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.

Wet 'n Wild
Company typePrivate
IndustryAmusement park operator
Founded1977; 47 years ago (1977)
Orlando, Florida, U.S.
FounderGeorge Millay
HeadquartersGreensboro, North Carolina, U.S.
OwnerPalace Entertainment

History

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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

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Wet 'n Wild Cancún
 
Wet 'n Wild São Paulo
Locations of Wet 'n Wild parks

Previous locations

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Cancelled locations

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  • Rio de Janeiro – originally targeted for an October 1999 opening[7]
  • Brasília – $32 million, 42-acre (17 ha) originally targeted to open in late 1998,but due but environmental problems led to the cancellation of the Park's construction.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Wet 'n Wild, SeaWorld founder dies". Orlando Business Journal. 7 February 2006. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  2. ^ Williams, Jack (7 February 2006). "OBITUARY George Millay, 76; creative force behind SeaWorld, Wet 'n Wild". San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Wet N Wild at Universal Orlando Resort". Universal Orlando Resort. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  4. ^ a b "Palace Entertainment". Palace Entertainment. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  5. ^ Powers, Scott (8 February 2006). "Theme-park pioneer started SeaWorld and Wet 'n Wild". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  6. ^ "Wet'n Wild". Wet 'n Wild Cancun. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  7. ^ a b c d e Guier, Cindy Stooksbury (November 16, 1998). "Wet'n Wild". Amusement Business. 110 (46): 23.
  8. ^ "Wet 'N Wild". Wet 'N Wild São Paulo. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  9. ^ "Wet 'n Wild's Strip ride coming to an end". Review Journal. 12 August 2004. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
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