A:
The rumor you heard is accurate. Whether it will come to fruition remains to be seen, but we know we won't be the only ones keeping our fingers crossed for a successful outcome. We really miss Wet 'n Wild!
What we've heard/read about the project so far is that it's called Las Vegas Wet and it's nothing if not ambitious. If it comes off, it might just be the most eclectically themed thing ever. What the developers are proposing is a state-of-the-art water park with themed "lands," including:
- The Luxe Lagoon, a "future retro" zone featuring giant wave pool and indoor beach, water slides, and the "pneumatic tube" water coaster.
- The Indoor/Outdoor Painted Desert Oasis, which will "combine the stunningly colorful geological formations of Valley of Fire and Bryce Canyon National Park, with invigorating water slides and swirling pools" and will feature private cabañas, hammocks, and indoor grottos with azure pools and spectacular waterfalls. Wow.
- Apparently, after the shagadelic lagoon and geological hammocks, the next stop will be the world of Reality Television with Survivor Island, a lush playground of shady beaches, soothing pools, and competitive water adventures, all with a South Seas’ twist.
- Next stop, Vintage Vegas a "scenic and whimsical mélange" of the Elvis/Rat Pack era, featuring classic Vegas signage, enormous dice, gigantic poker chips, and humongous playing cards, plus a large, shaded pool and slip 'n' slide water chutes.
- We come then to the play pools of Glacier Bay, with a zero-depth entry pool with squirting "ice floes," cold geyser fountains, mini-slides, a pint-sized inner tube river, and squirt-gun stations, all designed for the very young (or young at heart).
- First something for the kids, then something for the grown-ups, in the shape of the Hidden Riviera Beach Club, a self-enclosed 21-and-over section that will include European-style (i.e., topless) pool and sunning area, private beach, pools and hot tubs, a restaurant, bar, and dance club.
- Wait, there's more! The Endless River is a state-of-the-art high-capacity water system that will begin in the Luxe Lagoon, then wind its way through the entire water park (except the Hidden Riviera). Here, guests will float on inner tubes, rafts, and even covered "mini-cabanas" from one destination to another, via your choice of slow-moving currents, whitewater rapids, or even detours through tube chutes, and Master Blaster-style uphill water coasters.
And that's just the water park. Other plans for this mega-resort include the "Snow Dome," an indoor ski area, two upscale 600-room hotels, spa, tropical-themed casino, multiplex cinema, 5,000-seat arena, and a dining, retail, and entertainment district. It's estimated to be an over $1 billion project and if the developers can raise the cash, they're looking to break ground early next year, possibly at a site south of Mandalay Bay. Please see the map we've reproduced for you at the bottom of the page.
And all we really wanted was a wave machine and some water slides!
Site map
Update 28 April 2008
A year and a half later, nothing has happened to bring this project closer to fruition.
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