I hate to use ArrayList in my application, instead try to use Generic List or Type[] as much as possible.
For those who are interested in one line direct cast here is an example:
ArrayList contains String
VB.NET cast:
new List(of String)(DirectCast(someArrayList.toArray(GetType(String)), String()))
or if you have your own object, do as follow change String -> your Object name.
Hope this helps
.
.