Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (2024)

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (1)

From atop the Wet n’ Wild ride The Surge, George Millay founder of Wet ‘n Wild and SeaWorld talks about his life, it is the subject of a new book by Tim O’Brien, Orlando, Friday, November 19, 2004.

(Roberto Gonzalez / Orlando Sentinel)

Orlando Sentinel

May 31, 2012 10:25 AM PT

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Universal Orlando closed Wet ‘n Wild on International Drive in December 2016. The park opened in 1977.

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (2)

A construction worker pours concrete on a slide at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on March 29, 1977. (Tom Kennedy, Orlando Sentinel) (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

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People enjoy the Lazy River at Wet ‘n Wild on April 16, 1987. (Judy Watson Tracy, Orlando Sentinel) (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

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Construction is uderway on the $1.5 million children’s water playground at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on March 4, 1991. (Wet ‘n Wild) (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

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The new $1.5 million children’s water playground opens at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on July 26, 1991. (Wet ‘n Wild) (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

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Navy sailors enjoys a ride down the Bubba Tub at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on July 27, 1992. (Gary Bogdon, Orlando Sentinel) (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

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Construction workers take a break and enjoy the view atop a new flume ride at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on Jan. 3, 1986. (Judy Borich, Orlando Sentinel) (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

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Orlando, Fl - Rafael Gonzalez - Orlando Fl, dances along with friends as the music starts up at the 4th annual Fiesta San Juan. Wet ‘N Wild hosts its 4th annual Fiesta San Juan Saturday June 28, 2003. Activities Include food, live music, dancing and contests. The park will continue the festivities till 1 A.M. so that guests can honor the tradition of “The Night of San Juan” by taking a big splash in the water at midnight for good luck. (Larry L. Lopez / Orlando Sentinel)

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A mountain rises in Orlando as Wet ‘n Wild takes shape along the east side of International Drive on Sept. 7, 1976. (Tom Kennedy, Orlando Sentinel) (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

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Orlando, June 12, 2006-Wrist band and scanner. Wet N’ Wild is the first water park in the country to adopt the GO technology, which puts credit card info on a waterproof bracelet. (using Radio Frequency technology, like what you’d find in the automatic toll pass). It lets park patrons pay for anything by scanning their bracelet. Company says it boosts sales and customers are finding it very convenient.

(George Skene / Orlando Sentinel)

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A $2 million expansion project nears completion at Wet ‘n Wild on International Drive in Orlando on Feb. 8, 1988. (Wet ‘n WIld) (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

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Tourists cool off in the wave pool at Wet ‘n Wild on Spet. 21, 1990. (Gary Bogdon, Orlando Sentinel) (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

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Kamikaze super slide is under construction at Wet ‘n Wild on Jan. 18, 1979. (Gordon Williamson, Orlando Sentinel) (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

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Dutch tourists splash around Tuesday, Nov. 30 in the main pool at Wet ‘n Wild. Despite the cool weather, the tourists loved their time at the attraction.

(Frank Rivera / Orlando Sentinel)

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Wet ‘n Wild under construction on April 6, 1984. (Orlando Sentinel file) (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

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A youngster plunges down the Bomb Bay ride at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on May 14, 1993. (Orlando Sentinel file) (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

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Park-goers enjoy the lazy river at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando in November 1985. (Orlando Sentinel file) (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

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Participants in the 11th Annual Cardboard Boat Race paddle furiously during the competition at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando. 2 of 2. ORG XMIT: 9704270-4A (FRANK RIVERA / ORLANDO SENTINEL)

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Park-goers enjoy a night-time float on the lazy river at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on Aug. 14, 1992. (Orlando Sentinel file) (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

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Guests gather around the pool at Wet N’ Wild water park.

(Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel)

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Wet ‘n Wild revamped the Hydra Fighter ride. The changes include regulated flow of the water cannons and streamlined chairs to make it easier for riders to propel.

