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If you don’t plan and track your water park budget properly, you're setting yourself up for failure.
When we developed our strategy pack for water park owners, we saw a lot of water park owners struggling with finances and planning.
They were disorganized, had no grasp of cash flow, and were drowning in financial troubles despite having substantial visitor numbers.
Don’t let this be you—stand out and succeed.
We’ve created a small, free tool to help you get started: our Budget Tracker and Planner. Let’s turn your water park's finances around and set you on the path to success!
Get the budget tracker tailored for water parks
Most water park owners don't know how to plan and track their budget. This spreadsheet will help you.
Example of a full budget for water parks
Here is an example of a (very) detailed budget for a water park, to give you some inspiration
1. Rent and Utilities
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | Lease for water park space | $10,000 | $120,000 |
| Electricity | Power consumption for rides and facilities | $2,000 | $24,000 |
| Water | Water usage for pools and attractions | $3,000 | $36,000 |
| Gas | Gas for heating pools and facilities | $500 | $6,000 |
| Internet & Phone | Internet service and business phone | $200 | $2,400 |
| Waste Removal | Garbage and recycling services | $300 | $3,600 |
| Pest Control | Monthly pest control services | $100 | $1,200 |
| Insurance | Property and liability insurance | $1,000 | $12,000 |
2. Salaries & Wages
| Position | Number of Employees | Monthly Cost per Employee | Total Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park Manager | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $60,000 |
| Maintenance Staff | 3 | $3,000 | $9,000 | $108,000 |
| Lifeguards | 10 | $2,500 | $25,000 | $300,000 |
| Customer Service | 5 | $2,000 | $10,000 | $120,000 |
| Security | 4 | $2,500 | $10,000 | $120,000 |
| Food & Beverage Staff | 6 | $2,000 | $12,000 | $144,000 |
3. Operational Costs
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Treatment | Chemicals and maintenance for pools | $2,000 | $24,000 |
| Ride Maintenance | Regular maintenance of water rides | $1,500 | $18,000 |
| Cleaning Supplies | Detergents, sanitizers, etc. | $500 | $6,000 |
| Uniforms | Staff uniforms and gear | $300 | $3,600 |
| First Aid Supplies | Medical supplies for first aid stations | $200 | $2,400 |
| Office Supplies | Stationery, pens, printer ink, etc. | $100 | $1,200 |
4. Marketing & Advertising
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Advertising | Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc. | $500 | $6,000 |
| Social Media Management | Managing social media accounts | $700 | $8,400 |
| Print Advertising | Flyers, posters, newspaper ads | $300 | $3,600 |
| Website Maintenance | Hosting, domain, updates | $150 | $1,800 |
| Email Marketing | Email campaigns and newsletters | $200 | $2,400 |
| Promotional Events | Special events and promotions | $300 | $3,600 |
5. Miscellaneous Expenses
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Maintenance | Regular maintenance of park equipment | $1,000 | $12,000 |
| Licenses & Permits | Health permits, operational licenses, etc. | $200 | $2,400 |
| POS System | Point of Sale software and hardware | $200 | $2,400 |
| Contingency Fund | Emergency repairs and unexpected costs | $1,000 | $12,000 |
| Staff Training | Training programs and materials | $300 | $3,600 |
Some water parks make 5x more profit than you!
We have studied the strategies of the best water parks in the world. Replicate them now!
What are the biggest expenses for a water park?
Watch out for these budget busters. Here are five major costs every water park owner needs to consider, along with some tips on how to manage them wisely.
- Water and chemical costsThese can take a significant portion of your budget. You're dealing with large volumes of water and the chemicals needed to keep it clean and safe. Prices can fluctuate based on supply chain issues and quality. To keep these costs in check, focus on efficient water management, negotiate better prices with suppliers, and minimize waste. Finally, it's easy to overspend by using excessive amounts of chemicals or opting for high-end products that don’t add enough value.
- The staff at your water parkYour staff is your backbone, but paying for their wages, benefits, and training can be expensive. This cost is always high because you need a certain number of employees to ensure safety and provide excellent service. You can optimize labor costs by scheduling efficiently, cross-training staff, and monitoring productivity. However, be careful not to underpay or overwork your staff, as this can lead to high turnover and poor service.
- Rent and utilities of your water parkPrime locations come with high rent, but they can attract more visitors. Utilities like electricity, gas, and water are essential but add up quickly. To optimize these costs, negotiate favorable lease terms and invest in energy-efficient systems and lighting. Overspending often happens when you choose a location that's too big or too fancy for your needs.
- MarketingYou need to get the word out about your water park, but advertising can be pricey, whether it's online ads, social media campaigns, or traditional media. Optimize this expense by focusing on cost-effective methods like the ones we give in our pack. Overspending can happen if you invest in flashy campaigns without a clear return on investment.
- Equipment and maintenance costsThis includes everything from water slides to safety gear. These are expensive because quality equipment and regular maintenance are crucial for smooth operations and customer satisfaction. Optimize by investing in durable, energy-efficient equipment and maintaining it regularly to avoid costly breakdowns. You can overspend by going for the latest high-tech gadgets you don’t really need.
How to spend less with your water park?
