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Wild Adventures
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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 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.
Key Information
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 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. | |
| 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 | convoy | |
| 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. |
Waters Edge
[edit]| Ride | Manufacturer | Year opened | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horizon Wheel | Chance Rides | 1996 | A Ferris Wheel. Formerly called Century Wheel | |
| The Boat Parade | 2025 | |||
| Wing Swinger | 2025 | A Wave Swinger. |
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. January 7, 2019. 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
[edit]Wild Adventures
View on GrokipediaHistory
Founding and early development
Wild Adventures was founded in 1996 by Kent and Dawn Buescher as Liberty Farms, a petting zoo located on farmland outside Valdosta, Georgia, with an initial investment of approximately $10 million. The park emphasized animal interactions and educational experiences, featuring exotic and farm animals for petting and viewing, but offered no thrill rides or amusement attractions at launch. This setup catered primarily to families, school groups, and local visitors seeking a relaxed, nature-focused outing.[9][3] In 1998, the facility underwent a significant rebranding and expansion, changing its name to Wild Adventures to reflect a broader entertainment scope. This transition marked the introduction of the park's first amusement rides, including the Vekoma Boomerang roller coaster—a looping steel coaster—and the kiddie-oriented Tiger Terror, a Wisdom Rides Dragon Wagon model designed for younger guests. These additions shifted the park toward a hybrid zoological-amusement model, attracting a wider audience while retaining its animal-centric core. By the early 2000s, the park had grown into a more comprehensive destination, blending wildlife exhibits with family-friendly thrills.[10][11] A pivotal development occurred in 2003 with the opening of Splash Island Water Park, a 27-acre expansion that introduced water-based attractions to complement the dry-side offerings. The new area debuted with several slides, pools, and interactive features, including a wave pool and multi-person raft rides, enhancing the park's appeal during warmer months. This expansion represented the largest single addition in the park's early years, boosting its capacity for seasonal visitors.[9][12] Throughout its first decade, Wild Adventures saw steady operational growth, evolving from a modest petting zoo to a regional attraction that drew 1.25 million visitors in 2002 alone. However, the operating company faced severe financial strain from damages inflicted on its sister park, Cypress Gardens in Florida, by three major hurricanes in 2004—Charley, Frances, and Ivan—which disrupted operations there and strained company-wide recovery efforts, including loans collateralized by Wild Adventures. These challenges culminated in Adventure Parks Group LLC, the park's operating company, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September 2006 to reorganize amid mounting debts of approximately $135 million.[13][14][15]Ownership changes and major expansions
In 2007, Herschend Family Entertainment acquired Wild Adventures from the bankrupt Adventure Parks Group for $34.5 million, including the assumption of outstanding debt, marking a significant shift in the park's management toward a family-oriented focus that emphasized wholesome entertainment and conservation initiatives.[5][15] Under Herschend's ownership, the park pursued steady growth through targeted expansions. In 2019, Discovery Outpost opened as a $2.5 million addition, introducing new animal habitats such as an alligator nursery and gator bridge alongside kid-friendly rides to enhance interactive wildlife experiences.[16] This was followed in March 2023 by Oasis Outpost, a three-acre expansion featuring family attractions like a safari train, splash pad, and additional animal exhibits to broaden appeal for younger visitors.[17] Leadership transitioned in October 2021 when Jon Vigue was promoted to general manager and vice president, bringing over two decades of theme park operations experience to oversee ongoing development and daily operations.[18] The most recent expansion, Water's Edge, debuted in 2025 as a lakeside area incorporating new dining options, expanded animal exhibits, and family rides including the relocated and reimagined Horizon Wheel Ferris ride for panoramic views.[19] In February 2025, the park held a time capsule event, sealing items representing its history—from early artifacts to contemporary mementos—to symbolize commitment to future growth and legacy preservation.[20]Location and layout
Site overview and facilities
