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{{Short description|Former water park in Orlando}}
{{Infobox Amusement park
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2017}}
| name = Wet 'n Wild - Orlando
{{Infobox water park
| image = [[Image:WetnWildOrlandoLogo.jpg]]
| caption = Wet 'n Wild Logo
| name = Wet 'n Wild Orlando
| logo = Wet 'n Wild Orlando logo.svg
| location = [[Orlando, Florida]]<br />[[United States]]{{flagicon|USA}}
| coordinates =
| logo_caption =
| homepage = [http://www.wetnwildorlando.com Wet 'n Wild - Orlando]
| resort = [[Universal Orlando|Universal Orlando Resort]]
| location = [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]]
| owner = [[NBC Universal]] ([[General Electric]])
| location2 = [[Florida]]
| general_manager =
| opening_date = 1977
| location3 = U.S.
| coordinates = {{Coord|28.460943|-81.464841|display=inline,title}}
| owner = [[NBCUniversal]] ([[Comcast]])
| general_manager =
| opening_date = {{Start date and age|1977|3|13}}
| closing_date = {{End date and age|2017|1|1}}
| previous_names = Wet n' Wild FunPark
| previous_names = Wet n' Wild FunPark
| season = Open All Year
| season = Open all year long (water heated in winter)
| area = 30 acres
| area = {{convert|30|acre|m2}}
| rides = 17
| pools = 1
| slides = 17
| slogan = "The Recognized Name in Family Water Fun!"
| slogan = "The Recognized Name in Family Water Fun!"
| status = Defunct
}}
}}
{{Orlando Universal}}
'''Wet 'n Wild - Orlando''' is one of two parks within the [[Wet 'n Wild]] chain, the other being in Greensboro, NC. It was founded by [[SeaWorld]] creator [[George Millay]] in [[Orlando, Florida]] in 1977. It is considered the first major water park in the United States, and Millay was given the first ever Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Waterpark Association who named him the official "Father of the Waterpark."


'''Wet 'n Wild Orlando''' was the flagship [[water park]] of [[Wet 'n Wild (brand)|Wet 'n Wild]] owned by [[NBC Universal]], located on International Drive in [[Orlando, Florida]]. It was founded in 1977 by [[SeaWorld]] creator [[George Millay]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Wet n Wild, Americas First Water Park closing|url=http://www.hngn.com/articles/102093/20150618/wet-n-wild-orlando-closing-america-s-first-water-park-to-close-in-2016.htm|access-date=9 August 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823013702/http://www.hngn.com/articles/102093/20150618/wet-n-wild-orlando-closing-america-s-first-water-park-to-close-in-2016.htm|archive-date=August 23, 2016}}</ref> It closed on January 1, 2017.
==Rides==
===Thrill rides===
*'''The Storm''' - You push yourself down into a steep tunnel that sends you flying down extremely fast into a giant bowl that sends you spinning around with mist surrounding as you drop into the pool below.
[[Image:WetandWildOrlando.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Wet 'n Wild [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]]. Mach 5 is shown.]]
*'''Mach 5''' - Grab a mat and walk your way up a long winding tower to the top where you have three slides to choose from. When told by the lifeguard at top, push yourself down the ride of a twisting, turning, head-first flumes that fall 1,700 feet over three different courses.
*'''Der Stuka''' - Push yourself down a six-story speed slide that sends you flying down a 250-foot, nearly vertical drop that transitions to a 115-foot water runway.
*'''Bomb Bay''' - The ride for all dare devils is right here. Go inside this rocket with heart beat affects waiting there not knowing when the trap door that sends you down a 76-foot, nearly vertical slide drops you to the depths below.
*'''Knee Ski''' - A cable-operated ski lets you kneeboard like a pro around a half-mile long lake.
*'''Wake Skating''' - Everyone from beginner to expert can show their stuff on the WakeZone Cableway.
*'''The Wild One''' - Two people are pulled by a Jet Ski around the lake on big, bouncy tubes that make for a wild ride.


==History==
===Multi-person rides===
*'''Disco H2O''' - Start off in a tube traveling through a dark tunnel that sends you down a huge drop, and before you know it you find yourself traveling around a room filled with disco music and disco lights, as you go down this mini drop with water shooting in your face from the waterfall.
*'''The Surge''' - A 5-story tube ride that carries a 4-passenger tube down 600 feet of banked turns, radical twists and diabolical dips.
*'''Bubba Tub''' - Grab the family and climb aboard one of the four-passenger tubes for a six-story, triple dip drop ride.
*'''The Black Hole''' - 1000 gallons a minute sends a two-person tube rocketing through 500-feet of twisting, turning darkness on this space-age thrill ride. The Black Hole currently reopened under the moniker "The Black Hole: The Next Generation" and now features more light effects, fog, and an updated ride boarding area.
*'''The Flyer''' - Travel around in a 4-person raft that sends you on on an exciting, family-fun ride that covers 450 feet of hairpin turns and banked curves.
*'''The Blast''' - Take a raging ride along a raptured pipeline that will thrill you to the core and soak you to the bone.
*'''Brain Wash''' - This is Wet 'n Wild - Orlando's newest attraction. This changes everything – a 60-foot plunge that will cleanse your mind and send you climbing the walls of a gigantic mind-numbing funnel! You will emerge refreshed and happy. You will emerge a better person. You will emerge wanting to ride it again and again. Brain Wash – it’s not just an exciting new ride. "It’s a thrilling new state of mind". Riders must be at least 48" tall.


