review and photos by Brian Szaks & Eric Sandigo
Among a vast landscape of billboards, trees, and Georgia heat, stands an oasis in the form of a family theme park. We were skeptical about what would be found in what we considered to be the “middle of nowhere, Georgia,” but were pleasantly surprised when we finally came upon the park.
After being offered a variety of parking options, each with different prices, (similar to a baseball game – you may even park in a church parking lot) we ascended upon the themed entrance of Wild Adventures (complete with obligatory metal detectors).
The first area after the outpost themed entrance was Bugsville, housing the first three of the park’s nine coasters. Decorated with giant cutouts of cell phones, tooth brushes and radios, the midway makes guests feel like they have been shrunken down to the size of a bug. Other distinct areas within the park include the Australian Outback, African Pridelands, Wild West, The Swamp, and Treasure Cove, each with coasters, water rides, kid rides and thrill rides themed to that area.
In keeping with the Wild Adventures name, each area has animal exhibits that house creatures native to that region of the globe. There is also a train in the African Pridelands taking riders on a guided tour of several animal habitats, as well as a spur off of the main circuit. This off-shoot takes safari-goers under the Cheetah wooden roller coaster and into a hoof stock habitat where animals such as waterbuck, impalas and scimitar-horned oryx roamed free around the train tracks. The highlight of our tour was seeing a deer calf born just that morning. The park also has interactive animal shows and a petting zoo (complete with llamas) that offer hands-on explorations into learning.
Along with the four water rides, the park also offers Splash Island Water Park, included in the admission, to compete with the Georgia heat. Featuring a wave pool, lazy river, waterslides and interactive play structure, guests can find great ways to cool off during the day, and then take advantage of the rides at night.
The best value found in the park was the concert venue. Included with admission, day guests and pass holders can attend concerts all year long from well-known acts including Kenny Chesney, Clay Aiken and Jeff Foxworthy. Concert-goers are encouraged to buy reserved seats in the amphitheater or claim a spot in the surrounding areas early in the day, then enjoy the rest that the park has to offer.
Overall, Wild Adventures was a pleasant surprise. Some of the attraction entrances were difficult to find, and although the employees were all very friendly, they seemed to be as beleaguered by the heat as everyone else was. The variety of attractions and unique animal habitats more than made up for any flaws. Wild Adventures is truly a welcomed respite from the headache of highway traffic.
