November 18, 2022
VALDOSTA, Ga. – Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, Ga. is kicking off its annual Christmas celebration with over a million lights, new additions, additional operating days and free admission for first responders, teachers, military personnel and families affected by recent hurricanes.
“As we observe Thanksgiving and begin our Wild Adventures Christmas event, we want to show our gratitude for those who have made it their life’s work to serve our communities,” said Adam Floyd, director of sales and marketing. “We also want to provide a few days of fun for our neighbors who were impacted by Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole.
Wild Adventures is offering free admission during the opening weekend of Wild Adventures Christmas, Nov. 25-27, to first responders, teachers and school support staff, active and retired military and up to four immediate family members with proof of employment. A list of eligible professions and additional details are posted at WildAdventures.com.
Complimentary admission is also being offered Nov. 25-27 to anyone who lives in counties that were under mandatory or voluntary evacuation orders during Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole. Those counties include: (Florida) Alchua, Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Flagler, Franklin, Gilchrist, Glades, Harnando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Nassau, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Taylor, Volusia and Sarasota counties.
“We look forward to welcoming these families for our biggest Christmas celebration ever. In addition to enjoying our rides and animals, our guests will experience new light displays, new entertainment, Georgia’s Largest Snow Foam Party and more,” said Floyd. “Wild Adventures Christmas is so big that we added later operating hours and added three days to our traditional operating calendar, moving the event up to begin the day after Thanksgiving to ensure our guests have time to experience it all.”
New to Wild Adventures Christmas is the Candy Cane Express, a peppermint-scented train ride through brilliant light displays set to festive holiday tunes. After riding the Candy Cane Express, guests can take a stroll through twinkling displays along the Glimmering Light Trail that meanders through a real Georgia Swamp decorated with Christmas trees, snowflakes and more.
Also new to the event are the woodland creature antics of “A Very Puppet Christmas,” the new “Magic of Christmas Parade” where kids dance and sing along the way to light up a towering five-story animated Christmas tree, the new S’mores Village where guests can make a tasty treat over an open flame and Georgia’s Largest Snow Foam Party where kids can play in a mountain of foam.
“We are also ending each night of Wild Adventures Christmas with free hot chocolate at the new Wanyama Observation Deck,” said Floyd. “Our guests will be able to cap off a magical day with delicious hot chocolate as they enjoy the views at Wanyama which overlooks an open range featuring animals from throughout Asia and Africa.”
On Dec. 23, Wild Adventures will celebrate Santa’s return to the North Pole with “Santa’s Send-Off Fireworks Spectacular.” The event will feature fireworks set to holiday music as Santa returns to his workshop to prepare for Christmas.
Complimenting the new additions to Wild Adventures Christmas are several returning events and attractions, including visits and photos with Santa, “The Miracle of Christmas: A Living Nativity,” The Drummer Boys percussion show, “Holly Frostington’s Elf Training Academy” interactive show, Mrs. Claus’s Storytime, cookie decorating and ornament decorating.
Guests can also enjoy Brunch With Santa on select dates through Dec. 23. The event features an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet and an appearance from the Jolly Old Elf himself. Space is limited, and tickets can be purchased at WildAdventures.com.
“Wild Adventures Christmas is the biggest holiday celebration in our region, and we can’t wait to welcome families this year for a bright and festive experience they will never forget,” said Floyd.
Wild Adventures Christmas begins Nov. 25 and continues select days through Dec. 31. Tickets and Season Passes are available for purchase at WildAdventures.com.
Wild Adventures Theme Park is located at the halfway point between Atlanta, Ga. and Orlando, Fla. off Interstate 75 and is home to more than 40 family and thrill rides, hundreds of exotic animals, dozens of concerts and special events each year and Splash Island Waterpark, named as one of the “Top 30 Waterparks” in the country by U.S. News and World Report. Wild Adventures is ranked as the Fifth Most Affordable Theme Park in America in the Theme Park Price Index published by HomeToGo and the Top Theme Park Deal in Georgia by Yahoo! Finance.
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Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 25-27.
These offers are only available on park and are not available online.
Wild Adventures recognizes First Responders as defined by the United States First Responder Association. If your profession is listed, then you will receive free admission during Wild Adventures Opening Weekend when you present a valid employee ID badge or a paycheck stub along with a photo ID.
