The Disneyland of Iowa | Adventureland Trip Report

[@ggeeoorrggiiaa]

Everyone in Iowa loves Adventureland, but no one calls it the "Disneyland of Iowa" I've been going here every summer since I was born.

[@ParkPros]

One of my college buddies from DSM called it that, so I took it and ran with it 😂

[@user.9189]

Me too but the stupid virus has us stuck home

[@TheShallWeTV]

Same here go every summer

[@AmyBarkerPhoto]

You were probably there a summer before you were born too LOL!

[@mrbautista773]

@parkpros what you use to record??? Go pro??

[@austynkersey1982]

I've never heard anyone call it the "Disneyland of Iowa", lol.

[@nadaesimposible4770]

I came to say this. Been in Des Moines all my 35 years.

[@nodlebossmobile5729]

True...I just call it the best thing science bread

[@samuelsneed7753]

Lmao.....I actually live here

[@paigebraden7652]

Same. I live in Iowa, and I go there a lot, but they just call it Adventureland

[@sircharlessir]

We don't call it the Disneyland of Iowa, it's just Adventureland. Should've kept the log ride. The only thing this has over the Cattle Congress is some coasters..........

[@Lov4music14]

I have never heard anybody call it ‘Disneyland of Iowa’. I have been here almost every summer since I was a young kid. I miss the old log ride though!

[@dominiccatalano649]

Kate Keseberg Neither have I, I also miss the log ride.

[@zomb_rand0m16]

@@dominiccatalano649 I miss the silly silo

[@weregoingtodancedance3976]

IKR I wish it was still there :(

[@lalipop868]

Same :( I didn’t get to enjoy it as much cause I rode it when I was a kid

[@waddlesboo9405]

Before moving to Europe, my parents surprised me and my brother with adventureland tickets, I begged my parents to go on the log ride... but they said no. Now i've moved back and just read this comment saying that the log ride is gone... Now I regret not trying to convince my mom to go on the log ride,,,

[@tabletkidofficial]

Outlaw is technically the first prototype for Great Coasters International. It was designed by Mike Boodley before he founded GCI.

[@ParkPros]

That’s a great tidbit! I can 100% see the resemblance between its layout and the modern GCI’s. Maybe that’s why I liked it so much.

[@MilesA8]

That's my home park right there! So many good memories...

[@idk23_yt]

Me too! I am 11 so i go there every year

[@aceL0vesBananaBall]

@@idk23_yt Same here turning 11 in October and my parents have going since before me or my bro were born and the outlaw was my 1st Real Roller Coaster unless u count the log ride lol.

[@idk23_yt]

@@aceL0vesBananaBall that's awesome!

[@R.a.y.d.y.n]

I go every year

[@bigga3095]

SAME HERE>> BEEN THERE THIS YEAR JULY 4TH 2021!!

[@AirtimeThrills]

Its definitely done enough to get itself on my radar this year. Hoping to be there in July

[@ParkPros]

Six credits is worth a few hours of a detour in my opinion. If you're planning on doing WoF/Valleyfair in the same trip, it makes it a no-brainer to hit Adventureland.

[@A.R.T.3]

Thanks for coming to my home park!

[@A.R.T.3]

also on Facebook adventureland teased a pic of a new logo for a new coaster coming out in 2021 AND they have started to tear down the dragon............ so who knows what there going to make

[@evelyndesantiago8739]

Corona has made everything bad :)

[@dylandog518]

Need help getting in, I work there

[@Waky_Macaroni]

I have never seen so many people from Iowa in the comments. Anyone who has been to Adventureland or Iowa knows how amazing Adventureland is and I have been going for as long as I can remember.

[@Crash50k]

We do not call it the Disneyland of Iowa. No one has ever said that, and I’ve worked there several years and live in the same town.

[@ParkPros]

One of my college buddies did so I rolled with it 😂

[@Crash50k]

Park Pros I gotcha 😂 I can see why, mainstreet at Adventureland has always felt like a knock off version of the Magic Kingdom’s. It makes sense haha.

[@spacemango3277]

I wish I could work there, but it is a 45 min drive from my house

[@nex2331]

I have been going to Adventureland for as long as I can remember It is truly amazing But I have never heard anyone call it “the Disney land of Iowa The Phoenix was amazing I highly recommend this theme park!

