KATY, Texas – Some families hoping to get a free day at a popular water park are upset after waiting in line and never getting inside.
A local country radio station, 93Q, held a promotion stating that if people arrived between 7 a.m. - 9 a.m. at Typhoon Texas, they would be able to get in for free.
Parents took to the radio station’s Facebook page and sent messages to KPRC Channel 2 complaining that people were turned away around 8:15 a.m.
“I was going to surprise my three kids with a day at a water park because we haven’t been this summer and seemed like a great opportunity,” said Micki Malbrough, who has a 2-year-old son, 4-year-old daughter and 8-year-old daughter.
Malbrough packed her three kids in the car and she and her mother drove from Kingwood to Katy. She said they were in line by 8:15 a.m., but saw people leaving and found out what was happening.
“I couldn’t believe it, we were told 7 to 9 a.m., there were no limitations for how many people or anything like that, but said we’re at capacity," Malbrough said. “If you put something out in Houston, Texas for free, how do you not imagine that many people will show up to max capacity?"
The water park said they were well under capacity, but with such a long line, they knew not everyone would get through security check by 9 a.m.
Typhoon Texas issued this response:
"Guests were entitled to free admission from 7-9 a.m. this morning as part of a local promotion. The response generated tremendous interest and unfortunately, not everyone waiting in line would have entered the park by 9 a.m. We therefore notified those in line who would not be able to enter the park by 9 a.m., giving them the option to enter as a paying guest or to return at another time. The park was well under capacity. However, the free admission offer was available only to those who entered the park by 9 a.m."
Some parents were upset with the radio station because there wasn’t a mention of a cut off. Some said they took the day off or drove from a far location to be there before 9 a.m.
“I feel like the general consensus was just stunned, like how did nobody foresee this many people showing up, how did no body prepare for that,“ Malbrough said. “Next time they host an event in Houston, plan ahead, plan for that many people and put contingencies on there. Make people aware that there are capacities."
She said 93Q Country did respond to her and her family will be able to go to the water park at a later date.
"We will get to make it up and I do really appreciate 93Q Country's quick response," Malbrough said.
KPRC Channel 2 News reached out to 93Q Country for a response, but no one was available at the time.
