Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe
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 is part of the Wet 'n Wild chain of water parks. There are 14 slides, 5 pools, and 2 children areas.[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 |
| 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 | 14 [2] water slides |
| Children's areas | 2 [2] children's areas |
| Website | www |
History
Originally named Aqua Gardens, the water park was opened in September 1983. From 1984 to 1986, the park used the name Water Country USA. In 1986, the park 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.[4]
Rides and attractions
Current attractions
| Name | Opened | Manufacturer | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riptide Racer | 2015 | 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 | 1984 | Lazy river | |
| Leisure Lagoon | 1984 | Small pool | |
| Raging Rapids | 1984 | Inline tube slide | |
| Runaway Raft Ride | 1997 | Proslide | Inline tube slide |
| Splash Island | ADG | Children's area | |
| Scooter Run | 1984 | Proslide | Small inline tube slide |
| Happy Harbor | 1984 | Children's area | |
| Blue Streak | 1995 | Proslide | Enclosed body slide |
| Sidewinder | 1995 | Proslide | Enclosed body slide |
| 360 Degrees | 1996 | Proslide | Enclosed body slide |
| 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
| 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
References
- "2015 Theme Index" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). Retrieved 5 January 2017.
- "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.