Wild Adventures is a 170-acre zoological theme park located at 3766 Old Clyattville Road in Clyattville, Georgia, approximately 5 miles south of Valdosta and easily accessible via Interstate 75 at Exit 13, followed by a 4-mile drive west on Old Clyattville Road.[21] The park's position halfway between Atlanta and Orlando makes it a convenient stop for travelers along the I-75 corridor.[22] The park operates on a seasonal schedule, with the 2025 season opening on March 15 and featuring varying hours based on the day and events, including select winter operations for holiday attractions starting November 21.[23][24] Daily admission tickets provide combined access to the theme park, Splash Island Waterpark, animal exhibits, and live shows, with regular season prices starting at $59.99 online (as of early 2025).[25] While the main park is seasonal, the adjacent Wild Adventures Safari Campground remains open year-round for overnight stays.[26] Key facilities include on-site parking at $18 per vehicle (free for Gold and Diamond season passholders), with accessible spaces available near the entrance on a first-come, first-served basis.[27] Lodging options feature the Wild Adventures Safari Campground, offering RV sites, tent camping, and cottages adjacent to animal exhibits like zebras and giraffes, with check-in at 1 p.m. and a maximum occupancy of 8 per site.[26] Dining venues span the park, including new 2025 additions in the Water's Edge area such as Water's Edge Tacos (featuring South American-inspired empanadas and zesty tacos) and Water's Edge Brews & Bites (offering locally brewed beers, wine, gourmet pretzels, and live music).[28][29] Other options include Paradise Pizza for personal pizzas and salads, Lonestar BBQ for pulled pork plates, and Surfside Café for burgers and tenders.[30] Accessibility features support families and guests with disabilities, including wheelchair and ECV rentals ($20 and $75 per day, respectively) at the Expedition Market, service animal accommodations throughout most areas (though not on rides), and a pool lift chair at Paradise River.[31] An Accessibility Center at Guest Services provides ride access cards and personalized assistance, with sign language interpretation available for shows upon 14 days' notice.[31] The park houses a collection of over 400 animals across diverse exhibits, emphasizing hands-on encounters with species like giraffes, Bengal tigers, and African crested porcupines.[3][32][22]Themed sections and areas
Wild Adventures is organized into distinct themed sections that blend thrilling rides, animal exhibits, and interactive water features, creating an immersive wildlife adventure experience across its 170-acre property. The park's layout centers around a main hub near the entrance lagoon, which serves as a connective pathway linking family-oriented zones like Discovery Outpost to more adventurous thrill areas further inland, with consistent signage featuring animal motifs and exploratory narratives to guide visitors through the "wild" progression.[33][1] Discovery Outpost, which opened in March 2019, spans three acres near the park entrance and adopts a swamp adventure theme centered on American alligators, incorporating animal viewing platforms and hands-on interactive zones for families. This area integrates over 100 alligators in exhibits like the elevated Gator Bridge and Alligator Alley, where visitors can observe, feed, and learn about the reptiles through keeper talks, alongside kid-friendly rides that enhance the exploratory feel without dominating the wildlife focus.[34][16] Oasis Outpost, introduced in March 2023 as a nearly three-acre expansion, evokes a tropical oasis theme with shaded pathways, climbing structures, and relaxation spots that seamlessly blend family rides, animal encounters, and water play elements. Key features include the Trail Trackers ride winding through a red-footed tortoise habitat for close-up views, the Misty Springs Soak Zone with mist posts and splash pads for cooling off, and immersive play areas that encourage interaction with the environment while providing respite from the park's more intense attractions.[35][17] Water's Edge, expanded and reopened in Spring 2025 along the park's central lagoon, features a lakeside boardwalk theme with coastal-inspired pathways that incorporate marine-like animal habitats, family rides, and integrated water play for a refreshed entertainment hub. The area highlights up-close encounters with reptiles such as boas and pythons, alongside birds like the scarlet macaw, new pathways for strolling, and splash-friendly zones around the water's edge, all tied together to emphasize aquatic and exotic wildlife immersion.[36][37]Attractions
Roller coasters
Wild Adventures operates six roller coasters, offering a mix of family-friendly and thrill-seeking experiences themed around the park's natural and adventurous motifs. These include shuttle, wild mouse, junior, suspended family, kiddie, and looping designs, with heights ranging from 10 feet to over 109 feet and speeds up to nearly 50 mph.[38]| Name | Manufacturer | Type | Height (ft) | Speed (mph) | Length (ft) | Inversions | Opened | Theme/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boomerang | Vekoma | Shuttle Boomerang | 116.5 | 47 | 935 | 3 | 1998 | Cobra roll and vertical loop |
| Marsh Mayhem | Maurer Söhne | Wild Mouse | 49 | 28 | 1,214 | 0 | 2000 | Marsh habitat disguise |
| Outpost Express | Vekoma | Junior Coaster | 27.9 | 21 | 679 | 0 | 2000 | Safari outpost exploration |
| Swamp Thing | Vekoma | Suspended Family | 48 | 26 | 1,122 | 0 | 2003 | Cypress swamp journey |
| Swampwater Snake | Zamperla | Kiddie/Mini Mouse | 10 | ~10 | 262 | 0 | 2011 | Swamp slither for young riders |
| Twisted Typhoon | Vekoma | Suspended Looping | 109.3 | 49.7 | 2,260.5 | 5 | 1999 | Aerial twists and loops |











