Wild Adventures, Valdosta

My family loves WA. We have been going for years and have never had a bad experience. Sure a couple of rides have been down while we were there no big deal there were plenty more to ride. My Grandson loves the water park. We go every chance we get.

I admit I have not been to WA since the new owners took over a few years ago. I remember the huge collection of rides and animals that used to be there. No more. We decided to take the kids this past weekend since they have never been there. What I thought would be a great weekend getaway for them turned out to be a disappointment. The PROS: (1) overall, the employees were great (except the lifeguards - seemed that all of them had bad attitudes and hated their jobs) (2) the lines were short. The CONS: (1) I remember alot more rides, now there is just alot of empty concrete slabs where the rides once stood, (2) I remember alot more animals and a cool walkway through the swamp, now the walkway is closed and most of the cages are empty, (3) Keeping in mind that alot of rides have been removed, the following rides that still remained were closed: Aviator, Go Banana's, Tasmanian River Rapids, Twisted Typhoon, Viking Voyage, Swinging Safari and the Tucan Alley Slide. The following rides also went down early during our visit and did not reopen due to technical difficulties: Boomerang, Swamp Thing and Firecracker. Also closed: go carts, mini golf and the sky coaster. Yes, over half the rides in the park were closed on a Saturday with no bad weather. Since we got the second day free deal we went back on Sunday, yep, the same rides were still not running. I understand rides are mechanical and do break. There is typically 1 or 2 rides down on any given day at any theme park you go to. But this many rides down both days? Either the rides are not well maintained (scary thought) or the park just does not have enough staff to operate them. As for the waterpark, honestly, it was alot better than the rides area. I really enjoyed it. The exception being - in new WA standards - 2 of the 4 kiddie slides were closed both days and the wave pool was broken so there were no waves for the kids to play in. Other than that, no complaints about the water park - except all the lifeguards with bad attitides that hated their jobs. Hey, here's a thought WA management: move the excellent employees from the rides area (since none of your rides work anyway) to the waterpark and move the bad attittude lifeguards to stand in front of the broken rides. At least that way you would have 1 good park.

my kids and i visited in july and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We went to disney as well on this vacation and enjoyed here better. The reason why, we rode almost every ride in the park because the lines were much shorter. There was more than enough to do to fill an entire day and the second day was free.peope don't believe these people that make it sound horrible. Dont get me wrong its not the parks in orlando but you actually get to enjoy yourself so that made it better for me. Will definitely visit again!

The park is fun when it's not crowded and we enjoy the rides and shows. However, if you get hungry, expect to be treated as if you are at a run down burger king off of interstate 75!!! The food staff seem almost annoyed that you interrupted their conversation to order. The food is either pizza or something fried and the burgers taste like microwaved soy meat. The best thing to do is sneak in your own food or leave the park and eat in your car.

Having been to Wild adventures once or twice a year, for the past 5 years, Here's the biggest things I have learned about this park. 1) This is NOT SIX FLAGS or DISNEY. don't expect it to be. If you want the "BIG" coasters....go somewhere else. The ones here are good. but not extreme. 2) Saturdays are crowded. as with any other amusement park. come during the week if you want shorter lines. This being said. These are also some of the shortest lines you will ever see at an amusement park. People make these lines out to be The 3 hour disney and six flags lines....but worst case, your in line for 30mins. 3)STAFF: A LOT of teenagers. Most of these are on one of their first Jobs. They're not always Perfect. but they generally get the job done, BE PATIENT with them. They have to deal with thousands of people a day. 4) FOOD- PACK A LUNCH ALREADY. as with any amusement park...they make half their money off of food and drink. BUT...this park is more than happy to let you go out to your car (GET YOUR HAND STAMPED) to eat lunch, then return to the park. Bring an UNOPENED water bottle in the park with you on hot days (check the website, they do allow it). Pack A couple of Sandwiches in the car, and you'll EASILY save $5 a person on food. 5)Parking/Prices- Parking is $10 per car. Same as as the large amusement parks in Atlanta. Don't complain. It happens. As far as tickets....If you do not plan on going on two CONSECUTIVE days...look around. Many times (Walgreens this year) stores will have discounted tickets for 1 day admission (Usually about $10 cheaper per ticket.) 6)OVERALL. Its not DISNEY. they don't staff 200 Mechanics. rides are closed sometimes. at least they don't let you ride them when they're broken. If you are looking for a good Value (gas/hotels/admission)...with a little planning, this is one of the best places to go. Bring a lunch, Look for discounted tickets, and have a little patience...and you're sure to have a great trip!