===Kids rides===
===Development and ownership===
While developing SeaWorld, George Millay realized the need for a water park, later recalling "being in Florida, with all its heat and hot sun, you naturally think about cooling off in water". In the mid-1970s, he directed his time and money towards the project. The idea stemmed from the [[splash pad]] at [[Ontario Place (theme park)|Ontario Place]] in [[Canada]] and the [[wave pool]] at [[Point Mallard Park]] in [[Alabama]]. His desire was to combine these two elements and build upon it in order to achieve a good [[return on investment]]. Due to his prior success with SeaWorld, he was able to form a team of investors to fund the project.<ref name=Millay>{{cite journal|last=O'Brien|first=Tim|title=George Millay: From Sea World to Wet'n Wild, the father of the modern waterpark has definitely made a splash|journal=Amusement Business|date=November 16, 1998|volume=110|issue=46|page=19}}</ref>
*'''Bubble Up''' - A huge, wet inflatable bubble made just for kids who climb, bounce, and slide into three feet of water.
*'''Kid's Park''' - You'll find miniature versions of a lot of the rides and a gigantic bucket that periodically fills with water and splashes into the pool below.


The park opened in [[Orlando, Florida]] on March 13, 1977. Although it opened to rain and suffered a $600,000 loss in its first year of operation, Millay kept it open. He later claimed it "started making money the second year and never looked back".<ref name=Millay /> The success of the park spawned several other [[Wet 'n Wild (brand)|Wet 'n Wild-branded]] parks across the Americas.<ref name="AB Wet'n Wild">{{cite journal|last=Guier|first=Cindy Stooksbury|title=Wet'n Wild|journal=Amusement Business|date=November 16, 1998|volume=110|issue=46|page=23}}</ref><ref name="Waterpark officials address variety of industry concerns">{{cite journal|last=O'Brien|first=Tim|title=Waterpark officials address variety of industry concerns|journal=Amusement Business|date=October 8, 2001|volume=113|issue=40|pages=18–19}}</ref>
===Other activities===
*'''Lazy River''' - The Lazy River is a stream that goes around surrounded by beautiful trees and flowers with old boat docks, rustic billboards, and waterfalls. Tubes are available for rent if you want them, but it is optional.
*'''Wave Pool Surf Lagoon''' - The Wave Pool Surf Lagoon contains four-foot waves that roll across the 17,000 square foot pool, surrounded by comfortable seating and punctuated by a dramatic waterfall. Like the Lazy River, you may rent a tube if you wish.
*'''Volleyball''' - There are two volleyball nets open to anyone that wants to start a game on regulation-size volleyball courts on beach sand.


In 1998, Millay sold off his interests in his parks. The Orlando location was purchased by [[Universal Parks & Resorts|Universal Studios Recreation Group]], who continued to lease the land on which it is located.<ref name="Universal dives into waterparks industry">{{cite journal|last=Zoltak|first=James|title=Universal dives into waterparks industry|journal=Amusement Business|date=October 12, 1998|volume=110|issue=41|page=1}}</ref> In mid-2013, Universal purchased the {{Convert|50|acre}} of land for $30.9 million.<ref name="Universal Orlando buys Wet 'n Wild land">{{cite news|title=Universal Orlando buys Wet 'n Wild land|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2013/06/27/universal-orlando-buys-wet-n-wild-land/|access-date=January 6, 2014|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|date=June 27, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131118204054/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-06-27/news/os-universal-buys-wet-n-wild-land-20130627_1_universal-orlando-nbc-universal-steve-burke|archive-date=November 18, 2013}}</ref>
==Incidents at Wet 'n Wild - Orlando==

===Shooting===
===Expansion and later years===
On April 13, 2008, a shooting occurred in the Wet 'n Wild - Orlando parking lot which left two brothers in the hospital with gunshot injuries to the face and leg.<ref>http://www.myfoxorlando.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=6295340&version=7&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1</ref>
[[File:Brain Wash 9.jpg|thumb|Brain Wash]]
In 1998, the Hydra Fighter was added to the park.<ref name="New ride, promos keep Wet 'n Wild at the top of waterpark industry">{{cite journal|last=Powell|first=Tom|title=New ride, promos keep Wet 'n Wild at the top of waterpark industry|journal=Amusement Business|date=July 6, 1998|volume=110|issue=27|page=13}}</ref> Riders were able to control their suspended gondola through the use of high-powered water guns.<ref name="Hydra Fighter Makes Splash">{{cite news|last=Thomas|first=Rebecca|title=Hydra Fighter Makes Splash|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1998/04/10/hydra-fighter-makes-splash/|access-date=January 6, 2014|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|date=April 10, 1998|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106034451/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1998-04-10/entertainment/9804100722_1_wet-hydra-water-combat|archive-date=January 6, 2014}}</ref>

