Adventureland (Iowa)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Location | Altoona, Iowa |
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| Website | www.adventurelandpark.com |
| Opened | 1974 |
| Operating season | Daily Memorial Day through Labor Day, weekends late April, May and September |
| Area | 180 acres |
| Rides | 100+ Rides, shows, and attractions total
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| Slogan | Iowa's Largest And Most Complete Family Resort Complex |
Adventureland Park is an independently-owned amusement park in Altoona, Iowa (just northeast of Des Moines). It features over 100 rides, shows and attractions.
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[edit] History
Adventureland opened in late August 1974 with its first full season in 1975. Jack Krantz, founder of Adventureland, died in January 2006 at age 76.
[edit] Location
Adventureland is located off exit 142A of I-80, along U.S. Highway 6, near Altoona, just East of Des Moines.
[edit] Themed areas and attractions
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Much like Disneyland, Adventureland is divided into several different themed areas:
- Main Street, which resembles a stereotypical turn-of-the-20th-century town square, is the first area visitors encounter upon entering the park. The principal attractions of this area are the A-Train, a small-scale locomotive which winds around one side of the park, and an antique-style carousel in the middle of the Town Square. Main Street also contains several gift shops, restaurants, an arcade, and other service-type establishments.
- County Fair is a rural-themed area whose principal attraction is "The Tornado", a large wooden roller coaster, as well as many fair-themed games of skill. Iowa Farm follows a similar theme (look for the big pig in the "Iowa Farm" section of the park; it's actually a small concession stand).
- Dragon Island, near the rear of the park, originally was built as Riverview in 1979, and contained a number of attractions from the Riverview Park amusement center that had recently closed in nearby Des Monies. In 1991, the area was renamed Dragon Island when the Dragon roller coaster was opened.
- Outlaw Gulch, constructed in 1993, has an Old West theme, complete with a "ghost town." The attractions in this part of the park are "The Outlaw" (a large wooden roller coaster), the "Chuckwagon" (a small western-themed Ferris Wheel), the "Sidewinder" (a swinging pendulum ride that swings riders over 180 degrees while spinning them around the pole the seats sit around), and "Saw Mill Splash," a water ride. The Royal Hanneford Circus is also nearby. In the first few years of operation, a cowboy themed comedy show was held in front of the ghost town facade, but it was later removed and the shooting gallery was installed there. The food location also changed from a walk in drink and snack bar to a front counter serving hamburgers and other foods. Other food in the section is a Kettle Corn stand and a Dippin Dots ice cream cart.
- Space Shot Midway is built around the "Space Shot" ride. However, the major attraction is now "The Underground", a ride which incorporates elements of both a dark ride and a roller coaster. The "Dodge-Em Cars" and numerous kid's rides are also nearby.
- Bavaria is a German-themed area. The "Sky Ride" is the major attraction in this area of the park and includes the Rathskellar concession stand and Alpine arcade area.
- River City is built around the "Raging River" ride, and may have been influenced by the "River City" in the Meredith Willson musical, The Music Man Several food stands sit in this section of the park as well.
- The Boulevard has several major rides, but the biggest is the "Giant Skywheel", the largest open-gondola Ferris wheel built in the United States since the 1800s.
[edit] Rides for Younger Children
- The Chuckwagon, a miniature western-themed Ferris wheel (opened in 1993)
- The Convoy, a semi-truck-themed ride for younger children (opened 1970's, long-time sponsor is Sinclair gas stations)
- The Frog Hopper (opened April 29, 2006)
- Infant Ocean, on which miniature boats spin slowly around a central axis (opened 1970's)
- Kiddie Kars, on which variously-themed cars spin slowly around a central axis (opened 1974)
- Lady Bugs, bug-shaped cars travel on a circular track (opened in 1976)
- Puff the Dragon, dragon-themed cars spin around a central axis (opened in 1991)
- Red Baron, small WWI-themed planes spin around a central axis, and riders can control how high off the ground they want to "fly" (opened 1974)
[edit] Roller coasters
- The Dragon – (opened May 12, 1991) Double looping steel roller coaster built by Hopkins.
- The Outlaw – (opened April 24, 1993) A wooden roller coaster by CCI
- The Tornado – (opened July 4, 1978) A wooden roller coaster designed by William Cobb.
- The Underground – (opened in 1996) An indoor dark ride using a roller coaster ride system. Ride and cars by CCI. Animated figures by Themed Environments and Effects.
[edit] Water Rides
- The Raging River (opened in 1983) - A whitewater river-raft ride featuring rapids, waterfalls, and geysers.
- Saw Mill Splash (opened in 2002) - Spins visitors down a hill in a large raft and splashes down at the bottom. It replaced the Wrangler, a carnival Scrambler ride.