Some of you act like this place is supposed to be Disney World or Universal Studios. Get a grip. I worked here for many, many years and yes, there are times when things went wrong and there were definitely rude workers. But not everyone of them. One person complained because the lines are too long. This is a popular park. The next closest, biggest thing is in Orlando or Atlanta. You came in July. There are going to be lines but you aren't going to wait an hour like Disney. And someone complained about buying a locker at the water park. Failed to mention you got your $8 security deposit back at the end of the day, didn't you? To the lady who was mad about pictures- Wild Adventures doesn't do the pictures. That's Qualex/ KODAK. Your calls haven't been returned by them. Guest Services is forwarding your messages to the KODAK supervisors. They're an independent contractor there. Complaining that the water park closed for thunder and lightning? I'd be happy that they kept me from getting electrocuted. I'm not defending everything Wld Adventures is about. In my opinion, it was much better before Herschend took over but you know, they still have record numbers of visitors every year so they must be doing something right. And if you would buy a souvenir cup for $7, you could get unlimited 99 cent refillls all day. Come in October through April and you won't wait in lines for rides or anything else, unless it's a big concert day. Yes, on slower days, at the kiddie rides, one person may be operating the 3 rides sections. It's called saving money. If 1 person was running each ride, it will be a terrible waste of money. I have been here many times with my child and one person was working (because we are smart and go at times when it's slow) and we never wait more than 3 minutes (the length of one ride) to get on what ride we want to get on. People are making something out of nothing. The reason they clear the rides completely before loading anymore, is for safety issues. By law, they are required to do so. Yes, maybe Disney doesn't. They are a different state and have different types of rides. You would be singing a different tune if your child was the one that didn't get cleared out of the exit line before the ride started and a rider's foot or a shoe coming off hit him in the head and killed him. Has happened at another, not-to-be-named theme park. If you come expecting it to be Disney World, you will be disappointed. It's not. Plain and simple. But it offers good entertainment and concerts. The water park has gotten a lot better with the addition of 3 attractions this summer. The animals get less attention, which I don't like, because that was the original premise of the park to begin with. I remember driving by, 15 years ago,when it was Liberty Farms, and seeing Bongo the giraffe hanging out over the fence. I first started working when it just changed to Wild Adventures and it has grown so much since then. The park ENDED at the kiddie area. There were some bigger rides up there then so it wasn't just for children. All in all, it's a really good price, if you get season passes. You've made up your money after the second visit. Buy a souvenir cup and bring it back, bring a picnic if you don't want to buy food. Or security is a lot more lax than they used to be and don't search bags anymore, like they did after 9/11, so just bring in some food and drinks. Oh and to the one complaining about it being in the middle of mowhere. Who cares? And the awful smell is Valdosta's livelihood, the paper mill. It's worse on rainy days because the smoke can't rise through the clouds so it sits. And you don't know what weather may have been coming or thunder an lightning. They have very high-tech radars. The cost to stay open may have been outrageous compared to the 10 families that may have come in that day. And you only saw it from the road and you know that the rides have wheels? You're pretty amazing! Me and my family will keep having fun!

My wife and I have been getting the Gold passes for the past 3 years & we really en joy the park. Especially going to the concerts. Best entertainment value for your buck anywhere around this area. Sure you can go on to Orlando or Tampa to the theme parks there. We've been. But if you're not going that far south or you live in S. GA/ N. FL, Wild Adventures is a fun place. The Safari's fun & so is the water park. Of course if your loaded with dough & you don't care how much it costs to stay in Orlando or Tampa & how much it costs to go to those theme parks then have at it. But for most, especially in this poor economy today, Wild Adventures is great bang for the buck!

The Rides are more intence this year. The water park is more fun...with more water rides. And we are so excided that there are more MODERN CHRISTIAN GROUPS coming to Concert this year... Can't wait...Toby Mac, Casting Crowns, MercyME, and Skillet! Praise GOD!!!!

Kids run wild and and the staff wasnt present nor was any security, wannabe thugs everywhere, will NEVER go back to this horrible park!!!!!!! BEWARE!!!

The rides are ok with different levels of thrills. You can easily see the effort of cost saving in the expense of customer's good experience. The food is pricey and removed less expensive items from the menu. They even made the pizza with thin dough and less number of pepperonis. The park is overall understaffed especially for the area people are lining up. Maybe a good place to teach your kids that life is unfair. They changed the rule for the annual pass holder so that one has to take a photo before you enter the park even the voucher says otherwise. When I complained it to the customer service, they just say that the info in the voucher was wrong, no apology or explanation whatsoever. Overall, it may worth visiting if other theme parks are too far to drive.