Sidewinder at Adventureland

My bad Swoosh, I didn't see that in Matt's response. Also isn't it true that the shields in the Dragon are from the people that designed the ride? If so, I dated one of the builder's daughters back when it was first open. What a small world huh?

Hey did you guys see the CSI post, Super Screamer was the rollercoaster that was used for the show, now known as the Screaming Mummy, how cool is that?

Dan,

I am one of the Security/First Aid people there. I have been there for several years and went there as a kid growing up. I still remember the dolphin show there and the high divers they had there as well. I am usually there on Saturdays from open to close.

I am hoping the circus will have some new acts this year as the old acts are getting kind of boring. If they ever do get rid of the circus that area would be great for a couple of different rides. You never know they might just get a Flitzer then.

John,

Do you know something that we don't and your not sharing? Hehehe. The dolphin show was cool, wasn't that were the Underground is now?

Us Iowans (Matt Scott, John DeLavergne, Dan D McD, and I, and any others,) should make an Iowa theme park guide, including Adventureland, Arnold's Park, and maybe some of the fairs. PM me if you think this may be possible.

Your right the Underground is located where the dolphin show used to be. In fact the main pool is still there. As you are going by the waterfall you are going over the main pool. Also the restrooms by the ladybugs used to be part of the backstage/dressing room area for the show. As far as any new rides go they usually don't make any decisions about that untill near the end of the season. We didn't know for sure about Sidewinder untill just a couple of weeks before the end of last season and even then it was just rumors about what it might be.

As far as apark guide just let me know what you need and if I can help I will.

Sounds like a cool idea Coasterwiz. Interesting facts about the pool John, never would have known that about the pool still being there.

SWOOSH:
Did you ever want that Boomerang? Send it to Altoona. It's fine by me. That thing is not worthy of Zinger's domain, but it would fit it quite nicely at Adventureland methinks. However, I'd much rather get a Schwartzy shuttle looper--what a great addition that would be. I really fell in love with those things after riding Monte at Knott's a few years ago. Tidal Wave at SFGAm was the only other one I've been on. Back to Zinger though; too bad Adventureland didn't snatch that gem. Although there isn't really a good, woodsy setting for it, they could have done some landscaping and kept that baby close to its adoring fans.

COASTERWIZ:
As for the Iowa Theme Park Guide--I'll help out in any way I can. It's nice to hear from some buzzers in Iowa. We should meet at Adventureland sometime. I won't be going this weekend, but should be there for a few hours the following Saturday. My roommate is going with his girlfriend that day and he's never been before. I want to make sure and point out the finer points so he can appreciate it. He's been to PKI, CP and SFGAm with me, but this will be his first "non-mega park.

JOHN:
Thanks for the info about the Tornado. I always wondered about that. I almost always seem to time my visits to when they're using the red train. Any idea about why the Dragon's train was shortened?

I've never really scouted out the property, but anyone know how much land is available for expansion? They could always build across the river into the campground area; yeah right, like that will happen. :)

I've never seen the circus show. I'll have to try and catch it sometime this summer. I'm glad the dolphin show was mentioned. I couldn't remember if they had one or not (I was very young back then). I just knew about the high dive show and how Underground was built in/on the pool/theater. That's so cool that Super Screamer was the coaster on CSI--I'll have to be sure and catch the replay sometime.

Great idea Matt, however I will be in Chicago next weekend for CoasterbuzzCon but you can put it on the meeting calendar. The circus is ok the first time you see it but then it never changes, a couple elephants here, a couple horses there, etc. Whatever you do, don't videotape or they will kick you out. The last time I was there, someone got caught and they escorted him out.

The idea of having a guide,, dedicated to the Iowa parks (especially Adventureland) is a really cool idea. It would be nice for people who have never experienced the parks in Iowa, a chance to see why we talk so highly of them. Adventureland's website is very limited as far as information.

coasterwiz, I'll PM you later tonight after work. I als orecall cwrsr I think it is had tons of photos and a video of Sidewidner he was trying to find hosting for. I have been working on etting some hosting b some source myself. Maybe we can all get hooked up.

I'll be attending Adventureland very soon, once I get a date set, I'll you guys know, I lvoe to stop and say hi to fellow enthusiasts. I wish Iwas going to Coasterbuzzcon, but I am been trying to get bills paid off since I was out of the job for a little bit, but now am working again.

The Dragon train was shortened after an accident with the train That damaged some of the cars. I believe one of the cars got too damaged to be able to be used. This all happened before I started there so I don't know all the details.

Interesting. The only Dragon accident I remember is the one in 1991 when the chain snapped. I heard it caused some minor injuries to a couple of passengers and always assumed that was from the chain whipping back over the front of the lead car. Now that I think about it, the lead car may be the same as all of the other cars (unlike on Arrow looper trains for instance where the lead car has a longer nose), so maybe that explains that.
Wow, this thread has reached four pages. This has gotta be the longest Adventureland thread ever. :)

John,

Is it true that the shields in the Dragon queue were those of the people who help build the Dragon?

Matt,

Yay for Adventure Land! This is the most it's ever been talked about! Publicity for Adventureland! Whoo! (Okay, just a little over the top, but still cool.)

Yeah, we had a trip report and now this, great for a "smaller" park in little ole Iowa.

You got it exactly right! Adventureland isn't about thrills, though it does a nice job of blending atmosphere, thrills, family fun and more into one very enjoyable day.

But on a more serious note, at least Adventureland remains one of the most profitbale and wellsituated (financially) parks in the country. Let's talk about the future of Six Flags, especially with their current inability to even meet their annual obligations. Or perhaps Cedar Fair, which depsite repeatedly releasing positive investor press releases, is still quite a ways in debt.

Adventureland, Cedar Point and Six Flags ALL have their place. Each is unique and appeals to a different audience. So even if a park doesn't appeal to you, remember there are others out there that it will appeal to.

Signed,
Adventureland Lover