The Wave Maker (Sea World Education) [Hardcover]

Tim O'Brien (Author)

Book Description

Series: Sea World Education | Publication Date: September 2004

What began as a biography of George Millay, the "Father of the Waterpark Industry," ended up being both the intriguing life story of a great and successful risk-taker AND the first-ever, in-depth look at the creation of two theme park genres which today entertain more than 100 million people a year, worldwide.

KEY FEATURES

1 – First book ever written about George Millay. He has waited until he felt comfortable "telling it all." And tell it all, he did. Friends and family who have read the manuscript have commented they learned new things about a man they have known for years. He has a reputation for not wanting to talk personally about himself or his family.

2 – George Millay’s personal story is one of a risk-taker and is an excellent business primer on how calculated and creative risk taking and deal making can pay off.

3 – This is the first in-depth look at the creation and the early history of the SeaWorld parks, now owned by Anheuser-Busch; Magic Mountain, now owned by Six Flags; and the Wet’n Wild parks, now owned by Universal and by Palace Entertainment. The book chronicles the deals, the people, and the events that shaped these parks - from concept through construction and the early years of operation.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Ripley Entertainment (September 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1893951081
• ISBN-13: 978-1893951082
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,709,574 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars He beats Trump as a risk taker and deal maker. Fun book!, October 8, 2004

By 

Ron Harbor (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wave Maker (Sea World Education) (Hardcover)

This book reveals how he created Sea World, Wet'N Wild and Magic Mountain. What a deal maker and career breaker. It was a wild ride. Hilarious tales of boom, bust and triumph. Read about the peacock's infamous flight. Twists and turns follow George building two aquatic empires. I woke my wife up from laughing so hard while reading it in bed. I couldn't put it down. Get the story from the ultimate insider of amusement parks.

George Millay launched two successful amusement industries almost single-handedly: Marine-life Parks and Water Slide Parks. He seems to have made a bigger splash than Shamu. Millions still are entertained in the wake of his creations: Sea Worlds, Wet `n Wilds and Magic Mountain. Wave Maker is a big splash!

5.0 out of 5 stars The Wave Maker: A Great Read For Any Dream Maker, October 4, 2011

By 

John Halloran "John Halloran Certified Gold E... (San Juan, Puerto Rico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Wave Maker (Sea World Education) (Hardcover)

The Wave maker is the story of theme park pioneer George Millay and the creation of SeaWorld, Magic Mountain and Wet'n Wild.

It's a great book about a spirited man that loved the ocean and fun. He really created a life for himself and all his undertakings were original. He lived life by theme and on that note he did it as well as anyone.

There is a lot of outside the box thinking and his life did seem to have a good balance. George was 100 percent winner of the American dream. In fact I would not bet against him under any circumstances yet I find that a lot of his success was uniquely USA. Very enjoyable read that I suggest you put on your night stand soon.

John Halloran
Certified Gold Exchange, Inc
facebook /CertifiedGoldExchange
Twitter /CGEINC

5.0 out of 5 stars A fitting tribute to a theme park pioneer, January 3, 2007

By 

J. Saei - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Wave Maker (Sea World Education) (Hardcover)

George Millay died on February 6, 2006 but his legacy lives on. Millions have visited Sea World and Wet and Wild. What sparked these two theme parks was George's experiences in the restaurant business. You'll have to read the book to see how he made the leap.

The book describes how George went to various them parks to get ideas, such as the wave generation machine for Wet and Wild.

Sea World was the first to use an ozone purification system. When the Marine Mammal Protection Act was enacted in 1972, Sea World started a captive breeding program to replenish its stock of animals.

George was a visionary and a problem solver; however, even these were not enough. Sometimes he had to depend on luck. On more than one occasion, George came to the brink of financial disaster.

Once I picked up the book, I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended reading even it you're not considering opening a theme park.