Get the latest: Follow us 
This past weekend Wet ‘n Wild Orlando celebrated the grand opening of its newest attraction, Blastaway Beach. The water-soaked play area is said to be Florida’s largest and Wet ‘n Wild’s first new attraction in more than four years.
With a towering 60-foot-tall sandcastle as a centerpiece, Blastaway Beach sprawls across an acre of land and includes 15 slides, two pools, and more than 150 water cannons, soakers, jets, and waterfalls. Though designed for kids to play in, water park goers of all ages can enjoy the new area, getting drenched across its many twists, turns, ups, and downs.
Local elementary school student winners of an art contest were invited to bring their families for the grand opening of Blastaway Beach, which took place on Saturday, June 2, 2012, an hour before the park opened to day guests. The children (and I, armed with a waterproof camera) took full advantage of the early hour in the new area, becoming among the first to slide and dive through the massive water attraction.
Check out the action of Blastaway Beach, including an opening day hula hoop contest, in the video and photos below.
Video: Blastaway Beach grand opening and water-soaked tour at Wet n Wild Orlando
The grand opening of Blastaway Beach is part of Universal Orlando’s ongoing “Year to Be Here,” as Wet ‘n Wild Orlando is owned by Universal Parks and Resorts.
More information about Blastaway Beach and Wet ‘n Wild Orlando can be found at wetnwildorlando.com.
Slideshow: Other attractions around Wet ‘n Wild Orlando:
Meh. Whenever people on Disney boards complain about the Disney parks, I always think of places like Legoland or Universal or Blastaway Beach…and these places feel like drinking RC Cola on a hot day instead of a crisp, ice cold Coke in that classic red and white can.
I like that there are other options for people who want them, but I prefer the brand that I love. Whether that’s Disney or Coke or whatever. Even if it’s on sale, I won’t buy RC Cola because I’d rather drink water until I had enough to buy the real thing, my beloved Coke.
That’s how I feel about Disney. Any non-Disney park feels cheap and second tier to me. I know they are less expensive, but I’d rather keep doing what I am doing now — saving up and going to Disney parks every 3-5 years and having amazing times — than going to the cheaper options out there. Even if I’d be able to go more frequently, I just would not enjoy myself as much as I’d at a Disney park.
The one exception is Harry Potter. I have not been to it yet, but the next time i am in Florida you better believe I am going to Islands of Adventure for the first time ever because I want to see Harry Potter. It is the only reason that I am ever going to set foot in a Universal park.
I still wish Disney had secured the rights to Harry Potter. Just imagine how amazing those movies could have been if Disney had done them. Sigh.