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| Status: |
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Operating since 5/23/1998 |
| Also Known As: |
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Visionland |
| Phone: |
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205-481-4750 |
| Fax: |
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205-481-4758 |
| Web: |
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Alabama Adventure's site |
| Address: |
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5051 Prince Street
Bessemer, AL 35020
USA
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| Visits: |
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33 |
| Rating: |
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| More About This Park |
History:
Past name(s): Visionland (5/23/1998-2005)
Visionland was shut down due to money problems in 2001, but reopened in 2003 after it was purchased by Team ProParks, LLC.
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| Reviews |
cannonballer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1313
View Park/Ride Count
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I was attracted to Visionland because of the fact that the park was newer and I thought the crowds would be small plus they have RAMPAGE! When we drove up to the park we had to wait a good 15 minutes in our car at the parking lot gate just to pay our six bucks to get a space to leave our car. The parking lot was designed so that no matter how crowded the park was you didnt have to walk too very far to the front gate which was nice, HOWEVER once to the gate it took a good 30 minutes of waiting in a not too long of line to get our paper wristbands and then another 20 minutes of a line to get into the park where somone was there to put the bands on you which I thought was kinda silly, anyone should now how to peel back the paper over adheasive right? Once inside we found ourselves on Celebration street which is the section that divides the park into two seperate sections, Magical adventures amusement park and Splash Beach water park. Keep in mind you have to have your wristband to move from one park to the other as they scan the barcodes on them as if in a convienant store. Well once we got our locker (another 15 minute wait) We look around the water park and decide the place was too crowded and made our way to the amusment area.
The first thing we rode was the raft ride whose name escapes me right now as does most of the names of the rides. This ride was great and rough as well for a river rapids ride at least only problem was that I only got wet on my crotch and nobody else got wet at all. If you actually have gotten wet on this thing it could have been the best I have ever ridden. Most of the other rides Were nothing more than carnie rides which is ok since I like dizzy rides and these were extra exciting becuase they run at the highest settings but it is the fact they run them fast that causes them to break down more often and while we were there 6 rides broke down. Including the space shot which we were just about to board when it got stuck at the top of the tower. The scrambler was so loud that you could hear it anywhere in the park and the log ride was shut down and looked like it hasnt ran for years. No matter what the lines were like the op's NEVER loaded these rides more than half full.
Its was hot and we kept going back to try the water park but the place was too crowded and the slides were not worth the long wait in line. Speaking of the slides line there is only one, Thats right, One line for all the slides in the park. the lazy river was packed full of kids (with no parents in sight) that push and shoved, The wave pool was trashed with paper cups etc, and my girlfriend and I both had problems with our paper wristbands falling of in the water. As a matter of fact in the middle of the day you could see hundreds of wristbands floating in the water, luckily we caught ours before we lost them so we could get back and forth between the sections of the park.
Back in the amusement area, the black asphalt paths made for a hot walk and the lack of trees didnt help any during the half mile journey between rides. The park is spread out so far unless you are a kid in a stroller your feet will hurt in no time just trying to get from on place to another.
The workers in the park are rude minus one or two exceptions. I really got the feeling that noone cares about the state of this park since it was very trashed and noone wanted to seem to help or answer simple questions of direction etc.
RAMPAGE was great however, This coaster really belongs in a better park. The thing felt like it was never going to end, just when you think its almost over it keeps going. The first hill is amazing and the thing just tosses you everywhere. We rode the front middle and back seats, I recommend the back where there is more of a crazy ride. The difference between the front and back are like night and day. This is a great coaster that should be nationally recognised but is barely woth the pain of spending a whole day at Visionland.
The good points of the park are few and far between. The food and other products were reasonably priced, However upon searching for ANYTHING with rampage on it I gave up. The park didnt seem to want to promote the only great ride in the park. The lights were nice at night however it would have been nice to have Rampage lit with somthing other than street lights. At 9pm they had a mardi-gras style parade which was kinda cool.
Upon leaving the park I realised my battery was dead and having my own jumper cables I thought "hey It would not be hard at all to get somone to jump me off." The first thing I did was to go to securty and ask for help. They were rude and even kinda yelled at me just for asking for help. After asking 15 or so people in the parking lot I finally found a church van that was very nice and gave me a jump.
This could be a really great park one day they just first need better rides and learn a little customer courtisy/service and it wouldnt hurt to fix the wristband problems and crowd problems.
Over all the park receives 3 out of 10 and rampage receives a 8 out of 10. If your planning on passing through birmningham you may wanna spend a couples hours there to ride Rampage but I would not suggest planning a speacial trip or a whole day at the park. Maybe it will be better once they expand and learn of the problems they have.
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| 7-12-04 8:43:41 |
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