columnwest
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2005
- Messages
- 115
On the Email Show this week was a question about a rumored Disney/Universal joint-venture waterpark in Las Vegas. The podcast crew pretty much dismissed this out of hand, but.... there is actally a small sliver of truth in the story, sort of.
The project is called "Las Vegas Wet", and it's been on the drawingboard since around 2006. Their website (http://www.lasvegaswet.com) claims it's set to open in 2012, however, the date has already been pushed back several times, and in Vegas even being "under construction" is no guarantee of ever opening (two words: Echelon Place).
You can see some concept art for it here: http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/wet.htm
It is NOT a "joint venture" by Disney and/or Universal though. However, the company behind it is "WET Holdings", which is headed by a guy named Steven Dooner, whose Linked-In page lists him as having been a "Production Manager" for Universal Studios Japan in 2001 and a "Deveolpment Consultant" for Disney in 1997 (working on Club Disney, ESPN Zone and Disney Quest). There are also a few others involved who have work experience with either Disney or Universal (along with a lot of other companies). However, neither Disney nor Universal is directly involved with the design, construction or operation of the proposed park.
Also, despite the similar name, it does NOT appear to be related in any way to "WET Design" which is the much more well-established company that designed (among other things) the Epcot and Bellagio fountains, and which was started by ex-Disney Imagineers Mark Fuller, Melanie Simon and Alan Robinson.
The project is called "Las Vegas Wet", and it's been on the drawingboard since around 2006. Their website (http://www.lasvegaswet.com) claims it's set to open in 2012, however, the date has already been pushed back several times, and in Vegas even being "under construction" is no guarantee of ever opening (two words: Echelon Place).
You can see some concept art for it here: http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/wet.htm
It is NOT a "joint venture" by Disney and/or Universal though. However, the company behind it is "WET Holdings", which is headed by a guy named Steven Dooner, whose Linked-In page lists him as having been a "Production Manager" for Universal Studios Japan in 2001 and a "Deveolpment Consultant" for Disney in 1997 (working on Club Disney, ESPN Zone and Disney Quest). There are also a few others involved who have work experience with either Disney or Universal (along with a lot of other companies). However, neither Disney nor Universal is directly involved with the design, construction or operation of the proposed park.
Also, despite the similar name, it does NOT appear to be related in any way to "WET Design" which is the much more well-established company that designed (among other things) the Epcot and Bellagio fountains, and which was started by ex-Disney Imagineers Mark Fuller, Melanie Simon and Alan Robinson.
It's interesting that the plot plan for the park and hotels includes a space about the size of Hollywood Studios reserved for an "Internationally Recognized Theme Park Brand". But, the vagueness of that description leaves a lot of room for interpretation. And, like I said, it's very doubtful that anything will actually get built.