In 2000, the park renovated their Kids Park children's area. The original aviation theme was converted into a sandcastle theme. The renovation saw three [[ProSlide Technology]] "Kidz" slides added as well as a castle with a tipping bucket which dumped {{Convert|250|USgal}} of water every three-and-a-half minutes. With the exception of the three slides, it was manufactured entirely by Integrity Attractions.<ref name="Orlando Waterpark plans to let kids get 'Wild'">{{cite journal|last=O'Brien|first=Tim|title=Orlando Waterpark plans to let kids get 'Wild'|journal=Amusement Business|date=March 18, 2002|volume=114|issue=11|page=6}}</ref><ref name="M&S April02">{{cite journal|last=Mooradian|first=Don|title=M&S news|journal=Amusement Business|date=April 8, 2002|volume=114|issue=14|page=4}}</ref>

In 2001, the park began a multi-year expansion plan with Canadian manufacturer ProSlide Technology.<ref name="Riley talks 'Circle of Life' at WWA confab">{{cite journal|last=O'Brien|first=Tim|title=Riley talks 'Circle of Life' at WWA confab|journal=Amusement Business|date=October 29, 2001|volume=113|issue=43|page=21}}</ref> It added The Storm, a pair of [[Water slide#Bowl|ProBowls]], in 2001;<ref name="Parks & fairs: Tourism season bodes well">{{cite journal|last=Zoltak|first=James|title=Parks & fairs: Tourism season bodes well|journal=Amusement Business|date=April 2, 2001|volume=113|issue=13|pages=21–22}}</ref><ref name="Parkz Storm">{{Parkz|ride_name=The Storm|location=Wet 'n Wild Orlando|parkz_number=711|accessdate=January 6, 2014}}</ref> The Blast, an [[Water slide#Inline tube slides|inline tube slide]], in 2003;<ref name="Watery Fun At Full Blast" /> Disco H2O, an enclosed [[Water slide#Bowl|Behemoth Bowl]], in 2005;<ref name="Waterparks catch a nice wave">{{cite journal|last=Barbieri|first=Kelly|title=Waterparks catch a nice wave|journal=Amusement Business|date=January 2006|volume=118|issue=3|page=12}}</ref><ref name="Parkz Disco H2O">{{Parkz|ride_name=Disco H2O|location=Wet 'n Wild Orlando|parkz_number=717|accessdate=January 6, 2014}}</ref> and Brain Wash, an enclosed [[ProSlide Tornado|Tornado]], in 2008.<ref name="It's playtime at Wet 'n Wild's Blastaway Beach" /><ref name="Parkz Brain Wash">{{Parkz|ride_name=Brain Wash|location=Wet 'n Wild Orlando|parkz_number=712|accessdate=January 5, 2014}}</ref>

In 2011, the Kids Park was demolished and was replaced by Blastaway Beach, a larger children's water play area that opened in 2012, also themed around sandcastles.<ref name="It's playtime at Wet 'n Wild's Blastaway Beach">{{cite news|last=Bevil|first=Dewayne|title=It's playtime at Wet 'n Wild's Blastaway Beach|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2012/06/07/its-playtime-at-wet-n-wilds-blastaway-beach/|access-date=January 5, 2014|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|date=June 7, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106034530/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-06-07/travel/os-wet-n-wild-blastaway-beach-20120607_1_water-play-area-sand-castle-brain-wash|archive-date=January 6, 2014}}</ref>

In 2014, the Bubba Tub was removed and replaced with the Aqua Drag Racer, a four-lane race slide.

