Adventureland or Arnold's Park?

We are planning a trip to the western and upper midwest in early June. Are definitely going to go to Worlds of Fun and ValleyFair. Have planned on going to Adventureland in transit from Missouri to Minnesota. Arnold's Park has began to look more and more intriquing to me. For those of you who have been, is it worth the rather lengthy detour to go to Arnold's Park from Des Moines. There doesn't appear to be any easy way to get there. I really love the small traditional parks, ala Americana and Indiana Beach and Arnolds Parks appears to have the same appeal.

Thanks for any direction and take it easy,

DAC

[url="http://www.thetripreport.com/" target="_blank">The TR has good reviews of both parks. Great site :)

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Off with the trims!
My fellow Americans; Let's Roll!
Woodencoaster.com

Arnolds definitely needs all the help they can get....so try to go there if you can.

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Now open Zero-G Thrills, an all new Coaster and Amusement Park Photos site
http://zerogthrills.topcities.com/index.html

For in depth information on Adventureland, as well as WOF and VF, go here....

www.themeparksonline.org

There is really no reason you couldn't go to both.

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SWOOSH
http://www.themeparksonline.org
(In cyberspace no one can hear you scream)

Great sites! Thanks guys.

DAC

Go To Adventure Land

I am originally from the Sioux Falls, SD area. There is no good way to get to the Okoboji area. If you are going to WOF in KC you could take I-29 to Sioux City, IA. Get on highway 75 and that would get you closest but that's really out of the way. I would go to Des Moines and go to Adventureland. I lived there for a while. Plus AL is only a 5 minute drive off I-35. Just some advice from someone who lived all over the upper midwest. I've never been to AP but it is very, very small from my understanding.

Thank God I'm in Sandusky now!

*** This post was edited by rebornempowered on 5/25/2002. ***

Yes, Arnolds Park is VERY small. The Legend (no, not the one in Indiana) is a very fun woodie, especially once it picks up speed in the evening. But there isn't much else to do there, and it's a POP admission around $17 if I remember. If you have the time, check it out, but like others have said, ther eis NO easy way to get to Okaboji. You have to take lots of highways and zig zag your way up there from Des Moines. Definitely check out Adventureland. It's only about 5 miles out of your way when you're going from Worlds of Fun to Valley Fair, and there is plenty to do there if you like the whole amusement park experience and not just coasters, but the woodies are quite entertaining.
Please try and visit Arnolds Park as well if you can make it. They really do need all the attendance they can get.
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-Matt in Iowa (just miles from Adventureland)
193 coasters ridden -- #1 Shivering Timbers

Dale, We are doing a simular trip after Timbersfest we are driving down to Chicago for SFGAM then Adventureland, WOF, SFSTL and back to either HW or IB.

Chuck, who says this trip starts june 14th

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Charles Nungester
Lesourdsville Lake, The great American amusement park opens the season June 6th Thurs-Sun every week. Park phone is (513)539-2193

By looking at both of them and agreeing with your small park interest, I would still say Adventureland. I am a purist and prefer those wooden coasters and while Lengend does look like one of those "just plain fun" coasters, to go that far out of the way and miss classic CCI's like Outlaw, just doesn't seem worth it. It is in the end your decision and I'm sure whichever one you make will be good, it's a win win situation.

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The below statement is true.
The above statement is false.

Constant Looping is a lack of creativity.

Here's your best in depth review of Arnolds Park.

For some good pictures of the Legend and Arnolds Park go here

Arnolds Park:You might not think of northern Iowa as a resort area, but Lake Okoboji and three small towns make this a nice little area. And it's also in this area that you'll find Arnolds Park. The gondola wheel offers a wonderful view of the lake, and just a few feet away is the legendary... Legend. A very nice wooden coaster that offers plenty of airtime as it zips you around most of the park. There's a Toboggan coaster and a kiddie coaster and lost of room for the park to expand. It does look like the main focus is rides for kids, but we've all got a little bit of that in us anyway. The Tilted House could use some work. I've seen it done very nicely with props and a host who takes you through, telling a story along the way. The way it is now, kids just run through it. A magic show would be a nice addition too, especially for the beautiful newer area toward the rear of the park.

Adventureland:The best coaster here is The Outlaw, a very nice wooden coaster with plenty of punch. They also have The Tornado (wooden), The Dragon (steel looping), and a steel zyklon coaster. The newest ride is The Underground, which is very well-themed on the inside. The shows are really starting to improve in this park. They have a very polished magic act and a great comical western "showdown" near The Outlaw coaster. The Rootin' Tootin' Wild West Review still needs some work, but it wasn't bad.

Big Chief Karts and Coasters is as much out of your way as Arnolds Park, so why don't you go there instead?

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Lake Compounce-So Fresh and So Clean Clean

Adventureland no longer has the steel zyklon coaster as that was taken out in 1998 and their newest ride is Saw Mill Splash that opened this year wheras The Underground was opened in 1996

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Flume & Hydroblaster Crew for 2002!

The steel Zyklon in question was the Super Screamer. It was a Galaxi like the one at Americanna.
I miss the Flitzer. They replaced it with that big, boring Sky Wheel about 10 years ago. Flitzer was so fun.
I can't believe I haven't made it to Adeventureland yet this season. I only live 15 miles fromt he park. I have been to Knott's and Magic Mountain though, ironically.
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-Matt in Iowa
193 coasters ridden -- #1 Shivering Timbers
Bring back the Flitzer!