Photo TR: Wild Adventures

[Erik Johnson]

I finally made it back to Wild Adventures this past weekend after being away from the park for more than two years. Wild Adventures is technically my home park (it is 2 miles closer than Universal Orlando), so I should be the one responsible to finally do a huge update for this park. I have noticed quite a few improvements since Herschend Family Entertainment took over the park. For one, they pretty much had every attraction open including all the coasters. Overall the place seemed cleaner and had better operations. Also we found that the employee friendliness to really be top notch.

 

I know that not many people are able to get to this park due to its geographical location (Nothing is close to Valdosta, Georgia) so I will include a lot of photos.

Ok, let us head on over to some coasters.

It was also Eric's first trip to the park.

The park is actually pretty large with a lot of attractions.

Snake!

Where are we again, oh right.

With a Wild Adventures season pass, you get a 50% discount on a ticket to any other Herschend park.

We are first greeted by peacocks.

Park Rules.

Good to know.

Ok, let us go into the park.

Wild Adventures is located near Valdosta, Georgia. It is very close to the Florida/Georgia border.

Wow, Wild Aventures has become a big league park now.

Weeeeee!

Up the lift they go.

Here is another batch of riders.

Its a typical roller skater layout.

Here we go!

Ready to earn your credit?

It is an actual roller skater coaster car.

Track.

Station photo.

Rules of the Ride.

Ant Farm Express is a Vekoma Skater.

As far as I know, this attraction is only for kids.

It even has some nice theming.

It really looks better than the old Tiger Terror area.

Attraction rules.

This pony ride area is located where Tiger Terror used to be. Tiger got sold to the Lowry Zoo in Tampa.

Almost to the top.

Another dispatch.

Bug Out car.

Noted.

It is difficult to get a good picture due to all the trees in the area.

Next was the mouse.

Here is some final theming near the exit.

Another group of riders heading down the river.

Welcome to the end of the ride.

After the whirlpool you go through the waterfall section.

Another closer look.

That is the exit of the whirlpool area.

Here is the whirlpool feature that is very popular over in Europe.

Here we go.

We were suprised to find there was not any type of restraints on this ride.

Ready to get wet?

The next one was our boat.

Looks like they made it.

Another gorup of riders waiting for a boat.

You first had to cross over before getting into the boat.

This was very important to know.

The boats were a bit unusual, but they can fit quite a few people.

This is part of the layout.

What is that over there?

Noted.

The official ride sign.

We have been warned.

Rules of the ride.

Let's go check out the rapids ride.

Where should we go next?

A closer look.

Nerd shot.

It is called The Aviator.

They also have one of these as well.

Flying Bobs ride.

Let us head on over to another land.

[Erik Johnson]

Part 2

More Rules.

Ride Rules.

I have taken many sign photos for the Park Index.

Let us head on over to the world's best standard Vekoma Boomerang.

Weeeee!

Another lift shot.

Now with people.

Nerd shot #2

Nerd shot #1

After walking for a while, we found the station.

Seriously, it was difficult to find.

Just like in Roller Coaster Tycoon, it took us 5 minutes to find the entrance.

Who are these guys again?

Next is the CCI coaster.

Some random show that we did not see.

Backwards or forwards?

Release in 3..2...1..

Heading on back.

This would be the workhorse of the ride.

It does not smash in your head as much as others do.

From across the swamp.

Usually I never double ride SLCs, but I did this one today.

Hangman doing its thing.

Maybe the wheels track much better in Georgia, really who knows.

For whatever reason, this SLC you do not get banged up nearly as much as the others.

The exact same train of riders.

A train of riders.

There is a little bit of of theming.

Hangman is considered to be the very best standard Vekoma SLC in the world. No joke!

Rules of the ride.

Next is the Vekoma SLC.

Gold Rush station.

It is difficult to get good shots of the layout, but you get the idea.

Another nerd shot.

Track!

Train!

Next was the mini-mine-train, Gold Rush.

[Erik Johnson]

Part 3

Noted!

The tiger show is a must see.

I can not remember where the free Screamin Swings used to be, but they are gone. This is some random dirt pit.

There were several people working on it to try to get it running again.

Here is a closer look.

Too bad the ride broke before we got to ride it.

The ride area was quite nice.

Rattler's Rules.

The Rattler was last year's new ride.

This gives you an idea of the layout.

Another group of riders. The ride isn't as bad as others.

Vekoma Junior Hang and Bang.

There is a little theming.

Rules of Swamp Thing.

Swamp Thing is the final credit in the park.

Cha-Ching!

Ha ha!

Fiesta Express!

Wave good-bye to the cats.

Pretty tall cats.

Pretty cool cats.

Uh-oh, there he goes!

There he goes.

He is thinking about it.

The tiger show is really insane.

[Erik Johnson]

Part 4: Splash Island and more.

Well, that is pretty much the water park.

Tornado!

Tornado!

We just found the new attraction.

More random slides.

Random slides.

Wavepool!

Another angle.

The waterfort.

Random theming.

This is where the new Tornado is located.

Park Rules.

There is a free waterpark connected to the main park.

On the way out of the parking lot, you can get a closer look at Cheetah.

Bye Cheetah!

I guess it is time to head on out.

We also stopped by the restroom.

We checked out the gift shop before leaving.

Splash!

Here is the stage.

They do have concerts at Wild Adventures.

Another time then.

We wanted to do the train, but it was having problems that day.

Double Shot!

Here you go Elissa. I did not forget about you. Insect-O-Slide.