- The Splash Over (opened April 29th, 2006) - A thrill/water ride where riders are propelled and inverted through a curtain of water that randomly ranges from a light mist to a complete soaking. It replaced the Mixer, which opened in 1997.
- River Rapids Log Flume (opened in 1974) - a log flume ride with two drops. In 2005, an on-ride photo system was installed that takes a picture during the final drop.
[edit] Others
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- A-Train - A small train that travels around one side of the park then loops and returns back on the same track. Its only stop is the station on Main Street.
- Balloon Race (opened 1980's) - a Zamperla family ride which spins riders in hot-air-balloon-shaped cars.
- Dodge'em Cars (opened 1970's) - Traditional bumper-cars ride.
- Falling Star (opened 1980's, replaced The Rainbow) - Chance-Morgan ride which drops riders via a large 360-degree pendulum.
- Der Flinger (opened 1976) - A paratrooper-themed ride which is similar to a Ferris wheel but starts flat on the ground and raises up.
- The G-Force (opened in 1997) - A spinning ride on the order of a Scrambler. Each car is decorated with a different nation's flag; the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, and Greece are only a few examples.
- Galleon (opened early 1980's) - A giant swinging ship ride.
- Giant Skywheel (opened in 1991) - A huge Ferris wheel.
- Himalaya (opened in 2000) - Spinning, tilted ride.
- The Inverter (opened in 2000) - (by Chance-Morgan) Takes guests up 50 feet in the air and hangs them inverted.
- Lady Luck (opened in 1975) - A Chance Trabant ride, themed as a roulette wheel.
- The Lighthouse (opened 1970's) - Visitors sit in a small gondola which spins around, while being thrust sideways and upwards.
- Sidewinder (opened in 2004) - A spinning pendulum ride that swings riders slightly more than 180 degrees.
- Silly Silo (opened in 1974) - A Chance-Morgan Rotor: Spins guests around in a large cylinder as they become stuck to the walls while the floor drops out.
- Sky Ride (opened in 1975) - Traditional chairlift ride originally from the World's Fair in Spokane, Washington.
- Space Shot (opened in 1999) - Visitors blast off into "space" up a 235-foot tower and free fall safely back to the ground.
- Tea Cups (opened in 1976) - A traditional spinning tea cup ride.
- Tilt o Whirl (opened in 1975) - A traditional carnival Tilt-O-Whirl ride, with characters painted as cowboys/cowgirls on the outside of each car.
- Town Square Carrousel (opened in 2000) - A replica of an antique carousel. It replaced the old carousel where the Himalaya now stands.
[edit] Shows
- Ben Ulin magic show, 2006 will be his 19th year.
- Royal Hanneford Circus.
- Soda and Sounds music shows.
- The Chapel music shows (music groups, and some that use the same cast as Soda and Sounds).
- Adventureland Band. Small marching band that appears mostly on Main Street.
[edit] Extinct Attractions and Shows
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- Aquatheatre dolphin show. The Underground built in its place.
- Daniel and the Dixieland Diggers (-1999). Animatronic music show in the center of Main Street, replaced by the Carousel.
- Der Flitzer (1975-1990) - A small German mountain-themed coaster. The Giant Skywheel now occupies its space. Prior to, and since its stay at Adventureland, it operated at fairs and parks in Germany and the Netherlands.
- Haunted House attraction (1979-1990) - Part of the Riverview area (now Dragon Island), and one of the attractions moved from Riverview Park in Des Moines. The Dragon's station now occupies its space.
- Mirror Maze (1979-1990) - Part of the Riverview area (now Dragon Island), and one of the attractions moved from Riverview Park in Des Moines. The Dragon's station now occupies its space, but a few "fun" mirrors still exist in the exit queue.
- The Mixer (1997-2005, replaced by Splash Over) - Spins and inverts visitors on several axis.
- Super Screamer (1976-1999, replaced by The Inverter) - A smaller roller coaster (an S.D.C. Galaxi) which operated until 1999. It now operates as the Screaming Mummy in Pharaohs Lost Kingdom in Redlands, California.
- The Wrangler - Scambler ride replaced by Sawmill Splash.
[edit] Games Areas
- Alpine - Alpine is located near the front of the park close to the Giant Skywheel. Alpine features the Penny Arcade, Adventureland's largest arcade. It also features Water Wars, a water balloon battle, and Water Gun Fun, a water race game that is in the center of the area.
- County Fair - Arguably Adventureland's largest and most popular games area, County Fair is located by the entrance and exit of the Tornado. County Fair opened in 1979.
