AMANDA McCOY/SUN HERALDSarah Justin, 3, gets ready to swim while enjoying a day with her family at Gulf Islands Waterpark on Sunday.

AMANDA McCOY SUN HERALDBuy Photo

GULFPORT -- Those who ventured to Gulf Islands Waterpark Sunday were welcomed with sunny skies, plenty of available parking spaces and no lines on the waterslides -- the perfect opening day if not for the chilly breeze that kept the less adventurous away.

"At least no one's getting too hot today," said Betty Wallace, who handles marketing for the park. The only other cold start she recalls was the year the park opened on Good Friday.

"This is the first time it's been this chilly in May," she said.

The sun was warm and Marielis Vega of Gulfport said a little chill wasn't going to keep her family from celebrating a birthday at the park.

Jeffrey Justin, his wife Amanda and their three daughters, Chloe, Heather and Sarah, drove over from Louisiana for opening day. The girls, in pink bathing suits and orange life jackets, said they liked the slides the best. Squeals could be heard coming from the Riptide Racer, Horn Island Blaster and Cat Island Catapult slides and the wave pool.

Justin said he went online and compared waterparks before they bought season passes to Gulf Islands. "They had a lot of good rides here," he said.

Season passes are $49.99 through June 7, said Wallace, then go up to $54.99. The price is about the price of two daily tickets, which are $29.99, or $21.99 for those under 42 inches. Children under 2 get in free.

Season passes are good every day of the season, including during special events. Next Sunday staff from Michaels Arts & Crafts will be at the park helping kids make a gift for the moms.

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