Splash Universe is a subsidiary of Focus Hospitality Services, LLC, a developer, owner, and operator of hotels and resorts in the United States founded in 1984. Both Focus Hospitality and Splash Universe are headquartered in Valparaiso, Indiana. Focus developed the brand "Splash Universe Water Park Resorts" as a full-service, value-priced waterpark for families with children.
Each Splash Universe indoor waterpark resort is characterized by an individualized theme. The waterpark in Dundee, Michigan follows an outdoors motif, while the Shipshewana, Indiana waterpark[1] is country-themed. Both Splash Universe resorts opened in the Winter of 2006 [2][3]. Additional waterparks are currently under development.
Family entertainment resorts featuring indoor water parks [4] are a relatively new development in the growing segment of the resort and entertainment industries. Vacation trends indicate families choosing to take shorter, more frequent vacations that they can drive to.
It was estimated in 2006 that hotels with indoor waterparks would grow to a forecast of 144 by year end, up 33% from 108 in 2005. As of the beginning of 2008, 181 waterpark resorts were open. A 25.7% increase from 2006.[5]
On June 6, 2010 around 2:17am EST a EF2 tornado struck the area of Dundee, MI doing major damage to Cabela's, Splash Universe Waterpark, and restaurants in the area. There were no major injuries but there are reports of major damage to the village.