Company Profile
Wild Adventures Theme Park
Company Overview
Wild Adventures is a 170-acre theme park, water park, and animal park all in one place for less located in Valdosta, Georgia. The park features 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.
Company History
In September 2007, Wild Adventures Theme Park was purchased by Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation (HFE). HFE originated as Silver Dollar City, taking root in 1950, when Hugo and Mary Herschend acquired a long-term lease on Marvel Cave near Branson, Missouri. They brought their teenage sons, Jack and Peter, from the Chicago area to operate the attraction. Hugo and Mary bought additional land surrounding the cave and began building the cave’s business. Hugo died in 1955, and Peter left college for a year to help Mary operate the cave. When Jack was released from the Marines in 1956 and returned to help, Peter completed college and then entered the Army. In 1960, the Herschends and 17 staff members opened a small 1880s themed village on the cave’s grounds as a diversion for people waiting to take a cave tour. There was no advertising budget but press agent Don Richardson conceived the idea of giving silver dollars as change. The coins attracted attention and Silver Dollar City benefited greatly from the word-of-mouth advertising. Silver Dollar City added craftsmen and attractions, and Peter Herschend returned from the Army to throw his considerable energy into the business. The first year, Silver Dollar City drew 125,000 visitors, four times the number that toured the cave. The Herschends discovered that they were now in the theme park business. Jack showed the skills of an operational genius as Peter’s natural talent for public relations developed. Under Mary’s direction, the park added rides and crafts. From humble beginnings of a small theme park built atop an Ozarks cave in 1960, HFE now owns, operates or partners in 26 properties in 10 states.
Timeline of Wild Adventures Theme Park
March 16, 2013: Wild Adventures opens for the 2013 season showcasing the heart and soul of the park. New park elements include: TailSpin, a rocking and spinning thrill ride, Wacky Wheels, a family ride, 15 concerts, more than a dozen shows and animal interactions and 10 special events.
September 2012: Groundbreaking takes place for two new rides, TailSpin and Wacky Wheels for the 2013 season.
March 2012: Park opens for the 2012 season with nearly one million dollars of guest comfort additions and updates. Changes include: fresh paint on three of the largest coasters, new restrooms near Whirlin’ Wildcats, new boardwalk around the central lake, additional seating and shade, two new animal shows, and new food items like chicken and waffles, gator bites, and chocolate covered French fries.
February 2012: Park installs the first solar powered cardboard compactor in the region, the third part of Project Green.
October 2011: Park welcomes Country legend Dolly Parton to celebrate the park’s 15th anniversary with a memorable performance.
June 2011: Country sensation Lady Antebellum performs at the park for the largest number of guests the park has ever seen.
April 2011: Splash Island Water Park opens for the season with two new giant water slides Hakini Rapids and Kona Cliffs, nine secluded VIP cabanas and twelve loungers. The water park now provides over a million gallons of fun on 15 water attractions located on 17-acres.
March 2011: Two rare Indian rhinos, Pandu and Gram, join the park’s expansive animal collection.
February 2011: Park retrofits all lighting in the park to reduce electric consumption as part of Project Green.
October 2010: Wild Adventures breaks ground on the Splash Island expansion to include two giant water slides and private VIP cabanas, opening for the 2011 Splash Island Water Park Season in April.
September 2010: Wild Adventures announces largest Splash Island expansion to date for the 2011 season. The expansion will include two giant family slides and 9 VIP private cabanas, increasing the size of the water park by approximately three acres.
July 3 2010: Daredevil extraordinaire Kaptain Robbie Knievel performs a motorcycle leap across Wild Adventures famed central lake as part of All American Weekend.
March 2010: Wild Adventures opens for the 2010 season with three new rides, new shows, 20 concerts and more events and opportunities for families to create memories worth repeating.
December 2009: A baby zebra is born at the park and featured in the Valdosta Daily Times and on WCTV-CBS.
November 2009: The park begins installing three new rides for the 2010 park season; a family coaster, a flying scooter ride, and a scrambler.
October 2009: Project Green begins, planting more than 500 trees to enhance the park and provide shade to guests.
March 2009: Wild Adventures opens for the 2009 park season with a renovated Splash Island Water Park to provide more family-oriented themed water experience. Included in the water park is the all new Wahee Cyclone, a giant water slide. The park season also opens with the new Lorikeet Landing aviary, providing more animal interactions for guests.
January–
February 2009: Filming takes place for the movie Zombieland.
December 2008: Groundbreaking takes place for the new water slide, the Wahee Cyclone, and renovation of Splash Island Water Park begins.
March 2008: Thrill ride, The Rattler, opens at Wild Adventures, the first ride since Herschend Family Entertainment took ownership
September 2007: Herschend Family Entertainment purchases Wild Adventures and promises a bright future for the park.
2007: All Star Amphitheatre, a covered concert venue with over 2,000 seats, is built and ready for the park’s 2007 concert series.
2002: Wild Adventures adds Splash Island Water Park, miniature golf and a go-kart track.
1996: Liberty Farms evolves into a full-fledged amusement park with free concerts and park admission. Wild Adventures is born shortly after.
1994: The Buescher family opens Liberty Farms, expands their animal collection, adds a playground and entertainment venue.
Early 90s: Kent and Dawn Buescher use the land as a weekend horse farm. This soon evolves into Valdosta’s first petting zoo.
Benefits
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