Jay StahlDes Moines Register
Adventureland Park is back this Saturday.
The Altoona-based amusem*nt park returns for its 2023 season with an updated safety policy, paint jobs, a renovated look along its Main Street and new rides that won't be ready in time for opening day.
The theme park has been on a roller coaster ride of its own in recent years. Last year, the amusem*nt parkopened nine new rides after Pittsburgh-based Palace Entertainment bought Adventureland from the Krantz family in Des Moines in 2021 for at least$24.5 million.
Here is your guide of what to know and where to go when Adventureland opens for its new season.
When does Adventureland open?
Adventureland Park opens on May 6 at 10 a.m.
Where is Adventureland?
Adventureland islocated at3200 Adventureland Drivein Altoona, about 10 miles northeast of Des Moines.
How much are tickets to Adventureland Park?
Tickets start at $69.99 for one day at the park at adventurelandresort.com, although there is a $30 off offer that lasts through June 30 if purchased online. Season passes go for $99.99.
What hours is Adventureland Park open?
- For the first three Saturdays in May, the park is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- On May 21-22, the park is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- On May 27-28, the park is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and then 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 29.
- Starting June 1, the park opens daily. It's open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 1, and then 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday until Aug. 20.
Some holidays have different hours. Fans should checkAdventureland's websiteto confirm hours and to look for special hours of operation.
When does Adventure Bay open?
Adventure Bay is the water park located within the grounds of Adventureland Resort. The water park opens May 27 at 11 a.m.
Admission to Adventure Bay is included with Adventureland Park tickets.
The water park includes slides, water jets, a lazy river, a wave pool, pool with a swim-up bar, and typhoon water ride.
Adventure Bay is open May 27-29 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Then June 1-2 and June 5-9 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- June 3-4, June 10-16 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., then every Sunday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- June 17 on, every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Fans should checkAdventureland's websiteto confirm hours and to look for special hours of operation.
Adventureland has implemented new safety policies
Digital weapons detection, new chaperone policies and an updated bag procedure will launch on the park's opening day.
Visitors will now pass through a weapons detection system, which uses advanced digital sensors, at the park's front gate. Park signage has been placed to notify incoming visitors that they are entering a security screening area.
During its upcoming 2023 season, visitors who are age 17 and younger have to be accompanied by an adult who is at least 21 years of age to enter the park after 4 p.m. IDs will be verified by park officials.
Each visitor is now be permitted to carry one bag only into the facility with a maximum size of 15 inches by 15 inches by 15 inches.
The safety measures first began during last fall's Phantom Fall Fest and were implemented as a regular change for the upcoming season, according to park PR representative Alex Payne.
More: Get to know six roller coaster rides at Adventureland, from the Tornado to the Outlaw
What new rides open in 2023?
The much-anticipated rides will not be open on Adventureland's opening day, according to comments made last month by Payne. At the time, he said the park hoped to have the rides open by the end of May.
This year marks the much-anticipated return of the log ride, calledDraken Falls, which will end with a 40-foot drop, like the old log ride, but will also include an aerial panoramic turnaround and an airtime hill, a park official said. The park'soriginal log ride closed after the 2015 season.
Draken Falls, the second super flume ride to open in the country, is the first to open in the Midwest. Passengers in six-person boats go up 40 feet in the air during the six-minute ride that follows a 1,214-foot-long track and reaches a speed of roughly 33 mph. There's a 42-inch height requirement for accompanied minors and a 48-inch requirement for unaccompanied minors.
Adventureland's seventh roller coaster,The Flying Viking, will rise to 50 feet in the air.
More: A new log ride, roller coaster anticipated for the opening of Adventureland Park in early May
New façade improvements
Visitors can expect to see touch ups to the park, mainly on Main Street. With repairs and revamps, the park's first stop for shops and sweets will invite visitors and provide nostalgia for lifelong park lovers.
Numerous façade improvements were completed including new paint on its bumper car building Frantic Freeway. The park chose to honor America's legacy in space by painting its high-flying Space Shot ride with patriotic red, white, and blue colors and new sign featuring the park's famous "A" now sits atop.
More: Adventureland will remove 3 rides, but will replace it with 9 new ones and 1 'faire'
New french fry food stand will join the park
Parent company Palace Entertainment will bring the salty snack stop Potato Patch,a french fry standat Adventureland's sister park,Kennywood, in Pittsburgh, to the park.
"It's probably one of the most requested food stands since we took over ownership of the park," Payne said.
Potato Patch serves french fries with a large number of toppings, such as cheese sauce and bacon bits, to bring power to the savory snack.
Fun candy shop added to park's grounds
This year, visitors will notice the park's Main Street area is more colorful than in the past. The park’s new candy shop, The Sweet Boutique, will include a wide selection of candies, confections, and sweet treats. A garage door on the building will create a welcoming, open environment for guests, park officials said.
“We’ll have all your favorite different candies — M&Ms, sweet confections,” Payne said.
Tables and chairs will also be added to the park's iconic street for sitting and sipping. Interior walls have been opened up so customers can graze through the shops without walking in the warm May heat.
What bands are playing at Adventureland Park?
Adventureland’s new Summer Concert Series will debut June 2 with a full lineup of concerts every Friday and Saturday through June. The series includes acts such as country music singer and songwriter Jerrod Niemann and Broadway’s Rock of Ages Band.
The new summer concert series leads up to the park’s Celebrate America event, July 1-4, ending with fireworks on July 4.
- June 2: Outlaws
- June 3: Who's Bad — A Michael Jackson Tribute
- June 9: Elton and Billy Tribute
- June 10: “Yesterday — The Las Vegas Beatles Show!” (Endorsed by Sir Paul McCartney)
- June 16: BS & The Liars
- June 17: Not Quite Brothers
- June 23: Good to be King — A Tom Petty Tribute
- June 24: Broadway’s Rock of Ages Band
- June 30: High Bank Boys
- July 1: Jerrod Niemann
Jay Stahl is an entertainment reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow him onInstagramor reach out atjstahl@gannett.com.
