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The tallest waterslide in America is now open in Wisconsin
Tarah Chieffi
Senior writer
As a senior writer for TPG, Tarah Chieffi helps readers travel better, more often and within their budget.
June 06, 2024
•
3 min read
The tallest waterslide in America is now open in Wisconsin
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Icarus disastrously fell into the sea when he flew too close to the sun, but you will fare much better when you ride "The Fall" at Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. The Fall, which opened over Memorial Day weekend and is the tallest structure within the behemoth quintet of waterslides known as The Rise of Icarus, is also the tallest waterslide in the U.S.
Standing at 145 feet tall, The Fall is an enclosed body waterslide that weaves around (and around, and around) The Rise of Icarus tower before splashing down at the bottom. For context, you only have to climb 60 feet to reach the other four slides at a platform halfway up the tower.
Based on video footage available online, it only takes around 20 seconds to speed down The Fall, and riders can reach speeds of up to 30 mph.
“The Rise of Icarus will be the ultimate experience for thrill seekers in Wisconsin Dells,” Mt. Olympus owner Nick Laskaris said in a press release. Wisconsin Dells is known as the “Waterpark Capital of the World” and has 20 different water parks within city limits.
Related: Stay at these all-inclusive resorts with water parks the kids will love
The Rise of Icarus slide tower is only one of many new attractions and amenities coming to Mt. Olympus this summer. The Icaria Splash 'n Slide kids' area will open on July 4 and feature 12,000 square feet of play space; it includes 10 slides, a wading pool and interactive water features.
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Mt. Olympus is also adding eight air-conditioned cabanas and an updated outdoor deck area with more umbrellas, lounge chairs, drinks and concessions, shopping and lockers this year.
Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park is also home to America's first rotating waterslide, Medusa's Slidewheel. Medusa's Slidewheel is part of the year-round indoor section of Mt. Olympus. It combines the slow rotational movement of a Ferris wheel with the thrilling speed of a waterslide.
Admission and all Mt. Olympus attractions are free for overnight resort guests, or you can purchase single-day tickets online or at the gate.
We can safely say this is the one time you should ignore the myth and fly too close to the sun so you can enjoy the thrilling speed and splashes on The Fall at Mt. Olypmus Water & Theme Park.
Related reading:
Featured image by MT. OLYMPUS WATER & THEME PARK
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Best for dining at restaurants
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.