Debut of Two New Attractions at Georgia's LanierWorld Will Take the South by Storm

BUFORD, Ga. - April 27, 2015 - PRLog -- While the launch of any new season at Lanier Islands’ popular lakeside attraction – LanierWorld – can be exciting, there are several reasons this year’s opening on May 9 will be particularly thrilling. Lanier Islands is pleased to bring its guests not just one but two new major attractions that are designed to take the South by storm. 2015 is the year that Lanier Islands unleashes its CAT 4 Slide and Thunderbolt Zipline Experience on the shores of Lake Lanier.

CAT 4:          While a Category 4 hurricane boasts wind speeds of up to 155 mph, riders will only feel as though they are traveling at a similar rate of speed as they race down one of four lanes of this dry slide on a hard-bottomed tube. The adventure begins high on a hill, as CAT 4 sends guests flying out over the heads of unsuspecting passerby on the boardwalk below, bounding out across the beach, and splashing down directly into the cool waters of the lake.

Thunderbolt:     Inspired by the wild popularity of Lake Lanier Islands Canopy Tours mixed with a little bit of that daredevil spirit from the imaginative LanierWorld team, Thunderbolt is an electrifying new zipline experience that boasts not just one or two, but three parallel racing ziplines. Riders are strapped into specially crafted safety harnesses before they begin their rapid descent through the forest, over the boardwalk, across the beach and – for what is undoubtedly the most delightful  (and daring) parts of this ride – high above the sparkling waters of Sunset Cove before touching down on the opposite shore.

Other noteworthy additions to LanierWorld for the 2015 season include:

To keep up with demand from aquatic adventurers, the ever-popular Wibit Aquatic Obstacle Course that floats just off the shores of Big Beach has tripled in size for triple the fun. Guests can now jump, slide, climb and bounce their way from one end of the beach to the other.

LanierWorld goes high-tech in 2015 with the addition of an extremely bright high-resolution digital screen at the end of the Wild Waves pool. In addition to music videos, cartoons and promotional vignettes of other popular attractions and activities throughout the Islands, LanierWorld will feature a regular roster of G- and PG-rated Dive In Movies day and night all summer long.

“Each year – each season, really – we try to up the ante on our guest experience throughout the Islands,” said Islands Chairman of the Board, Virgil Williams. “Earlier this year, we opened our first fine dining farm-to-table restaurant with Sidney’s at Legacy Lodge – which is being met with rave reviews from guests. In 2014, we completely renovated the pool at the Lodge into a heated saltwater leisure pool with bench seating, expansive deck and a massive firepit overlooking the lake. We also introduced the Legacy Kids Program to place just as much emphasis on the enjoyment of our little guests as we do on their parents. In the years prior, we created Sunset Cove – which is now a favorite destination for locals and travelers alike, we built the Legacy Villas right along the shoreline for the ultimate lakeside stay, renovated the Legacy Lodge and LakeHouses into world-class accommodations, and we completely overhauled the infrastructure of the Islands. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We have a great deal of plans and projects in the works designed to secure our standing as a beloved year-round destination for Georgians and visitors from all around the globe.”

For the 2015 season, LanierWorld guests can also expect extended hours and the return of fan-favorite attractions like Wild Waves, Raging River, Blackout, Intimidator, Triple Threat and five more fast downhill waterslides, as well as a number of great restaurants including Sunset Cove Beach Café & Club, Gianni’s Italian Bistro, Tads and the popular eateries of the boardwalk. There is already a jam-packed calendar of events planned for spring and summer at LanierWorld including a rotating roster of Full Moon Parties, holiday celebrations and live open-air concerts. To view events, daily admission prices, season passes and more, LanierWorld fans are encouraged to visit www.lanierislands.com.

About Lanier Islands: Nestled on the southern-most shoreline of Lake Sidney Lanier at the foothills of the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains lies the truly distinctive Lanier Islands. Situated less than 45 miles from downtown Atlanta on 1,500 pristine acres of forests, meadows and beaches, this luxury resort is quickly growing in size, scope and reputation as one of the Southeast’s leading lakeside retreats. As the resort’s crown jewel, Lake Lanier is one of the United States’ most popular man-made lakes, encompassing 38,000 surface acres and 690 miles of shoreline in Northeast Georgia. Legacy Lodge and Legacy Villas enhance the resort’s broad assortment of accommodation choices and meeting sites – making it the ideal choice for corporate meetings and company retreats. Popular excursions like fun in the sun at the boardwalk-themed LanierWorld, zip lining through the trees with Lake Lanier Canopy Tours, horseback riding on a lakeside trail from the Equestrian Center, and renting a boat and ski equipment from Harbor Landing make the resort a terrific choice for families vacationing or “staycationing” in the South. Tranquility – the Spa and the picturesque 18-hole Lanier Islands Legacy Golf Course are major draws for visitors looking to relax or play, and with more than 20 wedding venues to choose from, the Resort is rapidly gaining favor with brides- and grooms-to-be as a highly sought-after Destination Wedding site.

Lanier Islands is steadily securing a solid standing for their unique vision of the future of this luxury retreat, their unswerving dedication to the comfort and enjoyment of their guests, and their signature brand of Southern Hospitality. In 2014, the Resort was awarded with a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence and became a member of the highly esteemed Southern Living Hotel Collection. For more information, schedule a tee time, learn package details or make reservations, call (770) 945-8787 or visit Lanier Islands’ website at www.lanierislands.com.