What’s NEW at Iowa's Lost Island Theme Park?

[@dwilhelm_21]

I heard from a Lost Island employee (at another park) that if they get the crowds they need they're trying to get something special

[@ParkPros]

Yup.

[@Toastyscrub]

Haha i know exactly what your talking about 🤫

[@IntaminFanGRLPowerCoasters]

Intamin?

[@dwilhelm_21]

@@IntaminFanGRLPowerCoasters they didnt say anything just that its gonna be something cool or big

[@paulgilliam5080]

Some fun things are coming!

[@drewaj]

this park NEEDS a marketing team !!!!!! i had no clue they opened 2 rides this year

[@Mrs-spark2039]

They were going to have a Matugani media day but I guess Intamin or the state didn't want riders yet. Not sure who's at fault there. LI or manufacturer/state.

[@jamesoniris2647]

I feel like this park is just going to get better and better with age. Really hoping to get out there some time. As an actor at a park, I love the fact they have face characters walking around.

[@danielparizek1123]

Thank you for doing these videos on adventireland and lost island

[@natalybasora9769]

I went for the first time on my birthday in July and luckily for us, it had been storming in the morning, so around noon when we got there, the park was basically all to ourselves! Sadly I didn’t get to see any of the character walking around, but we got to repeat all the rides we wanted with practically no line and would always get front row on the rollercoasters! I had a great birthday! And we’re going again with extra friends next weekend! Can’t wait! 😁

[@Splitter4416]

I’m thrilled to hear there were crowds. I’m hoping to take a day trip this month.

[@MsMrhowdy]

Took a family of four on a 3 hour trip from Minneapolis and spent the night at a local hotel. We did the trip primarily for the Dark Ride, but Lost Island surpassed our expectation in every way. We absolutely LOVED IT! From the theming in several of the ride que's, to the arboretum level landscaping, to the cleanliness of the grounds, to the food, the incredibly friendly employees, costume characters, and most importantly - the rides! The Dark Ride (Volcanu?) was a 10 out of 10. We agree, best Dark Ride outside of Disney (and we do a lot of theme parks!). I'm worried for Lost Island. There were so few guests. Every ride was running and staffed. We went on a Friday. It was open until 9:30 and the lighting in the park is magical. I could go on and on and on. No lines and the fairy tale theming. Please don't let this park die. It worth the effort to make the trip.

[@AnnEckhart]

Fantastic review! You are right about the park needing more local support. I am a season pass holder and tell everyone that the park’s success will help the community overall.

[@danthecoasterman22]

I’m making my way at the end of the month, super excited!

[@wayne_jkl]

Their overall color scheme and decor/theming look great. Not to mention the ride variety. Might just have to make the trip from Chicago soon!

[@modelrollercoasters]

I'd say yes. Just visited this past Tuesday (July 18, 2023). It was unique, the Volkanu ride was as good as any of the Universal rides. The staff are friendly, a good variety of rides. Matugani was excellent. The only ride I didn't care much for was the Nopoku Air Coaster (Vekoma SLC) but it wasn't the worst one I've been on. The attention to detail makes it the most unique theme park in the U.S. There were character meet and greets and the food we had at the Whale Bone Diner was reasonably priced and tasted better than almost anything I've eaten at Disney with the exception of the Blue Bayou Restaurant at Disneyland California. Go. Hotels in the area are fairly reasonable and it wasn't crowded at opening, though more folks showed up as the day went on. So minimal waits. It's obvious when you visit that this "Mom and Pop" theme park put their soul and money into every aspect of the park. I really have nothing negative to say about our visit or the park. Go people, go. We will be going back next year (we live in south central Kansas). (BTW: They put us with others on Yuta Falls, so we had 5 out of 6 seats filled on our boat)

[@SRBAnimate]

I’m still baffled that Lost Island decided to carry the baggage of a hydraulic launch coaster in 2023.

[@Bnizzofashizzo]

I don’t know how to explain it, but this was a really fantastically done video and the park looks beautiful. I mean it is brand new, but it looks immaculate.

[@restlessbohemian26]

Glad to see business picking up! Great video!

[@karlsturm9698]

Very interested to hear that Awaati Battle "is one of the most popular rides in the park." I thought they had a lemon last year because barely anyone rode. But it seems the theming and a critical mass of people (needed for an interactive ride) really made a big difference.

