Wild Adventures to Debut New Memorial Day Drone Show with Free Military Admission

VALDOSTA, Ga. – Wild Adventures Theme Park and Splash Island Waterpark will begin daily summer operations on Saturday, May 23, kicking off the season with a Memorial Day Weekend celebration packed with live entertainment, special admission offers, and the brand-new Liberty & Lights Drone Show.

“Memorial Day Weekend officially kicks off the summer at Wild Adventures,” said Donald Spiller, vice president & general manager. “The park will be open every day starting May 21, and Splash Island Waterpark opens every day starting May 23. We’re planning to start daily operations off with an unforgettable weekend of summer fun.”

The highlight of the weekend festivities is the brand-new Liberty & Lights Drone Show, a high-energy performance lighting up the night sky at 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 23. Guests are encouraged to gather around the lake at Water’s Edge, the park’s vibrant new themed area, for the best view of the dazzling display set to a patriotic soundtrack. 

In honor of those who serve, Wild Adventures is offering free admission to all active and retired military members May 23 through May 25. Valid military ID or DD Form 214 is required.

This Memorial Day Weekend, Wild Adventures will be partnering with Second Harvest of South Georgia to support families in need. Guests who bring at least $10 worth of non-perishable food items to donate at the front gate will receive $20 off admission. All donations will go directly to Second Harvest to help provide meals across the region.

“Memorial Day Weekend not only delivers a thrilling welcome to summer, but it’s also a way to say thank you to our military heroes and to generous guests who support their neighbors through food donations,” said Spiller.

Splash Island Waterpark will provide gallons of fun daily beginning on Saturday, May 23, to park guests. This includes Paradise River, recently named America’s No. 1 Best Lazy River by USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Splash Island Waterpark is included with park admission.

Guests can also enjoy a refreshing experience presented by the Georgia Watermelon Association. On Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Oasis Outpost, guests can sample fresh watermelon, pick up take-home recipe cards, and collect fun giveaways like stickers, fans, and sunglasses. Gracie Bananto, the 2026 Georgia Watermelon Ambassador, Jennifer Diaz, the 2026 Gulf Coast Watermelon Queen and Katelyn Lindsay, the 2026 National Watermelon Queen, will also be onsite to share their passion for Georgia agriculture and connect with families. Then on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m., the first ten guests to sign up at Splash Island Waterpark will have the chance to compete in a Watermelon Eating Contest, featuring Georgia grown watermelon.

Water’s Edge will amp things up with live music throughout the weekend, with NightFlyer providing bluegrass tunes and The Tanglers performing a fusion of country and rock hits. Guests can enjoy the performances with a cold drink and fresh pretzel from Water’s Edge Brews & Bites while the kids ride the new attractions at Water’s Edge.

The Memorial Day Weekend Sale is now live through May 22, where guests can purchase Single-Day Admission tickets for $39.99. Tickets will be valid for one visit from the date of purchase through May 25.

To make the most of everything the park has to offer, guests are encouraged to purchase a Season Pass. Now through May 25, Guests can purchase a Gold Season Pass for as low as $15.32 a month for 10 months. A Gold Season Pass provides unlimited visits during Memorial Day Weekend, all summer long and for Great Pumpkin LumiNights and Wild Adventures Christmas Wild & Bright.

For more information about Memorial Day Weekend events, admission offers, and Season Pass options, visit WildAdventures.com or download the Wild Adventures Theme Park App.

About Wild Adventures Theme Park
Wild Adventures Theme Park, located in Valdosta, Ga., halfway between Atlanta and Orlando off I-75, is a 170-acre destination where families can ride, slide, and explore all in one place. A Herschend Family Entertainment property, the park is home to more than 35 rides, hundreds of exotic animals, a full calendar of concerts and special events, and Splash Island Waterpark, ranked among the “Top 30 Waterparks” by U.S. News & World Report and home to Paradise River, America’s “Best Lazy River” by USA Today’s 10Best. Wild Adventures has been recognized as one of the Most Affordable Theme Parks in America by Travel + Leisure and named the Most Thrilling Theme Park in Georgia by FinanceBuzz. It is also home to the Good Sam-rated 10/10★/10 Wild Adventures Safari Campground, one of the highest-rated campgrounds in the nation.

About Herschend
Wild Adventures Theme Park is part of Herschend’s family of brands. Herschend is the world’s largest family-held themed attractions company, with a portfolio of over 40 family entertainment brands across North America, including destinations, resorts, theme parks, water parks, immersive experiences, and content enjoyed by audiences worldwide. For more information, visit www.Herschend.com.