Adventureland (Iowa)

Adventureland
Slogan Iowa's Largest and Most Complete Family Resort Complex
Location Altoona, Iowa, United States
Coordinates 41°39′16″N 93°30′00″W / 41.654447°N 93.499886°W / 41.654447; -93.499886Coordinates: 41°39′16″N 93°30′00″W / 41.654447°N 93.499886°W / 41.654447; -93.499886
Opened August 19, 1974
Operating season Daily Memorial Day through Labor Day, weekends late April, May, and September
Area 180 acres (0.73 km2)
Rides
Total 100+ Rides, shows, and attractions
Roller coasters 4
Website www.adventurelandpark.com

Adventureland is a family-owned amusement park in Altoona, Iowa (just northeast of Des Moines). It features over 100 rides, shows and attractions.

History

Construction of Adventureland Park began in the spring of 1973.[1] According to park operators, the Disney company assisted with some early park planning. Years later, Adventureland gave advice to the operator of the Wild West World Park in Wichita, Kansas, and allowed them to use photos taken at Adventureland in early promotional materials while that park was under construction. These photos could still be seen on the park fliers and website just before opening. The newly created park was to open in July 1974 but damage from the tail end of a tornado delayed the opening until August 19, 1974. The first full season for Adventureland began in 1975. Attractions such as the Skyride from the World's Fair in Spokane, Washington along with several others were added to the ride roster that year.

In 1978 construction began on Adventureland's largest wooden roller coaster, the Tornado, which opened on July 4, 1978. The Tornado was soon listed among the top ten wooden roller coasters in the world.[1]

Two years later the County Fair area, with its games of skill, was added. Also in 1979, Adventureland purchased the aging Riverview Amusement Park in Des Moines, and moved some of the attractions to their own themed area just south of the park. Some of these attractions included the infamous weight guessing booth, Hi-striker game (now in storage at Adventureland), Haunted House ride (now the station for the Dragon roller coaster), Mirror/Funny Maze (found upon exiting the Dragon roller coaster ride at Adventureland), Umbrella (children’s ride that went around and had different vehicles to choose from complete with horns), Skee-ball games, Flying Scooters, The classic Riverview carousel (now in storage at Adventureand), as well as other well-known and loved attractions. In 1990, the Riverview theme area was transformed into the Dragon Island, home of Adventureland's double-looping upside-down steel roller coaster, which opened on May 12, 1990.

1993 brought the largest park expansion since Adventureland was built. Outlaw Gulch, a western themed area, was built on 12 acres (49,000 m2) at a cost of approximately $5 million. Outlaw Gulch consisted of three rides: The Wrangler, The Chuckwagon, and The Outlaw roller coaster. In 1999 Adventureland announced the addition of the Space Shot. The Space Shot is a 235-foot (72 m) structure that towers over Adventureland launching riders up at 4.5 G's and ending with a free fall of negative 1 G.

In 2002, Adventureland undertook an 8 million dollar project that nearly doubled the size of the hotel, adding a second courtyard, new pools with interactive water features and new poolside rooms and suites. It also added a new water ride in the park, a spinning white water adventure, called Saw Mill Splash. The ride is themed around an old saw mill, and fits into the western motif of Adventureland's Outlaw Gulch area.

In 2006, Adventureland added two more rides. The Splash Over is a new dimension in rides combining the high flying thrills of a traditional park ride with the fun and excitement of a water ride. The Frog Hopper quickly hops young riders up 20 feet (6.1 m) in the air, then bounces them gently back down.

In 2008 Adventureland has embarked on its most extensive addition yet – a new water area named Adventure Bay. The first water attraction in this area is Kokomo Kove.[1]

On February 20, 2010 (about 4:00 p.m.), a fire broke out in the toy store of main street after its roof collapsed due to the weight of ice and snow.[2] The collapse caused an electrical fire. The fire went out of control and engulfed the corner portion of Main Street and destroyed the section that encompassed the bingo parlor, restaurant, toy store and arcade. The fire was brought under control about an hour later and was completely extinguished an hour thereafter. None of the adjacent structures or rides were harmed and no one was injured. The buildings were destroyed so quickly because, due to their age, sprinklers were not required to be installed. The park opened as planned on April 24, 2010, with the east side of Main Street completely cleared to dirt surrounded by a chain link fence. Banners on the fence stated that "Plans are well underway to build Main Street back better than ever." All of Main Street was rebuilt when the park opened in April 2011 and featured an even larger arcade with an indoor ride, the G-force. The park's scrambler ride known as the Wrangler was brought out of storage and moved to the G-force's location when the G-force was moved into the Main Street arcade.

On December 15, 2011 (about 3:45 a.m.), another fire broke out, this time destroying the Rally Round corn dog stand. Crews said the fire had engulfed the structure when they arrived but they were able to put it out quickly. According to fire officials, an electrical transformer behind the corn dog stand was the cause.[3]

On September 6, 2013, Adventureland posted on their official Facebook page that a new attraction called Storm Chaser would be added. A 3D rendering of the ride posted on the page, as well as an interview with park officials, showed that the new ride is a Mondial WindSeeker model. Park officials also stated that it would be replacing the aging Silly Silo due to the ride's frequent down time, and the company no longer making parts to fix it.[4]

On July 8, 2015, Adventureland announced that they were adding a new roller coaster called The Monster, a Gerstlauer Eurofighter coaster, and is slated to open in June 2016. It will replace the Log Ride, which ran since the park first opened.[5]

Location

Adventureland is located off exit 142A of I-80, along U.S. Highway 65, near Altoona, just Des of Des Moines, Iowa.[1]

