Tag: Wild Vortex

Wilderness at the Smokies ‘Races’ Into Its 5th Year With New Slide

Posted by Erin Freeman – January 16, 2013

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. – On your mark! Get set! Go! Wilderness at the Smokies is adding the adrenaline-pumping spirit of competition to its outdoor waterslide collection this spring with the debut of the Cyclone Racer, a four-lane high-speed waterslide that turns guests into hydro-powered drag racers. Starting on a racing tower 50 feet above the ground guests will race each other down the spiral course in mere seconds.

“The Cyclone Racer will give our guests something different to enjoy at Lake Wilderness, and will certainly get the competitive juices flowing between family members and friends,” said Steve Cruz, General Manager of Wilderness at the Smokies.  “It will be a fantastic complement to all of our outdoor water attractions, especially the newly added Wild Vortex.”

The debut of the Cyclone Racer continues the Sevierville resort’s tradition of debuting a significant expansion of new features each year. Sharing a platform with the popular Wild Vortex, the Cyclone Racer will feature 1200 feet of combined waterslide lanes. Each lane combines a mixture of open flume racing and enclosed tunnels using aqualucent striping to provide strobes of color to the experience. A water flow of 1200 gallons per minute fuels the high-speed racing experience.

“We have created a strong track record of continued growth and expansion since day one and we’ll continue to look for new and unique opportunities each year to enhance our guests’ experience,” added Cruz.

Alongside Cyclone Racer, the Wild Vortex, which opened last summer, is a 66-foot tall AquaLoopTM, the Southeast’s only near-vertical translucent looping waterslide.  This is has been an extremely popular addition to the resort, with guests getting an adrenaline rush like no other.  Riders of the Wild Vortex enter a capsule at the top of the ride, stand vertically over a trap door and then once the door is released, they accelerate into a 39-foot vertical free fall drop generating maximum g-force (2.5 Gs in less than two seconds) before reaching the inclined loop element.  The entire ride is over within seven seconds.

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.  With a 36-hole championship golf course, the Adventure Forest entertainment park, two outdoor waterparks, an indoor waterpark with a wave pool and the Southeast’s only Surf Rider, hot tubs, and countless waterslides and attractions, Wilderness at the Smokies has something for all age groups.  It is adjacent to a 200,000 square-foot conference, convention and event center known for hosting the areas largest conferences, athletic events and trade shows.

The resort is owned by Patrick Helland, Pete Helland, Jr., Tim Lucke and Tom Lucke (who also own Wilderness Territory Waterpark Resort in Wisconsin).  Steve Cruz is the General Manager of Wilderness at the Smokies and Ryan Willis is spokesperson for the resort.  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:
Ryan Willis
(865) 584-0550
rwillis@ackermannpr.com

Wild Vortex Continues to Receive Worldwide Recognition

Posted by Ryan Willis – July 18, 2012

Sevierville, Tenn. - Having only been open just over a month, the newest and most extreme water attraction in the Southeast, the Wild Vortex at Wilderness at the Smokies, has garnered media attention from some of the largest travel and media outlets from around the country.

This week, Travel + Leisure magazine named the Wild Vortex as one of the “World’s Craziest Waterslides.”  This list includes extreme slides from all over the world, with only a handful from the United States.

In a round-up of new water park rides by Budget Travel, the Wild Vortex was listed as one of “5 Amazing New Water Park Rides.”

Last month, shortly after opening, the extreme looping slide was named one of “America’s Amazing Waterslides” by ABC News.

This 66-foot tall slide is the only near-vertical, translucent, looping waterslide in the Southeast.  Riders of the Wild Vortex enter a launch capsule at the top of the ride, standing vertically over a trap door.  Once the trap door is released, the rider accelerates into a 39-foot vertical free fall drop generating maximum g-force (2.5 g in less than two seconds) before reaching the inclined loop element.  The entire ride is over within seven seconds.

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.  With a 36-hole championship golf course, two outdoor waterparks, an indoor waterpark with a wave pool and the Southeast’s only Surf Rider, hot tubs, and countless waterslides and attractions, Wilderness at the Smokies has something for all age groups.  It is adjacent to a 200,000 square-foot conference, convention and event center known for hosting the areas largest conferences, athletic events and trade shows.

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Digital images of Wilderness at the Smokies are available to all media.  Contact Ryan Willis at (865) 584-0550 for more information.

ABC News Recognizes Wild Vortex as one of “America’s Amazing Waterslides”

Posted by Ryan Willis – June 18, 2012

Sevierville, Tenn - The newly opened Wild Vortex waterslide at Wilderness at the Smokies resort was just named one of “America’s Amazing Waterslides” by ABC News.

This 66-foot tall slide is the only near-vertical, translucent, looping waterslide in the Southeast.  Riders of the Wild Vortex enter a launch capsule at the top of the ride, standing vertically over a trap door.  Once the trap door is released, the rider accelerates into a 39-foot vertical free fall drop generating maximum g-force (2.5 g in less than two seconds) before reaching the inclined loop element.  The entire ride is over within seven seconds.

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.  With a 36-hole championship golf course, two outdoor waterparks, an indoor waterpark with a wave pool and the Southeast’s only Surf Rider, hot tubs, and countless waterslides and attractions, Wilderness at the Smokies has something for all age groups.  It is adjacent to a 200,000 square-foot conference, convention and event center known for hosting the areas largest conferences, athletic events and trade shows.

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Digital images of Wilderness at the Smokies are available to all media.  Contact Ryan Willis at (865) 584-0550 for more information.

