Wild Rivers (water park)
33°38′35″N 117°44′54″W / 33.6431889°N 117.748411°W
| Wild Rivers | |
|---|---|
| Location | Irvine, California, United States  |
| Website | Official Website |
Wild Rivers is a waterpark in Irvine, California. Its flagship rides include Patriot and Bazooka Bowls. Wild Rivers has over 40 rides and attractions and is open from mid-May to September. In June 2009, Wild Rivers opened their newest attraction for kids, called Buccaneer Bay.
History
Before Wild Rivers was built, the land was a drive-through zoo called Lion Country Safari, but the Safari went bankrupt and closed down in the 1980s. Wild Rivers opened in 1986 with just four rides. A few years later Wild Rivers opened the first side by side wave pools in the country.
Pricing
General tickets, for guests over 48" tall, cost $31.98 and junior tickets, for guests under 48", cost $19.98. Admission after 4:00 p.m. is $18.98 ($14.98 for juniors). Children under 2 years old are free, and seniors over 65 years old can enter the park free.
Season passes are $64.98 for one person or $249.98 for a family of four. Along with no blackout days, season pass holders are entitled to special discounts, including special Season Pass Sundays featuring discounts on drinks and hot dogs, and the ability to bring a buddy into the park for only $10 on select Sundays. The first open day of each season is dedicated only to Season Pass holders.
Food
The park offers a wide variety of foods at its quick-service restaurants, including Colonel Hawkins, Congo Cafe and the Sweet Shop. The full menu and pricing is available on the park's website.
Innovation
For the 2009 season, Wild Rivers introduced a new dessert item, the Funnel Dog, a hot-dog covered in funnel cake batter and deep fried. This was a culinary creation of Clay W. Socha and Alex Flores in July of 2008; both were park employees at the time. Originally, the product was not meant for the general public, but after its widespread popularity among the park's employees, executive chef Clark Hutton and the board of directors decided to put it on the menu starting in the 2009 summer season. [1]
Safety
Wild Rivers staffs Red Cross certified lifeguards. First aid in the park is provided by certified emergency medical technician-basics (EMT-Bs).
Rubber Ducky Derby
Each year Wild Rivers hosts a rubber duck race down the lazy river. The race proceeds go to help underprivileged children. The race is called the Rubber Ducky Derby.
Sponsors include UPS, Starbucks, The Anaheim Ducks, and elvistech.com
For 2005 a car show was added.
Notes
An episode of Malcolm in the Middle has been filmed here, as well as an episode of Wild and Crazy Kids and "The Bachelor". In June 2009, an episode of the The Biggest Loser was filmed in one of the wavepools at the park.
Wild Rivers is connected to Camp James, a children's day camp. This camp makes daily visits to Wild Rivers. Previously, Camp Frasier was housed on the same land.