Themed areas and attractions

South side view of the A-train station
The top of the Space Shot
Giant Skywheel

The park contains many design nods inspired by Disneyland: The entrance has a train station with two tunnels (on the left- and right-hand side) leading in to the Main Street area, just like at Disneyland or Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom (and also similar to many other parks built since Disneyland opened in 1955); over in Outlaw Gulch, there are several tombstones that have virtually the same wording as tombstones outside of Walt Disney World's Haunted Mansion attraction; the rocking pirate ship (Galleon) has played a soundtrack that included splashing water and an excerpt from the Pirates of the Caribbean theme song, "Yo Ho". Adventureland is a theme area of its own at Disneyland. The different themed areas in Adventureland are:

Rides for younger children

Roller coasters

Water rides

Others

A-train engine and car
Der Flinger
Tea Cups
Town Square Carrousel

Adventure Bay

Adventure Bay is the water park section of Adventureland. Except for Kokomo Kove, it was new for 2010. In addition to the water features, it offers changing areas, lockers for rent, lounge chairs, and food service which includes a full-service bar named the Sandbar.

Kokomo Kove water play structure opened on June 22, 2008, and is included in the standard admission price. The Kokomo Kove structure is approximately 65 feet (20 m) tall at its highest point and covers approximately 30,000 square feet (2,800 m2). The feature includes 7 water slides of varying lengths and heights; 123 different water jet features, including water guns, tipping cones, hose jets, and umbrella jets; and 91 different play features, including net bridges and climbs, crawl tunnels, and pull ropes.

The Bermuda Quadrangle is a quartet of tube slides, which can be ridden on single or tandem tubes. Tubes can be picked up and returned at the base of the slide tower, free of charge. There are height minimums of 48 inches (120 cm) for a single rider to 42 inches (110 cm) for a child accompanied by an adult on two of the four slides. There is a weight maximum of 250 lbs for these slides. The slides each have unique features, including sections of complete darkness, four small funnels, and a large funnel.

The Caribbean Cruiser is a lazy river looping one-third of a mile around, with a depth of 3 feet (0.91 m). Visitors can rent tubes for $5 or just cruise along with no tube.

The Reef Racer is six slides hooked together to create a racing slide, where riders lie face-first on mats and slide down, "racing" other guests. You must be at least 42 inches (110 cm) to ride.

The Gang Plank and Pirates Plunge are two speed slides that zip riders along at high speeds. You must be at least 48 inches (120 cm) to ride the two speed slides.

The Typhoon is currently a two- to four-person raft ride. There is one large funnel, and many twists and turns. Minimum height is 48 inches (120 cm).

Breaker Beach opened on May 26, 2012. It is Iowa's largest wave pool.

Shipwreck Shores opened with Breaker Beach. It is a kiddie pool with a pirate ship themed water slide for kids and swim up beverage center just for kids.

Shows

Former attractions and shows

The Mixer

Games areas

The games department consists of three games areas:[8]

Special events

On July 4, Adventureland presents fireworks at 9:45 p.m. before a 10 p.m. park closing. The nearby Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino puts on a fireworks show at 10 p.m., allowing park visitors a chance to view two shows back to back.

Adventureland also hosts various art and craft shows during the off-season when the park is closed. Visitors enter through an open gate at the front entrance and are allowed only in the Main Street Palace Theater. A back walkway connects it to the Iowa Cafe on Main Street for food and snacks.

During the first few weekends of operation, various school bands are invited to play in the park.

Each year, substance-free days are held in conjunction with D.A.R.E. There are no beer sales during these days.

Over Memorial Day weekend there is a military promotion.

There are five park areas available for company picnics, reunions, or other large gatherings.[9]

Mascots and characters

The park's official mascot is Bernie Bernard, a dog.[1] A cartoon drawing of Bernie appears on park guides and maps, and a walk-around character poses for photos in the park. Another character, "Toby" the tiger, also walks around the park. According to Adventureland's public relations department, "Toby the tiger has been around about as long as Bernie, but is not in our ads, so he might not be as recognizable." There are two additional dog characters: Heather, also seen in the park; and Henry, who has also been found in take-home stuffed animal size.

For a special promotion in 2001, Garfield the cat appeared in the park with a special photo opportunity on Main Street.

An actor who plays an old west miner type character appeared for many years in TV commercials, and his voice is heard in The Underground narration (and as the voice of the old miner animatronic in the pre-show). A cartoon caricature of him appears as the "must be this tall to ride" sign outside of The Outlaw.

In 2005, a "girl in a cage being carried by a gorilla" effect character was also seen to roam the park. The gorilla is named Gilda. Offer her a banana and she will release the girl in the cage.

At the ticket window of the Main Street theater, an animatronic character named P.T. Barnaby spiels about park happenings each year.

There are many other costumed characters that have appeared in the park over the years.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Adventureland – About". Adventurelandpark.com. Retrieved 2015-02-14.
  2. ↑ Finney, Daniel (February 20, 2010). "Adventureland fire destroys shops near Altoona park's entrance". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2015-02-14.
  3. ↑ "Fire Crews Called to Adventureland". KCCI News 8. December 15, 2011. Retrieved 2015-02-14.
  4. ↑ Pratt, Christopher (September 16, 2013). "Adventureland's Silly Silo has taken last spin". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
  5. ↑ http://whotv.com/2015/07/08/adventureland-to-build-new-roller-coaster-in-2016/
  6. ↑ "Adventureland – Kiddie rides". Adventurelandpark.com. Retrieved 2015-02-14.
  7. 1 2 "Adventureland – Thrill rides". Adventurelandpark.com. Retrieved 2015-02-14.
  8. ↑ "Adventureland – Games". Adventurelandpark.com. Retrieved 2015-02-14.
  9. ↑ "Adventureland Company Outings". Adventurelandpark.com. Retrieved 2015-02-14.

External links

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