Student discount a splash at local water park

UCF students splashed into Wet 'n Wild for its first-ever "Back to School Day" event on Saturday.

Students took advantage of the reduced ticket price of $26, compared to the normal adult price of $44.95. A discounted rate of $28.95 will be good all year for students with a valid college ID and up to five others guests.

Representatives from Wet 'n Wild were on campus in front of the Student Union during the first week of school promoting the event.

"We have tried to reach out to younger teens, but in recent years we have seen a spike in college kids attending the park," said Wet 'n Wild marketing manager, Ashley Bailey.

Bailey said that the park has been targeting UCF students via Facebook and by sending out mass text messages to students around Orange and Seminole counties.

"I got a flier in my mailbox at my apartment complex," said aerospace engineering sophomore Jonathan Brooks. "It's something me and my girlfriend could do our first weekend back to school."

Kelly Potter, a radio and television broadcasting major, said she was drawn to Wet 'n Wild since it was one of the last summer events of the year.

 "The event was cheap, and we wanted to go out and have fun," Potter said.

UCF students were seen enjoying the variety of attractions ranging from Bomb Bay, the 76-foot high slide that begins with the floor falling out from under the rider, to the Lazy River.

One of the park's feature attractions is Disco H2O, an enclosed slide featuring a pitch-black drop that takes the riders through a disco-themed room complete with disco balls and classic hits from the 1970s.

"Wet 'n Wild enjoys being involved with UCF in any event and by enhancing student involvement," said Wet 'n Wild sales manager Beth Satter.

Wet ‘n Wild opened in 1977 as the world's first water park and sits on 30 acres with 17 attractions, located on International Drive.

Unlike Disney's Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, Wet 'n Wild is one of few water parks in Orlando that is open year-round.