- Dragon Island - Dragon Island is located near the entrance and exit of the Dragon rollercoaster. The Himalaya is also located on Dragon Island. Dragon Island is actually a peninsula, with the non-water side leading to Outlaw Gulch. Dragon Island features Sea Challenge, proven to be Adventureland's most played game.
[edit] Special Events
On July 4th, Adventureland presents fireworks at 9:45 p.m. before a 10 p.m. park closing. Nearby, the Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino follows with their own 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 on 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.
Several park areas are available for company picnics, reunions or other large gatherings.
[edit] Trivia
- 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 has even played a soundtrack that included splashing water and an excerpt from the "Pirates of the Caribbean" theme song, "Yo Ho." Interestingly enough, "Adventureland" is actually a theme area of its own at Disneyland.
- There are many other similarities to Disneyland though they are most likely just things that have become standard and common for amusement centers over the year (such as the similarity between Sheriff Sam's Saloon at Adventureland and the Golden Horseshoe Saloon at Disney). There is also a gift shop on the corner of Main Street called the Emporium.
- The Shooting Gallery in Outlaw Gulch is a replacement for a former shooting gallery located near Sheriff Sam's Saloon. The gallery operates on light sensitive photo sensors, which means a camera flash will set off every element. Gallery workers also note that, during rainy days, lightning will also have the same effect.
- The "dress up" old time photo shop on Main Street has been in the park since the 1970s.
- Several merchants on Main Street, such as the sign maker and airbrush shop, are not Adventureland employees. They lease the location and operate their business during the season. (This is similar to many of the crafter shops at Knott's Berry Farm in California.)
- Beer and wine coolers are sold in the park and the liquor license allows them to be carried around. The one exception to this is opening weekend, which is a "Say No To Drugs" weekend and the park does not sell alcohol during that event.
- On Main Street, there is a theater (currently used for corporate events) with a ticket taker window. Inside that window is an animatronic figure that is reprogrammed each year to repeat spiels about new attractions in the park.
- During its brief few years of operation, The Mixer was sponsored by a bread company.
- Dragon Island was formerly known as Riverview. This area was added to the park in 1979, after Adventureland bought out the old Riverview Park amusement park in nearby Des Moines. The original attractions in this area, including games of skill, a Haunted House attraction, and a Hall of Mirrors, were moved in from Riverview. When The Dragon was added in 1991, the area was renamed Dragon Island. The loading station area for The Dragon occupies the space (and part of the actual building) where the Haunted House and Hall of Mirrors was (and a few mirrors can still be seen in the ride exit area).
- Adventureland Park did not have a website until just a few years ago because, according to a marketing director, the owner didn't want one. Eventually a website was launched under the domain name adventureland-usa.com because adventurelandpark.com had already been registered by someone who was supposed to be working on a site for them. Eventually Adventureland was able to obtain and use the now-promoted adventurelandpark.com domain.
- The first year season passes were offered, they did not include parking.
- A few weeks after opening in 2006, a tree trunk near the Underground was carved into a giraffe. At the base was the name "Jack." Adventureland was founded by Jack Krantz.
- Guests that arrive early in the morning or between 2 and 3 p.m. (after the PM shift change) and pay for their parking often receive dollar coins as part of their change instead of $1 bills; several theories have been offered as to why, but this is likely because of the high volume of $1 bills that come through the parking gate throughout the course of each shift.
- The water on the Splash Over is often deliberately turned off or kept on a low setting if the wind is blowing from east to west; this is done so that guests walking past on the Boulevard are not soaked along with the riders.
- Park workers state that corporate days (such as Pella Windows) can bring as many as 10,000 to the park. Some companies will request alcohol not to be served during their large corporate outings.
[edit] Mascots and characters
The park's official mascot is "Bernie Benard," a dog. 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 PR 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." A third dog character, Henry, is also seen in the park.
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 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.
At the ticket window of the main street theater, an animatronic character named P.T. Barnaby spiels about park happenings each year.
[edit] Admission/Parking
Admissions into Adventureland are based on age and updated for 2006:
- Season Pass: $85.00 (includes parking)
- Parking per car: $4.00
| Ages | One day | Two days |
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| 3 and under | Free | |
| 4-9 | $25.00 | $39.50 |
| 10+ | $29.00 | $43.50 |
[edit] External links
- Official Website
- Aerial Map of Adventureland 3/25/2000
- Adventureland Fan Website
- Theme Parks Online's Adventureland Website
- Photo Archive (1996-2006)
- Riverview Park, a historic nearby amusement park which was purchased by, closed, and partially incorporated into Adventureland in 1979.
| Roller coasters at Adventureland (Iowa) |
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Tornado - The Dragon - Outlaw - Underground |
