Wild Adventures
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2024) |
| Previously known as Liberty Farms | |
 | |
| Location | Valdosta, Georgia, United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 30°43′12″N 83°19′24″W / 30.72000°N 83.32333°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opened | 1996 |
| Owner | Herschend Family Entertainment |
| General manager | Jon Vigue |
| Theme | Zoological |
| Slogan | Creating Memories Worth Repeating |
| Operating season | Mid-March through December |
| Area | 1,566 acres (6.34 km2) |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 15 |
| Roller coasters | 6 |
| Water rides | 9 |
| Website | www |
Wild Adventures (formerly known as Liberty Farms) is a zoological theme park located in Clyattville, Georgia, 5 miles (8.0 km) south of Valdosta, Georgia. The park is owned by Herschend Family Entertainment and has been managed by Jon Vigue since October 2020.[1] Wild Adventures has rides, exotic animals, the Splash Island water park, and live shows.
History
[edit]Kent Buescher[2] and his wife Dawn Buescher founded the park on a plot of farmland outside of Valdosta, Georgia. It was established in 1996 for around $10 million. Wild Adventures started as a small petting zoo known as Liberty Farms D&L (Distribution & Logistics ). The park now hosts six roller coasters and numerous flat rides. Rides were initially added to the park in 1998. Splash Island, the park's water park, opened in 2003 as the park's largest expansion which features a 100-meter drop double slide.[3]
In 2004, the Adventure Park Group purchased Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, Florida, a company that Buescher privately held. The expansion of the park was slowed down following the purchase of Cypress Gardens.[4] In 2005, an S&S Power Screamin' Swing named Gauntlet was added. For the park's 10th anniversary in 2006, the park announced its intent to add the Shaka Zulu River Adventure log flume, relocated from the defunct Miracle Strip Amusement Park in Panama City Beach, Florida. However, the ride was delayed due to engineering problems and was later canceled.
In September 2006, Adventure Parks Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. On September 25, 2007, due to bankruptcy proceedings, Adventure Parks Group LLC auctioned off Cypress Gardens and Wild Adventures. Despite the Chapter 11 filing, the parks remained open for operation. The initial bids were set at $17.4 million for Cypress Gardens and $38.85 million for Wild Adventures, with a combined starting point of $53.25 million. The group's situation only worsened after hurricanes Charley, Frances, and Jeanne damaged Cypress Gardens in 2004. Herschend Family Entertainment later purchased Wild Adventures for $34.4 million.[5]
Herschend removed the Gauntlet but opened The Rattler on March 21, 2008.[6] It is a Huss Frisbee-type flat ride manufactured by Moser Rides of Italy. Also in 2008, the Tiger Terror roller coaster was sold and moved to Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida, and renamed "Tasmanian Tiger". In February 2009, the movie Zombieland was filmed at Wild Adventures for its theme park scenes.[7]
For the 2010 season, the park added several rides including Viking Voyage, Whirling Wildcats, and Falcon Flyers. All three rides were from the now defunct Celebration City in Branson, Missouri. The Attractions, Gold Rush, and Mystery Maze were removed. Bug Out was renamed Go Bananas. The S&S Double Shot was renamed Firecracker. Two new rides, Tailspin, and Wacky Wheels were added before the 2013 season. In 2015, Jungle Rumble, a flat ride, was also added.[8]
Before the 2019 season, Fiesta Express was moved out of storage and was renamed Swamp-water Snake and the S&S Double-shot was renamed Blazer Blast for a new children-themed area called Discovery Outpost. After the 2019 season, Viking Voyage was moved to Fun Spot Kissimmee. Beginning in the 2020 season, Blackfoot Falls was renovated and renamed Island Falls, and the Pharaoh's Fury was moved to another zone of the park after the closure of surrounding rides. Wild Adventures was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, later reopening in July 2020.[9] In early 2021, it was announced that the park's CCI wooden coaster Cheetah would be retired after its closure in the 2020 season, as well as the park's go-karts and mini-golf course.
For the 2022 season, the Falcon Flyers were renamed the American Flyers and received a new paint job. The restaurant Brews and Bites began selling alcoholic beverages and added covered seating and a live concert area. At the end of the season, the Yo-Yo ride was removed from the park. In 2023, the Go Bananas roller coaster was renamed to Marsh Mayhem, and the Sidewinder flat ride was renamed Sandstorm Chaser and moved to the new Oasis Outpost-themed area of the park.[citation needed]
Sections
[edit]In 2019, the park created Discovery Outpost, a new children's section, using old rides that were repainted and renovated to match the theme of the area. Oasis Outpost was added for the 2023 season with two rides being moved to this new section – the Sidewinder was renamed the Sandstorm Chaser and the Trail Trackers. Past themes included Base Camp, Bugsville, Australian Outback, Alapaha Preserve, The Lagoon, African Pride-lands, and Wild West.