(Phelan M. Ebenhack / Orlando Sentinel)

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Wet ‘n Wild attraction under construction in Orlando on Feb. 22, 1977. (Bill Phillips, Orlando Sentinel) (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

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Wet ‘n Wild has seen great crowds so far this year, partly attributable to big doings at other attractions.

(Angela Peterson / Orlando Sentinel)

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Wet ‘N Wild visitors carry their floating tubes to the top of a ride at Wet ‘N Wild.

(Frank Rivera / Orlando Sentinel)

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Wet ‘n Wild theme park on International Drive now owned by Universal Studios.

(ANGELA PETERSON / ORLANDO SENTINEL)

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An addition to Wet ‘n Wild’s thrill-ride lineup: the Hydra Fighter now open.

(ROBERTO GONZALEZ / ORLANDO SENTINEL)

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Oliver Davy, 14, visiting from Ireland, enjoys the Aqua Drag Racer ride at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on Monday, December 19, 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel)

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Swimmers enjoy the Lazy River at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on Monday, December 19, 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel)

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The Disco H20 ride is pictured at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on Monday, December 19, 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel)

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Wet ’n Wild has remained one of the top 10 most visited water parks in the world. (Stephen M. Dowell/staff photographer)

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Swimmers enjoy the Lazy River at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on Monday, December 19, 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel)

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The sprawling attraction is pictured from above at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on Monday, December 19, 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel)

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The Aqua Drag Racer ride is pictured at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on Monday, December 19, 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel)

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The sprawling attraction is pictured from above at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on Monday, December 19, 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel)

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Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (36)

Surf Lagoon wave pool is pictured from above at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on Monday, December 19, 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel)

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Tubers enjoy the Lazy River at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on Monday, December 19, 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel)

FAQs

What happened to Wet n Wild in Orlando? ›

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. The park permanently closed on January 1, 2017, and was demolished in early 2017.

Explore More ›

What has replaced Wet n Wild Orlando? ›

Owned and operated by Universal Destinations & Experiences, Volcano Bay replaced Wet 'n Wild as Universal Orlando Resort's only water park, and it was the first water park constructed by Universal Creative. Water is life.

Find Out More ›

How much did Wet and Wild sell for? ›

In 1997 and 1998, Millay sold the water parks to various owners including Universal Destinations & Experiences, Palace Entertainment and private companies for a total of $77 million.

Find Out More ›

Where was the original Wet N Wild? ›

It was built on the Las Vegas Strip, between the Sahara and El Rancho hotel-casinos. Wet 'n Wild opened on May 18, 1985, after $14 million was spent on construction. The park included three turbine engines capable of creating rolling four-foot waves in a 170-foot pool.

What is the abandoned Disney water park? ›

River Country, located along the shores of Bay Lake and near Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, was themed as a rustic, old-fashioned swimming hole. Opening on June 20, 1976, the park closed indefinitely on November 2, 2001.

Discover More ›

Why did Wet n Wild shut down? ›

The waterpark, which opened in 1993, was bought by Serco in 2014 after being in financial difficulties for years. It underwent a £1.1m makeover, but went into administration in 2020 when it closed permanently.

Discover More ›

What are the two abandoned Disney parks? ›

Specific to Disney World, there are two extensive areas that have been "abandoned:" River Country, the resort's first water park (located on the tract of land on which Fort Wilderness resort occupies) and Discovery Island, an animal preserve area that pre-dated Animal Kingdom, and sits in Bay Lake.

Is Wet n Wild a Chinese brand? ›

The Wet'n'Wild brand originates from Wet'n'Wild Water World on the Gold Coast, Australia. It first opened in 1984 as Cade's County Waterpark, and was renamed to Wet'n'Wild in 1987 after a licensing agreement was reached with the chain of Wet 'n Wild water parks overseas.

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (2024)

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FAQs

What happened to Wet n Wild in Orlando? ›

Is Wet n Wild a Chinese brand? ›

References