The newly-opened Schlitterbahn Beach Resort and Indoor Waterpark and the neighboring outdoor Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark on South Padre Island, Texas, will be joined together this summer by a themed water transportation system unlike anything ever built before.

A longtime leader in innovative waterpark attractions, Schlitterbahn's Jeff Henry unveiled the start of construction on a new water transportation system that will take riders between the existing waterpark and the new resort and indoor waterpark via a series of slides, rivers and conveyors.

Guests will board four-person rafts at either of two loading stations – one at the outdoor waterpark and the other at the nearby indoor waterpark – then drop nearly 25 feet into a 380ft-long underground cavern filled with fog, sound and lighting effects.

A conveyor system will then return guests to ground level and their destination.

"It would have been far easier to build a simple walk-through underground tunnel to connect our two great facilities, but that's not the way Schlitterbahn does things," Henry said. "Our guests expect world class waterpark fun and we deliver by keeping them entertained even as they move from one section of our property to another."

"During the summer season," added Jimmy Hawkinson, general manager of Schlitterbahn Beach, "outdoor waterpark guests will be able to enjoy the great attractions of our new indoor waterpark including two thrilling 70ft-tall water slides, two tidal wave rivers, a kids' area with several slides, a giant heated pool with swim-up refreshments, several beaches, great dining and a carousel in addition to all the exciting attractions of our original waterpark. It will truly be two waterparks for one admission."

The all-new 221-room Schlitterbahn Beach Resort and heated indoor waterpark are open year round. Schlitterbahn's outdoor waterpark will open for the 2013 season on April 20.