Adventureland-New Attractions

[Ingersoll1978]

Well...we now know what the latest addition to Adventureland will be in 2008.

From [url=http://www.adventureland-usa.com]adventureland-usa.com[\url]...

Adventureland - Kokomo Kove - Fun Facts Sheet
An All New Water Play Structure for 2008!!
Opening in June 2008!
Approximately 65 feet tall at its highest point
The “Kokomo Kove” area will be approximately
30,000 square feet
Over 200 lounge chairs for sunning and relaxing
7 waterslides of varying lengths and heights
123 different water jet features including water guns, tipping cones, hose jets, and umbrella jets
91 different play features, including net bridges and climbs, crawl tunnels and pull ropes
Hours of fun for kids of all ages!!
ALL INCLUDED IN YOUR 2008 ADMISSION PRICE!!

You can see progress pictures of the ride assembly here:
http://www.midwestinfoguide.com/adventureland/110507/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[DMRyan]

Looks like Adventureland is rightfully stepping up to offer DSM more of a waterpark now that White Water University is closed down.

I wonder if Adventureland will build a new coaster in the next 5 or so years. They seem to be about due for another expansion.

[SpinningBird]

If you live anywhere near Adventureland, their season pass which includes unlimited admissions and parking for $75 is an outstanding deal.

Having this new water park makes it that much better. No need to purchase a separate season pass for the aquatic center now.

[Bike Iowa]

But does it compare to this?



With all the snow we have been having... that looks really nice about right now.

Check out Lost Island's newest attraction for 2008, here - http://www.thelostisland.com/general_pa ... knews.html

[SharpHawkeye]

Oh man that does look inviting!

How is Adventureland doing on land? Is there still room around them for expansion in the next 5-10 years, or are they getting hemmed in yet?

[Trypticon]

Oh man that does look inviting!

How is Adventureland doing on land? Is there still room around them for expansion in the next 5-10 years, or are they getting hemmed in yet?

Adventureland doesn't need to worry about land, they could knock out half the stuff they have now and rebuild right on top of it.

[MusicMan]

When did Whitewater University close? Doesn't really surprise me, they never invested anything back in the place it seemed. Any idea what will come of it?

[Nickel76]

This isn't a video of the actual one, but a similar one apparently.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2714402231612884842

Looks like fun.

[DMRyan]

Big news at Adventureland, they plan to construct a fairly sizeable water park on the south side of the grounds to compensate for the void the metro currently has with White Water University closing. This sounds like it'll be pretty nice.

Here's a brief write-up from the DSM Business Record, I'm sure there will be more to follow soon.

Adventureland Park will begin grading the site of its newest attraction this week, a $5 million water park expected to open next spring. Park spokeswoman Molly Vincent said Adventure Island, which will include a swimming pool with a swim-up snack bar, 13 new water slides and "the longest lazy river in Iowa," will increase the size of Adventureland's water amusement area to about 5 acres from 1.5 acres. Ontario-based Proslide Technology Inc. will handle the design, engineering and manufacturing of the park's new fiberglass water rides, including two speed slides 65 feet tall. "We are hoping for a hot summer," Vincent said. On Oct. 5, the Altoona City Council approved a site plan for the improvements on the park's south side.

[Des Moineser]

I'd like to see them fix up some of their current rollercoasters and maybe add a new one. Ended up there over the summer, there's a nasty kink in the Dragon track right before the lift hill, pretty much got a concussion before the ride even started. Tornado's quite a bit more rickety nowadays as well.

[lunksmoo]

If Waterloo can have Lost Island, which is unbelievable for a metro the size of W/CF to have that quality of a water park, surely Metro Des Moines could handle one with a large amusement park along side like Adventureland. I think there is definately room for 2 big water parks in Iowa. More than that may not be able to compete, however.

[Ingersoll1978]

I'm excited to see the lazy river! I LOVE A GREAT LAZY RIVER!

[JMsioux]

I'm excited to see the lazy river! I LOVE A GREAT LAZY RIVER!

No doubt. I remember going to Oceans of Fun with a friend and his family when we were 15. Of course, we sought out the best looking girls in the skimpiest of suits to ride around with in the Lazy River. I'm now more apt to hitch up a tube with a cooler of adult beverages and a bunch of other people and float a river but it's all good.

[DMRyan]

I'm really getting curious to see what all Adventureland has in store with this new water park. In looking at any aerial of the site, after this waterpark, Adventureland's only path of expansion is to the SE, near the Outlaw roller coaster. I suppose they could reconfigure their massive campground to give more room, but it may be too much of a cash cow for them. Looking at this aerial, the park is really close knit and consolidated. It would take two lifetimes of yearly growth to build out their entire area of land, if the campground were ever needed for amusement park space.

