Waterparks in Texas are seeing summer crowds arriving early as an excessive heat warning continues over much of the state. Hawaiian Falls has parks in Mansfield, Roanoke and Waco.
Crowds started lining up outside the Roanoke park before it opened Tuesday morning.
"It's humid like you're in the tropics right now," one mom said.
"They're ready to get in the water," another said of her kids.
Hawaiian Falls locations in Roanoke and Mansfield opened early Tuesday as part of "Champions Day." On Champions Day, those Hawaiian Falls locations open exclusively for kids with special needs and their families for the first hour.
"They get to have that splashy experience, that fun that everybody gets to have all the time," says Hawaiian Falls' Ron McKenzie.
Hawaiian Falls had extra staff working and turned down music and sound effects to make kids with sensory needs feel more comfortable.
"They have a couple opportunities to enjoy the park at their own pace, in their own way," McKenzie says.
Kids with special needs could get in the parks free. Family members could receive discounts.
"I think what a lot of people don't realize about families with special needs kids is mom can't work or dad can't work. One of us has to be the stay-at-home parent," one mom said.
Hawaiian Falls is planning a second Champions Day July 22. Details are available at https://hfalls.com/.
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