Just got this from Herschend in an e-mail:

Valdosta, GA- It may be wintertime now, but the magic-makers at Wild Adventures Theme Park are busy thinking of summer fun!

This became evident when park officials today announced that, greeting visitors for the 2009 season, will be a sparkling and updated Splash Island Water Park, and it will be the biggest capital investment in recent park history.

“Welcome to paradise,” said park General Manager Bob Montgomery. “We are totally renovating and improving what has been one of the finest and most popular waterparks in the entire region, with new theming, new facilities, additional seating and shade structures and a new water ride adventure guests won’t believe.”

When guests enter Splash Island they will step into a Polynesian paradise with an all-new water ride, revamped restaurant called Surfside Cafe, expanded locker facilities and more shaded areas. Splash Island is a totally re-themed water park with additions and improvements to enhance guests’ tropical experience. “We wanted to bring a little of the Polynesian tropical feel and adventure to the area,” said Montgomery.

The new water ride is called the Wahee Cyclone, and it is the only such water ride in the southern Georgia-northern Florida area. Wahee Cyclone is essentially a giant funnel, standing forty-eight feet tall and forty-five feet wide. Four riders in a cloverleaf-like raft plummet through an enclosed tube in complete darkness then free-fall into a huge funnel that rockets riders up one side and down the other until the riders are deposited through the end of the funnel.

Splash Island offers guest twelve-acres of wet fun with more than ten water activities, including six water slides, tropical lagoons, a 1,000-foot lazy river, a special area just for kids, and a 20,000 square-foot wave pool.

Projected opening date for Splash Island is Saturday, March 28, 2009. Passport holders will be able to catch a sneak peek of the new Wahee Cyclone and re-themed water park March 21. As in the past, Splash Island is FREE with park admission. Wild Adventures Theme Park opens Saturday, March 14, 2009.

Season Passports for Wild Adventure are now on sale for just $79, and include unlimited park admission for the 2009 season. Guests can purchase a Gold Passport for $99 and enjoy free parking, free miniature golf and free go-karts all season long.

For more information and to plan your next adventure, please visit our website at www.wildadventures.com or call 229-219-7080.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

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Come And Visit Amusement Park Madness!

VOTE IN OUR LATEST POLL-BEST MAJOR ROLLER COASTER COMPANY!

Well it's good news that they are redoing the themeing at the water park. Not worth getting thrilled over the Tornado though. It's a fun slide but nothing amazing.

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Michael C

I'm getting sick of parks adding Tornadoes. There are other slides out there.

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TV/Event Guide Editor

^ Yes, there are other slides out there, but none have been mass produced or come in an easy to install footprint like a Tornado does, that's why everyone is getting them.

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2008 - Tennessee Tornado Crew

Happy 10th Anniversary to the coaster that started it all- Tennessee Tornado!

Always good to see a little theming

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Timbers Crew 08...
Timbers crew 09..!

Well as I have said before and should probably just shut up about, I want Dollywood's Splash Country to get one. I think they are really fun slides. That plunge down into the funnel gets my stomach more than most roller coasters have. I bet they could have gotten a deal if they bought two. I am not complaining just hoping, someday.. lol.

Wild Adventures has posted two new construction photos of Wahee Cyclone. Less than 50 days are left till the water park reopens and it looks as if it is almost complete. Wahee Cyclone Gathers Speed

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