Theme Parks

Wild Waves Park Corporate Office

Wild Waves Park was founded in 1977 in Federal Way, Washington, by Byron Betts. Originally named Enchanted Village, the park was very small with only about 6 rides. Wild Waves was built on an adjacent lot and in 1993, Wild Waves bought out Enchanted Village.

The company operates both a water park, as well as an amusement park on the same lot. The park sits on slightly more than 70 acres and has 44 rides in all, most of them water rides or attractions. Today, the park is owned by Premier Parks, LLC.

Wild Waves Park has had minor issues with safety and cleanliness, but health department officials claim that problems are promptly corrected. In August of 2016, a 32 year old man with limited swimming abilities drown in a 10 foot pool on a busy day. The park is reviewing the incident and police reports state it was an accidental drowning.

Wild Waves Park

History

Rapids Water Park Corporate Office

Rapids Water Park was founded in West Palm Beach, Florida, in 1979. Originally the site occupied only 4 acres and had 4 water slides, it has expanded to become one of the largest water parks in Florida.

The park now occupies 25 acres and has approximately 400,000 visitors each year. There are three categories of rides, broken down into Biggest Rides, such as Big Thunder and Raging Rapids, Coolest Rides, such as Baby Blue and Pirates Plunge, and Wettest Rides, including Lazy River and Barefootin’ Bay. There are a total of 36 water rides or water features.

The park has been used in films and music videos. The movie Donnie Brasco has a scene with a water slide from Rapids Water Park, and rap singer Trina shot her music video for Pull Over, at the park. Jersey Shore producers were turned down when they requested to film at the park.

Rapids Water Park

History

Butterfly World Corporate Office

Butterfly World was founded in 1988 in Coconut Creek, Florida, by Ron Boender, who turned his hobby into a business. The company operates the largest butterfly compound in the world.

The park sits on 3 acres and houses more than 5,000 butterflies. The park also has an extensive botanical garden, aviaries, and hummingbirds. The Hanging and Emerging Butterfly section has cocoons and butterflies that are emerging from their cocoons. The park has sponsored numerous off-site research programs and is considered vital to the preservation of several endangered species of butterflies.

Butterfly World also has a Tropical Rainforest area, where birds are free, flying inside a giant aviary, along with waterfalls and more than 90 species of butterflies. There is also a small museum with insect and butterfly species mounted for viewing.

Butterfly World

Butterfly World was founded in 1988 in Coconut Creek, Florida, by Ron Boender, who turned his hobby into a business. The company operates the largest butterfly compound in the world.

History

Jungle Island Corporate Office

Jungle Island was founded in Pinecrest, Florida, in 1936 by Franz and Louise Sherr. It was purchased by Bern Levine in 1988. The original name was Parrot Island, but when the business moved to Watson Island in 2003, the name was changed. The company operates an interactive zoo and animal theme park.

The park sees approximately 450,000 visitors each year, including numerous celebrities and politicians, such as former US president Jimmy Carter, Winston Churchill, and Steven Spielberg. The park offers bird and animal shows, while preserving the natural habitat that the island represents. Jungle Island is involved with numerous non-profit organizations, including The Everglades Foundation.

Jungle Island was sold in late 2016 due to mounting debt problems. ESJ Capital Partners purchased the island for an undisclosed sum, including the $45 million in debt that the company currently owes. ESJ executives plan a major overhaul of the park over the next two years, adding children’s rides, a private beach available for rent, and zip lines.

Jungle Island

History

Flamingo Gardens Corporate Office

Flamingo Gardens began as Flamingo Groves, a citrus orchard, in 1927 by Floyd and Jane Wray. The couple purchased 320 acres and believed that the climate was perfect for citrus fruit. The farm began receiving plants from other parts of the world and the Wrays created a garden, which they invited the public to enjoy.

Today, Flamingo Gardens is a non-profit botanical garden, wildlife sanctuary, and aviary. The Wray’s home operates as a museum, unchanged since the late 1930’s. Guided tours are offered daily for a small fee. Flamingos nest among the trees, and Mrs. Wray introduced peacocks in the 1940’s.

Flamingo Gardens is one of the last natural growth jungles in Southern Florida. The park boasts that there are 3,000 tropical trees and subtropical trees, as well as the wildlife sanctuary, which is home to 90 native species.

Flamingo Gardens