Phoenix, Arizona is known for its “dry heat”, but don't be fooled, even dry heat is hot in the beautiful Valley of the Sun. Residents and visitors alike will be looking for a cool fun place for birthday parties, family get-togethers and picnics during the summer months in the Phoenix metro area.
Wet'n'Wild Phoenix Water Park Background
The owners of the previous “Water World” located at 4243 W Pinnacle Peak Road, lost its 25-year lease from the city in 2008, and the property was resold. It is now owned by Australian-based Village Roadshow Theme Parks USA, Inc., and the new park is called “Wet’n’Wild Phoenix”. The expanded 35-acre park has undergone a $30 million renovation, with its grand opening June 2009. The April 27, 2009 Arizona Republic article, “Wet’n’Wild Phoenix park fills 150 positions” on AZcentral.com, stated that 600 people attended the Wet'n'Wild job fair and 300 people were hired in total.
Wet’n’Wild Attractions
The Wet’n’Wild Phoenix website provides a park map and lists the features of the park and its attractions, complete with virtual experiences online. There are thirty different slides and rides (boasted to be the best and biggest), and they range from those for weak-kneed types to the thrillseekers. Some examples:
- Flyers, 42 feet of slippery twists and turns. Rated a “Chilled” on the thrillmeter.
- Racers, Headfirst racing 240 feet at 20 feet per second. Rated “Extreme” on thrillmeter.
- Tornado, Get catapulted from 38 feet in the air through a 160-foot tunnel ending up in the eye of a menacing, swirling water storm. Help! Rated “Extreme”.
- Cactus Cooler, Unwind down a never-ending 1200-foot lazy river, but watch out for a few surprises. Rated "Chilled”.
- Serpentine Complex, Conquer two colliding slides and the centrifugal force of a super bowl to make splash down. Rated “Extreme”.
- Raging River, White water rafting right in the middle of Phoenix. Rated “Moderate”.
- Mammoth Falls, Ever wanted to experience rafting over a 57 foot waterfall? Rated “Extreme”.
Playgrounds are also available:
- Soak’em Sprayground, Interactive water spraying play area for the youngest Wet’n’Wild fun seekers.
- Desert Palms Playground, Multi level complex with five fun zones and nine slides. Wet’n’Wild Multi-level family “splash and spray” with “over 10,500 square feet of aquatic adventure” according to the Wet’n’Wild website.
Maximum Velocity Dueling Coaster
The Wet’n’Wild rates their Maximum Velocity ride “Extreme” on their thrillmeter, claiming it to be the first and only ride of its kind. Their website describes this as a race in which riders compete in tandem tubes, racing side by side. Per the site, “The gravity-defying water coaster blast riders uphill on jetted water and over 830 feet of hair raising drops and breathtaking curves.”
Wet’n’Wild Phoenix Other "Stuff"
The park is designed with shady retreats, and cabanas are available for rent. The cabanas provide an all day resort experience that includes a ceiling fan and cable television.
The park offers a café, snack shop and various food and beverage carts throughout the park. Changing and shower areas are available and for those high energy, thrill seekers who don’t want to wait for the free tube supplied for each ride, a tube can be rented for the entire day.
They also tease about addtional features, such as “dive in movies”. Check their website for updates.
Wet’n’Wild Season, Hours and Fees
The Wet'n'Wild schedule will differ each year, but will be posted on the website. During the grand opening in 2009, Wet’n’Wild's schedule runs June through August 16th, and then weekends only through November 1st. The park opens at 10:00 am each day.
Admission can be paid daily or a season pass can be purchased. Wet'n'Wild offers early bird season passes at a discount prior to the season's start. The summer pass is good for unlimited admission with no blackout dates during the entire season, check their website for current pricing. Children under two are free.
When the Arizona temperatures reach that 100 degree mark, and school is almost out, everyone starts getting ready for some summer vacation fun. Wet’n’Wild just may be a good reason for Valley residents to have a “staycation” at home, that lasts all summer long.
Jan Peterson - I'm a retired banker, published songwriter, cyber journalist, and member of the advisory board for the Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall ...
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