Looks like two planned waterparks in Panama City Beach are closer to becoming reality.

The first new park will be 7.7 acres and will be located in the Grand Panama Beach Resort (between Front Beach and Middle Beach, near Edgewater) and just won final approval from the City Council. No word yet on when construction will begin.

The second new park will be on 13.5 acres near Clara Avenue and will be called Emerald Coast Waterpark. Plans include multiple slides, a lazy river ride, a wave pool, standing wave for surfing, and possibly a ferris wheel and roller coaster.

Neither of these parks is actually "new" news... but so many zoning issues and plan approvals and concerns from nearby residents have to be dealt with, it can take forever to get started. However, it looks like both parks are close to being reality.

Shipwreck Island Waterpark is still our favorite. Great rides, super polite staff and upgrades every year (like sprinklers keeping the sidewalks from getting so hot they scorch your feet) make Shipwreck top-notch in my book. Shipwreck has set the standard very high - the new parks will have to reaqlly be on top of their game to compete!

Here's additional info:
Beach council approves new water park | beach, panama, approves - News - The News Herald
wmbb.com - New Waterpark Planned For PCB