ADVENTURELAND (IOWA)

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

Contents

History

Location

Themed areas and attractions

Rides for Younger Children

Roller coasters

Water Rides

Others

Shows

Extinct Attractions and Shows

Games Areas

Special Events

Trivia

Mascots and characters

Admission/Parking

References

External links

History

Adventureland opened in late August 1974 despite opening delays caused by numerous tornado watches in the area with its first full season in 1975. Jack Krantz, founder of Adventureland, died in January 2006 at age 76. Many people came to mourn his death on a special day in that January.

Location

Adventureland is located off exit 142A of I-80, along U.S. Highway 6, near Altoona, just East of Des Moines.

Themed areas and attractions

South side view of the A-train station

The top of the Space Shot

Giant Skywheel

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. During the 1993 season, there was a western themed band that played a banjo and bottles on the mock stage that still remains next to the kettle corn stand. Also 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. Also, another attraction is the "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. In early years, an accordion player was found in this area of the park to add to the German feel.

★ 'River City' is built around the "Raging River" ride, and was inspired by New Orleans. That's why there is usually Jazz or Zydeco music in the background. The founder of Adventureland was a fan of New Orleans style jazz.
River City 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.

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 1970s, 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 1970s)

★ 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)

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.

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 29, 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.

Others

A-train engine and car

Der Flinger

Tea Cups

Town Square Carrousel

★ 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 1980s) - a Zamperla family ride which spins riders in hot-air-balloon-shaped cars.

★ Dodge'em Cars (opened 1970s) - Traditional bumper-cars ride.

★ Falling Star (opened 1980s, 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 Huss Rodeo 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 1980s) - A giant Huss swinging ship ride.

★ Giant Skywheel (opened in 1991) - A huge