Maui Jack's Waterpark - Chincoteague, VA

We went to Maui Jacks today, August 30th. Upfront, my daughter is exactly 48 inches tall. As we were checking in, I made a point of explaining to my daughter that she was right at the edge of being tall enough to do the slides and may not be allowed. For this reason, we asked the manager while doing bag checks to measure her, and said, “she’s good to go.” My daughter probably did one of the water slides (the other was turned off for some reason) 50 times over two hours. After the third or fourth lifeguard rotation, the newest guard measured her and said she was too short. How exactly did my daughter shrink? She is 6 years old and was very upset and crying. I brought this issue to the manager–the same one from two hours earlier–who chose to dig in and say my sobbing daughter was too short and that she had to be taller than the 48inch surfboard even though just two hours earlier she was tall enough and none of the other lifeguards had any issue. My wife, daughter (still weeping), and I were so furious that rather than staying and risk another potentially explosive encounter we departed. Prior to this incident were were very happy and having a good time.

We went to Maui Jacks today, August 30th. Upfront, my daughter is exactly 48 inches tall. As we were checking in, I made a point of explaining to my daughter that she was right at the edge of being tall enough to do the slides and may not be allowed. For this reason, we asked the manager while doing bag checks to measure her, and said, “she’s good to go.” My daughter probably did one of the water slides (the other was turned off for some reason) 50 times over two hours. After the third or fourth lifeguard rotation, the newest guard measured her and said she was too short. How exactly did my daughter shrink? She is 6 years old and was very upset and crying. I brought this issue to the manager–the same one from two hours earlier–who chose to dig in and say my sobbing daughter was too short and that she had to be taller than the 48inch surfboard even though just two hours earlier she was tall enough and none of the other lifeguards had any issue. My wife, daughter (still weeping), and I were so furious that rather than staying and risk another potentially explosive encounter we departed. Prior to this incident were were very happy and having a good time.

We went to Maui Jacks today, August 30th. Upfront, my daughter is exactly 48 inches tall. As we were checking in, I made a point of explaining to my daughter that she was right at the edge of being tall enough to do the slides and may not be allowed. For this reason, we asked the manager while doing bag checks to measure her, and said, “she’s good to go.” My daughter probably did one of the water slides (the other was turned off for some reason) 50 times over two hours. After the third or fourth lifeguard rotation, the newest guard measured her and said she was too short. How exactly did my daughter shrinkNULL She is 6 years old and was very upset and crying. I brought this issue to the manager–the same one from two hours earlier–who chose to dig in and say my sobbing daughter was too short and that she had to be taller than the 48inch surfboard even though just two hours earlier she was tall enough and none of the other lifeguards had any issue. My wife, daughter (still weeping), and I were so furious that rather than staying and risk another potentially explosive encounter we departed. Prior to this incident were were very happy and having a good time.

As someone who witnessed this situation, it honestly left a bad impression.

It started off with what should have been a minor issue — a guest quietly having a small bag of Goldfish crackers while sitting down. The staff member, who had a noticeable Russian accent, approached and told them that outside food wasn’t allowed. The guest handled it respectfully, putting the snack away without any argument. But then, the staff member insisted they hand over the snack, which felt a bit much, especially considering it wasn’t causing any mess or disruption. Still, the guest complied and politely asked if they could get it back on their way out. The staff member said yes.

Fast forward to later — as we were leaving the park, we caught that same staff member eating the bag of Goldfish. It was clear he had no intention of returning it. He didn’t try to hide it or explain — he just looked at us and smiled. While it may seem like a small thing, it felt incredibly unprofessional and honestly a little disrespectful, especially since he had given his word.

Watching it unfold, it left me with a bad feeling. The situation could’ve been handled with simple courtesy, and instead it felt like a power trip over something that didn’t need to become an issue. It’s not about the snack—it’s about the way a guest was treated. Staff should be held to a higher standard when it comes to respecting park visitors, especially younger ones. This kind of behavior definitely tainted what could have been a really positive experience

As someone who witnessed this situation, it honestly left a bad impression.

It started off with what should have been a minor issue — a guest quietly having a small bag of Goldfish crackers while sitting down. The staff member, who had a noticeable Russian accent, approached and told them that outside food wasn’t allowed. The guest handled it respectfully, putting the snack away without any argument. But then, the staff member insisted they hand over the snack, which felt a bit much, especially considering it wasn’t causing any mess or disruption. Still, the guest complied and politely asked if they could get it back on their way out. The staff member said yes.

Fast forward to later — as we were leaving the park, we caught that same staff member eating the bag of Goldfish. It was clear he had no intention of returning it. He didn’t try to hide it or explain — he just looked at us and smiled. While it may seem like a small thing, it felt incredibly unprofessional and honestly a little disrespectful, especially since he had given his word.

