying quite a premium price for a fairly sub-standard waterpark. Nothing has really changed at Waterworld for many years, and it shows. The slides etc are all good enough to keep kids entertained, but you cant help but worry slightly about the age of them. There is an site cafe which can be accessed whilst in the pool area, which is good as it does mean the whole day can be spent without needing to chop it in half to go get something to eat. Its probably more exciting for the younger kids on their first visitfor those who first visited a while ago its just a bit depressing seeing it in the same state now. read more

Well worth a visit for families, but not for your swimming pool 'normal' swimmers who want to just swim up and down as normal as it's jam packed at peak times and there's a lot of children and teens swimming and playing everywhere. Easily located on the main road, with ample free parking (and a Tesco nearby if you get hungry before/after and don't want to pay the high prices in the venue). The staff are polite and friendly, and keep a check on users to make sure no one is breaking the rules or acting daft. There's a very good selection of slides, water rides, even an assault course, and smaller children only rides/toys. The queues are long though, so I always try and go for opening time when it's quieter. Peak summer season it can be very claustrophobic as it's so full and busy, and gets very noisy. The rapids are for strong swimmers only, I took my 11 year old cousin who can swim fairly well but struggled in the rapids without my help. The outdoor pool is open seasonally and gives your body a real temperature shock, and I found it to have a rather large amount of dead flys floating n the surface which kept me indoors. There are also discos- lights and music after certain times on some nights, hich I've not stayed for, but have heard positive reviews of from friends and neighbours. The changing rooms are disabled friendly with good sized cubicles and ample toilets and washing facilities. However they are unisex, personally I rather seperate facilities, maybe I'm just modest! The cafe is quite expensive though, but if you're making a day of it (and you easily could), there's no other choice. If you plan your day though, you can pop to the Tesco bfore/after your swim and get lunch there. Entrance fees are £7.99 per person regardless of age. I think though when you compare this to the cost of a normal swim in a council pool of £3.20, without any slides or toys etc, it's good value. I always stay for at least 3 hours without realising (basically til I get hungry!) so I get my moneys worth! read more

GREAT waterpark kids love it although it is expensive the ride are ok but could do with upgrading as some have been there since i was a kid . The staff are wicked and are good for a laugh the only down side if the changing rooms are dirty read more

great day out for the family. with loads of water slides, wave pool and swimming pools - the kids will love it. waterworld also has a gym and a subway restaurant inside. read more

we go here as an occasional treat for the kids as its quite pricey.its great fun for kids and adults.there are loads of different slides and flumes,rapids and features a flume where you slide down into a big bowl,spin round then drop out into the pool!also wave machines.places to eat and parties available as well. read more

Dreadful dreadful place, don't waste your money or time. Kids very disappointed . We eventually got in to discover the packed out water park , the atmosphere and water far to cold .The queues were massive for each ride easily over 40 mins long . I don't know why they let so many people in , absolutely awful experience for a grand charge of £50 , we gave up after about 40 minutes and left . We couldn't even get in the water without being kicked or pushed to the back of a queue, don't bother , wish I had read all the awful reviews before going please take note they are true , the management need to do something about this as obviously is a problem here , Put a system in place like Alton Towers that was fully booked up as they only let a certain amount of people in so you can enjoy the rides and facilities , not let as many people in as you can because they are paying to do so. We left not even going for a swim ! Awful . read more