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The Black Hole
The last slide ride on this side of the park, The Black Hole works an interesting variation on the theme. Here you ride a two-person, Siamese inner tube down completely enclosed black tubes. It’s not totally dark, however; a thin line of light at the top gives some illumination and lets you know which way the tube will twist next. Although the darkness adds a special thrill, The Black Hole is not especially scary or fast, especially compared to, say, Mach 5. If you choose the tube to your right as you enter the launch area, you’ll get a few extra bumps. A single person can ride alone, occupying the front hole in the inner tube
Knee Ski/Wakeboarding
Rounding things off on the left side of the park is something completely different — a modified water-skiing experience. You kneel on a small surfboard specially designed for this sort of thing; molded rubber impressions make it easy to stay on and a mandatory life-jacket protects you if you fall off. And instead of a speedboat, your tow line hangs from a sort of cable-car arrangement that tows you in a long circle around a lake. The entire course is surrounded by a wooden dock and, should you fall, you are never more than a few strokes from the edge. Ladders like those in swimming pools are provided at regular intervals, making this a very safe ride.
Dunkings are rare, however. Given the special design of the board, the low center of gravity, and the moderate speed of the tow line, most people complete the circuit easily. So don’t let a lack of experience with water skiing keep you from enjoying this ride.
Note: This attraction is only open May through September.
Surf Lagoon
Moving to the center section of the park we find, appropriately enough, the centerpiece of Wet ’n Wild. This is an artificial ocean. Well, actually, it’s a fan shaped swimming pool with a hydraulic system that sends out pulsing waves in which you can jump and frolic. You can also bounce around on top of them in an inner tube. At the “ocean” end of the pool, a waterfall splashes off the back wall and onto swimmers bobbing in the waves below. At the “beach” end of the pool, you’ll find plenty of lounge chairs for soaking up the sun.
Volleyball Courts
Squeezed between the back of the wave pool and the arcade are two side-by-side volleyball courts. The surface is soft beach sand. Balls can be obtained free of charge at the Courtesy Counter at the front of the park. If there are people waiting, you are asked to limit games to 15 minutes or 11 points, whichever comes first. The courts are occasionally reserved for the use of private groups visiting the park.
Wild One
Head past the volleyball courts on to the dock and hang a right. Down at the end is Wild One, the only ride at Wet ’n Wild that requires an additional charge over and above the admission to the park, $5 including tax. The ride is worth the extra expense. You are towed in a large inner tube behind a jet ski as it races around the Wet ’n Wild lake. The fun here is in the turns as the two inner tubes being towed accelerate sharply in wide arcs to keep up with the jet ski’s tight turns. The ride lasts about two minutes.
Note: This attraction is only open May through September.
Bubble Up
As you move to the right side of the park, you encounter Bubble Up. This attraction is just for kids. Too bad, because it looks fun. In the center of a pool stands a large blue and white rubber mountain; at the top is a circular fountain producing a steady downpour. The object is to grab the knotted rope hanging down from the summit and pull yourself to the top up the slippery sides. Once there you can slide back down into the pool.
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