[@jefferyjones8399]

Adventureland was a summer tradition for my family when I was growing up However, there was a ten year gap between my last two visits. I rode Monster for the first time last year and had to marathon it. I was so impressed. Tornado may not seem like much but it's a classic and I adore it. I've also marathoned it in years past. Outlaw might have been my first coaster but my memory is hazy. Dragon used to be a lot smoother back in the day and just doesn't really do much for me the last time I rode it. It was still an important ride for me since I was scared of it as a child and when I got old enough, my mom talked me into trying it. I had never been on a coaster with inversions prior to it. RIP Dragon

[@ParkPros]

Thanks for sharing. The future looks bright!

[@tgmav5]

You should see the park lit up at night. My parents took us to Adventureland when it first opened and I've enjoyed it many times over the years. I believe I still have pictures of the park from the early days.

[@yup13131]

I live in Waterloo and have always called Adventureland home, going every summer. Let's see what Lost Island brings in 2022!

[@ParkPros]

Exciting times for you!

[@katiecraven3346]

A lot of people forget that Adventureland is a two in one. There is a pretty high quality water park that's included in the price of admission. That makes a day at this park a great value. The whole park is also remarkably clean, on par with Disney for cleanliness.

[@mitch.pleasee]

When I lived in Omaha, this & World’s of Fun were a must every summer! I’m glad they finally got some new coasters, it was about dang time!

[@FakeEmotion]

I live in Omaha, Nebraska and when I was younger we would go every few years, this was the first theme park I ever went to and have gone around 10+ times. Since then I've been to Funplex in Omaha which is now mostly a waterpark as they removed the rollercoaster and some other rides, Disneyland in 2005, Worlds of Fun around 4 times, and last year I did Magic Kingdom, Animal, Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Universal Orlando and Universal Islands of Adventure. I would say for cost and travel I prefer Adventureland, when it comes to theme Disney and Universal are best, I also enjoy Disney's rides the best as I avoid coasters. The worst park I've been to is definitely Funplex as it's barely a theme park.

[@ParkPros]

Omaha is a little bit of a coaster desert. Surprised there haven't been any attempts at building a smaller park there, but I guess the proximity to DSM and KC is probably why.

[@Wicked_Trojan]

Adventureland was just sold to Palace Entertainment. No longer family owned, but they’ve already announced they’re going to dump a lot of cash into the park and will be adding 10 new attractions this year. I’ve always thought Adventureland had a strong foundation for a bigger company to really develop and expand the park, now we’ll get to see how they realize its potential.

[@coasterdaddy7123]

I've wanted to go here for quite some time. Looks like an amazing family park, which I love. And I do feel Phoenix is a perfect fit for Adventureland! I've been on an exact clone Steel Dragon at Waldameer and it is such an awesome ride for these small parks!

[@ParkPros]

It's a nice little park! I need to get out to Waldameer, hopefully I'll have the chance this summer.

[@mitchellries256]

I went to this park for the first time in 2021. I didn't have the best experience there thanks to not getting enough sleep the night before and too much Pizza Ranch for dinner, but it was still a pleasant experience being there with friends and getting to enjoy everything I could experience while there. I can't wait to return someday and show this place to my family for the first time.

[@aliceincraftland3388]

A bit of an observation and anecdotall account about Adventureland and Disneyland this is long. First, I was born down the street from Disneyland off of Ball Road and lived less than 20 mins from the park. I loved, loved being fortunate to live so close to Disneyland. I now live down the street (it takes 10 mins to get to Adventureland from my house) and I truly love this little park. I love walking into Adventureland's Main Street and getting nostalgic for Disneyland. I do remember remember reading somewhere about family that owns Adventureland talked to someone at Disney to have a Main Street of their own. Secondly, as everyone has said that lives in Iowa, I never heard anyone call Adventureland "Iowa's Disneyland." I really loved your review and just wanted to share my thoughts since I lived near Disneyland and now live near Adventureland.

[@kpbarbee]

I visited Adventureland in 1999. Loved it back that. Looks like it still has its charm!

[@Captain_Kalari]

I've been an Iowan native for all my life, been to Adventureland at least seven or eight times, but I'll be honest when I say I have never been into the waterpark section. I was really hoping you might take a look in there during this video and save me an eventual trip back. Think I might need to schedule that this year so I can finally see what they've got back there. Void knows I love a good waterpark, moreso than I do theme parks.~

[@aaronberns8485]

I went to Adventureland from Michigan and to be honest, its more thematic than I thought. It does look like a small Disneyland. It's not Six Flags, or Cedar Fair. It's the power of a family owned park. I'm glad that Adventureland is starting to reach its golden age and is drawing people like me in. Iowa makes me think of home in Michigan and I someday want to live there.