On June 17, 2015, it was confirmed that the park would close on December 31, 2016, to be replaced by a new water park, [[Volcano Bay|Universal Volcano Bay]], which opened across the site on May 25, 2017.<ref>{{cite news|title=Thank You to All Our Fans for Decades of Wet 'N Wild Orlando|url=http://blog.universalorlando.com/whats-new/wet-n-wild-orlando-closing/|access-date=June 17, 2015|newspaper=Universal Orlando Blog|date=June 17, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622203113/http://blog.universalorlando.com/whats-new/wet-n-wild-orlando-closing/|archive-date=June 22, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Universal's Volcano Bay Water Theme Park – complete guide and history|url=https://orlandoinformer.com/universal/volcano-bay-water-theme-park/|access-date=2022-02-24|website=Orlando Informer|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Bevil|first1=Dewayne|title=Universal closing Wet 'n Wild Orlando at the end of 2016|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-blog/os-wet-n-wild-closing-universal-2016-20150617-post.html|access-date=July 6, 2015|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=June 17, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706100359/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-blog/os-wet-n-wild-closing-universal-2016-20150617-post.html|archive-date=July 6, 2015}}</ref> The park permanently closed on January 1, 2017, and was demolished in early 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wet 'n Wild demolition will cost $3 million, what replaces it is anyone's guess |url=https://www.orlandoweekly.com/orlando/wet-n-wild-demolition-will-cost-3-million-what-replaces-it-is-anyones-guess/Content?oid=2561228|publisher=Orlando Weekly|date=February 7, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Universal Orlando starts demolition of shuttered Wet 'n Wild|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2017/03/16/universal-orlando-starts-demolition-of-shuttered.html|publisher=Orlando Business Journal|date=March 16, 2017}}</ref>

The former site of Wet N' Wild is currently occupied by [[Universal's Endless Summer Resort]] which opened in June 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando's Endless Summer Resort|date=October 14, 2019 |url=https://theunofficialguides.com/2019/10/14/the-unofficial-guide-to-universal-orlandos-endless-summer-resort/|publisher=The Unofficial Guide}}</ref>

===Attendance===
The park was the most-attended water park in the United States until 1999, when [[Walt Disney World|Walt Disney World Resort]]'s [[Typhoon Lagoon]] and [[Blizzard Beach]] surpassed it.<ref name="Universal dives into waterparks industry" /><ref>{{cite journal|last=O'Brien|first=Tim|title=Waterparks growth rate leads industry|journal=Amusement Business|date=November 6, 2000|volume=112|issue=45|pages=1, 20}}</ref> At the time, it was averaging around 1.3 million visitors for several years.<ref name="AB Wet'n Wild" /><ref name="Ogden Corp. purchases Wet'n Wild">{{cite journal|last=O'Brien|first=Tim|title=Ogden Corp. purchases Wet'n Wild|journal=Amusement Business|date=March 15, 1999|volume=111|issue=11|page=1}}</ref>