Attractions
[edit]
Roller coasters
[edit]| Ride | Manufacturer | Year Opened | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boomerang | Vekoma | 1998 | A reverse shuttle coaster that sends you through a Cobra Roll and a Vertical Loop first forward, and then in reverse. |
| Marsh Mayhem | Maurer Söhne | 2000 | A steel wild mouse roller coaster, formerly known as Bug Out from 2000 to 2010, and previously known as Go Bananas! |
| Outpost Express | Vekoma | 2000 | A family-friendly steel coaster, formerly known as Ant Farm Express up until 2019. |
| Swampwater Snake | Zamperla | 2003/2019 | A junior wild mouse-style roller coaster. Formerly known as Fiesta Express from 2003-2011. Placed in storage until 2019, added to the Discovery Outpost. |
| Swamp Thing | Vekoma | 2003 | A suspended family roller coaster that travels over the park's swamp as well as the park's 15-foot alligator, Twister. |
| Twisted Typhoon | Vekoma | 1999 | A suspended looping coaster that sends riders head-over-heels five times. Formerly known as Hangman from 1999 to 2011. |
Thrill rides
[edit]| Ride | Photo | Manufacturer | Year Opened | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aviator |  |
Chance Rides | 2004 | A Chance Aviator. |
| Blazer Blast Off |  |
S&S - Sansei Technologies | 1999 | A Double Shot tower sponsored by Valdosta State University. Renamed to Blazer Blast Off (Formerly the Double Shot and Firecracker). |
| Jungle Rumble |  |
Zierer | 2015 | An Aladdin's Ride-type attraction. |
| Rattler |  |
Moser | 2008 | A Sidewinder ride. |
| Swingin' Safari |  |
HUSS | 1998 | A HUSS Himalaya ride. |
| Tail Spin |  |
Zamperla | 2019 | A Disk'o coaster. |
Family rides
[edit]| Ride | Photo | Manufacturer | Year Opened | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Flyers |  |
Larson | 2009 | A Flying Scooter ride, originally installed at Celebration City. Formerly called Falcon Flyer. |
| Century Wheel |  |
Chance Rides | 1996 | A Ferris Wheel. |
| Kite Flyer |  |
Zamperla | 2005 | A Kite Flyer ride. |
| Pharaoh's Fury |  |
Chance Rides | 2003 | A Chance Swinging ship. |
| Safari Train |  |
Unknown | 1996 | A narrow gauge C.P. Huntington ridable miniature railroad. |
| Sandstorm Chaser |  |
Chance Rides | 1999 | A Trabant ride. Formerly called Sidewinder. |
| Smash Attack |  |
Bertazzon | 1999 | A Bumper car ride. |
| Trail Trackers |  |
Zamperla | 2023 | |
| Turtle Twist |  |
Larson | 2003 | A Tilt-A-Whirl ride. |
| Wacky Wheels |  |
Zamperla | 2013 | Tea Cup Ride. |
| Whirling Wildcats |  |
Eli Bridge Company | 2009 | A Scrambler ride, originally installed at Celebration City. |
Water rides
[edit]| Ride | Manufacturer | Year Opened | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Island Falls | Hopkins Rides | 1999 | A shoot the chute ride. |
| Tasmanian River Rapids | HAFEMA Water Rides | 2000 | River Rapid Ride. |
Discovery Outpost
[edit]| Ride | Manufacturer | Year Opened | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crunch's Caboose | Zamperla | 2008 | A children's train ride. |
| Flying Gators | Sellner Manufacturing | 1996 | A tea cup-style ride with alligator-shaped cars. |
| Hoppin' Gators | S&S - Sansei Technologies | 1998 | A tame drop tower. |
| Okefenokee Friends | Zamperla | 2002 | A jump-around ride. |
| Swampwater Snake | Zamperla | 2003/2019 | A junior wild mouse-style roller coaster. Formerly known as Fiesta Express from 2003 to 2011. Placed in storage until 2019, added to the Discovery Outpost. |
| Turtle Race | Zamperla | 1999 | A children's spinning ride. |
Oasis Outpost
[edit]| Ride | Manufacturer | Year Opened | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandstorm Chaser | 2023 | Circular ride featuring a 40-degree tilt. | |
| Trail Trackers | 2023 | A children's jeep-style ride. |
Splash Island Water Park
[edit]Splash Island is a Polynesian-themed water park that is free with admission to Wild Adventures. It takes up 27 acres (110,000 m2) of the 166-acre (670,000 m2) park and hosts seven rides and five shops. It is frequently the most crowded area of the park. Splash Island first opened in 2003 and was Wild Adventures' largest expansion since rides were introduced in 1999.
When Splash Island was opened, it had no theming and more closely resembled a community pool. In 2008, Wild Adventures announced that Splash Island would undergo a $4 million renovation to turn the park into a Polynesian-themed paradise. Wild Adventures also announced their intent to build a new ride, the Wahee Cyclone.
