A pioneering water park in Orlando is closing Saturday after nearly 40 years of splashes.
Wet ‘n Wild opened in 1977.
It’s now owned by Universal Studios Water Parks, which is closing the attraction Saturday to make way for a new water park called Volcano Bay that will open next summer.
Walt Disney World had already opened River Country in 1976, but Wet ‘n Wild became the industry standard.
Today, the United States has more than 700 outdoor water parks with three or more slides, according to Hotel and Leisure Advisors.
Orlando has four of the world’s most-visited water parks, including Wet ‘n Wild– whose combination of waves and water slides prompted competitors to become more creative.
About 250 Wet ‘n Wild employees will transfer to other parts of Universal.
