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)

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (3)

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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Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (5)

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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Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (13)

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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Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (17)

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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Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (21)

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.

What has replaced Wet n Wild Orlando? ›

Universal Volcano Bay Water Theme Park, or Volcano Bay, is a tropical-themed water park at Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida. It is owned by Universal Destinations & Experiences, Volcano Bay. It was replaced by Wet 'n Wild as Universal Orlando Resort's only water park. Water is life.

Discover More ›

Who owns Wet and Wild? ›

Wet'n'Wild is a brand used for many water parks across the world owned by Village Roadshow Theme Parks and EPR Properties.

Explore More ›

How long has wet and wild been around? ›

Wet 'n Wild (brand)

Company type	Private
Founded	1977 Orlando, Florida, U.S.
Founder	George Millay
Headquarters	Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S.
Owner	Palace Entertainment

2 more rows

See Details ›

Why did Wet and 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.

Read The Full Story ›

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.

Learn More ›

Why did Universal get rid of jaws? ›

In 2012, the attraction was removed from the Florida theme park to make room for the second phase of expansion for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The former entrance to Jaws at Universal Studios Florida, which was a popular photo spot in the park.

Read The Full Story ›

Does the Jaws ride still exist? ›

Ride Details

Jaws is permanently closed. Jaws is a former ride attraction at Universal Studios Florida that opened on June 7, 1990 in the San Francisco section of the theme park, based on the 1975 film of the same name.

What is wet and wild now called? ›

Raging Waters Sydney, formerly Wet'n'Wild Sydney, is a water park in the greater western Sydney suburb of Prospect, New South Wales, Australia, that opened on 12 December 2013.

Show Me More ›

Is Wet n Wild made in China? ›

The brand's ingredient suppliers must pledge to the same statement. No where in this statement does it mention whether or not they sell in countries where animal testing is required by law. Wet N Wild products have always been made in China, which does not require animal testing.

How did Wet n Wild get its name? ›

Naming the park proved simple. Rolly Crump remembered, “One day, at a meeting, George said, 'We got to come up with a name. It's got to be wet and it's got to be wild. ' “I said, 'Well, George, that's it.

Read On ›

What company makes Wet n Wild makeup? ›

Markwins Beauty Brands is a global leader in health and beauty and the largest independent cosmetics company in the USA. For over 35 years, we have been at the forefront of cosmetic innovation and behind some of the industry's most enduring trends.

Get More Info Here ›

Why did wet n wild, Florida close? ›

Wet 'n Wild opened in 1977. It's now owned by Universal Studios Water Parks, which is closing the attraction Dec. 31 to make way for a new water park called Volcano Bay that will open next summer. Wet 'n Wild was developed by George Millay, who also founded SeaWorld in San Diego.

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

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FAQs

What happened to Wet n Wild in Orlando? ›

How did Wet n Wild get its name? ›

References