MAKING A SPLASH: At North Conway's Red Jacket Resort, it's all about the kids

WET AND WILD: A mother and daughter slide down one of the body raft slides at Kahuna Laguna Waterpark at the Red Jacket Resort in North Conway. (Courtesy photo)

NORTH CONWAY - Whether you're walking around the Red Jacket Mountain View Resort's Kahuna Laguna waterpark, its large arcade room or during a children's activity in a family space adjacent the lobby, there's one refrain you'll often overhear from youngster to parent.
"Hey mom, I really like this place," or "Hey dad, when can we come again?"
That's because there's nothing like a water park to get kids excited.

Crowds on Monday were reasonable and wait times short on the slides. (Rochester Voice photo)

And this 40,000-square-foot behemoth of fun is a delight for even smaller children, explained Red Jacket Inn General Manager Derek Vance.
"We have four slides in the waterpark: two are bodyslides, and the other two have rafts for family enjoyment," he said. "The raft rides allow smaller children to experience the slides on property in tandem tubes with a parent present."
If a child is between 42 and 48 inches they can go on the tandem raft ride with a parent. If they're more than 48 inches they can go down a regular waterslide by themselves.
I found the "red" raft

The white water slide at left will give you a wild ride that dumps you unceremoniously into the receiving pool. The closed purple slide to its right ... I didn't even try. (Rochester Voice photo)

slide a serene, undulating journey with a gentle splash. Trust me, the nonraft waterslides are not serene, but the kids do love them.
And the Red Jacket Inn is all about the kids.
From the largest waterpark in New England to plenty of family friendly activities planned each and every day, you can have a fabulous time and never leave the property, Vance noted.
Among today's activities for instance is a campfire, cookie decorating, pictures with Keeko the clown, the waterpark mascot; a Kahuna Laguna "Foam Party" and a Wedding Show (for parents).
Other regularly scheduled events include bead bracelet making, family charades and dance parties for everyone.
Vance said he's focused on making sure families have plenty of fun things to do - all day long if they choose - while they're at the resort.

PIZZA BY THE POOL: if you're looking for a pizza for the kids and a beer for you this is where you get it just steps from the Kahuna Laguna Waterpark. (Rochester Voice photo)

There's several food options at the Red Jacket, including a snack bar by the waterpark, Champney's restaurant which is open for breakfast and dinner, White Mountain Pizzeria, and Palmer's Restaurant, where we had dinner both nights.
We found Palmer's Restaurant very reasonable for an onsite resort eatery, with a small plate grilled chicken salad going for just $11, but judging by the amount of pizza boxes traversing the lobby area, I'd say White Mountain Pizzeria does a brisk business.
And like I said, this is

A mother and child enjoy making bead bracelets during one of the daily activities at the Red Jacket Resort. (The Rochester Voice photo)

all about the kids and what kid doesn't like pizza.
For more info on the Red Jacket Mountain View Resort click here.