[@ParkPros]

People kept on flowing into the queue!

[@alex_exists]

Lost Island definitely seems to be filling in a lot.

[@jacksonseyl1063]

I'm so excited attendance is picking up. There are only a few more kinks they need to iorn out . First, they need to open that carousel. Second, they have to get rid of the parking fee at the theme park(especially when you can park at the water park for free) and finally they have to find a better loading system for the rides, especially if you're sending out half full boats when you still have more people in the station.

[@AnnEckhart]

The carousel manufacturer is the reason the delay. They’ve been on them to deliver it to no avail. Fortunately, the area where it is to go is currently being used as a shaded picnic area. Every theme park charges parking, and at only $10, it’s the cheapest around.

[@jacksonseyl1063]

@@AnnEckhart Have you at least seen parts for the carousel at Lost Island? At this point I'd even take a single horse.

[@Mrs-spark2039]

I think the carousel is coming in in parts. Even if it was all here finally I don't think they would start construction until fall because of maintenance working on keeping current rides maintained. I love a nice carousel but that's also not a ride that will bring in crowds

[@carminecdinoproductions]

@@jacksonseyl1063Same! Or maybe a different animal like a dolphin or a tiger or an elephant or a camel or a sea dragon!

[@Khmetal67]

Great vid as always!!

[@OrangeoMC]

Since I live about 40 minutes away from here, I’m glad you made a video on it, even if the last time I went to LI the roller coaster part wasn’t finished(the water park is awesome) so thanks

[@marknicberg5822]

Just visited for the first time last week. Definitely a cool experience to go to a pack so new. Also it’s really easy to combine with Adventureland since they are not too far apart.

[@modelrollercoasters]

I think this park is better in many aspects compared to Adventureland, but yes, we combined it with a visit since we had to go through Des Moines to get to Waterloo. Next time though, we'll probably skip Adventureland.

[@jacksonpriestap3685]

That Cartman bit at the end😂

[@askjeevescosby2928]

They need a big, new, themed rollercoaster. They also need to make dirt mounds so you can't see the entire park at once.

[@imaginationsquare]

Dude I'm completely getting the vibe you love about this place, I live in Europe and don't even have a chance of going here any time soon (😭) and gawd I wished I could! This place is so adorable (in an amazing way) and it feels like magic to see a new park being born for the first time in my rollercoaster fanatic life (litterally the past 2 years) It's especially fun since I only recently had a discussion with someone how, with all the big parks around who are all growing substansially, here we have Walibi Belgium, Bobbejaanland, Plopsaland and Bellewaerde as the big 4, how would new parks ever survive? And this park is just an amazing example! They might have placed an old Intamin and a *why why why* SLC but that is the way to go! Truly wished I could get here once, I absolutely love this place based of what you showed us here!

[@billchief397]

I love the europe themed parks. I wish I could see Walabi, alton or thorpe

[@JayFlowie]

Was $17 more for the waterpark for us when we went July 3rd this year. Park was almost completely dead when we went (90 degrees and very little shade to be found) and got rides on everything really quick. We raced to the waterpark and... It was already over capacity lol. The theming was really great, and elevated the experience for such a small park from ok to pretty darn good. Is it worth a special trip from over 4 hours away? Maybe not yet, but if you're passing within an hour or two of it it's definitely worth the stop. Completely agree on how nice and friendly all of the staff I met were, though ride ops were definitely lack luster still imo.

[@billchief397]

I loved this park, went last year and it was nice!!! Got to give it some more love soon.

[@xatlaslegox3680]

I have a season pass to lost island because I live in Waterloo Iowa

[@Watercoasting]

yes I live in Iowa I will go

[@2scared2ridehypers96]

Man I wish this was my home park instead of Worlds of Fun lol. I don't even hate the SLC. The staff are super friendly and the potential poor operations are at least more hidden by the low crowd levels

[@justinlininger8123]

i really am wishing this park well. it looks beautiful and i would very much like to get out there sometime soon, but being a minor makes that difficult 😅

[@jacksonseyl1063]

Did you hear there's a new theme park announced for Oklahoma? It's called American Heartland and I was wondering if you could do an analysis of the park just like you did with Lost Island?

[@supremefan]

I really enjoyed the park on Fathers Day. It was very slow day and we had no waits on anything except the flume, which definitely needs a better loading procedure. I feel like it's a "clean" fair with a couple larger rides to support it. Not sure if Iowa has enough visitors to support it however... I hate those water battle rides simple due to how hard it is to actual use as intended.

