Alabama Splash Adventure facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure

Previously known as VisionLand – 1998 to 2005 Alabama Adventure – 2006 to 2011 Splash Adventure – 2012 to 2013
Location	Bessemer, Alabama, U.S.
Coordinates	33°22′48″N 86°59′55″W / 33.3800°N 86.9987°W / 33.3800; -86.9987
Opened	May 23, 1998; 27 years ago (1998-05-23)
Owner	Koch Development Corporation
Operating season	May through September
Area	89 acres (0.36 km2) (formerly 200 acres (0.81 km2))
Attractions
Total	28
Roller coasters	2
Water rides	9
Website	http://www.alabamasplash.com/

Welcome to Alabama Splash Adventure! This exciting park is both a water park and an amusement park. You can find it in Bessemer, Alabama, close to Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. It's owned by the Koch Family Parks, who also have ties to the famous Holiday World & Splashin' Safari park.

History of the Park

The park first opened on May 23, 1998, and was called VisionLand. It had four main areas: Celebration City Theme Park, Steel Waters Water Park, a kids' area named Marvel City, and a shopping street called Main Street.

Early Years and New Rides

In 1999, the park grew bigger. It added a river rapids ride called Wilde River Gorge. There was also a dinosaur-themed walk-through area called Dino Domain, which had moving dinosaurs, but it only stayed open for one season.

In 2001, Wilde River Gorge reopened. The park also added Stratosfear Screamer, a tall tower ride that launched people into the air.

Changes in Ownership

In 2002, the park faced financial problems and only the water park section, Steel Waters, stayed open. Later, a company called Southland Entertainment Group bought the park in 2003.

When it reopened in 2003, Visionland (with a small "L") had new names for its areas: Magic Adventure Theme Park, Splash Beach Water Park, Marvel City, and Celebration Street. New rides were added too! Magic Adventure got a spinning ride called Wild Scrambler. Splash Beach added a huge wave pool named Kahuna Waves and a super tall, nine-story free fall slide called Acapulco Drop. From then on, you could buy tickets for just the amusement park, just the water park, or a combo ticket for both.

In 2004, Splash Beach added another water ride called Splashdown!, which was a fun, toilet bowl-style slide.

New Coasters and Park Names

In 2005, Magic Adventure got its first new roller coaster since the park opened. It was called Zoomerang, a Vekoma Boomerang coaster that came all the way from Australia! The park also brought back an old log flume ride called Cahaba Falls, which was later known as Woodchuck Run. That year, about 345,000 people visited the park.

Alabama Adventure logo used from 2006-2011

In 2006, the park changed its name to Alabama Adventure. They had big plans to add a hotel and other things. The theme park area was renamed Magic City USA. The park also started a summer concert series with popular music artists. Visitor numbers grew to over 388,000, and the park won "Alabama's 2007 Attraction of the Year."

In 2007, two more attractions were added: Vertigo, a ride that had been at the park before, and Salamander Bay, a re-themed kids' play area at Splash Beach. The summer concerts became a yearly event.

In 2008, a new company, Adrenaline Family Entertainment, bought the park.

More Water Park Fun

In 2009, the park added a big new water attraction called "UpSurge!". It's a 216-foot flume slide that takes riders up and down a vertical half-pipe before splashing into a pool. This was the first big water park expansion since 2004. Also, the park started selling one ticket that covered both the amusement park and the water park.

In 2010, the park introduced new indoor shows called "Beat Street" at the Star Theater. They also updated their website, calling the park Alabama Adventure Water and Theme Park.

A new water ride called Buzzsaw Falls was added in 2011, but it only stayed for one summer. It was later moved to another park in Texas.

Splash Adventure Era

On January 5, 2012, the park was sold again. The new owners decided to close the amusement park section and focus only on water rides. The park was renamed Splash Adventure for the 2012 season. Three new water attractions were added: the "Mist-ical Maze" with water surprises, the "Wipeout Adventure Course" (an obstacle course), and a zip-line that went around the water park. They also started "Dive-In Movies" at Kahuna Waves every Friday night.

In March 2014, the Koch Family Parks bought the park. They added five new kids' rides, including a small roller coaster, a train, two boat rides, mini helicopters, and a laser maze.

In 2015, Rampage, the park's main wooden roller coaster, reopened after being fully fixed up.

In 2018, the park added more new rides: a rocking tugboat, a scrambler, a fast-spinning ride, a yo-yo swing ride, a small children's train ride, and a children's water slide area. They also started a weekend autumn festival in October.

In 2019, the park introduced three more new attractions: Freefall, a 75-foot tall water slide; Galleon, a pirate ship ride; and Twister, a body slide.

On Christmas Day 2020, Alabama Splash Adventure announced a new addition for the 2021 season: Rocker Racer. This is a new six-lane mat racer water slide that is over 50 feet (15 m) tall. It was their biggest water park expansion yet!

Current Attractions

Here are some of the exciting rides and attractions you can enjoy at Alabama Splash Adventure today:

Former Attractions

Here are some of the rides that used to be at Alabama Splash Adventure: