Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe (often simply referred to as Wet 'n Wild or Emerald Pointe) is a water park located in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States, and part of the Wet 'n Wild chain. There are 40 rides and attractions, including 5 pools, 2 children's areas, and one of the largest wave pools in the country.[3] The Themed Entertainment Association has ranked the park 20th in North America in terms of attendance, of which they had 407,000 visitors as of 2015.[1] Major regional competitors are Carowinds' Carolina Harbor in Charlotte, North Carolina and Dollywood's Splash Waterpark in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
| Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Greensboro, North Carolina, United States |
| Coordinates | 36°0′27″N 79°50′25″W / 36.00750°N 79.84028°W |
| Owner | Parques Reunidos |
| Operated by | Palace Entertainment |
| Opened | September 1983 |
| Previous names | Aqua Gardens Water Country USA Emerald Pointe |
| Operating season | Memorial Day – Labor Day |
| Status | Operating |
| Visitors per annum | 406,000 [1] |
| Area | 40 acres (160,000 m2) |
| Pools | 5 [2] pools |
| Water slides | 15 [2] water slides |
| Children's areas | 2 [2] children's areas |
| Website | www |
History
editOriginally named Aqua Gardens, the park opened in September 1983. From 1984 to 1986, it used the name Water Country USA. In 1986, it was purchased by a local company and renamed Emerald Pointe. In March 1999 Ogden Corp purchased the property, along with Raging Waters and Wet 'n Wild's assets, and renamed the park Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe. In 2019, the newest attraction "Bombs Away" was revealed at the end of the season to the public and was originally slated to open for the 2020 season. Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, it has been delayed to open for the 2022 Season. [4]
Rides and attractions
editCurrent attractions
edit| Name | Opened | Manufacturer | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bermuda Triangle | 2023 | iSlide | Enclosed body slide |
| Bombs Away | 2022 | Proslide | Free fall and enclosed body slide |
| Riptide Racer | 2015 | Fibrart | Four racing mat slides |
| Dr. Von Dark's Tunnel of Terror | 2009 | ProSlide | Enclosed funnel tube slide |
| Dragon's Den | 2005 | Proslide | "Toilet Bowl" open tube slide |
| Tropical Drop | Proslide | Small body slide | |
| The Edge | 2004 | Water Fun | Half-pipe water slide |
| Double Barrel Blast | 1996 | Proslide | Two short freefall body slides |
| Shipwreck Cove | 1984 | Large pool | |
| Lazee River | 1986 | Lazy river | |
| Leisure Lagoon | 1984 | Small pool | |
| Raging Rapids | 1984 | Inline tube slide | |
| Runaway Raft Ride | 1997 | Proslide | Inline tube slide |
| Splash Island | 2000 | ADG | Children's area |
| Scooter Run | 2000 | Proslide | Small inline tube slide |
| Happy Harbor | 1994 | Children's area | |
| Cyclone Zone | 1995 | Toroid-shaped pool | |
| Daredevil Drop | 1998 | Proslide | Freefall body slide |
| Thunder Bay Wave Pool | 1984 | Wave pool | |
| Twin Twisters | 2000 | Proslide | Two enclosed body slides |
| Soak Zone | 2013 | Children's area |
Former attractions
edit| Name | Opened | Closed | Manufacturer | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonzai Pipeline/Speed Slides | 2014 | Two freefall tube slides | ||
| White Water Run | 2008 | Three inline tube slides | ||
| Skycoaster | 2008 | Skycoaster | ||
| Pirate's Plunge | Pulley ride | |||
| Hydra Fighter II | 2001 | 2003 | Caprio | Water roller coaster |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "2015 Theme Index" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). Retrieved 5 January 2017.
- ^ a b c "List of Attractions at Wet 'n Wild". Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe. Wet 'n Wild Emerald Point. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
- ^ "Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Park Info". Wet 'n Wild Emerald Point. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
- ^ Joyner, Amy. "Riding a Wave of Success at Emerald Pointe". News & Record Greensboro. Retrieved 5 January 2017.