Ten miles from the heart of Nashville’s downtown, SoundWaves, Gaylord Opryland’s bustling waterpark, serves as a popular destination for families and tourists alike. The park’s nod to Nashville’s reputation as the “Music City” and emphasis on family enjoyment ensures that the Gaylord Opryland remains a popular tradition for many.
“Gaylord is a unique property. It’s obviously the biggest hotel in America, I believe, outside of Vegas. It’s 2,800 rooms and it’s a Tennessee legacy…So everything [at SoundWaves] is based off music… that’s kind of one of our tie-ins for the Nashville music scene,” said Food and Beverage Manager Brett Farr.
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The entire water park is shaped like a guitar, a nod to Nashville’s deep country music history and a fun way to immerse visitors in the theme.
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Everything down to the restaurant is music-themed, with a clever play on words titling the menu, rides, and attractions.
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More than just a water park, SoundWaves also provides tests of endurance with rock climbing, basketball, and rope climbing in its climate-controlled environment.
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The park aims to provide something for everyone, offering both rapid and lazy rivers, along with family and adult oriented areas.
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Dazzling with blue light, the entrance to SoundWaves immediately transports visitors into another world.
From the rides to the menu to the layout, the entire park intertwines the musical theme with luxury aquatic fun. Guests can grab a bite from the deciBel Restaurant before exploring the guitar-shaped park, complete with rides like Beat Drop and Stage Dive.
“If you take a picture of the map of Soundwaves, you might be able to tell that it is shaped in a guitar shape. Music is Nashville’s blood and life and soul […] There additionally used to be a place built at this very same spot called Opryland, which was a big theme park and amusement park,” said Park Manager Donny Winsinger.
Operating from 1972 to 1977, the “Home of American Music,” otherwise known as the Opryland Theme Park, featured traditional amusement park rides and had a focus on live shows. Despite its closure due to rising operating costs, it remains a nostalgic touchstone of Nashville’s history. The Gaylord Opryland Hotel, originally named the Opryland Hotel, was built in 1997, and has expanded since.
“And we kind of have taken up those reins. It’s important to us that families have fun and make memories here at Soundwaves. Music is a part of that for us.” said Winsinger.
SoundWave’s music theme is just one facet of the park’s originality. Despite its focus on “something for everyone,” SoundWaves is ultimately geared towards kids’ enjoyment. The 106,000 square feet of outdoor facilities are open a mere ninety days of summer. Meanwhile, the indoor facilities open only on weekends, catered towards kids’ school schedules.
Soundwave also hosts a few adults-only spaces, such as Status Cymbal Adult Pool & Bar.
“Especially if you have older kids, allowing adults to go to an adult-only space allows the siblings and their friends to really bond. I have four siblings myself and if my mom wants to go relax somewhere, then we can have fun going down all the slides,” said lifeguard Aliyah Rey.
The Gaylord Opryland Resort is famous for their Christmas spirit. For many, the indoor facilities of Soundwave serve as a welcome break during cold winter months and holiday breaks.
“They keep it warm throughout the year, so you can swim during the winter time,” said arcade crew member Carrie Mitchell.
Aside from catering towards families, SoundWaves is a family within itself. As with most water parks, most of the lifeguards are teenagers, who are responsible for ensuring safety for all guests. Despite the gravity of the job, it is common for lifeguards to be overlooked and underappreciated for the work they do.
“Sometimes as lifeguards, people seem to look over us and think, ‘Oh, they’re just teenagers doing this.’ But we learned all this CPR. We learned life-saving techniques that can save your life… you can also do amazing things and great things before you become an adult,” said supervisor Amara Rey.
At SoundWaves, the management emphasizes a positive work culture, creating an environment where teens feel welcome and appreciated. For the Rey family, that environment attracted all five siblings to work for SoundWaves.
“It’s really fun [working with my siblings]…and I personally love it. I love being with my siblings. Also, it’s easier for commuting and stuff. But I think it’s a fun environment,” continued Rey.
From the families that come to visit to the families that stay, SoundWaves provides an experience unique to Nashville. With its music theme, multitude of attractions, and family-oriented culture, the park is a cornerstone of the overall Gaylord Opryland Resort experience.