Here are practical tips to help you, as a water park owner, optimize your budget and manage expenses more effectively.
| Expense | Tips to Optimize |
|---|---|
| Water Usage | Install water-efficient fixtures and recycle water where possible to reduce consumption. |
| Labor Costs | Use scheduling software to optimize lifeguard and staff hours, reducing overtime and ensuring adequate coverage. |
| Utilities | Invest in energy-efficient pumps and lighting, and consider solar panels to offset electricity costs. |
| Marketing | Run social media contests for your water park and collaborate with local influencers for free exposure. |
| Cleaning Supplies | Train staff on efficient use of cleaning supplies to reduce waste and maintain hygiene standards. |
| Equipment Maintenance | Set up a maintenance log for regular checks and servicing of water slides, pools, and other attractions. |
| Rent/Mortgage | Negotiate lease terms during renewal or consider moving to a less expensive location if feasible. |
| Insurance | Regularly review insurance policies to ensure they meet current needs and compare rates annually. |
| Concessions | Partner with local vendors for cost-effective, high-quality food and beverage options. |
| Uniforms | Choose durable, easy-to-clean uniforms for staff and offer a stipend for maintenance instead of using an external service. |
| POS System | Choose a POS system that offers essential features with low transaction fees and integrates with other systems. |
| Staff Training | Conduct regular in-house training sessions and use free online resources to keep staff updated on safety protocols. |
| Waste Management | Implement a recycling program and use biodegradable products to minimize waste. |
| Technology | Invest in multi-functional equipment and utilize water park management software for ticketing and reservations. |
| Signage | Use digital signage for information and advertisements to reduce printing costs. |
| Licensing and Permits | Stay up-to-date with local regulations to avoid fines and costly renewals. |
| Transportation | Plan delivery routes for supplies to maximize efficiency and reduce fuel costs. |
| Office Supplies | Purchase supplies in bulk and go paperless where possible with digital systems. |
| Inventory Management | Use inventory management software to track stock levels and reduce spoilage of concession items. |
| Pest Control | Schedule monthly pest control services and maintain cleanliness standards to prevent infestations. |
| Music and Entertainment | Use a streaming service for background music and host local entertainers during off-peak times. |
Copy the tactics of the best water parks in the world!
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Expenses that are just useless for a water park
Yes, some expenses for your water park are just unnecessary. They don't contribute to increasing revenue or improving the guest experience.
| Water Park Expense | Reason It's Useless |
|---|---|
| Over-the-Top Landscaping | Excessive landscaping doesn't necessarily attract more visitors and can be a drain on the budget. |
| Premium Snack Brands | Most guests are satisfied with standard snack options, making premium brands unnecessary. |
| Too Many Attractions | Having an excessive number of attractions increases maintenance costs and can lead to overcrowding. |
| High-End Water Filtration Systems | Top-of-the-line filtration systems are not always necessary and can be cost-prohibitive. |
| Traditional Advertising | Paper ads often have a lower return on investment. Don’t include them in the marketing strategy of your water park. |
| Multiple Uniform Styles | Having various uniform styles increases costs without adding significant value to the guest experience. |
| Excessive Lifeguard Staff | Overstaffing lifeguards leads to higher labor costs without necessarily improving safety. |
| Premium Entertainment Subscriptions | Expensive subscriptions for music or shows often go unnoticed by guests. |
| Exclusive Pool Chemicals | Using rare chemicals can inflate costs and complicate supply chains. |
| Costly Lounge Chairs | High-end lounge chairs are not always appreciated by guests and can be a significant expense. |
| Custom Printed Towels | Personalized towels are a minor detail that most guests overlook, and they can be expensive. |
| Unnecessary Software | Paying for software with features you don’t use is a waste of resources. |
| Premium Water Brands | Most guests are content with filtered tap water, making expensive bottled water unnecessary. |
| Extra Maintenance Vehicles | Maintaining a larger fleet than needed increases operational costs. |
| Excessive Membership Fees | Paying for multiple industry memberships often yields little benefit. |
| Overly Frequent Renovations | Constantly updating decor and layout can be costly and disrupt operations. |
| Expensive Poolside Decorations | Elaborate decorations are often ignored by guests and add to the cost. |
| High-End Pool Equipment | Luxury pool equipment is prone to damage and expensive to replace, often going unnoticed by guests. |
| Excessive Staff Meetings | Too many meetings can reduce productivity and increase labor costs. |
| Expensive Signage Designs | Frequently redesigning signs is costly and often unnecessary. |
| Unused Promotional Materials | Ordering more promotional items than needed leads to waste and unnecessary expense. Get our marketing budget planner template. |
| Paid Directory Listings | Many free listing options are available, making paid listings often redundant. |
| High-End Catering Equipment | Specialized catering equipment is often unnecessary and adds to costs without a proportional benefit. |
Stop working with a tight budget for your water park!
Managing a budget for a water park when funds are tight can feel like a nightmare. It's like being on a sinking raft where any unexpected expense can pull you under.
This constant pressure makes it nearly impossible to invest in new attractions or improvements, leaving you always chasing after expenses. It's a life filled with stress and sleepless nights.
Yes, you can continue down this path, scraping together pennies and barely making ends meet. But there's another part of the equation you might be overlooking. Instead of just trying to cut costs, you can focus on growing your revenue. More income means more breathing room and more money to spend.
And no, you don't necessarily have to spend money to grow. There are plenty of zero-cost initiatives and strategies that can help you increase your revenue by 10%, 20%, or more. We've detailed all of these strategies in our guides, after studying dozens of water parks just like yours. Get them now!
Make your water park more profitable
We have studied the strategies of the best water parks in the world. All their tactics are explained in our pack!