[@Mrs-spark2039]

People flow into the water park every single day during the summer and they are doing great. I'm not sure what's up with the theme park though. People don't like that it costs more? Don't like the $10 parking fee? Don't like that there isn't much shade yet? Don't like rides? I still haven't figured it out.

[@supremefan]

@@Mrs-spark2039 I went to Adventureland the day before for less money and got a free ticket to return a 2nd day anytime later in the season. I of course purchased my tickets during the opening special so I lucked out. I almost didn't go to Lost Island simply because they offered no deals that i could find other then the water park combo. Adventureland came with the waterpark for free. On paper it looks like a bad deal.

[@mitchellries256]

So more people are visiting the park this year. My guess is that they were waiting for the launch coaster and the water flume to open up before they decided to make the trek out here. I am hoping to get out there by next summer or 2025 for sure.

[@modelrollercoasters]

That's why we waited to go this year as we live 8 hours away. Once we knew they were both up and running this year, we made our plans.

[@Lucky_9705]

I am wowed by how affordable the food is at this park. Most theme park food is a ripoff.

[@ParkPros]

Food was 🔥🔥

[@kev492001]

Strange I never heard of this park until the last few days with the new park in Oklahoma announcing to open. Good luck to them.

[@ejectorairtime]

Would it be alright if I borrowed some of your footage of this park in my review of the park? I don't feel like I took enough footage myself on my recent visit. Will definitely be sure to give you full credit.

[@ParkPros]

Yes!

[@kazutoraswrench875]

I think it was 5 days ago when we started just loading 5-6 people in each boat cause we were popping the ENTIRE day

[@standupguyjoe]

Looks dope! Any way to get there without a car?

[@AnnEckhart]

You can fly into the Waterloo Airport through a connecting flight through Chicago! From there you can rent a car or call a ride share.

[@cocojambo3910]

Go to Germanys Europa Park and for example ride the silver star Mercedes coaster. It will blow your mind.

[@EastCoasters]

Not a sweets guys either but damn I those cupcakes. The food is as good as their rides 🥃

[@bryan.0416]

You should go to canada to go on the leviathan at wonderland!😊

[@masterwatermelonthemeparks]

Babe (that isn’t really cause I have no rizz) wake up, ParkPros uploaded

[@R_e_a_l-LB]

You watch ParksPros so u have infinite rizz

[@ManWithHeadphones]

@@R_e_a_l-LB true

[@Jerseydevilaaron]

2:20 not to be that guy but you are forgetting xcelerator at knotts

[@oblivieon1567]

It's not operating. He means the ones you can actually ride.

[@ParkPros]

Ride hasn’t operated in ages 💀

[@scubajoe3321]

This looks like a real life planet coaster park

[@Christian-nu9zl]

You should go back to adventure land and compare Adventureland and lost island

[@ParkPros]

Going in August

[@AnnEckhart]

Poor Adventureland is really having problems this year with rides constantly going down. It's sad for them, but is actually bringing more people to Lost Island.

[@carlschafianski4746]

I'm all the way in Indianapolis

[@willt6970]

"if you haven't checked out this park yet, what exactly are you waiting for?" I'm waiting for my girlfriend to have a weekend off so we can drive the two hours each way and visit on a populated day 😭

[@Thefury325]

Pretty sure the park was crowded only cause matugani/kanonen opened up

[@mkc_2024]

Most definitely

[@grouchyberry7279]

what is lost island theme park

[@R_e_a_l-LB]

Water park and theme park in Iowa

[@F7COASTERS]

They might get a raptor maybe a larger one

[@jonny-b4954]

2:24 Technically, they're not on the market today. Intamin would probably never sell one of those fuckers again hahah. LSM all the way. Park should install a chairlift. No one installs those new anymore.

[@Galarticuno]

They need to plant some more trees. I thought my home park was flat

[@AnnEckhart]

They've planted nearly 40,000 trees, shrubs, and flowers. In person, you can already see the growth over last year. It's just going to take time. Eventually people will complain that there are too many trees. They've added several shade structures, too, which helps. In the meantime, wear a hat and bring a misting fan!

