A ship is set to sail after a more than 40-year expedition at one of the nation’s largest water parks along Colorado’s Front Range.

Water World amasses over 50 water slides on 70 acres of land. The Federal Heights water park, a part of the Hyland Hills Parks and Recreation District, opened in 1979.

And one of its early day attractions is about to depart this weekend.

Water World is retiring Calypso Cove, along with its four water attractions, after a 40-plus-year run: Screamin’ Mimi, Tortuga Run, Pirates Plunge and Wally World.

However, as we grieve the loss of beloved and nostalgic attractions, Water World’s future is now soaked in speculation. A wooden crate, currently sitting outside Calypso Cove, reads: “deliver to Water World, open summer 2026.”

While announcing Calypso Cove’s farewell, Water World officials hinted something big is coming next year. Officials said the water park doesn’t plan on announcing the next attraction/amenities package until at least the fall.

“Calypso Cove will be retired and re-imagined to make way for an exciting new chapter at Water World,” Water World officials said in its Calypso Cove closing announcement. “These changes will bring fresh attractions and modern amenities that will better serve families, groups and guests of all ages for years to come.”

For more than four decades, the pirate-themed area created many summer childhood memories for locals. Some even remember the park for one’s first-ever water slide, or for its legendary belly flop contest.

When we look at Water World today, it already boasts world-class water slides — including Voyage to the Center of the Earth, The Storm, the Mile High Flyer water coaster and Lost River of the Pharaohs.

So, if Water World indeed seeks something “fresh” and “modern” to replace a beloved attraction, I’ll offer a couple ideas — from most likely to most ambitious.

Variety slide, amenity complex

When a beloved and nostalgic attraction is replaced, the expectation needs to be something bigger, something that honors the past, but embraces the future.

With a kids/family attraction gone, a similar attraction will likely replace it.

Ideally, maybe a giant water bucket slide complex. Or even a set of modern, sensory-friendly attractions anyone can use. Perhaps a new swimming pool where the belly flop competition can still be held.

Maybe new concession offerings and more places to sit. I’ll say it again: Water World needs more places to sit.

Water World needs crowd control

Water World typically experiences large crowds, a result of being a world-class water park located in the dry, Colorado summer heat.

That said, my recommendation is to install a water playground that can accommodate larger crowds, especially groups and families. Some slides already experience over 60-minute wait times.

If a slide complex is built for families, with activities, water shooters or interactive games — it’ll draw groups to that area.

The crate now sitting outside Calypso Cove said its contents are “top secret.”

Usually that hints at a themed attraction site, an area like Calypso Cove, but something more modern and, all the likely, more innovative.

Ideas from that include a futurist themed-area geared to families, a body slide complex that includes a trap-door looped slide, or maybe a mountain-themed area to match its Rocky Mountain environment.

Dream scenarios for Water World

For the sake of speculation, let’s get ambitious.

An ideal addition would be more body slides, because that’s what Water World lacks, beside its already tall-and-daunting drop slides.

With Tortuga Run gone, then perhaps another casual, raft-type water slide for families can replace it — even though Water World already has enough.

A possible pie-in-the-sky idea worth a mention is what’s called a SlideWheel, a Ferris Wheel take on a water slide. Only four of them in the world exist: Poland, Qatar, China and one in the Wisconsin Dells.

If Water World wants to draw crowds from across the country, that’s the type of attraction worth investing in.

Another idea is to transform the entire area into its own destination spot. More cabanas, maybe a beach destination advertised in the Rock Mountains, or an upgraded or reimagined Calypso Cove.

Regardless of what happens, Calypso Cove must always, in spirit at least, live on.

Visitors can experience Calypso Cove for a final time this weekend, with a farewell ceremony scheduled from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. The ceremony is included with a daily ticket or pass.

Denver Gazette reporter Noah Festenstein covers Douglas County and is an avid roller coaster and amusement park aficionado.