Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Happy screams fill Wet ‘n’ Wild on its first day serving the general public

Wet ’n’ Wild Open to All

Guests get ready to launch from the top of Desert Racers during the first day of general admission at Wet ’n’ Wild Las Vegas on Monday, June 3, 2013.

Updated Monday, June 3, 2013 | 2:58 p.m.

Wet ’n’ Wild Open to All

Ashley White of Las Vegas rides the Canyon Cliffs water slide during the first day of general admission at Wet'n'Wild Las Vegas on Monday, June 3, 2013. Launch slideshow »

Wet ’n’ Wild Opening

Lines for the ride extended to the bottom of the multiflight stairs as kids wait to try out the Constrictor and Rattler for the first time during the Wet ’n’ Wild Las Vegas’ grand opening on Friday, May 24, 2013. The day marked the first time the 41-acre water park on Fort Apache Road near the 215 Beltway was opened to visitors. Launch slideshow »

Ashley Demille's toddler had yet to speak, but the 25-year-old mother had no doubt her daughter was excited to splash around Wet 'n' Wild.

"She's just been pointing toward the slides and going "ooooooh," Demille said, standing in line to get into the new water park Monday morning.

The day marked the first time the general public could get into the park. While the park normally opens at 10 a.m., park staff opened the gates 15 minutes early to battle the growing line outside.

Like many other locals who have witnessed the demise of water parks in the valley, Demille has been anxiously waiting for a new water park ever since the original Wet 'n Wild closed in 2004. After 20 years of operation, developers planned to build a casino resort but never finished.

"I was really sad when the first Wet 'n Wild closed," Demille said, planning to meet a group of friends for a toddler play date.

Nestled just off Fort Apache Road near the 215 Beltway, the 41-acre park features 25 slides, a 1,000-foot lazy river and a giant wave pool.

By 10 a.m., a slew of park visitors sporting multicolored swimsuits had dashed to the tubes and formed a line at atop several slide platforms, spiraling down staircases. The slides have catchy names, like the Constrictor and Zip, Zap, Zoom.

The scream of sliders echoed through the tunnels as Brandon Williams waited for his wife to return from the ticket window.

"She was freaking and squealing in line earlier," said Williams, 30, pointing to his 5-year-old daughter Sam a few feet away.

The wide-eyed, dark-haired girl could barely keep still in her blue swimsuit and lifejacket.

"Are you excited?" Williams ask.

Her thumbs tucked in her life-jacket, Sam looked up and smiled.

"Yes!" she said, spinning around to look for her mother, Heather, who had just stepped up to the ticket window.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy