Describing Archives: A Content Standard

CFM2008_08 Guide to the Wet 'n Wild Collection, 1975-2002 Processed by Katie Seeler; finding aid prepared by Katie Seeler University of Central Florida Libraries Special Collections and University Archives.

PO Box 162666, Orlando, FL 32816-2666, Telephone: 407-823-2576, E-mail: speccoll@mail.ucf.edu

Finding Aid encoded by Katie Seeler 2008 Description is written in English Finding Aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard Descriptive Summary Wet 'n Wild Collection 1975-2002 CFM2008_08 These papers were created by Wet 'n Wild 1 Box, 0.25 Linear feet Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries,

PO Box 162666, Orlando, FL 32816-2666, Telephone: 407-823-2576, E-mail: speccoll@mail.ucf.edu

This collection contains materials relevant to the opening of the world's first water park, Wet 'n Wild. There are newspaper articles, advertisements, brochures, photographs, and other materials about Wet 'n Wild from before the park opened through 2002. The materials are written in English Acquisition Information

Wet 'n Wild donated these materials to the University of Central Florida Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives in 2008.

Processing History

The materials were placed in pH neutral folders and box, the photographs and slides were put in sleeves, paperweight was wrapped, and one photograph removed from frame.

Access

The entire collection is open for research.

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.

Preferred Citation

Wet 'n Wild Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Related Material

For more information on Florida and Travel and Tourism, please look at our website. For more information on Wet 'n Wild, please see the George and Anne Millay Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Biographical/Historical Note

Wet 'n Wild was conceived by SeaWorld founder George Millay and opened in Orlando in 1977. Millay's concept of a park encompassing wave pools, water slides, kiddie pools, and thrill rides revolutionized the industry. Eventually there were ten Wet 'n Wild locations throughout the United States, Brazil, Mexico, and El Salvador. Wet 'n Wild Las Vegas closed in 2004.

The Orlando park was owned by Millay until 1998, when the chain was purchased by Universal Studios Recreation Group. In 1999, Ogden Corporation acquired all intellectual property pertaining to Wet 'n Wild, including trademarks, patents, names, and ride technology. Universal Studios manages the Orlando facility under a special licensing agreement.

Collection Scope and Content

The collection is arranged in one series by type of document.

Series I: Alphabetical Files, 1975-2002 contains newspaper articles, brochures, and photographs about Wet 'n Wild from the planning phase through the Orlando park's 25th anniversary in 2002.

Selected Subject and Access Points

Similar records may be found by searching under the following index terms.

Wet 'n Wild, Inc. Orlando (Fla.) Amusement parks Water parks Tourism Attractions Contents List Series I: Alphabetical Files, 1975-2002. 0.25 Linear feet

This series includes two oversize photographs, one of which is the facility in Las Vegas and the other is of the Hydromaniac ride in Orlando. Newspaper clippings include early advertising and promotional material.

Box Folder 1 1 Brochures. undated. 1 Bubba Tub Opening Paperweight. 1992. 1 2 Drink Coasters. undated. 1 3 Licenses. 1976-1977. 1 4 Newspaper Articles. 1975-1991. Flat-File Newspaper Articles. 1977-2002. 1 5 Photographs. circa 1994. Flat-File Photographs. circa 1993. 1 6 Press Releases. 1976. 1 7 Ticket. 1977.