[SpinningBird]

I'm really getting curious to see what all Adventureland has in store with this new water park. In looking at any aerial of the site, after this waterpark, Adventureland's only path of expansion is to the SE, near the Outlaw roller coaster. I suppose they could reconfigure their massive campground to give more room, but it may be too much of a cash cow for them. Looking at this aerial, the park is really close knit and consolidated. It would take two lifetimes of yearly growth to build out their entire area of land, if the campground were ever needed for amusement park space.

The "new" water park area is right along NE 56th St, in-and-around the existing water area (Kokomo Cove) at the SW edge of their property. I would term it more of an expansion of Kokomo Cove (albeit a large one), rather than a new attraction.

There is already grading and sewer pipe going in at the site.

[MrMafia]

http://www.midwestinfoguide.com/adventu ... 009/nov15/

I found pictures!!

[DMRyan]

Well, one new attraction they will have to be to replace the square block of old-timey themed buildings that burned to the ground earlier this week. Maybe the park will actually have to install fire protection systems and sprinklers in the buildings if they reconstruct them so they're not fire traps waiting to ignite when the roof collapses from the weight of snow and ice.

Images from KCCI.com

[DMRyan]

Adventureland's new attraction this year is another expansion of the new water park, this time a large wave pool. Great to finally have a legitimate water park again, but perhaps they'll return to a new ride at the remainder of the park next year.

Along with Des Moineser, I wonder how many more years before a new roller coaster is built, or the Tornado has to be rebuilt.

[JMsioux]

There certainly needs to be another coaster built and it needs to be something special. The Dragon just doesn't cut it.

[jhuston]

Are there any discount tickets available online/around town?

Going to be coming over there next weekend... oh, and doing a Des Moines SCCA autocross event on Sunday. Can't wait!

[DMRyan]

Most local Hy-Vee stores carry coupons for a small price off of admission to Adventureland. Won't be much of a discount on the $30+ normal hit for tickets, but every bit helps. Next weekend is also the Des Moines Arts' Festival located in the Western Gateway Park. Worth a stroll if you get the time.

Let us know if you need any other recommendations on restaurants, etc. Jeff!

[jhuston]

Yeah, that's all I'm looking for Ryan... and thanks, we'll definitely spend some time at the art festival.

-Jeff

[DMRyan]

I hadn't been to Adventureland in many years now, but this video shows a lot of the new water park attractions. Eat your heart out Topeka.

[casbern]

I hadn't been to Adventureland in many years now, but this video shows a lot of the new water park attractions. Eat your heart out Topeka.

I guess my contention with Adventureland is that they continue to be mediocre with everything they do. If they would have taken all the money they've spent on Kokomo Cove, or whatever it's called, and actually built another feature to their existing park that was more of an attraction that could be used for more months out of the year they could have generated more publicity and more ticket sales. Just my opinion, but maybe they are gearing up for the future with this expansion to generate more money for years to come... we'll see.

[Mastermind]

I hadn't been to Adventureland in many years now, but this video shows a lot of the new water park attractions. Eat your heart out Topeka.

I guess my contention with Adventureland is that they continue to be mediocre with everything they do. If they would have taken all the money they've spent on Kokomo Cove, or whatever it's called, and actually built another feature to their existing park that was more of an attraction that could be used for more months out of the year they could have generated more publicity and more ticket sales. Just my opinion, but maybe they are gearing up for the future with this expansion to generate more money for years to come... we'll see.

Ive been to the water park once on a week day and it was packed! Way to many people for my liking. I agree with creating a worthwhile amusement park ride, but that chould mean you ignore the water park.

[wildbill]

I hadn't been to Adventureland in many years now, but this video shows a lot of the new water park attractions. Eat your heart out Topeka.

A four-minute video for 40 seconds about two new rides? That's some fine editing!

[Ingersoll1978]

Ha ha...and I watched the whole thing!

[DMRyan]

Adventureland has just purchased another 10 acres of land to the west of the existing park, on the west side of 34th Avenue SW (the street that runs right along the new water park and Tornado roller coaster).

Wonder what the intend to do with the land? Future expansion plans? Freeing up land on their existing site for back of house operations? New hotel? Holding onto the land to sell or develop when the right project comes along?

[Mastermind]

Adventureland has just purchased another 10 acres of land to the west of the existing park, on the west side of 34th Avenue SW (the street that runs right along the new water park and Tornado roller coaster).

Wonder what the intend to do with the land? Future expansion plans? Freeing up land on their existing site for back of house operations? New hotel? Holding onto the land to sell or develop when the right project comes along?

They need a new roller coaster.

[JMsioux]

Adventureland has just purchased another 10 acres of land to the west of the existing park, on the west side of 34th Avenue SW (the street that runs right along the new water park and Tornado roller coaster).

Wonder what the intend to do with the land? Future expansion plans? Freeing up land on their existing site for back of house operations? New hotel? Holding onto the land to sell or develop when the right project comes along?

Build a big a*s roller coaster! Every time I see that Adventureland is adding a new attraction and it isnt a roller coaster, I'm sorely disappointed.