Wild Adventures Theme Park (WA) opens for the 2011 season, March 12, with celebrations planned throughout the season to mark the park’s 15th anniversary. This year, the park plans to celebrate its 15th year of operation with a special anniversary cash giveaway, the expansion of its’ Splash Island water park, the addition of more than 20 new and rare animals, and an all-star concert line-up for guests of all ages.

Season Begins with Bring A Friend Weekend and Rock the Park Sweepstakes

Kicking off the season, WA will offer Bring A Friend Weekend, Saturday March 19 and Sunday, March 20, allowing 2011 Season Passholders to bring a friend for free one or both days to enjoy the park. In addition, a special All-You-Can-Eat Picnic Buffet will be available for any park guest for just $8 per person from 11 am to 2 pm on both days.    

In honor of WA’s 15th anniversary, the park will give guests a chance to win up to $15,000 during its Rock the Park Sweepstakes, March 26 – April 9. Each day for 15 days, guests will have a chance to win $1,000 in cash and up to $500 in other rockin’ prizes, including admission to Wild Adventures with reserved concert seating, Wild Adventures in park spending cash and tickets to sister theme park properties, Dollywood located in Pigeon Forge, TN and Stone Mountain Park in Atlanta, GA. Complete rules and details can be found at wildadventures.com/rockthepark.

New Asian Free Range Features Rare Animals

Animal lovers will be the first in line to ride the extended Safari Train ride to see rare and exotic animals in the new Asian free range area. The stars of the Asian free range area are two rare Indian rhinos, two of approximately 2,400 remaining in the world. In addition to the Indian rhinos, the safari experience has added more than twenty new animals, giving guests up close views of roaming herds and animals in a natural setting, including bearded hogs, water buffalo and black buck.

Over a Million Gallons of Fun Begins April 2

Summer will be cooler this season when more than 55,000 gallons of fun are added to Splash Island Water Park. With the addition of two new giant family water slides, Hakini Rapids and Kona Cliffs, Splash Island increases to 17-acres of splashtacular fun, the largest expansion in the water park’s history.

In addition to the new family slides, Splash Island introduces Cabana Village, an exclusive oasis of nine private cabanas available for daily rental which include table and chairs, two loungers, a flat screen TV, mini refrigerator and secure storage area. Cabanas have room for up to 8 guests and have access to separate bathrooms located exclusively in the Village.

Splash Island and its new additions open Saturday, April 2 for Season Passholders and Sunday, April 3 to all guests and is FREE with park admission.

Classic Rockers Join Family Concert Series

WA promises families a variety of musical entertainment from April to August in the region’s largest outdoor amphitheater. The park line-up includes concert performances in the rock, pop, country, Christian and gospel genres. Newly added to the concert lineup is World Classic Rockers, former members of Santana, Journey, Boston, Steppenwolf, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Toto, who will perform on Saturday, July 23.

        2011 Family Concert Series 
April 2        Charlie Daniels and 38 Special 
April 9        TobyMac 
April 16        Blake Shelton 
April 30            Doobie Brothers 
May 7        Mitchel Musso 
May 14        MercyMe 
May 21        Josh Turner 
May 28        Foreigner 
June 11        Lady Antebellum 
June 25        Casting Crowns 
July 23            World Classic Rockers 
August 13    Skillet

*All performers and dates are subject to change due to circumstances beyond the park's control.

The park plans to announce some additional concerts to round out the series with all-star performances suitable for guests of all ages. General concert seating for all concerts is free with a 2011 Season Pass or general park admission. Reserved seats are available for an additional $15.

Two New Shows To Entertain Guests

WA maintains its tradition of giving guests an adventure in entertainment and this year proves to be no different with two new shows to discover. New for 2011, Splash Island Beach Party will make some waves in Splash Island Water Park when an all-star cast performs hits from the 80s and 90s. In July, guests can enjoy their favorite AM radio hits in Retro, Rock & Rhythm, a live musical revue featuring songs from the 70s and 80s.

Guest favorites including, Creature Features, Tigers of India, Anastasini Circus, hypnotist Tammy Barton and Country Rocks Live! are back with new casts, new hosts, new animals and performers! Park shows are scheduled for a limited time and offer a new adventure with every visit.

2011 Show Schedule 
Creature Feature                March 12 –September 25 
Tigers of India                    March 12 – October 30 
Splash Island Beach Party    May 28 – August 14 
Country Rocks Live!        May 28 – August 14 
Anastasini Circus                June 11 – July 10 
Hypnotist Tammy Barton    June 18 –July 8 
Retro, Rock & Rhythm            July 2 – August 14

*Shows perform on select days during the dates listed. Visit wildadventures.com for show days and times.

Season Passes Offer Best Value

The only way guests can experience more than 50 thrill rides, hundreds of exotic animals, the 17-acre water park and all-star concerts all season long again and again is with a 2011 Season Pass. Season passes are on-sale now at http://www.WildAdventures.com, starting at $69.99. For $20 more, a Gold Season Pass includes free parking (a $10 value per visit), miniature golf, go-karts and discounts on food, merchandise and Cabana rentals. General park admissionis also available for purchase and includes the second day FREE. Adult tickets are $45.99, children (ages 3-9) and seniors (55 and older) are $40.99. Prices do not include tax.

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.