Wild Adventures New Season Opens March 6

Wild Adventures New Season Opens March 6

Exclusive passholder preview reveals new rides, entertainment and park landscape

VALDOSTA, Ga., Feb. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Wild Adventures Water and Theme Park (WA) opens for the 2010 season Saturday, March 6 at 10 a.m. The area's number one tourist attraction offers season passholders an exclusive sneak peek to the park's new offerings, including a trio of family rides and new live entertainment, on Friday, March 5 from 4 to 8 p.m. Season passholders will also be among the first to ride the park's flagship wooden roller coaster, The Cheetah, which just completed a million dollar renovation. In addition, the park will reveal its new look, having planted more than 400 trees and added new spots to "beat the heat" in the last several months.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100218/CL56772 )

"Wild Adventures has a tradition of providing families all the excitement of a big theme park at a family affordable scale. It offers all in one for less -- a theme park, water park and animal park rolled into one. This year, with 20 concerts, and nearly a dozen limited engagement shows, guests will find something new to see and do every month," said Bob Montgomery, vice president and general manager. "Plus, to help keep guests feeling refreshed, the park has removed more than 350 tons of concrete to make way for more shade trees and a new, interactive water fountain."

Three new rides join park favorite

The new season promises more thrills with three new family rides. Guests will twist and turn on Whirling Wildcats, a spinning scrambler that propels thrill seekers of all ages in a circular motion. They will test their fear of heights on Viking Voyage, a five story family roller coaster that takes guests on a 40 mph ride with surprising dips and turns. Finally, they will find themselves in the driver's seat on Falcon Flyers, a flying scooter ride, overlooking WA's famed central lake.

After an extensive renovation, WA's popular wooden roller coaster, The Cheetah, will also feel like a new ride to park guests. A million dollar refurbishment was designed to provide a smoother ride without sacrificing the wild excitement wooden coaster lovers have come to expect.

Fresh entertainment debuts monthly

WA surprises guests all year long with exclusive, limited engagement shows including a special guest appearance by Kaptain Robbie Knievel on July 3, who will be attempting a leap over WA's iconic lake.

The park opens with world famous magician Aaron Radatz, who mesmerizes guests with his Vegas-style magic show. In April, WA maintains its tradition of offering breathtaking animal performances with the premiere of Tigers of India. The award winning show features seven majestic tigers. The live act highlights the incredible bond of man and tiger while showcasing the animals' natural behavior.

May brings the opening of Country Rocks Live! to WA. With a variety of gifted singers, this new show brings music to life with country hits from yesterday and today.

The summer heats up with high energy performances guests cannot find anywhere else. The Anastasinis are eighth generation performers who join the park's show lineup in June with unbelievable juggling, high wire, and acrobatic performances under a big top tent. Also in June, popular hypnotist Tammy Barton takes guests on a journey of the mind.

Starting in July, the antics of the Dana Kunze High Dive Show entertain with a mix of high diving tricks and comedy. Man's best friend takes center stage in July with Doggies of the Wild West. Marshall Rowdy Yo along with his sidekick, Calamity Jo, amaze and amuse audiences with a cast of "Pooches from the Prairie."

Concert line-up offers variety of musical styles

Featuring the region's largest outdoor amphitheater, WA promises families a variety of musical experiences from spring through fall. The park line-up includes 20 concert performances in the rock, pop, country, Christian and gospel genres. Already scheduled to perform are:

March 13 Lynyrd Skynyrd
March 20 George Thorogood & Los Lonely Boys
April 10 Jeremy Camp
April 17 REO Speedwagon & Styx
April 24 Josh Turner
May 8 Wynonna
May 15 Chicago
May 29 David Crowder Band
June 12 Steven Curtis Chapman
June 19 Tye Tribbett & Kirk Franklin
June 26 Rodney Atkins
Sept. 25 Third Day
Oct. 2 Vince Neil
TBA Backstreet Boys

More concerts will be announced soon to complete the 2010 concert season. All concerts are free with general park admission or a 2010 Season Pass. Reserved seats are available for an additional $10.

New spots to refresh and recharge

In March, WA marks the debut of a new, greener landscape plus spots for guests to cool off. The goal is to create shadier spots for the warmer spring and summer months. To create the parkwide changes, more than 400 new trees have been planted along new pathways, creating an overall guest-friendlier environment. A new interactive, jumping water fountain will delight kids and parents alike with 22 jets that spray in all directions.

"Last season, WA unveiled our multi-million dollar Splash Island Water Park renovation including the opening of the popular Wahee Cyclone. This year, we wanted to add even more spots to help families cool off in the warmer temperatures," said Montgomery.

In addition, WA offers new sweet and savory food options to tempt taste buds. Guests can cool off with real fruit smoothies, and frozen treats at Fresh N' Fruity or they can journey to Voyager's Treats for a freshly-made, sweet puff. Guests can also watch their food as it cooks at BBQ Smokehouse, with smoked delights such as turkey legs, sausage, and roasted corn.

Season passholder sneak peek

Passholders can check out WA's new rides and shows before everyone else on Friday, March 5 from 4 to 8 p.m. Season passes are on-sale now at www.WildAdventures.com. Regular passes are $59.99 and Gold Passes including free parking are $79.99. General admission tickets for the official park opening on Saturday, March 6 are also on-sale. General park admission includes the second day FREE. Adults tickets are $45.99, kids (ages 3-9) and seniors (55 and older) are $40.99. Prices do not include tax.

Wild Adventures (www.WildAdventures.com) is a 170-acre theme park located in Valdosta, Georgia featuring one of the largest ride collections in the South, more than 500 wild animals, Splash Island Water Park, the region's largest water park, shows, festivals and all-star concerts. The park is owned and operated by Herschend Family Entertainment (HFE), a company specializing in family entertainment. For nearly half a century, HFE has owned, operated or partnered in 21 properties across nine states, including Branson, Missouri's Silver Dollar City; operating partner with Dolly Parton in Tennessee's Dollywood and Dollywood's Splash Country; operating partner in Atlanta's Stone Mountain Park and owners of Ride the Ducks amphibious tours in six cities.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100218/CL56772
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN8
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Wild Adventures Water and Theme Park

CONTACT: Micha Hogan, +1-229-219-7114, mhogan@wildadventures.com

Web Site: http://www.wildadventures.net/

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