Did you know there’s an amazing water park right across the street from Knott’s Berry Farm and only 5 minutes away from Disneyland? My son and I spent a full day exploring Knott’s Berry Farm Soak City Water Park and now we can’t wait to go back!
This Knott’s Berry Farm Soak City post was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
I’m not a water slide person.
Never have been. When we’re in Hawaii, I’m the one on the beach chair with a book while everyone else plays in the waves. At Disneyland, I skip Splash Mountain.
So when I tell you I spent an entire day at Knott’s Soak City and didn’t want to leave, that means something.
My 5-year-old and I went on a sunny June day (we got lucky with the weather). We showed up at 10:30am when they opened. They had to kick us out at 6pm when they closed.
It was one of those rare days where everything works. The crowds were manageable. The sun was out. My son made friends with kids in the slide lines. I actually relaxed.
Knott’s Soak City is Orange County’s largest water park. 15 acres of water slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers in Buena Park, California.
And here’s the part that matters if you’re visiting Southern California: it’s 5 minutes from Disneyland Resort.
If you’re doing a theme park trip and need a day to cool off, this is it.
Why Knott’s Soak City Works
1. There’s Stuff for Non-Water-Slide People
I spent most of the day in the Sunset River lazy river.
This thing is 1,780 feet long and super wide. You’re not constantly bumping into other tubes. I grabbed an inner tube and floated for hours while my son ran back and forth to the Beach House.
The Beach House is a three-story water playground with over 200 water guns and sprayers. Every five minutes, a giant bucket dumps 500 gallons of water on everyone below. My son went down those slides at least 40 times. I counted.
For people who do like slides (unlike me), Shore Break is the big one. It’s a seven-story tower with six different slides. Four of them use an Aqua-Launch chamber where the floor drops out from under you.
My son wasn’t tall enough yet. You need to be 48 inches. He’s already planning his return visit.
The wave pool (Tidal Wave Bay) holds 750,000 gallons. It has a zero-depth entry, so little kids can play in the shallow part while bigger kids go deeper.
Here’s what I mean about something for everyone: you can have toddlers splashing in Gremmie Lagoon, elementary kids at the Beach House, teens doing the big drops, and parents floating in the lazy river. All at the same time.
2. The Prices Make Sense
Summer gets expensive. Knott’s Soak City isn’t cheap, but it’s reasonable for what you get.
2026 Ticket Prices:
- Date-specific tickets: $49+ (buy 24 hours ahead)
- Good any day tickets: $65
Season Passes:
- Gold Pass: $140 (includes Knott’s Berry Farm and Soak City through 2026)
- Prestige Pass: $250 (adds all Six Flags parks, preferred parking, fast lane access)
If you’re visiting Knott’s Berry Farm during your trip (it’s literally across the street), the Gold Pass pays for itself in two visits.
Parking is $30 online. Don’t wait until you get there.
You can get discount tickets through Get Your Guide if you want to book ahead.
3. The Food is Better Than Expected
Water park food is usually terrible. This wasn’t.
I got the shrimp ceviche at Longboard’s Grill. Fresh, cold, came with a ton of chips. Not what I expected.
My son’s kids meal came in a plastic lunchbox with chicken tenders, an apple, cookies, and milk. He kept the lunchbox and still uses it at home for storing small toys.
Longboard’s Grill got renovated recently. They have hand-breaded chicken tenders, fish and chips, wraps, burgers, hot dogs. There’s a shaded outdoor seating area now too, which is key when it’s hot.
Portside Pizza has pizza, salads, and funnel cakes.
Dining Plans:
- Single meal: $14.99 (entree, side, drink)
- All-day dining: $31.99 (eat every 90 minutes)
- All-season dining: $139 (for pass holders)
The park is cashless. Bring cards or use Apple Pay.
Is the food amazing? No. Is it way better than expected? Yes.
4. Staff Actually Manages Bad Behavior
One thing that drives me crazy at kids’ places: parents ignoring their kids acting wild and staff doing nothing about it.
Knott’s Soak City staff were on it.
Lifeguards stopped kids from climbing up slides or running on wet pavement. They watched the lazy river closely. They enforced the height requirements.
As a parent, it’s nice having extra eyes watching out for everyone’s safety.
5. The Cabanas Are Worth It (If You Have the Budget)
We rented a cabana. Total game changer.
What’s included:
- Private shaded area with table, umbrella, chairs
- Four lounge chairs
- Four inner tube rentals (no waiting in line for tubes)
- Safe for your valuables
- Waiter service (unlimited ice water all day)
- Fits up to 8 people
Cabanas cost $199-299 depending on the day and location. Weekdays are cheaper than weekends.
