| Wild Rivers | |
|---|---|
| Location | Irvine, California, United States |
| Website | Official Website |
| Opened | 1986 |
| Closed | September 25, 2011 |
| Attractions | |
| Amusement Parks Portal | |
Wild Rivers was a water park in Irvine, California. It opened in 1986 on the site of the former Lion Country Safari. Following the expiration of its lease with the The Irvine Company, it closed permanently on September 25, 2011, with the hope of opening in a new location by 2013.[1]
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Before Wild Rivers was built, the land was a drive-through zoo called Lion Country Safari, but it went bankrupt and closed in the 1980s. Wild Rivers opened in 1986. A few years later it opened the first side by side wave pools in the country.
General tickets, for guests over 48" tall, cost $34.98 and junior tickets, for guests under 48", cost $21.98. Admission after 4:00 p.m. is $21.98 ($16.98 for juniors). Children under 2 years old are free, and seniors over 65 years old can enter free.
Season passes are $69.98 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 $15 on select Sundays. The first open day of each season is dedicated only to season pass holders.
The park offers a wide variety of foods at its quick-service restaurants, including Colonel Hawkins, Congo Cafe, and the La Fiesta. The full menu and pricing is available on the park's website.
Wild Rivers staffs Red Cross certified lifeguards. First aid in the park is provided by certified emergency medical technician-basics (EMT-Bs). Since the park opened there have been no confirmed deaths.
Each year Wild Rivers hosts a rubber duck race down the lazy river. It proceeds go to help underprivileged children and is called the Rubber Ducky Derby. Sponsors include UPS, Starbucks, The Anaheim Ducks, and elvistech.com. For 2005, a car show was added.
In early 2011, Wild Rivers announced that it had lost its lease with The Irvine Company. Both the park and the adjacent Camp James are scheduled to close at the end of the 2011 season.[2] Afterward, everything will be demolished, and apartments will be built. It is thinking about opening at the Orange County Great Park, but is still deciding.
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 Biggest Loser was filmed in one of the wave pools.
Wild Rivers is connected to Camp James, a children's day camp. It makes daily visits to the park. Previously, Camp Frasier was housed on the same land.
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