Crystal River Rapids at Gaylord Palms Resort Opens as Newest Addition to Cypress Springs Water Park (Photos, Video)

Hi everyone!

Crystal River Rapids at Gaylord Palms Resort is now open! The latest addition to Cypress Springs Water Park opened yesterday (March 13th, 2021) and we had the opportunity to be inside to photograph just minutes before it opened to the public for the first time. We have photos and video from yesterday.

Here is our 7-minute video that includes a POV of the water attraction.

Gaylord Palms says about Crystal River Rapids, that it “takes guests on an exhilarating ride as they twist and turn through speeding currents at three-and-a-half feet per second. As guests race past roaring waterfalls, crumbling limestone walls, and larger-than-life sprinkling leaves, they will encounter thrilling water activations that will immerse them in the nature of Florida”.

This new addition to the Cypress Springs Water Park allows for a lot more seating and room for guests to spread out. I was told there are 254 seats here right now. That would include pool chairs and also tables with seating.

This new area is part of a $158 million expansion that will also include 302 new guest rooms later this year.

Life jackets are available to use in Crystal River Rapids.

Here is a look at those sprinkling leaves.

Ahead are leaves and also a waterfall. The water is heated.

There are pool chairs and in the background there is one of the types of upgraded seating that guests can rent for the day.

The daybeds can be rented as can the private cabanas.

A waterfall can be seen past the palm trees.

Cypress Springs Water Park opened in 2012 and has expanded since then. There is a multi-level water playground, large water slides and the quieter South Beach Pool just steps away.

The multi-level water playground can be seen nearby.

Guests can rent these cabanas.

Looking back at the waterfall.

Waterslides can be seen overhead.

Another waterfall is up ahead.

There are two spas.

Crystal River Refreshments is located in a corner. We went to the SandBar restaurant instead since it is a table service location. Servers here yesterday were only delivering to guests in chairs and not the nearby tables (that may change).

This is the table seating next to the location.

I took this just before the location opened.

Crystal River Rapids is a fantastic addition to Gaylord Palms Resort and lends a lot of value to the daily resort fee. Cypress Springs Water Park has so much to offer guests now whether the guests are looking for a more thrilling water experience or a quieter one. Crystal River Rapids is kind of in between the two, more than a lazy river but Jeff said not as high speed as Roa’s Rapids at SeaWorld. Cypress Springs Water Park was a little busy yesterday due to Spring Break but I look forward to trying this new addition next time we visit.

We were invited to Gaylord Palms this past weekend to experience Crystal River Rapids and spring activities at the resort. All views are ours.