Wet 'n Wild

And it all began with Wet 'n Wild.

As confirmed by Aquatics International, Wet 'n Wild, which opened in 1977, was the world's first water park. Although it's now far from alone, it remains extremely popular thanks to its quality; service; and ability to create more heart-stopping waterslides, rides, and tubing adventures than its competitors. There's a complete water playground for kids, numerous high-energy slides for adults, a lazy-river ride, and some quiet sandy beaches on which you can stretch out and get a tan.

Speaking of high energy, this is a park that requires a lot of it. A day here is often a marathon of climbing, sliding, swimming, and splashing. You may not notice just how much your stamina is being drained as you scamper from slide to slide. Plan to take breaks: laze in a beach chair and eat high-protein meals and snacks to maintain your strength. You can bring in a cooler for a picnic or eat at a restaurant in one of several food courts.

If you're not a strong swimmer, don't worry. There are plenty of low-key attractions, and all the ride entrances are marked with warnings to let you know which ones are safe for you. Plus, during peak season, there are as many as 400 lifeguards on duty daily.

Note, too, that the pools here are heated in cooler weather. This, combined with Orlando's temperate climate, means that Wet 'n Wild is one of the few water parks in the country to stay open year-round.

Surf's up!