Wild Adventures Theme Park Marks 15th Anniversary, Announces $4 Million Water Park Expansion

Park confirms return of family concert series with 20 top artists and offers best price on 2011 Season Passes including three months free

Valdosta, GA – Wild Adventures Theme Park (WA) announced today it celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2011 with one of its biggest expansions to date. In the past fifteen years, the park has grown from a petting zoo to the area’s largest tourist attraction.  In 2011, WA plans a $4 million expansion of its water park, Splash Island.  Already considered the area’s largest water park, Splash Island opens two new major family rides in March 2011, the biggest expansion ever made to the water park.

Everyone who purchases a season pass in October gets a gold upgrade free.  At $59.99, the Gold Pass saves an average family of four $160 off of peak season pricing.  Gold includes free parking, miniature golf and go-karts.  Passholders also receive three additional months free as they are invited to use their passes for the remainder of 2010 including admission to popular park events like Kid-o-ween, Phobia and WA’s special Christmas days.

2011 Season Passes are offered online (www.wildadventures.com), via phone 229-219-7080 or at the park.  Passes must be purchased by October 31, 2010 to receive special gold benefits.

“Since Wild Adventures first opened its doors in 1996, it’s always been a central gathering spot for South Georgia and North Florida families.  Today, we are a large-scale 170-acre theme, water and animal park all rolled into one.  Plus, we’re committed to featuring top family-friendly acts in the area’s largest outdoor amphitheater,” said Bob Montgomery, WA’s general manager.  “With this Splash Island expansion, we will have invested more than $10 million in improvements and upgrades since 2007.”

WA’s 2011 improvements and upgrades include two new water attractions and VIP comforts in Splash Island.  The two water rides provide thrills for the entire family in tubes accommodating 3 to 5 guests.  Guests seeking the VIP treatment can relax in exclusive private cabanas, for an additional fee.  The park confirmed more details to be announced soon.

WA’s parent company, Herschend Family Entertainment (HFE) bought WA in September 2007.  Since its purchase, the company has invested in the park.  In 2008, they unveiled a new $4 million dollar water ride called Wahee Cyclone.  In 2010, WA completed a million dollar renovation on the park’s famed wooden roller coaster, The Cheetah.  In addition, the park also planted more than 400 trees and added a trio of new rides.

“By maintaining traditions like our family concert series coupled with new attractions, we are committed to continuing to be the area’s most affordable escape,” Montgomery added.

Similar to the 2010 season, WA plans to feature at least 20 leading acts next year.  Later this fall, WA plans to announce the line-up which includes top acts in a variety of genres such as rock, country, urban, Southern gospel and Christian.

John Travolta and Kelly Preston at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Renowned actor and Golden Globe award-winner John Travolta and his wife, actress Kelly Preston,became immersed in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter during their visit to Universal Orlando Resort on Sept. 5.  After sipping Butterbeer at the Hog’s Head pub, Travolta and Preston stepped into Ollivanders wand shop – where the wand chooses the wizard. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the most spectacularly-themed entertainment experience ever created and was inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters.

COUNTRY SUPERSTAR TRACE ADKINS KICKS OFF LABOR DAY WEEKEND, FEEDS GIRAFFES AT BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY

TAMPA, FL (SEPTEMBER 2, 2010) -- On a visit today to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, country hit-maker Trace Adkins fed giraffes on a Serengeti Safari experience. Adkins and his family were at the park to enjoy a fun day together before he performs in Tampa tonight. The Adkins family topped off the day by feeding kangaroos at the park's new Walkabout Way area. To discover more, visit BuschGardensTampa.com.

Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

FILMS BY TEN FINALISTS POSTED FOR ONLINE VOTING IN “HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS-ROB ZOMBIE FILM COMPETITION” AS UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD SEARCHES FOR BEST NEW “SHORT SCARE”

Universal City, CA—Ten films, selected by industry judges from nearly two hundred eligible entries, have been posted for online public voting in the “Halloween Horror Nights-Rob Zombie Film Competition.”

Voting is open to the public at www.halloweenhorrornights.com/vote from September 3 – 17, 2010.  Only one vote per person may be cast.