I hope you enjoyed this Photo: TR

[downunder]

Looks like a fun little park with a surprisingly large coaster collection.

 

It's a shame this one is a little off the beaten track for the Deep South tour, there's some serious credit whoring in Valdosta.

[Meteornotes]

I've only been to this place once (in 2001), but thought it was an OK place. I had no idea the Tiggr Terror was moved, that was my 200th coaster (I always pick quality for those milestones!).

 

Thanks for all the pics. Larry is probably very happy right now...

 

dt

[Calicoasters]

Awesome TR! The park looks really good even for an Vekoma dominated park. I think I would favor any park that combines animals with coasters like BGA, SFDK, ect... I thought Boomerang at SFDK was also a really great ride, good to see there are more.

[DBru]

I visited the park the year after Cheetah opened, and my whole family loved the place. There were plenty of rides that I enjoyed, prices were incredibly, and it was almost like we were the only people in the park (very light crowd). Cheetah was a great coaster, and Double Shot ran an amazing program. I remember the rapids ride being very fun, as well...

 

Besides the addition of the water park and more coasters, how has the park changed since 2002?

[GatorChris]

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[PKI Jizzman]

Wow...I didn't realize the park was that big! I only knew about the SLC, Cheetah, and the mini SLC.

 

Thanks for the pics.

-Zach

[BeemerBoy]

Nice coverage of the park, Erik.

 

Unfortunately, I don't even think the Herschend Family could inspire me to visit again. Our one visit the year Cheetah opened was enough. I'm just waiting for the day this happens at Wild Adventures.

[Homeboy23]

Thanks for the TR! I am thinking about stopping here near the end of June when I go to Orlando. Haven't figured out if I want to try to hit it on the way or on the way back home.

[TheCoasterCritic]

I stopped by Wild Adventures on the way back from the Manta media day. It was a decent little park. Cheetah has a cool layout, I just wish it was a bit smoother. Unforunately, they weren't running the wild mouse coaster when I was there (Friday). But I still got to ride the 5 other coasters that were operating. I also talked to their PR person. I tried to

dig for any future plans/upcoming coasters. She wouldn't spill any details, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were was something new on the horizon in 2010/2011.

[ernierocker]

Wow, Boyz II Men is moving up in the world! First, Hardees commercials and now playing at Wild Adventures?!?

 

I wonder how much the park relies on tourists stopping by on their way to Orlando. Because, it doesn't seem like there is a large population base to support the park otherwise.

 

I hadn't heard too many good things about the park, but you did a great job showing off the place. Thanks, Erik!

[alpengeist04]

Thanks for TR, Erik. I have to agree that the Boomerang and SLC are two of the better ones I've been on. Also, finding the entrance for Cheetah and Bug Out was a bit of a challenge for me too.

[VivaLaVibora]

I kind of think that many coaster enthusiasts wouldn't care for the collection of roller coasters they have. Maybe, they would care more about the "credit" than the fun of them.

 

Does this park have these rides still?

 

Inverter

Power Surge

 

This park in my opinion had so many great flats, and some they still have: Flying Bobs, Yo-Yo, Chaos, Wipeout, Power Surge, and Rattler (looks awesome). I wish more parks had flats like these. For the Yo-Yo to actually tilt too.

[moinab]

This park advertises very heavily in Jacksonville. I know quite a few people who have never been to the Orlando parks, but do go to Wild Adventures, which is slightly closer and a LOT cheaper.

 

Thank you, so much, for posting this, Erik. I've been curious about this place, ever since we moved here.

 

Those bugs remind me of the pissing bug from Bonbonland!

[Primogen18]

I don't mind SLC's and Boomerangs, especially if they are as smooth as mentioned here. Ad the woody to it, this looks like a pretty good park. I wish I would have known more about it when I was in Orlando a few years ago.

[Erik Johnson]

I did not see the Power Surge or the Inverter while we were there. I need to double check my map when I get a chance. Also, I did not see the Chaos either.

[TheRapidsNerd]

Glad to see more of this park in detail, and a BIG THANKS for all the Rapids shots. That made my day.

[atem122]

I honestly never knew this place existed, it looks like a really good small park though (except for the vekomas everywhere ) I'm amazed at how many coasters and water slides that place can afford. Plus the tiger show looked like an added bonus

[jjune4991]

Thank you for that update! my cousins live right down the road from here, so i need to get my credits and head on up there! now i know what i need to do while there!

[Allena.k.a.Alan]

Nice TR! I'm quite surprised to see that it has such good themings.

[Snicket]

The first time I went to Wild Adventures was...well...a long, long time ago. Since I live in Waycross, Georgia, Wild Adventures is the closest park and people around here want a lot of thrills without having to drive to Six Flags or to the Orlando parks.

 

Back when I first went, they didn't even have pathways. The park was very bare and consisted of the train ride, the Ant Farm Express, Boomerang, a fireworks show, and hundreds of flat rides.

Every time I've went back, they've added something new. The park is still growing and the park gets great attendance numbers.

 

There's a lot of advertising, ticket giveaways, etc... Plus their coaster line-up is pretty decent. Some people go every weekend. It's like South Georgia's Knott's Berry Farm.

 

There's plenty of room for expansion (Like they need it...) and a lot of room for improvement (They've got better about their theming since I first went).

I think that we will eventually see some great things out of the park as it continues to grow. Remember, the park all started out as a petting zoo.

[Six Flags Enthuseast]

Another nice looking Georgian theme park! I'm surprised that some of the many Vekoma rides there are actually good. Mmm.... if I want to go to a place with good-ish Vekomas, I'll consider....