[@erpfanatic6586]

Adventureland is a right of passage for every kid in Iowa. Many I grew up with now have kids of their own, and we take full advantage to use their kid's excitement as an excuse to join in on the nostalgic fun!!! My, how the park has grown. I have so many great memories from this place! That being said, I was heartbroken for the child who lost his life on "raging river" this past summer. Adventureland has said they aren't removing the ride, even after another death on the same ride 5 years earlier. I advise adventureland to reconsider. That had been their only guest fatality in the park's history. It's tough to swallow that as a season pass purchaser. I hope they've learned well from the incredibly unfortunate circumstances.

[@shawnws1641]

I rode the Tornado in 1983!!! Can't believe it's still there!!! Too bad Worlds of Fun couldn't keep the Orient Express! My all time favorite Rollercoaster

[@justinw.2376]

I live in Iowa and have been to Adventureland several times. When you gave your reasoning behind why they have all the beer stands, all I can say is...yup.

[@randomuserig6419]

I’m going there tomorrow!I remember the last time I went,I didn’t go on the saw mill either.me and my cousin went solo on the outlaw 5 times because there was no existent line!im excited to go back!!

[@swapsplat]

I haven't been to AdventureLand in almost 2 decades... I should get some friends together and take a trip down there!! Looks like it's MUCH improved! Now if only Valley Fair would get some new stuff.

[@CrazGaming564]

This park looks pretty cool and your videos are very entertaining. I really think that you deserve more than your current 398 subscribers, so I became one. Keep making good videos!

[@ParkPros]

Thank you, really appreciate it!

[@thrillrides.2572]

Keep it bro.

[@evanjones8142]

I LOVED going there in 8th grade for end of year trip. Rode Outlaw for like 5 straight times... and I thought they got rid of dragon to make for the newest coaster??

[@eliseburnett1921]

The Phoenix is really fun! Also I wish you would’ve tried some of the flat rides I love the shooting star a lot of the other ones

[@ghostedoh4940]

Agreed! He should have tried Der Flinger, or parachutes as well!

[@kajmarcussen1]

Definitely the park EVERY kid in Iowa dreamt of visiting every summer! I live in Arizona now, but going to be in Iowa in a few weeks and we are going to spend a few hours at Adventureland! I've also never heard it called the "Disneyland of Iowa" but I've always thought it has striking similarities like the train station and the way you enter the park under the tracks of the station :) Thanks for the video!

[@juliusgibson928]

Have not been there, but this video has convinced me to go. I love small family owned parks.

[@thrillrides.2572]

All the best.

[@HumanStateOfEmergency]

Wow @ the chairlift going through the rollercoaster

[@shanedemont9980]

dragon slayer got put in this year, its getting alot of love to catch up to worlds of fun

[@the_synack]

Can confirm, worked at that park for 8 years and I never heard it once called "The Disneyland of Iowa". That being said, the early development of Adventureland was highly inspired by Disneyland.

[@lovethatdarkness]

I haven't been there in years, I want to say at least 10. I haven't heard of Monster, but The Dragon and Tornado were always my favorites. Though I still remember the rough jerkiness of some parts of The Dragon, and having to be careful lest I hit my head against the hard shoulder braces. The Underground always scared me. I fondly remember the Outlaw Gulch section, mostly the shooting galleries and other park games they have set up. I was saddened to hear the removal of other attractions, like the Log Ride or SillySilo. Those were childhood staples.

[@howenator]

I'm hitting this park on the way back from my trip to Worlds of Fun. It is like 15 min out of the way for that route and with my preferences, I could stop there for a full day or just half a day and leave at closing, because I really want to see monster's light package

[@MaxThrills]

I literally had no idea about this park! Also how can a park have 💯 RIDES!! Awesome review! I SUBSCRIBED:)

[@ParkPros]

Thank you! I think the 100 rides they advertise is for their entire resort, which includes their water park. Appreciate the sub.

[@MaxThrills]

No prob! Thanks for subbing back too:D

[@austynkersey1982]

Their slogan is, “over 100 rides, shows, and attractions”. Essentially they are counting the live entertainment such as the magic show and the circus (yes there’s a circus) in that number. They have been using that slogan since before they added on the water park and hotel.

[@AmyBarkerPhoto]

For us locals, the Tornado is the highlight of the park. I'm 46 and have been going on it ever since I can remember! When I was a kid, it didn't have seat belts-we were tough then! My kids are actually there now. I haven't been there for a while. Thankfully they tore out the Dragon. It was awful. I hated it. I have also never heard anyone call it the "Disneyland of Iowa".