==Attractions==
===Final attractions===
[[File:Wet n Wild Orlando - The Storm 1.jpg|thumb|The Storm]]
[[File:Disco H2O 2.jpg|thumb|Disco H2O]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Name !! Type !! Manufacturer !! Opened !! Notes !! class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| Aqua Drag Racer || Four racing mat slides || ProSlide || 2014 || Replaced the Bubba Tub. It only operated for two years when the park closed in 2016. ||
|-
| Black Hole || Two enclosed [[Water slide#Inline tube slides|inline tube slides]] || WhiteWater West|| 1990 || Replaced the original Corkscrew || <ref name="Black Hole Water Slide Makes Debut At Wet 'n Wild">{{cite news|last=Weiss|first=Devi|title=Black Hole Water Slide Makes Debut At Wet 'n Wild|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1990/02/16/black-hole-water-slide-makes-debut-at-wet-n-wild/|access-date=January 7, 2014|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|date=February 16, 1990|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108012242/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1990-02-16/entertainment/9002153415_1_rawling-village-marketplace-disney-mgm-studios-theme|archive-date=January 8, 2014}}</ref>
|-
| Blastaway Beach || Children's area || ProSlide || 2012 || Replaced the Kids Park. || <ref name="ProSlide ride list">{{cite web|title=Rides on Every Continent|url=http://www.proslide.com/rides-on-every-continent/|publisher=ProSlide Technology|access-date=January 8, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104232817/http://www.proslide.com/rides-on-every-continent/|archive-date=January 4, 2014}}</ref>
|-
| {{Sort|Blast, The|The Blast}} || [[Water slide#Inline tube slides|Inline tube slide]] || ProSlide || 2003 || Replaced Raging Rapids. || <ref name="Watery Fun At Full Blast">{{cite news|last=Swain Vadnie|first=Rebecca|title=Watery Fun At Full Blast|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2003/04/25/watery-fun-at-full-blast/|access-date=January 7, 2014|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|date=April 25, 2003|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108012110/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2003-04-25/entertainment/0304240405_1_blast-water-rides-wild-ride|archive-date=January 8, 2014}}</ref>
|-
| {{Sort|Bomb Bay, The|The Bomb Bay}} || Freefall body slide ||WhiteWater West (base slide)/Universal Creative (trapdoor)
|2001
| || <ref>{{Parkz|ride_name=The Bomb Bay|location=Wet 'n Wild Orlando|parkz_number=713|accessdate=January 7, 2014}}</ref>
|-
| Brain Wash || [[ProSlide Tornado|Enclosed Tornado]] || ProSlide || 2008 || Replaced the Hydra Fighter and Hydra-Maniac/Blue Niagara. || <ref name="It's playtime at Wet 'n Wild's Blastaway Beach" /><ref name="Parkz Brain Wash" />
|-
| Der Stuka || Freefall body slide ||WhiteWater West
| 1984 || || <ref name="Wet 'n Wild Water Park An Orlando Oasis" />
|-
| Disco H2O || Enclosed [[Water slide#Bowl|Behemoth Bowl]] || ProSlide || 2005 || || <ref name="Waterparks catch a nice wave" /><ref name="Parkz Disco H2O" />
|-
| {{Sort|Flyer, The|The Flyer}} (originally Fuji Flyer) || Two [[Water slide#Inline tube slides|inline tube slides]] || ProSlide || 1996 || Replaced the original Mach 5 Beta. || <ref name="ProSlide ride list" /><ref name="Fuji Flyer: A Wild New Way To Get Wet">{{cite news|last=Thomas|first=Rebecca|title=Fuji Flyer: A Wild New Way To Get Wet|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1996/03/22/fuji-flyer-a-wild-new-way-to-get-wet/|access-date=January 7, 2014|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|date=March 22, 1996|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108013907/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1996-03-22/entertainment/9603191292_1_wet-new-rides-thrill-ride|archive-date=January 8, 2014}}</ref>
|-
| Lazy River || [[Lazy river]] || Wet 'n Wild, Inc.|| 1984 || ||
|-
| Mach 5 || Three mat slides || Surf Coaster || 1986 || Formerly Mach 5 Alpha || <ref name="Wet 'n Wild Water Park An Orlando Oasis">{{cite news|last=Gilbert|first=Paul|title=Wet 'n Wild Water Park An Orlando Oasis|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1986/08/03/wet-n-wild-water-park-an-orlando-oasis/|access-date=January 7, 2014|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|date=August 3, 1986|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106061734/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1986-08-03/travel/0240220257_1_wild-water-park-wet-dive-bomber|archive-date=January 6, 2014}}</ref>
|-
| {{Sort|Storm, The|The Storm}} || [[Water slide#Bowl|ProBowls]] || ProSlide || 2001 || ||<ref name="Parks & fairs: Tourism season bodes well" /><ref name="Parkz Storm" />
|-
| {{Sort|Surge, The|The Surge}} || [[Water slide#Family rafting|Mammoth]] || ProSlide || 1994 || ||<ref name="Worth Wading For">{{cite news|last=Shrieves|first=Linda|title=Worth Wading For|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1994/04/29/worth-wading-for/|access-date=January 7, 2014|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|date=April 29, 1994|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108014650/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1994-04-29/entertainment/9404270896_1_wet-new-rides-bob-simmons|archive-date=January 8, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Parkz|ride_name=The Surge|location=Wet 'n Wild Orlando|parkz_number=719|accessdate=January 7, 2014}}</ref>
|-
| {{Sort|Wake Zone, The|The Wake Zone}} || Water sports || Wet 'n Wild, Inc.|| 1977 || ||
|-
| Wave Pool Surf Lagoon || [[Wave pool]] || Wet 'n Wild, Inc.|| 1977 || ||
|}

===Former attractions===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Name !! Type !! Manufacturer !! Opened !! Closed !! Notes !! class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| Banzai Boggan || Two sled slides || Bailey Rides, Inc.||1977
| 1986 || Replaced by the Hydra Maniac || |
|-
| Blue Niagara || Two enclosed corkscrew slides || Waterfun Products|| 1988 || 2007 || Replaced by Brain Wash. || <ref name="Wet 'n Wild Water Park An Orlando Oasis" />
|-
| Bubba Tub || Family Raft Slide || Waterworld Products || 1992 || 2014 || Replaced by the Aqua Drag Racer. || <ref name="ProSlide ride list" /><ref name="The Bubba Tub"/>
|-
| Canadian Water Caper || Children's Area || Wet 'n Wild, Inc.|| 1977 || 1992 || Replaced by the Kids's Park || <ref name="A Wild New Era In Water Thrills" />|
|-
| Corkscrew || Enclosed slide || Wet 'n Wild, Inc.|| 1977 || 1990 || Replaced by The Black Hole || |
|-
| Hydra Fighter || Suspended ride || Unknown|| 1998 || 2007 || Replaced by Brain Wash. || <ref name="New ride, promos keep Wet 'n Wild at the top of waterpark industry" /><ref name="Hydra Fighter Makes Splash" />
|-
| Hydra Maniac || Two enclosed slides || WhiteWater West || 1986 || 1994 || Replaced by the Surge || |
|-
| Kamikaze || Freefall body slide || Wet 'n Wild, Inc.|| 1979 || 1992 || Replaced by the Bubba Tub ||
|-
| Kids Park || Children's area || Wet 'n Wild, Inc.|| 1992 || 2000 || Replaced by the new one of the same name (now Blastaway Beach). || <ref name="The Bubba Tub">{{cite news|title=The Bubba Tub|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1992/02/14/the-bubba-tub/|access-date=January 7, 2014|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|date=February 14, 1992|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108014445/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1992-02-14/entertainment/9202130051_1_water-playground-bubba-children-water|archive-date=January 8, 2014}}</ref>
|-
| Kids Park || Children's area || ProSlide, Integrity Attractions || 2000 || 2011 || Replaced the original one of the same name, closed and replaced by Blastaway Beach. ||<ref name="Orlando Waterpark plans to let kids get 'Wild'" /><ref name="M&S April02" /><ref name="It's playtime at Wet 'n Wild's Blastaway Beach" />
|-
| Mach 5 Alpha || Two inline tube slides || Surf Coaster || 1986 || 1995 || Replaced by The Flyer. || <ref name="Wet 'n Wild Water Park An Orlando Oasis" />
|-
| Raging Rapids || Inline tube slide || Wet 'n Wild, Inc.|| 1982 || 2002 || Replaced by The Blast. ||
|-
| Whitewater Slideways || Two open body slides || Wet 'n Wild, Inc.|| 1977 || 1986 || Replaced by the Mach 5 || <ref name="A Wild New Era In Water Thrills" >{{cite news|last1=Gilbert|first1=Paul|title=A Wild New Era In Water Thrills|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1986/04/06/a-wild-new-era-in-water-thrills/|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=April 6, 1986|language=en}}</ref>|
|-
|}