Rides
[edit]- Bonzai Pipelines
- 3 Inter-twined slides featuring the tallest slides in Georgia built in 2004
- Catch-a-wave bay
- A large 25,000-square-foot (2,300 m2) wave pool built in 2003
- Hakini Rapids
- A 5-story "Family Sized" water slide with unexpected turns and drops built in 2011
- Kalani Blasters
- 2 Medium sized intertwined slides built in 2003
- Kona Cliffs
- A giant family sized speed slide with three drops built in 2011
- Paradise River
- A relaxing lazy river ride through the water park built in 2003
- Polynesian Adventure
- A 4-story water fortress built in 2003
- Wahee Cyclone
- A 5-story water tornado built in 2009
- Sea Turtle Cove
- A small water play area for younger children built in 2006
-
Bonzai Pipelines -
Kalani Blasters -
Kona Cliffs and Hakini Rapids -
Paradise River -
Polynesian Adventure -
Wahee Cyclone
Former rides
[edit]| Ride | Year Opened | Year closed | Manufacturer | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chaos | 1998 | 2009 | Chance Rides | A Chaos flat ride. |
| Cheetah | 2001 | 2020 | Custom Coasters International | A custom, wooden roller coaster with steel supports (except for the figure eight which was rebuilt with wood when the entire coaster was retracted by Great Coasters International in 2010). It was also the largest roller coaster at the park. It last operated in March 2020 and stood idle for the 2020 season; in January 2021 the park confirmed its retirement. |
| Gauntlet | 2005 | 2007 | S&S – Sansei Technologies | A Screamin' Swing with two arms that sat four riders each. Following Herschend's acquisition of the park, the attraction was removed and sold to Fun Spot America. |
| Gold Rush | 1999 | 2009 | Chance Rides | A "Big Dipper" kiddy coaster located near Safari Train. It was removed following the 2009 season and replaced in 2010 with the Whirling Wildcats Scrambler from Celebration City. |
| Mystery Maze | 1999 | 2009 | — | A Maze attraction located near Safari Train. It was dismantled and replaced in 2010 by Viking Voyage from Celebration City. |
| Shaka Zula River Adventure | — | — | Arrow Dynamics or Hopkins Rides | Purchased from the defunct Miracle Strip Amusement Park after it closed in 2004. Wild Adventures touted plans to refurbish and build it for their 10th anniversary in 2006, but it never came to fruition. Following Herschend's acquisition of the park, plans to install the ride were scrapped from the agenda. |
| The Inverter | 1999 | 2009 | Chance Rides | An Inverter flat ride, located near Safari Train. |
| Tiger Terror | 1998 | 2008 | Wisdom Rides | A ride for children with a single helix and a tiger-themed train. The coaster was sold to ZooTampa at Lowry Park, where it received a refurbishment and opened in December 2008. |
| Viking Voyage | 2010 | 2018 | E&F Miler Industries | A steel family coaster that operated at Celebration City from 2003 up until the park's closure in 2008, where it was then sold to Wild Adventures. Following a repaint from red to blue track during the 2016-2017 offseason, the coaster was closed in 2018 and sold to Fun Spot America Theme Parks, where after a brief storage time at their Atlanta location, it was set up and opened at Fun Spot America Kissimmee in December 2019 as Hurricane. |
| Power Surge | — | — | Zamperla | Six fixed arms are connected in an asterisk pattern, with two sets of two seats attached at right angles to the arms. The arm assembly is connected to a main arm. Twenty-four riders at a time can be loaded onto the ride. Riders are restrained by an over-the-shoulder harness, with their legs dangling free for excitement. |
| The Plunge | 1998/1999 | 2006 | WhiteWater West | A pair of dinghy slides situated in the dry park, where the boats were delivered to the top of the starting tower via a conveyor belt. Removed following the 2006 season to accommodate the concert venue building. |
| Yo-Yo | 1996 | 2022 | Chance Rides | A swing ride. |
Annual events
[edit]- Boy Scouts Day.
- Girl Scouts Day.
- Great Pumpkin LuniNights and Pumpkin Spice Festival - Halloween themed event with several attractions, Terror in the Wild is currently discontinued.
- Wild Adventures Christmas - Christmas themed event.
References
[edit]- ^ "Wild Adventures names assistant general manager". Valdosta Daily Times. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
- ^ "Kent Buescher to speak at VSU's Harley Langdale, Jr. College ofBusiness Administration Lecture Series". Valdosta State University. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
- ^ Poling, Dean (March 20, 2009). "Splash Island sneak peek". Valdosta Daily Times. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
- ^ Taylor, Michelle (December 6, 2005). "Holding company made for parks". Valdosta Daily Times. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
- ^ Chambliss, John (September 25, 2007). "Cypress Gardens Has New Owner". The Ledger. Archived from the original on October 12, 2008. Retrieved September 26, 2007.
- ^ Valdosta Daily Times - Riding the Rattler
- ^ Poling, Dean (February 26, 2009). "Zombieland: Psst! There's a movie in town". Valdosta Daily Times. Archived from the original on March 1, 2009. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ "Wild Adventures".
- ^ Freeman, Clayton. "Coronavirus: Wild Adventures plans reopening June 22". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ "Wild adventures theme park". Archived from the original on May 20, 2007.
External links
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