CaliBunga water park pushes back opening to July 4

We’re going to have to wait a little longer to beat the heat at CaliBunga, the water park replacing Raging Waters at Lake Cunningham Park in San Jose.

General Manager Mel Sells announced on social media Friday afternoon that the park would open July 4 instead of the originally announced date of June 29.

“Unfortunately, yesterday afternoon, we had some unexpected challenges with some electrical issues. This caused several of our attractions not to be able to be open this weekend,” Sells said in an Instagram video. “We have been working for the last three months to get this park open for our community to be able to enjoy it and invite guests back, and this information is very devastating to us and I’m sure to you.”

An opening celebration planned for June 29 with Mayor Matt Mahan, California Dreamin’ Entertainment CEO Steve Dooner, Raging Waters founder Thomas Lochtefeld, San Jose Parks Director Jon Cicirelli and San Jose Councilman Domingo Candelas has been canceled.

Raging Waters had been a popular destination at Lake Cunningham Park for nearly 40 years when operator Palace Entertainment abruptly announced last September it was walking away from the remaining year on its lease. In February, the city council approved having California Dreamin’ Entertainment take over the city-owned water park on a short term basis through September 2025 with options for extensions that would give the city time to find a long-term operator.

The reimagined CaliBunga water park will include new or revamped features from the easy-for-kids Pirates Cove and Wacky Water Works to the more thrilling Dragon’s Den and Serpentine Slides and the intense Barracuda Blaster and Shotgun Falls. There are also private cabanas and a new Board Head Bar, offering beer, wine and snacks.

Get more information about the park at calibunga.com.