Location | Bessemer, Alabama, U.S. |
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Coordinates | 33°22′48″N 86°59′55″W / 33.3800°N 86.9987°WCoordinates: 33°22′48″N 86°59′55″W / 33.3800°N 86.9987°W |
Owner | Koch Development Corperation |
Opened | May 23, 1998 |
Previous names |
VisionLand – 1998 to 2005 Alabama Adventure – 2006 to 2011 Splash Adventure – 2012 to 2013 |
Operating season | May through September |
Area | 89 acres (0.36 km2) (formerly 200 acres (0.81 km2)) |
Rides | |
Total | 20 |
Roller coasters | 2 |
Water rides | 10 |
Website | http://www.alabamasplash.com/ |
VisionLand – 1998 to 2005 Alabama Adventure – 2006 to 2011
Alabama Splash Adventure (previously known as VisionLand, Alabama Adventure and Splash Adventure) is a water park and amusement park, located off Interstate 20/59 in Bessemer, Alabama, just west of Birmingham and east of Tuscaloosa. It is owned by Koch Family Parks, which consists of members of the family that own Holiday World & Splashin' Safari.
Originally known as VisionLand, the park was built largely as a result of efforts by Fairfield mayor Larry Langford. Eleven cities came together to form the West Jefferson Amusement and Public Park Authority and with help from the Alabama Legislature, the group borrowed $60 million to build the park. Construction began in March 1997, and the park opened for business on May 23, 1998. The park opened with four major areas, including Celebration City Theme Park, Steel Waters Water Park, a children's area called Marvel City, and a shopping/dining area known as Main Street.
In 1999, the park expanded, adding Wild River Gorge, a river rapids attraction. Dino Domain, a walk through exhibit featuring animatronic dinosaurs, was built in the woods behind Main Street but closed after the season.
In 2001, Wild River Gorge reopened with minor adjustments along with Stratosfear Screamer, an S&S Power twin tower attraction.
The park filed Chapter 9 bankruptcy in 2002, and only operated Steel Waters. Themeparks LLC, an amusement park company, known for their success with Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville, Kentucky, was interested in Visionland and made a bid for the park, but the price for the park ended up being too high. The park was then purchased by Southland Entertainment Group for $5.25 million, a loss of approximately $26 million in public funds.