Watching it unfold, it left me with a bad feeling. The situation could’ve been handled with simple courtesy, and instead it felt like a power trip over something that didn’t need to become an issue. It’s not about the snack—it’s about the way a guest was treated. Staff should be held to a higher standard when it comes to respecting park visitors, especially younger ones. This kind of behavior definitely tainted what could have been a really positive experience

As someone who witnessed this situation, it honestly left a bad impression.

It started off with what should have been a minor issue — a guest quietly having a small bag of Goldfish crackers while sitting down. The staff member, who had a noticeable Russian accent, approached and told them that outside food wasn’t allowed. The guest handled it respectfully, putting the snack away without any argument. But then, the staff member insisted they hand over the snack, which felt a bit much, especially considering it wasn’t causing any mess or disruption. Still, the guest complied and politely asked if they could get it back on their way out. The staff member said yes.

Fast forward to later — as we were leaving the park, we caught that same staff member eating the bag of Goldfish. It was clear he had no intention of returning it. He didn’t try to hide it or explain — he just looked at us and smiled. While it may seem like a small thing, it felt incredibly unprofessional and honestly a little disrespectful, especially since he had given his word.

Watching it unfold, it left me with a bad feeling. The situation could’ve been handled with simple courtesy, and instead it felt like a power trip over something that didn’t need to become an issue. It’s not about the snack—it’s about the way a guest was treated. Staff should be held to a higher standard when it comes to respecting park visitors, especially younger ones. This kind of behavior definitely tainted what could have been a really positive experience

This was my first time visiting Maui Jack’s Water Park, and while the park itself was enjoyable, my experience was negatively affected by an interaction with a staff member. I had biked from the beach house my parents rented and brought a small bag of Goldfish crackers as a snack for when I wasn’t in the water.

While sitting down, a staff member with a Russian accent approached me and abruptly told me that outside food and drinks weren’t allowed. I politely put the snack away, but he insisted I hand it over to him. I respectfully complied but asked if I could retrieve it on my way out. He agreed.

However, when I left the park, I saw the same staff member eating my Goldfish. He looked at me, smiled, and told me I couldn’t have them back—even though he had previously said I could. While I wouldn’t have wanted the snack back after that, the way it was handled felt very disrespectful and unprofessional, especially toward a young guest.

This interaction really soured an otherwise good day. I hope management sees this and encourages their staff to handle situations with more maturity and courtesy in the future.

This was my first time visiting Maui Jack’s Water Park, and while the park itself was enjoyable, my experience was negatively affected by an interaction with a staff member. I had biked from the beach house my parents rented and brought a small bag of Goldfish crackers as a snack for when I wasn’t in the water.

While sitting down, a staff member with a Russian accent approached me and abruptly told me that outside food and drinks weren’t allowed. I politely put the snack away, but he insisted I hand it over to him. I respectfully complied but asked if I could retrieve it on my way out. He agreed.

However, when I left the park, I saw the same staff member eating my Goldfish. He looked at me, smiled, and told me I couldn’t have them back—even though he had previously said I could. While I wouldn’t have wanted the snack back after that, the way it was handled felt very disrespectful and unprofessional, especially toward a young guest.

This interaction really soured an otherwise good day. I hope management sees this and encourages their staff to handle situations with more maturity and courtesy in the future.

This was my first time visiting Maui Jack’s Water Park, and while the park itself was enjoyable, my experience was negatively affected by an interaction with a staff member. I had biked from the beach house my parents rented and brought a small bag of Goldfish crackers as a snack for when I wasn’t in the water.

While sitting down, a staff member with a Russian accent approached me and abruptly told me that outside food and drinks weren’t allowed. I politely put the snack away, but he insisted I hand it over to him. I respectfully complied but asked if I could retrieve it on my way out. He agreed.

However, when I left the park, I saw the same staff member eating my Goldfish. He looked at me, smiled, and told me I couldn’t have them back—even though he had previously said I could. While I wouldn’t have wanted the snack back after that, the way it was handled felt very disrespectful and unprofessional, especially toward a young guest.

This interaction really soured an otherwise good day. I hope management sees this and encourages their staff to handle situations with more maturity and courtesy in the future.

Maui Jacks is “okay” in my opinion, we rent a cabana every year due to the lack of shade spots. The price of a cabana is ?. The shape of these cabana’s are getting pretty poor, there is mold spots on the tent parts, the sides you’re supposed to be able to close are held together with velcro and that doesn’t work. The park itself is pretty cool, but the cabana situation needs fixed. Looks like many years of neglecting.