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

Share via

Email
Facebook
X
LinkedIn
Threads
Reddit
WhatsApp
Copy Link URLCopied!
Print

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)

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (4)

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)

Advertisem*nt

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)

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (6)

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)

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (7)

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)

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (8)

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)

Advertisem*nt

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (9)

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)

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (10)

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)

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (11)

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)

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (12)

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

Advertisem*nt

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)

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (14)

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)

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (15)

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

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (16)

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)

Advertisem*nt

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)

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (18)

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)

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (19)

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)

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (20)

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

(Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel)

Advertisem*nt

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)

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (22)

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

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (23)

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

(Angela Peterson / Orlando Sentinel)

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (24)

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

(Frank Rivera / Orlando Sentinel)

Advertisem*nt

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (25)

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

(ANGELA PETERSON / ORLANDO SENTINEL)

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (26)

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

(ROBERTO GONZALEZ / ORLANDO SENTINEL)

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (27)

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)

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (28)

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)

Advertisem*nt

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (29)

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)

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (30)

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

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (31)

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)

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (32)

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)

Advertisem*nt

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (33)

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)

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (34)

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)

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (35)

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)

Advertisem*nt

Pictures: Wet 'n Wild Orlando through the years (37)

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)

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

More From the Los Angeles Times

What it’s like to travel to Maui right now — one year after the catastrophic wildfires

A weird, whimsical game is hiding in the bookshelves at Los Angeles Public Library

5 campsites near L.A. beloved by locals

How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Andrew Bird

References