==In popular culture==
The park was featured on Travel Channel's Extreme Waterparks and was also the setting for the music video for "[[Se a vida é (That's the Way Life Is)|Se a vida é]]", by the [[Pet Shop Boys]].

The park was featured for Puerto Rican band [[Menudo (band)|Menudo]] for their video Nao Se Reprima in Portuguese.

==See also==
* [[List of water parks]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist|30em}}
[I Love Wet and Wild!
''Italic text''


==External links==
==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline}}
*[http://www.wetnwildorlando.com Wet 'n Wild - Orlando Official Site]
*{{Official website}} (archive)
*{{facebook|WetnWildOrlando}}

{{Theme Parks of Florida}}


[[Category:Amusement parks in Orlando, Florida]]
[[Category:1977 establishments in Florida]]
[[Category:Universal Orlando]]
[[Category:Universal Destinations & Experiences]]
[[Category:Water parks in Florida]]
[[Category:Water parks in Florida]]
[[Category:Amusement parks opened in 1977]]
[[Category:Amusement parks closed in 2017]]
[[Category:2017 disestablishments in Florida]]
[[Category:Defunct amusement parks in Florida]]

Latest revision as of 19:55, 18 December 2024

Wet 'n Wild Orlando
Slogan"The Recognized Name in Family Water Fun!"
LocationUniversal Orlando Resort, Orlando, Florida, U.S.
Coordinates28°27′39″N 81°27′53″W / 28.460943°N 81.464841°W / 28.460943; -81.464841
OwnerNBCUniversal (Comcast)
OpenedMarch 13, 1977; 47 years ago (1977-03-13)
ClosedJanuary 1, 2017; 7 years ago (2017-01-01)
Previous namesWet n' Wild FunPark
Operating seasonOpen all year long (water heated in winter)
StatusDefunct[[]]
Area30 acres (120,000 m2)
PoolsA single pool
Water slides17 water slides
Universal Orlando
Theme parks
Water parks
Resort hotels
Entertainment district

Wet 'n Wild Orlando was the flagship water park of Wet 'n Wild owned by NBC Universal, located on International Drive in Orlando, Florida. It was founded in 1977 by SeaWorld creator George Millay.[1] It closed on January 1, 2017.

History

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Development and ownership

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While developing SeaWorld, George Millay realized the need for a water park, later recalling "being in Florida, with all its heat and hot sun, you naturally think about cooling off in water". In the mid-1970s, he directed his time and money towards the project. The idea stemmed from the splash pad at Ontario Place in Canada and the wave pool at Point Mallard Park in Alabama. His desire was to combine these two elements and build upon it in order to achieve a good return on investment. Due to his prior success with SeaWorld, he was able to form a team of investors to fund the project.[2]

The park opened in Orlando, Florida on March 13, 1977. Although it opened to rain and suffered a $600,000 loss in its first year of operation, Millay kept it open. He later claimed it "started making money the second year and never looked back".[2] The success of the park spawned several other Wet 'n Wild-branded parks across the Americas.[3][4]

In 1998, Millay sold off his interests in his parks. The Orlando location was purchased by Universal Studios Recreation Group, who continued to lease the land on which it is located.[5] In mid-2013, Universal purchased the 50 acres (20 ha) of land for $30.9 million.[6]

Expansion and later years

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Brain Wash

In 1998, the Hydra Fighter was added to the park.[7] Riders were able to control their suspended gondola through the use of high-powered water guns.[8]

