Wet 'n Wild (brand)
{{Short description|Brand}}
{{Distinguish|Wet'n'Wild (brand)}}
{{For|other water parks with a similar names|Wet 'n Wild (disambiguation){{!}}Wet 'n Wild}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Wet 'n Wild
| logo = Wet 'n Wild logo.svg
| type = Private
| traded_as =
| foundation = {{start date and age|1977}}
Orlando, Florida, U.S.
| location = Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S.
| key_people =
| industry = Amusement park operator
| area_served =
| num_parks =
| products =
| revenue =
| founder = George Millay
| owner = Palace Entertainment
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| num_employees =
| parent =
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| homepage =
| footnotes =
}}
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.{{cite news|title=Wet 'n Wild, SeaWorld founder dies|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2006/02/06/daily18.html?jst=b_ln_hl|accessdate=28 September 2012|newspaper=Orlando Business Journal|date=7 February 2006}} Millay went on to open six more water parks under the same name in the United States, Brazil and Mexico.{{cite news|last=Williams|first=Jack|title=OBITUARY George Millay, 76; creative force behind SeaWorld, Wet 'n Wild|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060207/news_1m7millay.html|accessdate=28 September 2012|newspaper=San Diego Union Tribune|date=7 February 2006}} 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.{{cite news|last=Powers|first=Scott|title=Theme-park pioneer started SeaWorld and Wet 'n Wild|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2006/02/08/theme-park-pioneer-started-seaworld-and-wet-n-wild/|access-date=28 September 2012|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|date=8 February 2006}}
Locations
{{location map+|America
|float=right
|width=500
|caption=Locations of Wet 'n Wild parks
|places=
{{Location map~|America|position=top|lat=36.0075|long=-79.840278|label=Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe
}}
{{Location map~|America|position=bottom|lat=21.160556|long=-86.8475|label=Wet 'n Wild Cancún
}}
{{Location map~|America|position=right|lat=-22.900833|long=-47.057222|label=Wet 'n Wild São Paulo
}}
}}
- Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe – operated by Herschend Family Entertainment in Greensboro, North Carolina{{cite web|title=Palace Entertainment|url=http://www.palaceentertainment.com/|publisher=Palace Entertainment|accessdate=12 September 2010}}
- Wet 'n Wild Cancun – a water park in Mexico.{{cite web|title=Wet'n Wild|url=http://www.wetnwildcancun.com/|publisher=Wet 'n Wild Cancun|accessdate=28 September 2012}} At opening in June 1997, the park spanned {{Convert|17|acre}} Since 2017, it has been part of the multi-park VenturaPark.
- Wet 'n Wild São Paulo – a water park in Brazil.{{cite web|title=Wet 'N Wild|url=http://www.wetnwild.com.br/|publisher=Wet 'N Wild São Paulo|accessdate=28 September 2012}} The $42 million park opened in October 1998, and spanned {{Convert|29|acre}}
=Previous locations=
- Wet 'n Wild Orlando – operated by Universal Destinations & Experiences in Orlando, Florida,{{cite web|title=Wet N Wild at Universal Orlando Resort|url=http://www.universalorlando.com/Theme_Parks/WetnWild/wetnwild.aspx|publisher=Universal Orlando Resort|accessdate=12 September 2010}} 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{{cite web|title=Wet 'n Wild's Strip ride coming to an end|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Aug-12-Thu-2004/news/24516137.html|publisher=Review Journal|accessdate=12 September 2010|date=12 August 2004}} – demolished for planned developments, including NBA-ready arena, which never materialized and now vacant land; 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 {{Convert|18|acre}}, however the park has gone bankrupt.{{cite journal|last=Guier|first=Cindy Stooksbury|title=Wet'n Wild|journal=Amusement Business|date=November 16, 1998|volume=110|issue=46|page=23}}
- 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.
=Cancelled locations=
See also
References
{{Reflist|33em}}
External links
- [http://www.wetnwildcancun.com/ Wet 'n Wild Cancun]
- [http://www.emeraldpointe.com/ Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe]
- [http://www.wetnwild.com.br/ Wet 'n Wild São Paulo]