Wild Adventures in Valdosta sees chaos and confusion as utility substation glitch halts roller coasters, stalls family plans, and sparks safety questions.
What was supposed to be a weekend of joyrides and funnel cakes turned into a nerve-wracking ordeal for visitors at Wild Adventures Theme Park in southern Georgia. A sudden power outage stranded multiple guests on rides mid-air, some suspended for nearly an hour, leaving parents, kids, and park workers scrambling.
The disruption, blamed on a malfunction at a nearby utility substation, forced emergency evacuations and caused an unexpected shutdown across parts of the popular attraction. Power has since been restored, but guests and families are still reeling from what many described as “the most terrifying vacation story we’ve ever had.”
Lights Out, Thrills Freeze
The trouble began just before midday Saturday, when rides started stalling, lights blinked out, and loudspeakers fell silent across several parts of the park. One ride operator who asked not to be named said it was “like the entire place just took a deep breath and stopped.”
There was no warning. No countdown. Just a jolt, then nothing.
On the towering coaster “Boomerang,” riders were left hanging nearly upside-down as emergency brakes kicked in mid-cycle. Several guests reported being stuck in extreme heat, dangling from restraints with no air circulation and no idea how long they’d be there.
Park-goer Janice Carpenter, visiting from Macon with her two kids, said she was separated from her husband when the ride he was on stalled out. “We didn’t know what was going on. I just saw people pointing up at the coaster, and then I realized… oh my God, he’s on that thing.”
A Swift Emergency Response, but Panic Was Real
While no injuries have been reported, the fear among guests was real and raw. Some panicked, others tried to comfort each other while park employees worked frantically with emergency crews to get people down safely.
Wild Adventures released a statement later that day saying the outage stemmed from a “disruption at a nearby utility substation,” causing temporary power loss at the park. They stressed that safety protocols were followed and praised both staff and first responders for their quick action.
“We are deeply grateful to our dedicated hosts and local emergency personnel for their quick response and professionalism in managing the situation,” the park said in a Facebook post.
Still, for many guests, the experience shook their trust.
Guests Speak Out, Families Rattled
Visitors who had traveled long distances—some with birthday plans and others on summer road trips—were left not just frustrated, but anxious about how such a massive failure could happen so suddenly.
Wesley Graham, a father from Tallahassee, said his daughter was stuck mid-ride for 45 minutes. “We saw her up there crying. You just feel helpless. It’s a nightmare.”
Others pointed out the lack of real-time communication. Some guests had no idea what was happening until employees began making rounds to explain.
“It was like being in a horror movie, but without the music,” said visitor Lorraine Banks. “And without the popcorn.”
Refunds Issued, But Questions Linger
To ease tensions, Wild Adventures offered rain checks to all ticket holders for the day. That means anyone who entered the park will be able to return at no extra cost—a gesture appreciated, but one that didn’t erase the anxiety.
Some families have already said they don’t plan to return.
A few key takeaways from the park’s post-outage recovery plan:
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Rain checks offered to all guests affected on Saturday.
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Full power restored by late afternoon, according to park officials.
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A review of evacuation protocols is reportedly underway.
Even though it wasn’t the park’s fault, guests are calling for clearer updates, more backup power options, and safer evacuation systems for high-risk rides.
A Pattern in Theme Park Power Woes?
While this may seem like a one-off freak incident, experts say electrical failures at amusement parks—though rare—aren’t unheard of. Especially in the summer, when regional power grids are strained by extreme heat and air conditioning usage.
One ride safety analyst told FOX 5 Atlanta that while parks usually have emergency protocols, backup generators don’t always cover every ride system. “Most backup systems are designed for lights and communications,” he said. “But high-speed coasters? That’s a different beast entirely.”
Utility Provider Under Scrutiny
No official cause for the power substation malfunction has been released, but Georgia Power, the utility provider, confirmed an investigation is ongoing. The company said crews were dispatched “immediately” after the outage and worked alongside park officials to resolve the issue.
Local authorities have not indicated any foul play or sabotage. However, guests and safety advocates alike are pressing for transparency. The timing—peak weekend hours, hot summer temps—could have made things far worse.
One sentence stood out from the park’s statement: “Power has now been fully restored.” But for some visitors, confidence may take longer to come back.
Theme Park Safety in the Spotlight
This incident has stirred broader concerns over ride safety and the resilience of public attractions to sudden infrastructure failures. It’s raised new questions about how parks communicate during emergencies and what fallback options exist when core systems go dark.
Safety advocate groups are urging parks nationwide to reassess their emergency protocols, especially for outdoor coasters and heat-sensitive areas.
Some families in Valdosta took the whole thing in stride, saying it added an unforgettable chapter to their family album. But others were visibly shaken—sweaty, tired, and clutching rain-check slips they weren’t sure they’d ever use.
One parent summed it up as she walked toward the parking lot with her kids: “Well, it was wild alright. Just not the way we hoped.”