In 2000, the park renovated their Kids Park children's area. The original aviation theme was converted into a sandcastle theme. The renovation saw three ProSlide Technology "Kidz" slides added as well as a castle with a tipping bucket which dumped 250 US gallons (950 L; 210 imp gal) of water every three-and-a-half minutes. With the exception of the three slides, it was manufactured entirely by Integrity Attractions.[9][10]

In 2001, the park began a multi-year expansion plan with Canadian manufacturer ProSlide Technology.[11] It added The Storm, a pair of ProBowls, in 2001;[12][13] The Blast, an inline tube slide, in 2003;[14] Disco H2O, an enclosed Behemoth Bowl, in 2005;[15][16] and Brain Wash, an enclosed Tornado, in 2008.[17][18]

In 2011, the Kids Park was demolished and was replaced by Blastaway Beach, a larger children's water play area that opened in 2012, also themed around sandcastles.[17]

In 2014, the Bubba Tub was removed and replaced with the Aqua Drag Racer, a four-lane race slide.

On June 17, 2015, it was confirmed that the park would close on December 31, 2016, to be replaced by a new water park, Universal Volcano Bay, which opened across the site on May 25, 2017.[19][20][21] The park permanently closed on January 1, 2017, and was demolished in early 2017.[22][23]

The former site of Wet N' Wild is currently occupied by Universal's Endless Summer Resort which opened in June 2019.[24]

Attendance

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The park was the most-attended water park in the United States until 1999, when Walt Disney World Resort's Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach surpassed it.[5][25] At the time, it was averaging around 1.3 million visitors for several years.[3][26]

Attractions

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Final attractions

[edit]
The Storm
Disco H2O
Name Type Manufacturer Opened Notes Ref.
Aqua Drag Racer Four racing mat slides ProSlide 2014 Replaced the Bubba Tub. It only operated for two years when the park closed in 2016.
Black Hole Two enclosed inline tube slides WhiteWater West 1990 Replaced the original Corkscrew [27]
Blastaway Beach Children's area ProSlide 2012 Replaced the Kids Park. [28]
The Blast Inline tube slide ProSlide 2003 Replaced Raging Rapids. [14]
The Bomb Bay Freefall body slide WhiteWater West (base slide)/Universal Creative (trapdoor) 2001 [29]
Brain Wash Enclosed Tornado ProSlide 2008 Replaced the Hydra Fighter and Hydra-Maniac/Blue Niagara. [17][18]
Der Stuka Freefall body slide WhiteWater West 1984 [30]
Disco H2O Enclosed Behemoth Bowl ProSlide 2005 [15][16]
The Flyer (originally Fuji Flyer) Two inline tube slides ProSlide 1996 Replaced the original Mach 5 Beta. [28][31]
Lazy River Lazy river Wet 'n Wild, Inc. 1984
Mach 5 Three mat slides Surf Coaster 1986 Formerly Mach 5 Alpha [30]
The Storm ProBowls ProSlide 2001 [12][13]
The Surge Mammoth ProSlide 1994 [32][33]
The Wake Zone Water sports Wet 'n Wild, Inc. 1977
Wave Pool Surf Lagoon Wave pool Wet 'n Wild, Inc. 1977

Former attractions

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Name Type Manufacturer Opened Closed Notes Ref.
Banzai Boggan Two sled slides Bailey Rides, Inc. 1977 1986 Replaced by the Hydra Maniac
Blue Niagara Two enclosed corkscrew slides Waterfun Products 1988 2007 Replaced by Brain Wash. [30]
Bubba Tub Family Raft Slide Waterworld Products 1992 2014 Replaced by the Aqua Drag Racer. [28][34]
Canadian Water Caper Children's Area Wet 'n Wild, Inc. 1977 1992 Replaced by the Kids's Park
Corkscrew Enclosed slide Wet 'n Wild, Inc. 1977 1990 Replaced by The Black Hole
Hydra Fighter Suspended ride Unknown 1998 2007 Replaced by Brain Wash. [7][8]
Hydra Maniac Two enclosed slides WhiteWater West 1986 1994 Replaced by the Surge
Kamikaze Freefall body slide Wet 'n Wild, Inc. 1979 1992 Replaced by the Bubba Tub
Kids Park Children's area Wet 'n Wild, Inc. 1992 2000 Replaced by the new one of the same name (now Blastaway Beach). [34]
Kids Park Children's area ProSlide, Integrity Attractions 2000 2011 Replaced the original one of the same name, closed and replaced by Blastaway Beach. [9][10][17]
Mach 5 Alpha Two inline tube slides Surf Coaster 1986 1995 Replaced by The Flyer. [30]
Raging Rapids Inline tube slide Wet 'n Wild, Inc. 1982 2002 Replaced by The Blast.
Whitewater Slideways Two open body slides Wet 'n Wild, Inc. 1977 1986 Replaced by the Mach 5
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The park was featured on Travel Channel's Extreme Waterparks and was also the setting for the music video for "Se a vida é", by the Pet Shop Boys.