The United States First Responder Association lists the following professions as first responders:
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AEMT Air National Guard Soldier Air Traffic Controller AmeriCorps Animal Control Officer Assistant District Attorney ATF Agent Auxiliary Police Border Patrol Bridge and Tunnel Officer Campus Security CERT Member Citizens Police Academy Graduate Civil Air Patrol Conservation Officer Constable Coroner Corporate Security Officer Correction Officer County Coordinator Court Officer DEA Agent DEC Official Deputy Sheriff Diplomatic Security Dispatcher District Attorney Doctor Dog Warden Elected Official |
Emergency Medical Professional Emergency Medical Technician Environmental Police EPA Officer FBI Agent FEMA Official Fire Commissioner Fire Marshal Firefighter Fish and Wildlife Officer Game Warden Harbor Patrol Harbor Police Homeland Security Agent ICE Agent Inspector Insurance Investigator Investigator K-9 Officer Ladies Auxiliary Life Guard Military Police National Seashore Officer Nurse Paramedic Park Police Park Ranger Peace Officer |
Physician Assistant Police Explorer Police Officer Postal Inspector Private Investigator Probation Officer Public Information Officer Public Safety Official Red Cross Member Security Guard Sheriff SPCA Officer Special Deputy Sheriff Special Police State Coordinator Tow trucker driver/operator Town Coordinator Transit Police TSA Officer Under Sheriff University Police US Air Force US Army US Coast Guard US Marine Air Marshal US Marshal US Navy US Secret Service Agent Warden |
Personnel must present proof of employment such as a valid ID badge, business card or pay stub along with a photo ID at any Wild Adventures ticket booth.
Several Florida counties were under State-issued mandatory or voluntary evacuation orders during Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole in 2023. Those counties are:
Alachua, Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Flagler, Franklin, Gilchrist, Glades, Harnando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Nassau, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Taylor, Volusia and Sarasota.
To the best of our knowledge, no county in Georgia was placed under State-issued evacuation orders during those storms. And the list of eligible Florida counties was taken directly from orders issued by the state. However, if you can supply proof that your county of residence was under mandatory or voluntary evacuation orders during Hurricane Ian or Hurricane Nicole in 2022 along with proof of residence, you will be eligible to receive this offer.
Those eligible for free admission can visit the park as many times as they would like, Friday, November 25, Saturday, November 26 and Sunday, November 27.
No. However, anyone visiting the park can bring a new, unwrapped toy valued at $10 or more and receive 50 percent off the single-day admission price of $54.99. This is not eligible for the “Next Day Free” offer.
“Immediate Family Members” include: Someone's spouse, parents and grandparents, children and grandchildren, brothers and sisters, mother in law and father in law, brothers in law and sisters in law, daughters in law and sons in law. Adopted, half, and step members are also included in immediate family.
No. Those who already receive free admission will not be counted against the 4 immediate family members free admission offer.
Yes. You can receive free admission during Wild Adventures Christmas Opening Weekend with dependent ID and proof of deployment.
(NOTE: Please see a supervisor if you have questions)
No. You must use the ticket on the same day you receive it. It cannot be used at another time.
No. You must present your valid military ID or proof of occupancy at the designated ticket kiosk each day of the offer to receive your ticket for that day.
You must be a 2022 or 2023 Passholder to bring a friend to the park for free on Friday, November 25 Saturday, November 26 and Sunday, November 27. Simply bring your friend with you when you enter Wild Adventures at the ticketing turnstiles, present your 2022 or 2023 Season Pass, and you will receive a complimentary ticket for your friend. Passholder must accompany the friend into the park when using the ticket during one of the select days.
One friend per Passholder per day November 25 Saturday, November 26 and Sunday, November 27.
You can receive 50% off admission November 25 Saturday, November 26 and Sunday, November 27 when you bring a donation of a new unwrapped toy valued at least $10 for Toys for Tots. You can make your donation at a special tent in the ticketing courtyard or at any Wild Adventures ticketing kiosk, the Welcome Center, or the Season Pass Processing Center.
No.
Single parties will receive 50% off single-day admission with a donation.
No, rain checks do not apply to any free or discounted ticket offer.
No, parking is not included with this offer.
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