[@TheChefBoiardee]

Tornado is a William Cobb Designed Woodie built by Frontier Construction Company, this is my HomePark so I know a lot about it

[@ParkPros]

Dang it's truly a classic then. Hope they keep it around for a long while!

[@sonimatic]

You say that one coaster isn't enough to draw me, but I did hear you say $30 admission. Plus I love family owned parks. Holiday World, Knoebels, Waldameer, and the like.

[@ParkPros]

Yeah! Super cheap.

[@madisonlaughlin7915]

so I just went here yesterday and went on the monster and other rides and I had so much fun!

[@SgtJoeSmith]

i grew up in iowa. went to adventureland every year as kid till 93 or 94 just after outlaw opened and before starting college in 95. also went to silver dollar city as a little kid once visiting relatives near there and now live near there since 98. was last at SDC in 2018 just after time machine coaster opened. 1st time there in several years. fire in the hole was nothing like it used to be in 80s then. 1 the other old indoor coaster rides too. half the features werent there no more. ok SVC has few new coasters but adventureland has more rides overall and later close time. SDC closed at 7pm 1st of july! adventureland used to be 10pm i thought. i think we only road 9 rides at SDC cause i was 2 tall for newer wooden coaster and coaster that replaced buzzsaw falls. Though we road the 2 older coasters several times each. rest the rides were for little kids. SDC only has about 20 rides total i think. maybe 2 dozen at most. at adventureland we had time to ride twice as many rides plus see 3 shows and play games or bingo. we used to watch asian stunt circus performers in grand palace, dolphins or high dive or game show where underground is now, ben ulin magig at the saloon and soda and sounds while having supper. SDC is cool at Xmas and lots of cool shops and cool cave and better coasters but adventureland has more rides, longer hours, more stuff to do, beer, games, and better value and experience.

[@506363]

I live less than 3 miles from this place and I have never once heard it compared to Disneyland. I ironically have been to Disney World more than this park.

[@ParkPros]

The only real comparison is that they used Disney as an inspiration when designing the park.

[@fletchlivesdaily348]

Hammered and roller coasters...I love it!!!

[@jonathanzobel1662]

Sorry to say that the Dragon coaster has been torn down. Either for major overhaul or replacement

[@dziugy7044]

And now theres about to be the busch gardens of iowa with Lost Island!

[@ParkPros]

I like the Busch Gardens comparison for Lost Island!

[@BackSeatJunkie]

Disneyland of Iowa ? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA uuhhmmmmm HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@skie_e]

omg adventureland is SUUPER underrated!! I went there last summer and it was amazing! 10/10 would recommend

[@WatchMeBeTay]

I live about a 7-10 minute drive away from Adventureland and get season pass every year

[@ParkPros]

It's a great little park!

[@thrillrides.2572]

Nice place to be.

[@kendiikendra1531]

I grew up going there I’m from Eastern Iowa ❤️

[@user.9189]

I love Adventureland it’s my favorite!!!

[@NickMagoteaux]

Great video!

[@johnfoltz8183]

Mom. Can we go to Disney Land. Mom:. We already have a theme park in Iowa Theme park in Iowa:

[@melaniebeath4236]

Thank you I live in Iowa and been to it and had a lot of fun

[@ryanbowers1519]

Outlaw is awesome. And Adventureland is amazing family park.

[@Finallybianca]

From Carter Lake Iowa never heard it called Disneyland of Iowa. Don’t get me wrong was totally my home park growing up and love it and happy they are cleaning up the park and investing money, and adding Dragon Slayer in 2021. And hopefully adding another premier coaster after that. Now we need to get a roller coaster in Nebraska as sadly we have none

[@nolanrains2738]

You should definitely try out the pheonix super fun i couldnt get enough

[@tyler1783]

$30 admission last year? now its $50 lmao

[@lisafelton8449]

I’m from iowa.and I’ve been to andventureland.AND IT IS AMAZING

[@danelletruitt]

I can't wait for the dragon slayer

[@DESTRUCT0NAT0R]

Outlaw is great from the front car but rattles the hell out of you from the middle or back carts.

[@ParkPros]

I agree, it isn't the smoothest ride out there, but I don't mind that.

[@IvanGarcia-ko6cy]

the dragon was taken down this year and will be replace with “the dragon slayer” you can see the construction when your on the tornado

[@hallesdreamland3398]

You should come back in June 2021 to ride dragon slayer and all the new thangs they had added since you were there

[@bcgamers6824]

I love Adventureland

[@bigga3095]

THE PHOENX>>THAT'S A FUN RIDE also THE DRAGON SLAYER ALSO FUN RIDE!!!

