"With gas prices being the way they are and Dothan having a lot of facilities to offer, it’s great" says Jay Bruner, a Headland Resident.

A trip to the beach seems like a good way to celebrate the holiday but it can be expensive.

In order to save money, some families are sticking around Dothan this Independence Day and several businesses are hoping to make up for lost times.

"Memorial Day was not a good day for us. You know it was raining, it rained about the whole month of May, and so we did not get a good start" said Robin Patrick, General Manager of Water World

Nearby residents are hitting Water World instead of the coast.

"We travel about 8 miles down the road- about 10 minutes" says Bruner.

"I think that I am lucky that I don't have to travel so far" says Jonathan Strickland, a Dothan Resident.

"It’s sort of like the beach, but there are no sharks or fish in there" says Jacob Bruner, a Water World Visitor.

But then there are those who want to leave there hometowns but not go the extra few miles to the beach.

"We have had calls from Montgomery, Mississippi, and Birmingham" says Patrick.

Water World is just a starting point. Visitors will need a place to eat and a place to stay.

"I get a lot of calls from people asking me where the closest hotel is, where the closest Campground or RV Park is, so I know that people are spending the night in Dothan" says Patrick.

"We spend our money on gas of course, and we do like to stop and try different eateries and things. Dothan, Eufaula, Headland and other places in the Wiregrass give you a lot of opportunities to do that" says Bruner.

Places like Adventure Land, Fun Zone, and even the local cinemas are also expecting a big 4th of July weekend.

Many are asking about the holiday hours for Water World this weekend.

The park is open from 10 to 7 on Saturday and 12 to 7 on Sunday.