Wild Adventures
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Location | Valdosta, Georgia  |
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| Website | Wild Adventures |
| Owner | Adventure Parks Group |
| Opened | 1996 |
| Operating season | Year-round |
| Area | 166 acres |
| Rides | 59 total
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Wild Adventures theme park is located 5 miles from Valdosta, Georgia, United States. It is owned by Adventure Parks Group. The park consists of seven different themed areas featuring over 100 rides and attractions, including 9 coasters, hundreds of exotic animals, shows, Splash Island water park and numerous concerts featuring country, pop, rock, Christian, and oldie superstars. All of the rides and attractions, concerts, daily shows, special events and the water park are included with park admission.
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[edit] History
Kent Buescher, founder of Wild Adventures, started the park on a plot of farm land outside of Valdosta, Ga. in 1996. Starting out as a small petting zoo, over the years, Wild Adventures has become one of the Top 50 Theme Parks in North America. The park is home to nine roller coasters and numerous flat rides, the largest collection of rides in the South and the second largest collection in North America. Rides were added to the park in 1998 and has since rapidly grown. Splash Island, the park's water park, opened in 2003 as the park's largest expansion which includes several water slides and attractions.
In 2004, Adventure Parks Group purchased Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, Fla. The company is privately held by Buescher. Expansion died down for the park in recent years following the Cypress Gardens purchase.
In 2005, The Gauntlet was added, which is an S&S Power Screamin' Swing complex. For the park's 10th anniversary in 2006, the park added the Shaka Zula River Adventure log flume (unopened as of March 2007), relocated from the defunct Miracle Strip Park in Panama City, Florida. The ride is projected to open soon.
In September 2006, Adventure Parks Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The park will operate without interruption during the bankruptcy reorganization.
[edit] Attractions
[edit] Roller Coasters
| Ride | Year Opened | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ant Farm Express | 2000 | Vekoma steel roller skater coaster. A family-friendly twisted steel coaster. |
| Boomerang | 1998 | Vekoma Boomerang coaster. A common shuttle coaster that inverts riders. |
| Bug Out! | 2000 | Maurer Söhne wild mouse roller coaster. |
| Cheetah | 2001 | CCI wooden roller coaster, the biggest roller coaster at the park. |
| Fiesta Express | 2003 | Zamperla kiddie coaster, a scaled down version of the wild mouse coaster. |
| Gold Rush | 1999 | Chance Rides family coaster. |
| Hangman | 1999 | Vekoma Suspended Looping Coaster (SLC). |
| Swamp Thing | 2003 | Vekoma family suspended coaster. |
| Tiger Terror | 1998 | Wisdom Rides custom "Dragon Wagon" kiddie coaster. |
[edit] Splash Island Water Park
- Double-Dip Zip
- Lazy River
- Rain Fortress
- Tadpole Cove
- Tri-phoon
[edit] Annual Events
- Boy Scouts Day
- Girl Scouts Day
- Home School Day
- Actic Adventure - Artificial snow is made to produce several hills for tobogan fun. A ice rink is also set up for skating. Lessons are also taught. (Winter)
- Celebrate America - Festival commemorating the spirit of America.
- Kidzpalooza - Month long event with shows, favorite kid's characters, fun arts & crafts and a whole lot more. It's all about kids.
- Phobia (previously called HallowScream) - Month long Halloween themed event with several haunted houses set up. (October)
[edit] 2007 Concert Series
Concerts are free with park admission, bring a chair/lawn chair or towel to sit on grass. Reserve seating directly in front of the stage are available at an additional cost to park admission.
- Jet - 6:30pm, March 31 $15
- Brooks & Dunn - 6:30pm, April 7 $30
- Brian McKnight - 6:30pm, April 14 $15
- Charlie Daniels Band, Marshall Tucker Band & The Outlaws : VolunteerJam - 6pm, April 28 $20
- Heart - 6:30 pm, May 5 $15-$20
- Jason Aldean - 6:30 pm, May 12 $15
- Weird Al Yankovic - 8 pm, May 26, $15
- Steve Miller Band - 7:30pm, May 27 $25
- Gretchen Wilson - 6:30pm, June 2 $25-$20
- Craig Morgan - July 14
- Third Day - July 21 $15
- Doobie Brothers and Peter Frampton - 6:30 pm, August 18, $20
- Switchfoot - 6:30 pm, August 25, $15
- Casting Crowns - 6pm, November 3 $15
[edit] Pricing
Regular one-day admission $44.95 - Seniors $39.95 (55+) - Kids $39.95 (3-9) - Kids under 3 are free
Buy any standard Regular one-day admission and get a second day for only (for use within 6 days). Ask about this offer at Guest Services after you've entered the park, any time on your first days visit.
[edit] Passport '07 - $69.95
- Unlimited admissions to Wild Adventures near Valdosta, Georgia, Cypress Gardens, Winter Haven, Florida.
- Free Parking at both parks
- Access to more than 100 all-star concerts and appearances
- Admission to all special events
- "Members-only" mailers and exclusive park updates
- Coupon book worth over $1500 (while supplies last)
- Special “Passholder-only” sneak previews
[edit] Gold Passport '07 - $99.95
All of the benefits of the regular Passport, plus:
- Free go-karts, Adventure Golf and Skycoaster rides at Wild Adventures
- Free Cypress Belle daytime cruises, climbing wall (coming soon) and Blackbeard's Bounce (coming soon) at Cypress Gardens.
- 10% off Cypress Belle dinner cruise
- 10% off merchandise
- 10% off food
- Bring a friend for 10% off (regular, junior and senior admission only)
Parking is $7 for cars, trucks, vans and motorcycles and $9 for RV’s (without a Passport). There is parking at a field across from Wild Adventures as well as at other private property nearby usually $2-$3.
[edit] Gallery
 Bug Out Roller Coaster |
 Bug Out Roller Coaster |
 Boomerang Roller Coaster |
 Boomerang Roller Coaster |
 S&S Double Shot tower |
 Ant Farm Express, a Vekoma Roller Skater roller coaster |
 Ride vehicle from Swamp Thing |
 Petting Zoo |
 Elephant |
[edit] External links
[edit] References
1 ↑ - Wild Adventures-Rides 2 ↑ - Shaka Zulu River Adventure
