Originally posted: 3/8/2003

Last updated: 12/6/2004

 By Chris Cowan
 themeparks@insightbb.com 

1998:

VisionLand, totaling 70 acres, is built by the West Jefferson Amusement and Public Park Authority and receives funding from 11 nearby cities.

The park, located in Bessemer, Alabama (near Birmingham) holds its grand opening in May.

Rides include:

• Rampage (CCI wooden roller coaster),

• The Pirate (Pirate Ship),

• Voyager (Huss Enterprise),

• Hurricane (Himalaya),

• Tidal Wave (Wave Swinger),

• Sky Wheel (Ferris Wheel),

• Cahaba Falls (log flume) and

• Fender Bender (bumper cars).

The children’s area (Marvel City) features:

• Marvel Mania (Miler steel figure eight roller coaster),

• A miniature Ferris Wheel,

• Train ride,

• Carousel,

• And a Nascar-themed whip ride.

Steel Waters, a 7-acre water park is included with admission and includes:

• The Mineshaft (4 enclosed tub slides)

• Warrior River (lazy river)

• Tower Works (children's play area) and

• Quarry Bay (toddler's play area).

VisionLand is profitable in its first season.

1999:

Wild River Gorge (white water rapids ride) is added.

The park concludes the 1999 season with a $4 million deficit.

2000:

In February, Cedar Fair, LP agrees to a five year deal to take over operations of the financially troubled park.  The deal also includes an option to buy VisionLand.

By late March, Cedar Fair announces that it has dissolved the deal to manage VisionLand and will no longer be involved with the park.  Cedar Fair management explains that they are uncomfortable with the factors surrounding the agreement.

In November, an Alabama newspaper story suggests that the park may be auctioned off if it can't find a way to get out of debt.

Admission is $23.00.  Parking is $4.00.

2001:

Stratosfear Screamer (185-ft S&S two-legged launch/drop tower) debuts on June 29^th. 

In June, Wild River Gorge is temporarily shut down after one of the rafts flips over.

In August, the park is forced to drop plans for a $90 million aquarium project after the county decides to condemn 485 acres of land to build a sewage plant.

In September, the Alabama legislature gives approval for VisionLand to restructure its bond debt of $90 million.

In October, the park announces it is considering filing bankruptcy despite a 70% increase in attendance over the previous season.

Admission is $24.00.  Attendance for the year is less than 400,000.

2002:

In March, the Birmingham city council recommends that the city stop its annual $1 million payment to the park.

VisionLand fails to open on time for the 2002 season.

In May, the mayor of Bessemer announces that the park will open in June and that he wants his city to purchase VisionLand.

A week later, International Theme Park Services, Inc. is appointed as an agent to sell the park by SunTrust Bank (the primary bond holder).

On May 28th, the bondholders agree to allow parts of the park to open, with the city of Bessemer is charge of operations.

On May 30th, the Bessemer city council votes to advance VisionLand the $1.2 million the park needs to operate.

VisionLand files for Chapter 9 bankruptcy in federal court on June 4th.  This allows the park to run during the 2002 season without having to pay creditors and bondholders.

The park finally opens for the season on Friday, June 14th.  Only the water park, carousel and some concession  stands are opened.

In August, the park is put up for sale for $25 million.  Visionland officials announce that Busch Entertainment Corp. and Wild Adventures are both interested in purchasing the park.

Three days later, officials for Busch state that their company has no interest in VisionLand.

On August 24th, Wild Adventures offers to buy the park and keep it open for at least the next five years.

Attendance for the season is approximately 40,000.

On October 4th, ThemeParks, LLC, the company that successfully rebuilt Kentucky Kingdom and Magic Springs, announces it's considering purchasing VisionLand.  On the same day, Wild Adventures says it may withdraw its offer because the city is taking too long making a decision.

Wild Adventures decides to formally withdraw its bid on October 8th.

San Diego-based Team Pro Parks LLC, a company formed in 2000, and ThemeParks LLC both submit bids for VisionLand on October 15th.

On October 22nd, VisionLand officials accept Team Pro Parks bid of $5.25 million to purchase the park.  ThemeParks LLC's bid was for $4 million.

2003:

Team Pro Parks finishes the purchase of VisionLand on January 2nd.

Also in January, bondholders for the park sue the city of Birmingham, AL, saying the city failed to make its annual $1 million payment.

In February, John Hinde Enterprises, Inc. is hired to refurbish the park's wooden roller coaster, Rampage, which has been idle for 2 years.

In March, the park's new owners announce VisionLand will re-open on May 24th.  General Manager Terry Mackey becomes the first person to ride the rejuvenated Rampage coaster.

Later in March, the announcement is made that VisionLand will be divided into three areas: Celebration Street, the main entrance area, Splash Beach water park and Magic Adventure theme park.  Both the water and theme parks will have separate admission fees.

A 600,000 gallon wave pool surrounded by a sand beach and Acapulco Drop (80-foot speed slide) are added to Splash Beach.

A Scrambler and The Patriot (Roundup) are added to the theme park.

$500,000 is spent to remodel Celebration Street.

$1 million is spent on landscaping improvements.
 

2004:

Splashdown (water ride) is added.

Attendance for the year finishes 14% higher than in 2003.
 

2005:

A Vekoma Boomerang steel shuttle coaster that was originally built in 1988 for the World Expo in Brisbane, Australia (operating under the name Titan) is purchased by Visionland.  The ride was located from 1992 until April of 2004 at Wonderland Sydney where it was named Demon.  It begins the month-long journey by ship to the New Orleans port, where it will be loaded onto 30 trucks for the trip to Alabama.