GOODlife Magazine June 2017

How many times... have you driven down Interstate 75 from Atlanta toward Florida, passed the
billboards for “Wild Adventures Theme Park” in Valdosta, Georgia, and thought, “We should check that place out
some day”? Well, some day has come! Whether tacked on to a trip you have scheduled to the Sunshine State this
summer or planned as an overnight or day trip by itself, Wild Adventures has something for kids of all ages, from
preschoolers to adults.
With a bit of a throw-back feel, Wild Adventures is an amusement, water, and animal park with a concert venue
all rolled into one. Spread over 170 acres of flat land, the park includes a good mix of thrill rides, family rides, and
kiddie rides, all interspersed to accommodate groups with a wide range of ages and adventure levels. While the
daredevils get their fix on exhilarating coasters like the Twisted Typhoon, the Boomerang, and the Cheetah, the
less venturesome will find rides like the Swingin’ Safari, the Jungle Rumble, and the Ant Farm more their speed.
The 17-acre Splash Island Water Park boasts over a million gallons of fun in its 15 wild water attractions.
New for 2017 is Ohana Bay, a Hawaiian-themed oasis with seven new water slides, five designed to
entertain smaller guests and two others that grab the attention of the thrill seekers with their 200
feet of twists and turns, reaching 26 feet high. In addition to the abundant complimentary
shaded seating, 14 VIP cabanas and 12 loungers are available for daily rentals.
Distinctive from most other theme parks, Wild Adventures incorporates animal attractions
into the fun. You can see hundreds of exotic and local animals in exhibits along a
walking trail, on a safari train that transports you through three continents, up close
and personal at the petting zoo, and scattered throughout the park. You’ll find
everything from zebras, giraffes, and an elephant to meerkats, squirrel monkeys,
and wallabies. Among the new animals for 2017 are two baby marmosets and a
toucan named Rita.
General admission to all concerts, held at Wild Adventures’ All-Star
Amphitheater, is Included with your park admission or season pass. You’ll
find a good mix of new artists and old favorites in a wide assortment of
musical styles, including pop, classic country, Christian, traditional rockand-roll,
and rap. The 2017 summer lineup includes; Kirk Franklin,
Big & Rich, Huey Lewis & the News, MercyMe, Maddie & Tae,
The LACS, and Skillet.
Just a three and a half hour drive from Atlanta, Wild
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