Tag: Waterslide

Wilderness at the Smokies resort dives into spring 2011 with record-breaking attendance numbers

Posted by Rick Laney – April 12, 2011

Sevierville, Tenn. – After record-breaking March attendance, Wilderness at the Smokies resort, the Southeast’s largest indoor/outdoor waterpark resort, is diving head-first into April 2011 with its Spring Grand Opening of all outdoor activities and attractions.

One of the three amazing waterparks at Wilderness at the Smokies resort

During April, Wilderness at the Smokies attendance figures rose more than 30 percent over the same time period last year.  The resort attributes a steadily growing spring break crowd and additional rooms that are now available at the resort for the growth.  Wilderness at the Smokies resort offers guests more than 1,500 rooms in a variety of configurations to choose from during their stay.

“As we continue to grow, word is getting out about Wilderness at the Smokies resort,” said Pete Helland, owner of Wilderness at the Smokies.  “Not only is Wilderness at the Smokies unique to the Smokies, it’s unique to the entire Southeast United States – and people are seeing what a great, affordable, family vacation we provide.  I expect that we will continue to see growth and more record-breaking months moving forward.”

April also ushered in the opening of Wilderness at the Smokies’ many outdoor activities – including both Salamander Springs and Cataloochee Creek outdoor waterparks.  Featuring wave pools, waterslides, an adventure river and countless play areas for people of all ages, the outdoor waterparks are always a resort favorite with guests.  The resort’s mini-golf course, cabanas, and outdoor dining facilities also opened this month (all outdoor activities operate weather permitting).

Wilderness at the Smokies resort opened in 2009 and is the Southeast’s largest indoor/outdoor waterpark resort.  With two outdoor waterparks and a 6-acre indoor waterpark, Wilderness also has six restaurants, a deli, gift shops, convenience stores, mini-golf, and a 36-hole championship golf course.  Wilderness is connected to a 100,000 square-foot conference and event center capable of hosting events for 10,000 people.

Wilderness at the Smokies, located minutes from Interstate 40 and situated in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, is one of the area’s only year-round vacation destinations.  For more information about Wilderness at the Smokies, call toll-free 877-325-9453 or visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.

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Media Contact
Rick Laney
(865) 584-0550
rlaney@ackermannpr.com

Southeast’s Largest Indoor and Outdoor Waterpark Opens New Attraction – Runaway Canyon

Posted by Rick Laney – December 8, 2009

Sevierville, Tenn. – Wilderness at the Smokies in East Tennessee, the southeast’s largest indoor and outdoor waterpark resort, opened its newest attraction, Runaway Canyon, last week.  Runaway Canyon is located in the Wild WaterDome indoor waterpark at Wilderness at the Smokies resort.

RunawayCanyonSmallRunaway Canyon is a five-story high enclosed waterslide measuring more than 450-feet and featuring a total drop of almost 60-feet.  Using more than 8,000 gallons of water per minute, Runaway Canyon propels up to four people in rafts through a series of exciting, totally enclosed twists, turns and drops.

Runaway Canyon sends entire families rocketing through winding channels and gargantuan tunnels.  This dark journey has you blasting through water curtains, climbing high onto steeply-banked walls, and leaning into explosive turns, 360-degree loops and pulse-pounding dips.

General Manager David McGregor said Runaway Canyon represents an additional local investment by Wilderness at the Smokies of more than $1 million.

“Our guests are going to love Runaway Canyon,” McGregor said.  “It is an exciting slide for the entire family.  Guests are going to recognize that Wilderness at the Smokies plans to give them something new every time they come to stay with us.”

The name “Runaway Canyon” was selected by fifth grade students at Catlettsburg Elementary School in Sevierville.  With the help of Principal Jerry L. Wear, Wilderness at the Smokies asked students to help them pick the name of the new attraction.  As a reward for selecting the name, fifth graders from Catlettsburg Elementary were among the first people to experience Runaway Canyon when it opened.

Wilderness at the Smokies resort opened in June 2008 with the Stone Hill Lodge and Salamander Springs outdoor waterpark.  Six months later, River Lodge and the 60,000-square-foot Wild WaterDome indoor waterpark were added.  In May 2009, Wilderness at the Smokies expanded again with the addition of Lake Wilderness, the resort’s second outdoor waterpark.  Lake Wilderness features Cataloochee Creek Adventure River, the Wilderness Rapids Wave Pool and a set of poolside cabanas.

Wilderness at the Smokies, located minutes from Interstate 40 and situated in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, is establishing a new standard for family vacations to East Tennessee.  With two outdoor waterparks, an indoor waterpark with a wave pool and surf rider, hot tubs, and countless waterslides and attractions, Wilderness at the Smokies has something for all age groups.  For more information about Wilderness at the Smokies, visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.

Media Contact
Rick Laney
(865) 584-0550
rlaney@ackermannpr.com

Wilderness at the Smokies is expanding again with new attraction called “Runaway Canyon”

Posted by Rick Laney – October 1, 2009

WildernessSmall

Sevierville, Tenn. –  Wilderness at the Smokies resort in Sevierville, which has been open a little more than one year, is growing again.  This fall, a new attraction will open in the Wild WaterDome indoor waterpark at Wilderness at the Smokies, and insiders say the new attraction – called Runaway Canyon – will add a whole new dimension of fun to the South’s largest indoor and outdoor waterpark.

Although the resort is closely guarding most of the details about Runaway Canyon, General Manager David McGregor said the new attraction represents an additional local investment by Wilderness at the Smokies of more than $1 million.

“This is something that our guests are going to love,” McGregor said.  “We’re so excited about it and can’t wait until it opens this fall.  Guests are going to recognize that Wilderness at the Smokies plans to give them something new every time they come to stay with us.”

Inside the Wild WaterDome at Wilderness at the Smokies

Inside the Wild WaterDome at Wilderness at the Smokies

The name “Runaway Canyon” was selected by fifth grade students at Catlettsburg Elementary School in Sevierville.  With the help of Principal Jerry L. Wear, Wilderness at the Smokies asked students to help them pick the name of the new attraction.  As a reward for selecting the name, fifth graders from Catlettsburg Elementary and their families are going to be the first people to experience Runaway Canyon when it opens.

Wilderness at the Smokies resort opened in June 2008 with the Stone Hill Lodge and Salamander Springs outdoor waterpark.  Six months later, River Lodge and the 60,000-square-foot Wild WaterDome indoor waterpark were added.  In May 2009, Wilderness at the Smokies expanded again with the addition of Lake Wilderness, the resort’s second outdoor waterpark.  Lake Wilderness features Cataloochee Creek Adventure River, the Wilderness Rapids Wave Pool and a set of poolside cabanas.

Wilderness at the Smokies, located minutes from Interstate 40 and situated in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, is establishing a new standard for family vacations to East Tennessee.  With two outdoor waterparks, an indoor waterpark with a wave pool and surf rider, hot tubs, and countless waterslides and attractions, Wilderness at the Smokies has something for all age groups.  For more information about Wilderness at the Smokies, visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.

Media Contact
Rick Laney
(865) 584-0550
rlaney@ackermannpr.com