Pictures: Wet ‘n Wild Orlando through the years

A construction worker pours concrete on a slide at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on March 29, 1977. (Tom Kennedy, Orlando Sentinel)  (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

People enjoy the Lazy River at Wet ‘n Wild on April 16, 1987. (Judy Watson Tracy, Orlando Sentinel)  (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

Construction is uderway on the $1.5 million children’s water playground at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on March 4, 1991. (Wet ‘n Wild)  (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

The new $1.5 million children’s water playground opens at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on July 26, 1991. (Wet ‘n Wild)  (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

Navy sailors enjoys a ride down the Bubba Tub at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on July 27, 1992. (Gary Bogdon, Orlando Sentinel)  (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

Construction workers take a break and enjoy the view atop a new flume ride at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on Jan. 3, 1986. (Judy Borich, Orlando Sentinel)  (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

Orlando, Fl - Rafael Gonzalez - Orlando Fl, dances along with friends as the music starts up at the 4th annual Fiesta San Juan. Wet ‘N Wild hosts its 4th annual Fiesta San Juan Saturday June 28, 2003. Activities Include food, live music, dancing and contests. The park will continue the festivities till 1 A.M. so that guests can honor the tradition of “The Night of San Juan” by taking a big splash in the water at midnight for good luck.  (Larry L. Lopez / Orlando Sentinel)

A mountain rises in Orlando as Wet ‘n Wild takes shape along the east side of International Drive on Sept. 7, 1976. (Tom Kennedy, Orlando Sentinel)  (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

Orlando, June 12, 2006-Wrist band and scanner. Wet N’ Wild is the first water park in the country to adopt the GO technology, which puts credit card info on a waterproof bracelet. (using Radio Frequency technology, like what you’d find in the automatic toll pass). It lets park patrons pay for anything by scanning their bracelet. Company says it boosts sales and customers are finding it very convenient.

A $2 million expansion project nears completion at Wet ‘n Wild on International Drive in Orlando on Feb. 8, 1988. (Wet ‘n WIld)  (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

Tourists cool off in the wave pool at Wet ‘n Wild on Spet. 21, 1990. (Gary Bogdon, Orlando Sentinel)  (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

Kamikaze super slide is under construction at Wet ‘n Wild on Jan. 18, 1979. (Gordon Williamson, Orlando Sentinel)  (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

Dutch tourists splash around Tuesday, Nov. 30 in the main pool at Wet ‘n Wild. Despite the cool weather, the tourists loved their time at the attraction.

Wet ‘n Wild under construction on April 6, 1984. (Orlando Sentinel file)  (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

A youngster plunges down the Bomb Bay ride at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on May 14, 1993. (Orlando Sentinel file)  (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

Park-goers enjoy the lazy river at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando in November 1985. (Orlando Sentinel file)  (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

Participants in the 11th Annual Cardboard Boat Race paddle furiously during the competition at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando. 2 of 2. ORG XMIT: 9704270-4A  (FRANK RIVERA / ORLANDO SENTINEL)

Park-goers enjoy a night-time float on the lazy river at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on Aug. 14, 1992. (Orlando Sentinel file)  (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

Guests gather around the pool at Wet N’ Wild water park.

Wet ‘n Wild revamped the Hydra Fighter ride. The changes include regulated flow of the water cannons and streamlined chairs to make it easier for riders to propel.

Wet ‘n Wild attraction under construction in Orlando on Feb. 22, 1977. (Bill Phillips, Orlando Sentinel)  (Orlando Sentinel file / Orlando Sentinel)

Wet ‘n Wild has seen great crowds so far this year, partly attributable to big doings at other attractions.

Wet ‘N Wild visitors carry their floating tubes to the top of a ride at Wet ‘N Wild.

Wet ‘n Wild theme park on International Drive now owned by Universal Studios.

An addition to Wet ‘n Wild’s thrill-ride lineup: the Hydra Fighter now open.

Oliver Davy, 14, visiting from Ireland, enjoys the Aqua Drag Racer ride at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on Monday, December 19, 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)  (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel)

Swimmers enjoy the Lazy River at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on Monday, December 19, 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)  (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel)

The Disco H20 ride is pictured at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on Monday, December 19, 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)  (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel)

Wet ’n Wild has remained one of the top 10 most visited water parks in the world.  (Stephen M. Dowell/staff photographer)

Swimmers enjoy the Lazy River at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on Monday, December 19, 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)  (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel)

The sprawling attraction is pictured from above at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on Monday, December 19, 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)  (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel)

The Aqua Drag Racer ride is pictured at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on Monday, December 19, 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)  (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel)

The sprawling attraction is pictured from above at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on Monday, December 19, 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)  (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel)

Oliver Davy, 14, visiting from Ireland, enjoys the Aqua Drag Racer ride at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on Monday, December 19, 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)  (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel)

Surf Lagoon wave pool is pictured from above at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on Monday, December 19, 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)  (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel)

Tubers enjoy the Lazy River at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando on Monday, December 19, 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)  (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel)