Wet 'n Wild (brand)
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Amusement park operator |
| Founded | 1977 Orlando, Florida, U.S. |
| Founder | George Millay |
| Headquarters | Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Owner | Palace Entertainment |
Wet ‘n Wild is a name used by various water parks across the United States, Brazil and Mexico, originally owned by SeaWorld creator George Millay. It is not to be confused with the Wet'n'Wild brand owned by Village Roadshow Theme Parks and CNL Lifestyle Properties or the stand-alone waterpark Wet N' Wild Waterworld in Anthony, Texas.
History
The name was first used for a water park when SeaWorld founder George Millay opened his first water park Wet 'n Wild Orlando in Orlando, Florida in 1977. Wet 'n Wild in Orlando, however, closed permanently on December 31, 2016, and was replaced by Volcano Bay.[1] Millay went on to open six more water parks under the same name in the United States, Brazil and Mexico.[2] In 1997 and 1998, Millay sold the water parks to various owners including Universal Destinations & Experiences,[3] Palace Entertainment[4] and private companies for a total of $77 million.[5]
Locations
- Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe – operated by Palace Entertainment in Greensboro, North Carolina[4]
- Wet 'n Wild Cancun – a water park in Mexico.[6] At opening in June 1997, the park spanned 17 acres (6.9 ha)[7] Since 2017, it has been part of the multi-park VenturaPark.
- Wet 'n Wild São Paulo – a water park in Brazil.[8] The $42 million park opened in October 1998, and spanned 29 acres (12 ha)[7]
Previous locations
- Wet 'n Wild Orlando – operated by Universal Destinations & Experiences in Orlando, Florida,[3] closed December 31, 2016. It has been replaced by the new Volcano Bay waterpark that opened in 2017.
- Arlington, Texas – rebranded as Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Arlington when purchased by Six Flags in 1997. Located across Interstate 30 from Six Flags Over Texas.
- Garland, Texas – formerly a Herschend Family Entertainment "White Water" park. The site is now occupied by a CarMax dealership.
- Wet 'n Wild Las Vegas, operated from 1985 to 2004[9] – now All Net Resort & Arena; not to be confused with the present-day Wet'n'Wild Las Vegas.
- Salvador, Bahia – opened in 1996 as the first international park. It cost $28 million and spanned 18 acres (7.3 ha), however the park has gone bankrupt.[7]
- Rio de Janeiro – opened in October 1999. Attracted over 300 thousand visitors in its first year but ended up closing in 2004 due to small financial gains. [7]
Cancelled locations
- Brasília – $32 million, 42-acre (17 ha) originally targeted to open in late 1998, but during construction, a system of residential water pipes was found under the proposed park's terrain, which led to the cancellation of the project.[7]
See also
References
- ^ "Wet 'n Wild, SeaWorld founder dies". Orlando Business Journal. 7 February 2006. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
- ^ Williams, Jack (7 February 2006). "OBITUARY George Millay, 76; creative force behind SeaWorld, Wet 'n Wild". San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
- ^ a b "Wet N Wild at Universal Orlando Resort". Universal Orlando Resort. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
- ^ a b "Palace Entertainment". Palace Entertainment. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
- ^ Powers, Scott (8 February 2006). "Theme-park pioneer started SeaWorld and Wet 'n Wild". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
- ^ "Wet'n Wild". Wet 'n Wild Cancun. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
- ^ a b c d e Guier, Cindy Stooksbury (November 16, 1998). "Wet'n Wild". Amusement Business. 110 (46): 23.
- ^ "Wet 'N Wild". Wet 'N Wild São Paulo. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
- ^ "Wet 'n Wild's Strip ride coming to an end". Review Journal. 12 August 2004. Retrieved 12 September 2010.