Ask any child what he wants to do on vacation, and you'll hear one answer more than any other: swim! So it's no wonder indoor water-park resorts have become one of the hottest new travel trends. We're not talking about two-turn slides like the one at the town pool. These places are full-fledged water fantasy lands: Consistently around 82 degrees, with a zero percent chance of rain, they're fail-proof all year. Check out what you need to know to make the most of your visit:

1. Surf before you book: Discounts are common on resort websites year-round.

2. Think about the day of the week you'll check in: The crowds swell on weekends and on school holidays.

3. Try hitting the slides first thing in the morning, then bolting in the midafternoon, the craziest time of day. Head for the park again when everyone else is at dinner to take advantage of the late hours. All stay open until at least 8 p.m., some until 10 p.m.

4. Agree on a meeting spot with your kids in case someone gets lost. (The twisty-turny nature of the structures, coupled with the blast they're having, means it's easy to get disoriented.)

You're sure to have an escape to remember at these destinations...

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