Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe |
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| Location | Greensboro, North Carolina, United States |
| Coordinates | 36°0′27″N 79°50′25″W / 36.00750°N 79.84028°W |
| Owner | Lucky Strike Entertainment |
| Opened | September 1983 |
| Previous names | Aqua Gardens Water Country USA Emerald Pointe |
| Operating season | Memorial Day – Labor Day |
| Status | {{{status}}} |
| Visitors per annum | 406,000 |
| Area | 40 acres (160,000 m2) |
| Pools | 5 pools |
| Water slides | 15 water slides |
| Children's areas | 2 children's areas |
Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe is a super fun water park located in Greensboro, North Carolina, in the United States. People often just call it Wet 'n Wild or Emerald Pointe. It's part of the bigger Wet 'n Wild family of water parks. This park has tons of exciting things to do, with 40 different rides and attractions! You can find 5 cool pools, 2 special areas just for kids, and one of the biggest wave pools in the whole country. Lots of people love visiting this park; in 2015, over 400,000 visitors came to splash around!
Contents
Park History: How It Started
Early Days and Name Changes
The park first opened its doors in September 1983 for a special preview. It officially opened in 1984 and was originally called Aqua Gardens. The first plan for Aqua Gardens included an indoor shopping mall, but that part was never built.
From 1985 to 1986, the park changed its name to Water Country USA. Then, in 1986, a local company bought the park and renamed it Emerald Pointe.
Becoming Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe
In March 1999, a company called Ogden Corp bought Emerald Pointe. They also bought other water parks like Raging Waters and the Wet 'n Wild brand. That's when Emerald Pointe became Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe, joining the famous water park chain.
New Rides and Ownership Changes
A new ride called "Bombs Away" was announced in 2019. It was planned to open in 2020, but its opening was delayed. "Bombs Away" finally opened for guests in 2022.
In early 2025, the park was sold to a company called Herschend Family Entertainment. However, just a few months later, in July 2025, the park was sold again. Now, it is owned by Lucky Strike Entertainment.
Exciting Rides and Attractions
Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe has many different water rides and attractions for all ages. Here are some of the cool things you can experience at the park:
Current Water Slides and Pools
- Bermuda Triangle: This ride is an enclosed body slide, meaning you slide through a dark tube! It was updated in 2023.
- Bombs Away: Get ready for a thrilling free-fall and enclosed body slide. It opened in 2022.
- Riptide Racer: Challenge your friends on these four racing mat slides. It opened in 2015.
- Dr. Von Dark's Tunnel of Terror: This is an enclosed tube slide that spins you around in a funnel! It opened in 2009.
- Dragon's Den: Another "toilet bowl" style open tube slide where you swirl around before dropping out. It opened in 2005.
- Tropical Drop: A smaller body slide for a quick splash. It opened in 2004.
- The Edge: This ride is like a half-pipe for water slides, giving you a unique back-and-forth experience. It opened in 2004.
- Double Barrel Blast: Two short, fast free-fall body slides. These opened in 1996.
- Shipwreck Cove: A large pool perfect for swimming and relaxing. It has been open since 1984.
- Lazee River: Float along this gentle lazy river and relax. It opened in 1986.
- Leisure Lagoon: A smaller pool for a calm swim. It opened in 1984.
- Raging Rapids: An inline tube slide that mimics riding down rapids. It opened in 1986.
- Runaway Raft Ride: Another exciting inline tube slide where you ride on a raft. It opened in 1997.
- Splash Island: A fun children's area designed for younger guests. It opened in 2000.
- Scooter Run: A small inline tube slide, great for a quick ride. It opened in 2000.
- Happy Harbor: Another fantastic children's area with water fun. It opened in 1994.
- Cyclone Zone: A special round pool that creates a swirling current. It opened in 1995.
- Daredevil Drop: A thrilling free-fall body slide for the brave! It opened in 1998.
- Thunder Bay Wave Pool: One of the biggest wave pools around, perfect for riding the waves. It opened in 1986.
- Twin Twisters: Two enclosed body slides that twist and turn. They opened in 2000.
- Soak Zone: A children's area with lots of splashing fun. It opened in 2013.
Past Attractions
Some rides that were once at the park include:
- Bonzai Pipeline/Speed Slides: Two fast free-fall tube slides that were open from 1984 to 2014.
- White Water Run: Three inline tube slides that operated from 1984 to 2008.
- Skycoaster: A special ride that lifted you high in the air before a thrilling swing. It was at the park from 1994 to 2008.
- Pirate's Plunge: A pulley ride that was open from 1984 to 2001.
- Hydra Fighter II: A water roller coaster that was at the park from 2001 to 2003.
See also
- Wet 'n Wild (brand)
