Wild Adventures Marks Two Years Under Herschend Family Entertainment Leadership
Company Plans More Investment in the Future
Valdosta, GA – Wild Adventures Theme & Water Park (WA) marked its two year anniversary under Herschend Family Entertainment’s (HFE) ownership this fall, revealing it has more plans for investment in the park in the next five years. Since 2007 when HFE purchased the park, the company has invested $6 million to increase the quality and value of the park to local citizens and tourists. Bob Montgomery, WA vice president and general manager, announced the Valdosta-based theme and water park is in the process of finalizing a master plan which will provide new attractions and creature comforts in the coming years.
“In just two short years, Wild Adventures has added new family attractions and experiences including thrill rides, animal interactions and family-friendly festivals. This past spring, we unveiled a $3 million renovation to Splash Island, the region’s biggest water park, and we also upgraded four park restaurants,” said Montgomery.
“The improvements have received high marks from our guests and our vision is to continue to build upon what we’ve started. Guests will see the park begin to transform as we add four hundred trees, more landscaping, and additional walkways, for more shade, beauty and better park flow. Our wooden roller coaster, the Cheetah, will undergo a million dollar renovation for a better ride experience,” he added.
The residents of Valdosta and Lowndes County and area visitors can look forward to seeing changes begin as early as next year. The park has revealed it is adding three new rides in 2010, including a family coaster, in addition to 20 concerts and four summer shows. Long term plans include changes to the park’s themed areas and the creation of a concert lawn.
Since assuming the day-to-day management of the park in 2007, Montgomery and his team have focused on enhancing the overall guest experience at the park, entertaining and serving more than a million guests since its first full season under HFE ownership in 2008. Service also extends into the community through volunteer work with Second Harvest of South Georgia and events such as the Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides, Second Harvest’s Duck Derby and Lowndes County Relay for Life.
As a major employer in the Valdosta/Lowndes County community, WA has also worked with Valdosta Technical College and the Chamber of Commerce to develop programs like Work Force Development. The goal is to improve overall opportunities for job applicants in the local area by providing valuable job training, effective hiring procedures for companies and assistance to the community to attract new businesses. Employee programs like informational seminars, resource referrals, and incentive programs create an encouraging work environment at WA and make it a great place to work for great people.
Wild Adventures 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.
The $3 million renovation to Splash Island Water Park, the biggest under HFE ownership, included the addition of a water thrill ride, the Wahee Cyclone.
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