Wet 'n Wild Shuttering Its Doors

Fans of Orlando’s Wet ‘n Wild might want to make plans to visit one last time.

Universal Orlando announced the park’s Dec. 31, 2016, closing on its blog Wednesday. The waterpark will be permanently closed on that date. Water park lovers, however, can look forward to Universal’s new Volcano Bay, “a next-generation water theme park that reimagines what it means to be a water park,” the post stated.

Wet ‘n Wild opened back in 1977 and is billed by Universal as “America’s first water park.”

“We’re grateful to our countless fans and team members for making Wet ‘n Wild such a special place for so very long,” spokesman Tom Schroder wrote in the post.

Volcano Bay is already under construction south of Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort. The new park is expected to open in 2017, according to Universal.

“Volcano Bay shows how Universal Orlando is continuing to evolve at an unprecedented rate that will not slow anytime soon,” Universal’s May announcement for the new water park stated. “Since 2010, we’ve launched more than 18 remarkable experiences across the destination – from new attractions and theme park lands to new on-site hotels and restaurants. Our team will continue delivering new guest experiences that push the limits of theme park entertainment.”

For more information about Wet ‘n Wild, visit its website.

Rendering of Volcano Bay courtesy of Universal Orlando