Wilderness at the Smokies Resort Brings G-Force Thrills to Waterslide Fun

Posted by Ryan Willis – June 7, 2012

Sevierville, Tenn. – The newest waterslide to debut at Wilderness at the Smokies Resort appeals to a certain type of thrill seeker, perhaps one who has wondered what it might be like to be a drop of water inside a water pistol. The Wild Vortex features a trap door launching pad and a gravity-powered loop-the-loop experience at 2.5 g (g-force) and has adrenaline-hungry visitors lining up for a waterslide experience unlike any other ever seen in the Smokies or the Southeast.

Standing 66-foot tall, the slide is the only near-vertical, translucent, looping waterslide in the Southeast.  Riders of the Wild Vortex will enter the capsule at the top of the ride, standing vertically over a trap door.  Once the trap door is released, the rider accelerates into a 39-foot vertical free fall drop generating maximum g-force (2.5 g in less than two seconds) before reaching the inclined loop element.  The entire ride is over within seven seconds.

“The Wild Vortex provides our guests with the opportunity to witness and experience one of the most extreme thrill rides in any water or amusement park in the country,” said Steve Cruz, General Manager of Wilderness at the Smokies.  “It has been an extremely busy year for us as this opening marks the launch of our second major expansion of the year.”

In March, the resort opened Adventure Forest family entertainment park, a ‘dry’ indoor park that has doubled the resort’s indoor park offerings.  It features a three-story ropes course, multi-level enclosed laser tag arena, mini-bowling, black-light mini-golf, more than 100 arcade games, a ‘Laser Maze,’ a 23-foot climbing wall, special birthday party rooms, another restaurant and lounge, plus other attractions and activities that do not involve water.

Cruz added, “We look forward to continuing to expand and providing our guests with a new and enhanced experience each time they choose to vacation with us.”

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.  With a 36-hole championship golf course, two outdoor waterparks, an indoor waterpark with a wave pool and the Southeast’s only Surf Rider, hot tubs, and countless waterslides and attractions, Wilderness at the Smokies has something for all age groups.  It is adjacent to a 200,000 square-foot conference, convention and event center known for hosting the areas largest conferences, athletic events and trade shows.

The resort is owned by Patrick Helland, Pete Helland, Jr., Tim Lucke and Tom Lucke (who also own Wilderness Territory Waterpark Resort in Wisconsin).  Steve Cruz is the General Manager of Wilderness at the Smokies.  For more information about Wilderness at the Smokies, call toll-free 877-325-9453 or visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.

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Digital images of Wilderness at the Smokies are available to all media.  Contact Ryan Willis at (865) 584-0550 for more information.


Wilderness at the Smokies to add near-vertical looping waterslide

Posted by Erin Freeman – April 19, 2012

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. – A trap door….a 39-foot vertical free fall drop….speeds of up to 40 mph…an adrenaline rush like no other – this is what guests at the Southeast’s largest indoor and outdoor waterpark resort will have the opportunity to experience as Wilderness at the Smokies announces yet another exciting expansion project. Wilderness at the Smokies Resort will soon be home to the Wild Vortex, a 66-foot tall AquaLoopTM, the Southeast’s only near-vertical translucent looping waterslide.  The Wild Vortex is scheduled to open June 1, 2012.

Riders of the Wild Vortex will enter the capsule at the top of the ride, standing vertically over a trap door.  Once the

Rendering of Wild Vortex waterslide

An artist's rendering of the design of the Wild Vortex waterslide

trap door is released, the rider accelerates into a 39-foot vertical free fall drop generating maximum g-force (2.5 Gs in less than two seconds) before reaching the inclined loop element.  The entire ride is over within seven seconds.  The Wild Vortex at Wilderness at the Smokies will be the first AquaLoop located in the Southeast and one of only a handful in the U.S.

“Not only will this new attraction significantly change the skyline of our resort, but it will undoubtedly provide our guests with one of the most adrenaline-packed experiences of their lives,” said Steve Cruz, General Manager of Wilderness at the Smokies.  “And thanks to the translucent tube, we expect both riders and spectators to be left breathless following the 7-second thrill ride.”

Since the grand opening in the summer of 2008, the resort has experienced a tremendous amount of growth.  The opening of the Wild Vortex will mark the sixth significant expansion project in the resort’s short history, including the most recent opening of the Adventure Forest family entertainment park in March 2012.  With this continued expansion, Wilderness at the Smokies Resort becomes the second largest tourism investor in Sevier County (second only to Dollywood).

“We have been fortunate to experience a great deal of success since our grand opening nearly four years ago and that is truly a testament to the strong tourism market here in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, as well as the hard work of our dedicated staff,” said Cruz.  “We look forward to introducing new attractions to our guests in the future and continuing to be the only local attraction where families are able to get everything they are looking for in one place.”

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.  With a 36-hole championship golf course, two outdoor waterparks, an indoor waterpark with a wave pool and the Southeast’s only Surf Rider, hot tubs, and countless waterslides and attractions, Wilderness at the Smokies has something for all age groups.  It is adjacent to a 200,000 square-foot conference, convention and event center known for hosting the areas largest conferences, athletic events and trade shows.

The resort is owned by Patrick Helland, Pete Helland, Jr., Tim Lucke and Tom Lucke (who also own Wilderness Territory Waterpark Resort in Wisconsin).  Steve Cruz is the General Manager of Wilderness at the Smokies and Rick Laney is spokesperson for the resort.  For more information about Wilderness at the Smokies, call toll-free 877-325-9453 or visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.

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Digital images of Wilderness at the Smokies are available to all media.  Contact Ryan Willis at (865) 584-0550 for more information.