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"Retro" Photo TR: Wild Adventures 25/2/06


Shockwave

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In what is probably the longest running trip report ever (thanks to my amazing procrastination skills), I am now about to do what some thought would never happen.

 

Back in March 2006, I visited Florida on my first visit to the US. Over there, I met up with Robb, Elissa, Dave, Joe, Derek, Erik, Soren and a few others over the course of 12 days.

 

To cut a long story short, it was a truly amazing 12 days.

 

When I got back, I did start putting a few photos up, but I never quite finished my trip reports.

 

Now it's time to put it to bed.

 

Wild Adventures

 

The day before our visit to the park, I met Erik after a day at the Universal resort, and he took me to see some of the finer sights around Florida. Then after the sightseeing was done, it was time to head back to his house, and get ready for the day ahead.

 

After visiting Cypress Gardens a week before, I wasn't too optimistic about Wild Adventures. And even when we got there, we found that the Cheetah and the Gold Rush were down for maintenance. But the other 7 credits were open for business.

 

From the numerous amounts of billboards that line the Interstate all the way from Gainesville to Valdosta, I expected a lot more. Even though my memory is faded, I still remember that it felt like Busch Gardens Tampa on a budget.

 

When we got there, 2 of the coasters were shut, including the CCI woodie Cheetah. Not a good start.

 

Despite these shortfalls, the park has living proof that Vekoma Boomerangs and SLCs aren't all headbanging monstrosities, with a great example of each ride. That said, neither ride had more than a train's wait to get on at the most, so maybe there's the real reason behind the smoothness. Either that, or the kids are so scarred by the kiddy SLC that they'll never ride the bigger one.

 

The lack of atmosphere at the place was the biggest problem. Now, I like a park that's clean and looks good. Wild Adventures was very well kept, but it didn't look good. Looking at these pictures again, I'm suddenly seeing comparisons with Michigans Adventure's concrete jungle.

 

Whilst not a great park, I had a great time that day. Someday I will return to get my missing credits!

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Happy (very belated) 50th credit Erik!

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Dippin' Dots: The Ride!

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Hangman first drop.

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And here's some randomly placed non-linked photos to end. Boomerang through the middle shot.

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This is what you would call "Screamin' Swing Lite".

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We liked Fiesta Express so much, we had to try it again! Erik has the evidence on tape.

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Save money on bottled water at Wild Adventures! Buy one bottle, then just hold it up when boat comes down the drop for your refil!

 

DISCLAIMER: This author is not repsonsible for anyone trying this, including but not limited to any tropical diseases, drenched clothes or irritable bowel movements you may suffer.

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And now a money saving tip...

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That's nice to know!

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Brian hides his shame well. We all did.

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Zamperla showroom alert!!!

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I lie, the best flat ride was the slides! Erik approves.

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The best flat ride was the baby double shot.

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If only Cheetah were open, we'd have been on and off this in 10 minutes.

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Bug Out had a long line today.

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Or here.

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No trains here.

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Cheetah closed. Never mind, it's supposed to suck anyhow.

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The same can't be said about the kiddy SLC though. What were Vekoma thinking with these things?

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The park are even so confident you'll like it, they'll even have a train with no hand grips!

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It really was smooth all the way.

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Here's another good Vekoma!

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It almost looks like it could be in a swamp from here.

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Now most Boomerangs are usually almost as painful as a Tiger attack to the head. But this one was really good!

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They might seem domesticated, but they're still big cats with a killer instinct!

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The guy just stands there and tells Tigers to walk on barrels and climb over each other. Rather him than me!

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And speaking of which, the Tiger show was pretty cool!

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Brian and Nate hang on for their lives on the Tiger coaster!

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I never knew Ants liked roller skates. But you learn something new every day!

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Back in the day, this was Erik's 50th! A lot of new coasters have come and gone since then.

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Time for our first coaster.

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Flash forward to the next day, and we're at Wild Adventures!

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Bugger! How did this flamin' lager end up over here?

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Someone mistook me for the Fat Bastard!

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Sat outside Cafe Risque. Smooth.

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I'm so strong, I can pull a painted tree off a wall!

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Welcome to the Citrus Tower!

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To be honest, that really is the last trip report out of the Florida set! The other photos I've got aren't really good enough to put anything together for SeaWorld or Six Flags Over Georgia.

 

But I still have a Belgium TR to finish from last year, and then there's Japan to get sorted out.

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