Wild about water: a passion for pools��and thrilling rides��drives waterpark executive

Visitors to most waterparks arrive amped for amusement, but perhaps no one is more passionate about pools than Bill Hamilton, the man behind the fun at Wet 'n Wild in Orlando, Fla.

"I love creating beautiful swimming environments," says Hamilton, manager of pools and attractions. "Passion is the key word. I do have a passion for this."

Also an avid offshore fisherman and scuba diver, Hamilton's personal and professional lives both revolve around water. And it seems as if it has always been that way. In his early days, Hamilton worked for a large Florida pool builder and then as a service technician. In the 1980s, he joined Wet 'n Wild as a water-quality technician.

A quarter century later, Hamilton now ensures that the park's pools are clean and safe, and that the equipment behind the rides is in top condition. The nearly one million guests who visit the park each year are counting on it.

A splash of innovation

Wet 'n Wild, which opened in 1977, is considered one of the world's first complete waterparks. It also has the distinction of being the first in the industry to introduce the lazy river concept. Today, the park offers nearly 20 slides, rides and pools. Keeping the park's attractions fun and fresh flails under Hamilton's job description.

That task can be quite a challenge. With a continued focus on family entertainment, the waterpark industry features rides that are more thrilling, chilling and daring than what used to pass as fun.

"There used to be slides with a drop, or a drop with some turns. Then it went to enclosed slides. Now, there are all types of fiberglass slides and fully enclosed rides," Hamilton says. "Years ago, it was almost all single riders. Now they've developed rides for four or five people in large tubes so you can experience them with your family." His goal is to create innovative rides that keep customers interested and coming back for more.

Adding an aquatic attraction is a nearly two-year process. To come up with the newest novelty, Hamilton studies responses from guest surveys and questionnaires. He's also well-known in the waterpark industry, and thus often gets a heads-up regarding the rides and slides that companies have in the works.

"Where I am fortunate is that I've been in the business longer than most, so people call me looking for information. If someone has the latest, greatest thing, they call us right away," Hamilton says. He stays on top by "constantly being in the loop at trade shows, making acquaintances over the years, and doing a lot of networking with builders and manufacturers."

These days one of Hamilton's favorite attractions is called Disco H2O. The ride is totally enclosed and designed for two to four riders who sit on a cloverleaf raft.

Riders first encounter a slide and then plummet into the depths. "When you drop, you really pick up speed. It gives you that feeling in your gut," Hamilton says. "Then, you hit an enclosed bowl with lights, disco balls and loud disco music." The raft rotates through the watery "nightclub," and then exits through a waterfall into a landing pool.

Managing waterpark rides is as fun as it sounds. "I have a passion for what I do. I love creating that tropical paradise look. I love that resort feel," Hamilton says. "Waterparks all over the world supply a lot of fun jobs."

COPYRIGHT 2005 Hanley-Wood, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group