The film competition offered filmmakers an opportunity to have their scariest short film judged by a panel led by the multi-media horror auteur. The winning filmmaker will be rewarded with a premiere showing on Chiller, a posting on Syfy.com, a $1,000 cash prize and a trip for two to the opening night of Halloween Horror Nights® at Universal Studios HollywoodSM

Along with Rob Zombie, the judging panel included Marc Graser, Senior Writer, Variety; Matt Cowan, Entertainment Assignment Editor, Getty Images and former short film juror for the Sundance Film Festival and AFI Film Festival; and John Murdy, Creative Director, Universal Studios Hollywood and “Halloween Horror Nights.” Prospective filmmakers were invited to submit short films of 90 seconds to three minutes in length.  Judging criteria included storytelling skill, originality and the degree of a “good scare.”

The winning film will be announced on September 17. In addition to the prize and the broadcast of the film, the winning filmmaker will be honored in front of celebrities, studio executives and media at the Eyegore Awards ceremony, which will kick off the 2010 Halloween Horror Nights event at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Halloween Horror Nights will begin on September 24 and continue on consecutive weekends and selected weekday nights through Sunday, October 31.  Event dates are: September 24, 25 and October 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31. The event will begin nightly at 7 p.m.; closing hours vary by night throughout the event.  Tickets are now on sale at www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com/hollywood including a new “Killer Deal Nights” option, providing discounts of up to $25 for selected dates.

            Halloween Horror Nights mazes will include the all-new “A Nightmare On Elm Street™:  Never Sleep Again,” “Friday the 13th™: Kill, Jason, Kill!,” “Rob Zombie’s House of 1000 Corpses in 3D Zombievison,” “Vampyre: Castle of the Undead” plus “Saw:  Game On.”  Among the six “Scare Zones” is a new “La Llorona” experience, based upon the timeless Mexican legend.   “Chucky’s Revenge” – an all-new “Terror Tram” experience -- plus an express visit to the new blockbuster attraction, “King Kong 360 3D” Created by Peter Jackson and an all-new “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure” show will also be featured within the event.

            Universal Studios Hollywood’s favorite thrill-ride attractions will also remain open for “Halloween Horror Nights” nocturnal affair, many with menacing twists.  Favorites include “The Simpsons Ride™,” “Revenge of the MummySM – The Ride” and “Jurassic Park® In the Dark.”

Updates on “Halloween Horror Nights” will be available at HalloweenHorrorNights.com and also on Twitter and Facebook, as Creative Director John Murdy reveals a running chronicle of exclusive information.  Fans are invited to follow John Murdy on Twitter at: Twitter.com/HorrorNights or via Facebook at: “Halloween Horror Nights - Hollywood (Official).” 

Get a Sneak Peek at Universal Orlando’s 2010 Halloween Horror Nights TV Commercial

Next week, Universal Orlando will unveil the all-new TV spot for Halloween Horror Nights XX: Twenty Years of Fear.  Directed by Peter and Michael Spierig (the directors of the box office hit, “Daybreakers”), this year’s commercial will give you a glimpse of Fear – the master of everything Halloween Horror Nights has ever been and will become.

Click HERE to find out the commercial’s debut date and get a sneak peek at what you can expect. 

Coming in 2011 - Riptide Bay at Hurricane Harbor

Gurnee, Ill. (Sept. 2, 2010) – The Best Water Park in the Nation…Just Got Bigger!  Six Flags Great America announces plans to add a 3 acre water park expansion for the 2011 season.  Riptide Bay at Hurricane Harbor will boast more slides and attractions than any other in the state featuring the only place to surf on Lake Michigan.  The new double-sided surf simulator, Surf Rider, sends out 8 foot waves with 24,000 gallons of rushing water a minute.  Just like waves on a real ocean, now anyone can learn how to carve a bottom, do cut backs and learn amazing trick maneuvers as they build their surfing skills.  The water park expansion will also include a Caribbean-inspired activity pool with additional lounging areas, high-speed waterslides, luxury cabanas and more attractions still to be announced. Construction is expected to begin this Fall east of the existing water park. Riptide Bay at Hurricane Harbor is set to open Spring 2011.

