Adventureland IA

This may be a short lived thread but I figured some of you may have fun with this since it is the middle of the off season in the northern midwest states (at least).

Since WOF receivied Patriot for 2006, Renegade will be up and running at VF this May, and the Park of MOA will get the Eurofighter in 2008...

What kind of addition or improvement could Adventureland (Des Moines) need to draw more people off of I-80? And give me a reason to go back within the next 2 years.

I personally like the park alot. But it always seems like there should be a major, or very unique ride that would create attention for this lovley place.

How about a flying turns?

Just have fun with this.

Not to be dismissive of that awesome steel coaster they HAVE, but.... ;)

I could honestly see a spinning coaster...or something else that might be available on the used market, like say, HeadSpin or an SLC...

I wouldn't mind the SLC, but keep the boomerang away.

I hope my home park gets a spectacular Gravity Group woodie before anything else...except for flying scooters of course. ;)

I'm going to go out on a bit of a limb with this, but I don't know that Adventureland needs to add anything at the moment. In terms of atmosphere it is, IMHO, one of the nicest parks in the USA, right up there with Holiday World in terms of staff friendliness.

I entirely agree with Richard. I found Adventureland to be an extremely enjoyable park in all respects - other than in maybe the available food choices - when I made my first visit there earlier this year. To be frank the quality of attractions there was WAY better than I had anticipated.

If I could have one extremely off-the-wall Christmas wish though, wouldn't Adventureland be just the perfect new home for King Solomon's Mines (the wood wild mouse from the now-closed Southport Pleasureland, UK)?

They probably won't get to add anything next season as they are busy paying off "LAWSUIT: The Ride" which they added this past season when an idiot worker left a board on Tornado which hit that poor girl. They might still be paying off that ride for the 2008 season as well. *sigh*

^Yeah, that's really a shame.

I agree Adventureland is a nice park with friendly staff, a lot of rides, and is well kept, but they're lacking a star attraction. Despite having three wood coasters (including two CCI's), they don't have anything exceptional, and a lot of Iowans go to Worlds of Fun or elsewhere instead.

Honesty, Matt, I don't think it would take much to raise Tornado *or* Outlaw to the point where they could be "draws" for the park...of course, that is something infinitely more meaningful to enthusiasts than to the people Adventureland needs to thrive...

They COULD use this though: http://rcdb.com/ig2657.htm?picture=7

But with a more *subdued* color scheme... ;)

Well the dumb park got rid of its Galaxy ride and put in an inVerter -- how dumb was that? I mean I can understand getting rid of the Alpine themed coaster for the Giant Wheel, but the replacement for Super Screamer just sucked.

That would be a good replacement for the Super Screamer. Good location too.

I think we are well aware of your hatred of Adventureland Swoosh.

I in fact still love Adventureland. Not only because it has a great family atmosphere, but there is also nothing corporate in the park. Prices for food and parking are very low. The employees are incredibly friendly, and obviously care about the job they are doing, no matter how bad of a day they may be having. Also, they have a great set of rides. Sure, they don't have no Voyage, or even a decent steel coaster ,but they still are my top choice for family entertainment.

If I want to ride a bunch of wild coasters, I may go to an alternative, but when I just want a relaxing day of fun, in a park that isn't going to cost me an arm and a leg just to park or get a bottle of water, or any of the other hassles of going to Six Flags or any other corporate owned park, then Adventureland is my first choice.

Sounds like just my kind of place. I love the smaller non-corporate indie parks!

I kind of figured that some would say not to change anything.

Don't get me wrong on this. The park is virtually spotless, the staff is "unique" but very friendly, and yes I don't recall any corporate ties to anything. The adjacent resort/hotel is a very nice accomodation too.

But the best part is that almost everything there is a walk on. I have never seen that place busy. Last time I was there it was like an all day ERT. I didn't have to get off and re-board any coaster to ride again. They have the room to afford a crowd.

I just think they need a signature piece to make it a true destination. If the lack of one is it, so be it.

Something like the Kemah Boardwalk woodie would go very nice there. :) I'd be really happy with something as simple yet insanely fun as Avalanche also. I just want one coaster that I'd want to ride over and over again and be willing to wait in line for. That one ride is the missing ingredient. Something calling me to visit all season. If they bought one of the Six Flags free falls, that will be a nice concession. :)

I predict their next coaster will be some sort of spinner though, not counting any kiddie coaster that may pop up. I just hope it's not a spinning mouse style.

The need a Giga! :)

I agree with Swoosh on the bad replacement of an Inverter for the Galaxi. That very Coaster is now back up for sale as Pharohs in Cali has closed their ride park.

I would say that Adventureland does hve a very nice selection of rides right now, but a nice, Spinning Coaster would be my next guess for an addition.

That thing opening up (Wicked) at Lagoon would be a neat choice as well.

^I think Wicked would be a little TOO intense for the crowd that goes to Adventureland as there are a lot that won't ride Dragon "because it has loop-de-loops".