[@thenobleone-3384]

Waterparks are my favorite attraction other than nature parks and museums. I left roller coasters alone cause of accidents in the past

[@GetmeouttahereErik]

In Iowa we have a saying: "In Heaven there is no beer, that's why we drink it here."

[@openroadtravels181]

What coaster is at 0:05?

[@ParkPros]

Maxx Force or Cu Chulainn

[@orlandowells5400]

I was born in Des Moines Iowa l live in California now my family is from Des Moines Iowa I remember Adventureland theme park a long time ago when I was a kid out there in Iowa in the late 1970'S I bet it has changed alot since I been gone...

[@tylerackerman1299]

grew up in north east iowa going every year as a family reunion trip with cousins and have lived in the des moines metro now for 10 years and have never heard it called disney world of iowa lol

[@zomb_rand0m16]

I know you might have gone on the ride but didnt talk about it and if your not a local it's easy to miss it because there is 1 entrance and it's a weird bridge but you didnt even mention the raging river

[@itsiizolex7689]

only the real ones remember the log ride 😌😌

[@thrillrides.2572]

Good job dude.

[@ParkPros]

Thank you :)

[@bigga3095]

THE UNGROUND3ER>>that's a OLD RIDE!!

[@alejandroguzman5349]

I went on the Phoenix last week and if I have to recomend a ride for people first riding rollercoasters and you're in iowa go ride the Phoenix.

[@demikus]

6:18 we here at Iowa do love our beer.

[@fredbowers4256]

Come back in 2021. The Dragon is gone and their is going to be a great coaster called Dragonslayer.

[@adorable_anarchy2]

Thanks!

[@ParkPros]

No problem!

[@northwestthrills3453]

reminds me of silverwood.

[@ParkPros]

Need to get to Silverwood soon!

[@trevman8383]

Dragon slayer coming soon!

[@R.a.y.d.y.n]

I’m going there tmrrrr🥴🥴

[@Ast3ll3.tayl0r13]

I know this is late but I live in iowa near adventure land so I go there almost every year but the dragon was taken down and now there is the dragon slayer so that it all goes together

[@bigga3095]

U NEED TO COME BACK BRO>>IT'S BIGGER NOW THEN BEFIORE>>>THEY HAVE ALOT MORE TO OFFER ...NOW THEN 2020!!!

[@danielwieland9023]

Adventureland is in Altoona not Des Moines, because I've dove past Altoona so many times when traveling

[@earlyexit38]

goddamn this place is sick.

[@idk23_yt]

The Dragon is being destructed today and they gave out a teaser on facebook

[@Jiceosq]

It actually Altoona IA not Des Moines

[@ParkPros]

Right, but I'll get more clicks if I say DSM 😂

[@coherentpanda7115]

They advertise it as Des Moines, so it makes sense to use that name. Same with Six Flags Great America, it's in Gurnee, but everyone knows it is the Chicago park.

[@MaelynnThielking]

I live in Iowa and I go a lot to the Adventureland

[@mss7570]

"It really makes you appreciate these family-owned parks and the work they put into positive guest experiences" - well that didn't age well, given that in 2021 a kid died on a ride and the safety inspection that followed found many violations. Hopefully, the new ownership has better safety procedures

[@Builderofthebricks1]

When I went there i had so much time I rode outlaw 27 times

[@avawallerich8204]

The monster is my fav ride at adventure land :)

[@jacklinemanyout8116]

Ppl be saying”I never heard anyone call it Disney land of Iowa”it’s just a saying and they put the real name next to it

[@spongebobpatrick1661]

i literally could of gone but my mom decided it would tire my legs out before comp so instead she decided to take me PADDLE BOATING and i couldn’t walk

[@bubbasan]

The Dragon is gone and has been replaced by the Dragon Slayer, an S&S Sansei 4D Freespin coaster. Not necessarily worth the visit alone, but way better than the Dragon.

[@evelyngoesyippie]

I lived in Iowa my whole life never have been to Adventureland yet LIKE BRO HOW LMAO😂😂

[@theoriginalamberrose5855]

And you didn’t do a train ride before you left?? It’s tradition!!

[@jessicasmith2794]

It is now 2022 and the phoenix is super fun

[@AdrianaHoffmanisthebest]

Go to adventure during the iowa state fair it’s empty

[@chicagonorthwesternrailfan5043]

The monster replaced the old log ride