"From our coasters and shows to our four children's areas and free water park, there is no other theme park in the world that offers the tremendous amount of thrills we do for one price." said Hank Salemi, Six Flags Great America park president. "Since opening Hurricane Harbor in 2005 the water park has grown in popularity.  We felt the Riptide Bay expansion was the best way to kick off the 2011 season.  The new double-sided Surf Rider is an amazing attraction that our guests will have just as much fun watching as participating.  Plus the new activity pool, speed slides and lounge area will make a great water park even bigger, better and wetter."

Hurricane Harbor, including the all-new Riptide Bay is free with park admission or season pass. 2011 Season Passes are now on sale for the lowest price in 20 years.  Buy yours today at $59.99 when you purchase 4 or more and get the rest of 2010 FREE.  Offer ends October 31, 2010.  Six Flags Great America is located between Chicago and Milwaukee and offers fun for the entire family with 14 heart-pounding roller coasters, a free water park, spectacular shows and four children’s themed areas. 

SEAWORLD’S “OCEAN OF HALLOWEEN FUN” COMES TO LIFE SELECT WEEKENDS IN OCTOBER

ORLANDO, Fla. – (September 2, 2010) – Halloween meets the sea during SeaWorld's Halloween Spooktacular, featuring an underwater "fantasea" where children can trick-or-treat, meet amazing sea creatures, catch silly and spooky shows and help Sesame Street's Abby Cadabby through an amazing adventure to find her magic wand.

SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular takes place October 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, and 29-31. The daytime event begins at 12 p.m., leaving the littlest of trick-or-treaters wide-eyed for the fun-filled activities.  Visit SeaWorldSpooktacular.com for more details. 

Spooktacular Highlights Include:

Trick-or-Treat Sea Sweets
Offering more than 3 million pieces of trick-or-treat sweets, costumed youngsters can search for hidden “sea” treasures using their Spooktacular maps at more than a dozen different locations. Each station features an array of sweet treats, including a variety of candies and healthy choice options. 

Count Von Count’s Spooktacular Breakfast
One of Sesame Street’s favorite residents, The Count, gets into the Halloween spirit with his friends from Sesame Street at Count Von Count’s Spooktacular Breakfast.  Little ones will sing, groove and mingle side-by-side with Sesame Street characters, while listening to Halloween-themed music and enjoying a special breakfast “boo”-ffet.  Following the breakfast, kids can get their photos taken with the characters for memories that will last forever.*

Abby Cadabby’s Halloween Adventure
Filled with interactive puzzles, sights and sounds, Abby Cadabby’s Halloween Adventure is a 4,000-square-foot outdoor pathway where trick-or-treaters can help Sesame Street’s Abby Caddaby search for her magic wand. Plus, Abby Cadabby is available for photo opportunities.**

Cookie Decorating Station
Kids and parents alike can create their own Halloween-themed cookies at a special decorating station decked out with Spooktacular loot.  The kit -- available for a small charge -- includes a souvenir lunch box filled with a jumbo sugar cookie, toppings ranging from icing and sprinkles to M&M’S®, and milk or apple juice to wash it all down. 

Strolling Entertainment
Gummy Worm Wanda, Salt Water Taffy, and Swedish Fish Suzy are among the 35 fanciful sea creatures that will join the “Spook-tastic” fun welcoming trick-or-treaters as they stroll through colorful, playful schools of pumpkin fish.

Frozen Fun Zone
A DJ will “melt the ice” during a celebration sure to warm up the area with interactive games and activities at Wild Arctic Plaza.

More SeaWorld Halloween Fun:

SeaWorld’s Spooky Spectacular Sleepover (6 p.m. – 9 a.m. on Oct. 15, 16, 22 and 23) 
Families can snuggle into a spooky slumber surrounded by exotic fish, rays, and sea dragons inside the floor-to-ceiling aquariums at Manta.  A pizza dinner and breakfast are also included.  Cost is $78 per person or $103 (includes next-day park admission). Program is for children in grades K-5 and their families.  For more info, visit www.swbg-adventurecamp.com or SeaWorldSpooktacular.com