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When you were a kid, chances are all you needed for unlimited summer fun was a simple inflatable pool and a garden hose or sprinkler. Well, about the same time that you were growing up, so were water parks. They started with a few simple slides and are now the aquatic equivalents of megamalls.
It all began in 1977 with Wet ’n Wild, created by George Millay, who was also one of the founders of SeaWorld. Although it’s now far from alone, Wet ’n Wild remains extremely popular thanks to its quality, service, and ability to create more heart-stopping waterslides, rides, and tubing adventures than its competitors. Indeed, new rides seem to be added like clockwork, old ones improved, and settings developed for the comfort of guests. There’s a complete water playground for kids, numerous high-energy slides for adults, a lazy-river ride, and some quiet, sandy beaches on which you can stretch out and get a tan.
Speaking of high energy, this is a park that requires a lot of it. A day here is often a marathon of climbing steps, sliding, swimming, and splashing, though you may not notice just how much your stamina is being drained as you scamper from slide to slide. Plan to take breaks: laze in a beach chair and eat high-protein meals and snacks to maintain your strength. You can bring in a cooler for a picnic or eat at a restaurant in one of several food courts.
If you’re not a strong swimmer, don’t worry. There are plenty of low-key attractions, and all of the ride entrances are marked with warnings to let you know which ones are safe for you. Plus, during peak season, there are as many as 200 lifeguards on duty daily. Also note that all the pools (if not the rides) are ADA-compliant and are heated in cooler weather. This, combined with Orlando’s temperate climate, means that Wet ’n Wild is one of the few water parks in the country to stay open year-round.
Surf’s up!
Planning
Park Amenities
Guest Services: Get maps and other information at Guest Services (aka Guest Relations), to the left as you enter.
Lockers: There are dressing rooms with lockers in three different sizes (personal $6/$3 deposit, standard $9/$3 deposit, family $11/$3 deposit) as well as showers and restrooms to the left of the entrance gates. Additional restrooms are on the island inside the lazy river and near the First-Aid Stand and the Surge.
Lost People and Things: The Lost and Found is at Guest Services, to the left just after you enter the park. This is also where lifeguards and other staffers take lost children.
Essentials
Admission: Basic admission is about $56 for adults (ages 10 and up) and $51 for children. Often you can find discounts in tourist magazines throughout the I-Drive area, but you may have better luck ordering your tickets online—and more time to consider the multiple ticket options. Different discounts apply to different ticket choices, that is, 10% off, 14 consecutive days free, and so on, but for Wet ’n Wild (as well as SeaWorld, Universal, and Disney) online purchases seem to be the best source for saving money and avoiding vacation time in line. Other money-saving options include military and college discounts and the FlexTicket, which bundles Wet ’n Wild with parks and attractions at Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, and Busch Gardens.
Parking: Costing $13 for cars, vans, and motorcycles and $17 for RVs and cars with trailers, parking is in a large lot along Universal Boulevard.
Wet ’n Wild: For general information, call Wet ’n Wild or visit online. | Wet ’n Wild | 407/351–3200 recorded information, 407/351–1800 park operations | www.wetnwildorlando.com.
Touring Tips
• Want to save a bundle? Admission drops to half price during the afternoon; exactly when depends on closing time, but can be as late as 5 pm in the summer. Call ahead for the magic hour. Even better, if you pay for a full-price ticket, you can return for free for 14 consecutive days. It’s a great deal for families in town for an extended stay. You can see the big three (Disney, Universal, SeaWorld) during the day and return here in the evening.
• When you arrive, it’s a good idea to pick up a map, scan the park layout, and stake out a spot on the beach before heading on or in. To claim a prime beach spot, arrive at least 15 minutes before the park opens, or visit on a cloudy day. If it looks like rain all day, though, head elsewhere.
• Men should wear a true bathing suit, and women should opt for a one-piece rather than a bikini. Cutoff shorts and garments with rivets, metal buttons, buckles, or zippers aren’t allowed.
• Wading slippers are a good idea—hot sidewalks and sandpaper-like pool bottoms can do a number on your feet—but put them in a locker or carry them when taking a plunge, since they can catch on slides.
• Items too large to carry should be stashed in a locker. Some picnic tables have lockable containers (secured to the umbrella stand) that are just large enough to hold smaller items such as keys, glasses, and cell phones.
• For extra privacy, a quiet oasis in the middle of the lazy river features cabanas with a fan, chaise longues, and a fridge stocked with a dozen bottles of water. It’s a nice base for stowing your things, but the privilege costs some bucks. Depending on the time of the year, cabanas can go for a modest $60 to a high of $280 in the peak summer season. Don’t want to get up? Servers will bring food to you.
• Be patient with the lines here. Just when you think you’ve arrived, you discover there’s another level or two to go.
• To bypass lines at the popular rides, get an Express Pass (available seasonally), accepted at most rides. Prices change based on park attendance and time of day, so call Park Operations at | 407/351–1800 for details. A limited number of passes are sold each day—all the more reason to get here early.
• Okay. So you remembered your swimsuit and towel. But what about sunscreen? You can buy it and other necessities or souvenirs at the Breakers Beach Shop, near the park entrance. And if you did forget a towel, renting one here costs $4 with a $3 deposit. Rent a three-pack, though, and you save $2.