The park was featured for Puerto Rican band Menudo for their video Nao Se Reprima in Portuguese.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Wet n Wild, Americas First Water Park closing". Archived from the original on August 23, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  2. ^ a b O'Brien, Tim (November 16, 1998). "George Millay: From Sea World to Wet'n Wild, the father of the modern waterpark has definitely made a splash". Amusement Business. 110 (46): 19.
  3. ^ a b Guier, Cindy Stooksbury (November 16, 1998). "Wet'n Wild". Amusement Business. 110 (46): 23.
  4. ^ O'Brien, Tim (October 8, 2001). "Waterpark officials address variety of industry concerns". Amusement Business. 113 (40): 18–19.
  5. ^ a b Zoltak, James (October 12, 1998). "Universal dives into waterparks industry". Amusement Business. 110 (41): 1.
  6. ^ "Universal Orlando buys Wet 'n Wild land". Orlando Sentinel. June 27, 2013. Archived from the original on November 18, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  7. ^ a b Powell, Tom (July 6, 1998). "New ride, promos keep Wet 'n Wild at the top of waterpark industry". Amusement Business. 110 (27): 13.
  8. ^ a b Thomas, Rebecca (April 10, 1998). "Hydra Fighter Makes Splash". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on January 6, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  9. ^ a b O'Brien, Tim (March 18, 2002). "Orlando Waterpark plans to let kids get 'Wild'". Amusement Business. 114 (11): 6.
  10. ^ a b Mooradian, Don (April 8, 2002). "M&S news". Amusement Business. 114 (14): 4.
  11. ^ O'Brien, Tim (October 29, 2001). "Riley talks 'Circle of Life' at WWA confab". Amusement Business. 113 (43): 21.
  12. ^ a b Zoltak, James (April 2, 2001). "Parks & fairs: Tourism season bodes well". Amusement Business. 113 (13): 21–22.
  13. ^ a b "The Storm (Wet 'n Wild Orlando)". Parkz. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  14. ^ a b Swain Vadnie, Rebecca (April 25, 2003). "Watery Fun At Full Blast". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  15. ^ a b Barbieri, Kelly (January 2006). "Waterparks catch a nice wave". Amusement Business. 118 (3): 12.
  16. ^ a b "Disco H2O (Wet 'n Wild Orlando)". Parkz. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  17. ^ a b c d Bevil, Dewayne (June 7, 2012). "It's playtime at Wet 'n Wild's Blastaway Beach". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on January 6, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  18. ^ a b "Brain Wash (Wet 'n Wild Orlando)". Parkz. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  19. ^ "Thank You to All Our Fans for Decades of Wet 'N Wild Orlando". Universal Orlando Blog. June 17, 2015. Archived from the original on June 22, 2017. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  20. ^ "Universal's Volcano Bay Water Theme Park – complete guide and history". Orlando Informer. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  21. ^ Bevil, Dewayne (June 17, 2015). "Universal closing Wet 'n Wild Orlando at the end of 2016". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on July 6, 2015. Retrieved July 6, 2015.
  22. ^ "Wet 'n Wild demolition will cost $3 million, what replaces it is anyone's guess". Orlando Weekly. February 7, 2017.
  23. ^ "Universal Orlando starts demolition of shuttered Wet 'n Wild". Orlando Business Journal. March 16, 2017.
  24. ^ "The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando's Endless Summer Resort". The Unofficial Guide. October 14, 2019.
  25. ^ O'Brien, Tim (November 6, 2000). "Waterparks growth rate leads industry". Amusement Business. 112 (45): 1, 20.
  26. ^ O'Brien, Tim (March 15, 1999). "Ogden Corp. purchases Wet'n Wild". Amusement Business. 111 (11): 1.
  27. ^ Weiss, Devi (February 16, 1990). "Black Hole Water Slide Makes Debut At Wet 'n Wild". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  28. ^ a b c "Rides on Every Continent". ProSlide Technology. Archived from the original on January 4, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  29. ^ "The Bomb Bay (Wet 'n Wild Orlando)". Parkz. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  30. ^ a b c d Gilbert, Paul (August 3, 1986). "Wet 'n Wild Water Park An Orlando Oasis". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on January 6, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  31. ^ Thomas, Rebecca (March 22, 1996). "Fuji Flyer: A Wild New Way To Get Wet". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  32. ^ Shrieves, Linda (April 29, 1994). "Worth Wading For". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  33. ^ "The Surge (Wet 'n Wild Orlando)". Parkz. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  34. ^ a b "The Bubba Tub". Orlando Sentinel. February 14, 1992. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  35. ^ a b Gilbert, Paul (April 6, 1986). "A Wild New Era In Water Thrills". Orlando Sentinel.
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