Three locations:
- Shore Break Cabanas: Most private, closest to big slides
- Malibu Cabanas: Central location near Malibu Run and dining
- Wave Pool Cabanas: Overlooking Tidal Wave Bay (most expensive, best views)
The safe inside was huge. I could stash my camera, phone, and wallet without walking to the lockers every time.
Our waiter kept refilling water and took lunch orders so we didn’t have to leave.
Is it necessary? No. But it made the day so much easier.
6. Everyone Feels Comfortable
People of all shapes and sizes walk around in swimsuits here. No one’s self-conscious.
I think it’s because everyone’s too busy having fun to care what anyone else looks like.
The park has good accessibility too. Water wheelchairs are available first-come, first-served for Tidal Wave Bay and Gremmie Lagoon. The lazy river has pool lifts for anyone needing assistance.
Attractions range from gentle (lazy river, kiddie areas) to intense (seven-story drops). There’s something for every ability level.
7. It’s 5 Minutes From Disneyland
Disneyland is exhausting. Knott’s Soak City is a good way to cool off without driving far.
The water park is 5 minutes from Disneyland Resort. Easy to add to your trip. Do Disneyland one day, Soak City the next, Knott’s Berry Farm the day after.
If you’re staying in Buena Park, you can walk from most hotels.
What to Bring
Swimsuit: Obviously. Kids should wear rashguard swimsuits for sun protection. They sell them at the Surf Shop inside if you forget.
Sunscreen: We use Babyganics spray sunscreen because it’s mineral-based and doesn’t leave white streaks. Reapply every hour. The California sun is no joke.
Sandals: The pavement gets hot. You can’t wear shoes on rides, but you need them for walking around. Any flip-flops work.
Sunglasses: The glare off the water is intense. Get kids sunglasses too.
Hat: I wore a sun hat the entire day.
Towels: We forgot to bring towels. Don’t do that. If you’re flying in, grab a compact travel towel. Otherwise check if your hotel has extras.
Wet bag: You’ll want a wet bag for damp swimsuits on the way home.
Coverup: I bring a coverup to wear over my swimsuit when eating or walking around.
Park Rules You Should Know
Outside food: Small snacks in sandwich bags are fine. No full meals or coolers.
Life jackets: Free to use throughout the park.
Lockers: Available near the entrance. Bring quarters or use a card.
Height requirements:
- Under 42″: Gremmie Lagoon (kiddie area)
- 42″+: Beach House, Tidal Wave Bay, lazy river, most slides
- 48″+: Shore Break, The Wedge, big thrill slides
Dress code: One-piece or two-piece swimsuits. No jeans or street clothes. Swim shirts are fine.
When to Visit
2026 Season: May 16 – September 7
Operating Schedule:
- Weekends only: Mid-May through Memorial Day
- Daily: Memorial Day through mid-August
- Weekends only: Late August through early September
Best times:
- Weekdays in June (before school’s out everywhere)
- Late August/early September (fewer crowds)
- Opening time (10:30am) – beat the crowds
Avoid:
- July 4th week
- Mid-July through early August (peak season)
- Weekends in July
The park underwent a “water park refresh” in 2026 with updated aesthetics and improvements throughout.
Where to Stay
Right Next Door:
- Knott’s Hotel – Walking distance to both parks
Close By:
- Hampton Inn & Suites Buena Park – Good for families
- Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Buena Park – Pool and breakfast
All three are within 5-10 minutes of both Knott’s parks and Disneyland.
Complete Water Attractions List
Major Slides:
- Shore Break (7 stories, 6 different slides)
- The Wedge (family raft ride)
- Banzai Falls
- Laguna Storm Watch Tower
- Malibu Run
- Old Man Falls
Wave Pool:
- Tidal Wave Bay (750,000 gallons)
Lazy River:
- Sunset River (1,780 feet)
Interactive Play:
- Beach House (3 stories, 200+ water features)
- Gremmie Lagoon (kiddie area)
23 total water attractions across the park.
Final Thoughts
I walked into Knott’s Soak City expecting to spend most of the day on a lounge chair while my son played.
Instead, I found myself actually enjoying a water park.
The lazy river is legitimately relaxing. The food is surprisingly decent. The staff keeps things safe. And seeing my son push past his fears on the slides made the whole day worth it.
If you’re planning a Southern California vacation and need a day to cool off between theme parks, this is your answer.
It’s 15 acres of fun 5 minutes from Disneyland. Can’t beat that.
Knott’s Soak City is open select days from mid-May through early September. Hours vary by day (usually 10:30am-6pm). Check the official calendar before you go.
See you at the lazy river.