[@rangeomappr]

Best park In Iowa

[@William_Does_Coasters2255]

I feel like I have a good excuse for not visiting - I live 6,592km away from this park.

[@Asshat237]

I really really hope they kill it, but I gotta say I questioned them after Park Pros' early videos before they opened. He said that they bought those two coasters without knowing ANYTHING about coasters. They had no idea that SLCs are considered bad and that they are so common as, in my opinion, to be totally pointless since EVERYONE has already ridden one of them. I also recall PP mentioning in that same video that they didn't know that Intamin hydraulics are incredibly unreliable. I have no idea how rich people pull this kind of shit, usually based off their narcissism I guess. This goes for ANY industry. If there is a (I'd call coasters a pretty huge and essential) part of your business you are unfamiliar with, you must find someone WHO IS to advise you. I believe the title is consultant. Any coaster enthusiast could have told them these are not these best coasters for a brand new park trying to make the right first impression. I am certain they got a great deal on them, but with coasters parks usually get what they pay for.

[@AnnEckhart]

I think those quotes were taken out of context. The family researched the theme park IDEA for 4 years before starting the project. I think what they meant to say was that they didn't know anything about coasters BEFORE they started but learned alone the way. Eric Bertch did an interview on the Coaster101 podcast and said they had originally wanted a wooden coaster as it's their dad's favorite but the cost was insane. He also said lumber now costs 50% more than when they first announced the project. They have plans for more coasters and dark rides but need more attendance first. I am local, and we definitely need more locals to get season passes. Fortunately, it is getting a lot more tourist and is having profitable days now, although currently the water park and KOA campground are supporting the theme park until it can make it on it's own. It really could grow to be at the level of a Silver Dollar City with the plans they have.

[@Mrs-spark2039]

@@AnnEckhart I think they researched some of the basics for sure but if they asked any coaster enthusiast they would have said to buy almost anything other than an SLC. I don't own a theme park but if I did I'm not sure I'd even take a free SLC for my make believe park. I completely understand good coasters are more expensive. Hopefully the flying coaster and spinning coaster(which are in future plans) are decent rides.

[@theaverageordinary2779]

The SLC was a miss but probably cheap so they took their chances. The pothole on the first rollover is the most painful element I have ever experienced on a coaster, so I don’t really even remember if the rest of the ride was that smooth or not. Regardless, it shakes throughout the duration making you wonder if there will be another jolt. Matugani is actually a great fit for the park and I have zero complaints. It’s nothing like anything else in iowa and the model is a rare find in the US regardless. Forceful and stayed open all day.

[@theaverageordinary2779]

I think a better investment would’ve been a new age vekoma STC and their next coaster investment should be an “intermediate” level thrill ride, something that’s between the wacky worm and an inversion machine to bridge the gap. After that they’d have to think bigger to attract more guests (Monster is RIGHT THERE at Adventureland)

[@AnnEckhart]

@@Mrs-spark2039 That's the thing: They weren't going for coaster enthusiasts but theme park enthusiasts. They want an immersive experience for the entire family that will keep them there all day and coming back, not an amusement park that people dart in and out of. However, I do now see that a large coaster that takes up a good bit of the landscape would be great in drawing people in. We need more locals to buy season passes; attendance has been increasing, so hopefully that will happen, if not this year than hopefully next.

[@HitstickCAM]

In 2025 are you going to make a video of you going to the new amusement park in Orlando called Epic universe if you are pls do it 😊

[@Shirtlessaudiophile]

Should contact Guinness lol

[@Gijsinator]

what am I waiting for. a plane ticket

[@carlschafianski4746]

WOW

[@R_e_a_l-LB]

Idk

[@fables4564]

It is way better than Adventure land

[@kentslocum]

Lost Island and Universal get better every year, while Disney gets worse every year. 😢

[@R_e_a_l-LB]

SOUTH PARK?!?!???!??!????!?!

[@edvaira6891]

Sorry, but this place just looks so …blah…and quite sad and unloved

[@Mrs-spark2039]

Why do you say that?

[@Bob-w2b8j]

Must be an adventureland season pass holder 😂

[@Mrs-spark2039]

@@Bob-w2b8j They apparently have no opinions since they couldn't reply to me so your reasoning is probably the truth. 😂

[@darealguy8841]

park looks like when you're playing RCT and you're struggling for cash and have to sell some of your themeing

[@InZayne]

This place gives me Avater the last airbender vibes