JT325

Thanks guys! Don't let my words color your experience. My friend from Toronto had no problem with Dragon. But then again he's a fan of Canada's Wonderland SLC and there is no way I'd get on that again. Different opinions are a good thing. The design itself is ok - it's mainly loop to loop to loop... but still fun. The flat loop is a hoot and fun to watch. The drop is great too! Being at such a nice, clean and well-run park with great ride operations makes it even more fun. Oh yeah - the presentation of the ride is top-notch; the sky ride through the middle really knocks it out of the park.

Adventureland, Des Moines, Iowa, June 24th, 2019. My first time at the park since 1990! How exciting. Back then, I was a young teenage coaster geek in a car with another teenage coaster geek and an adult of driving age. We were so excited to trek all the way to Texas and back, riding coasters all along the way. Many of the rides we rode are now gone (Astroworld, Bell's, Libertyland) or altered to the hilt (hi Timberwolf. You were once my #1!) Adventureland proved to still be a great park that is taking good care of everything, including it's classic wood coaster Tornado. After cancelling a trip to the park last summer, I was happy to drive the 5.5 hours from Chicago to meet another park/coaster friend who was on a more extensive park trip from Toronto. Walking into the park, everything pretty much seemed the same. A lower-key park, no blaring POP music or attempts to sell you anything. No advertisements at the urinals. Being a full (or partially, at least) adult now, I view things slightly differently than I did when I was a kid. Coasters are still very important, but the whole park experience is paramount (no pun) to me. Adventureland is a beautiful park, I wish I'd gotten some pictures of the various flower beds. And the carefree baby bunny jumping across the path as we walked down one of the curving walkways. Everything looks great; the rides are clean and taken care. The BIG surprise was the employees. Like some of the best run parks, there are many senior adults working in the park. They seem happy, practical, patient... and most of all, know what they are doing. There is a connection there; something that really doesn't happen much at some big parks (well... mostly the one chain, you know). How these senior-aged folks manage to give such great AND lightning fast service is beyond me. Ok, it's not beyond me. Having worked at parks during college, I know it comes from good training. They are given a good example of what to do and are treated with respect. The non-senior employees were dynamite as well! The new spinning coaster Phoenix was testing while we were there. These are great designs and they'll eat it up at Adventureland. There used to be a Galaxy/Zyklon coaster called Super Screamer on that side of the park. We rode the ferris wheel, and I was commenting to a senior ride op that I remember the Flitzer coaster being right around there. Turns out it was on that very spot! The 1978 Bill Cobb designed Tornado. Classic, simple and family-friendly. Love this view through the farmy-green. This sign might look simple and dated, but being that and meticulously maintained, it really works. Even charming. Disneyland-like entrance. I read somewhere they wanted a "midwest Disneyland" when building the park. The skyride is something I couldn't be bothered with as a teenager. Well... except for a single trip to take pictures of the coasters. These days I consider myself a big skyride fan and take extra time to enjoy them. This one is especially nice, hovering right over the middle of the park and through a coaster! We took about 5 trips on this. Note: not my picture, found online. The Adventureland Skyride in the 70s. Plunk down some rides in farmland and they will come! "We have to build it, we know they're coming!" - Will Koch of Holiday World. The sun-tunnel (is there a formal name?) Again, looks a bit dated but being in such great condition, it works. It has an 80s charm to it. We used to have a vine-covered version of this at my home park, SF Great America. Love stuff like this! Hurricane! The ride operator was an awesome and friendly dude of 71. Very excited to ride this carnival ride as I haven't been on this model since the early 80s. Hurricanes always seemed to be painted this same blue/gold color scheme. With flat seats (no seat divider, yippee!), you get maximum crush time against the side of the car. Very powerful laterals! I have a thing for rides with NO seat dividers. Proving once more a carnival ride when taken care of can stand heads and tails above many modern rides. They don't make em like they used to. Lady Luck is a classic Trabant. Same theme as the one in the Brady Bunch? I think so. Here we go again with an older ride that is taken care of and makes the perfect family ride. Looks great with a simple and well-manicured area around it. There is a giant arcade building that has a Huss Break Dance called "G-Force." The arms do not have the ability to ride up on this, but it still looked fun. My buddy rode this, but I wasn't in a spin mode myself. I was excited to ride The Underground as I've developed a thing for dark rides over the years. This is a Custom Coasters ride with a custom designed and built Custom Coasters train. It seemed like the chassis could be PTC and then Custom up from there, can anyone confirm that detail? Clearly a favorite of locals, the train meanders through a long tunnel, nothing fast. There seemed to be one 18-inch dip, barely noticeable. As a HUGE fan of Black Diamond at Knoebels, I think this ride could benefit tremendously with a few gags, lights, surprises... anything along the way. It seemed very popular as-is, so what do I know. Just think it could be much better! Either way, I'll be back on it. A green Monster is wrapping around the skyride! New high-tech rides fit in great and give a nice contrast to the classics here at Adventureland; all are taken care of equally! Monster was great; the lift seemed very high looking back down. Great views, fun ride and a great overall presentation of the coaster. All that and only a few seconds to "get back to the midway" after getting off the ride. That's another gripe I have about my home SF park; they purposely design long and winding walkways "back to the park" after getting off coasters. It's what they do; gotta keep you busy and working up a thirst/appetite. It's not a spacial issue, it's intentional. Adventureland knows how to respect their guests and their time. My only complaint was not being able to ride at night to see the light show embedded in Monster's tracks. The days are long this time of year! Another new coaster for me on this trip, Outlaw. A Custom Coaster ride with a nice and steep twisting first drop. The ride is in good condition, with the exception of a couple pothole jabs particularly felt in the back seat. A geeky detail I thoroughly love about the design of Outlaw: 2 short straight track sections. One at the bottom of the 2nd drop, and another shorter section at the top of the 3rd to last hill. Straight track is totally underused and it's certainly not badass enough for some coaster fans. Flat track is a great place to get a moment of variety; a contrast section where speed feels different and visuals change. (And before anyone brings it up, YES, the flat sections of The Beast were awesome when taken at near to full speed in the 80s!) The Dragon designed by O.D. Hopkins. During my first visit to Adventureland in 1990, Dragon was new and every bit as head rattling as it is now. Another Hopkins coaster, Desert Storm at Castles n' Coasters in Phoenix Arizona has the exact same train but with lap bars; there are even holes in the headrests where shoulder bars could have went, but the park wanted lap bars. Dragon would benefit tremendously if the park changed to lap bars. The view from the lift is excellent and the layout could be fun with lap bars, but as is it's a rattling mess. The first helix after the loop is especially powerful, almost taken from the school of Schwarzkopf. The track has been painted over several times and the once glimmering white track now looks like dried up cottage cheese (or the lid on a bottle of White-Out, anyone remember that stuff?) This was the only place I saw what didn't look as cosmetically pretty as the rest of the park. As a huge fan of pre-lift sections, I appreciate them trying here. But it's racket right out of the gate culminating to what sounds and feels like a car crash when you get to that tight curve. On a related note, I interviewed with Hopkins when I was an engineering student way back. How about those nice trains Gerstlauer built for sooperdooperLooper at Hersheypark? They'd probably feel great on Dragon. Storm Chaser by Mondial. I've been on 3 of the largest Wind Seekers (same make but higher) at the CF parks and I'm glad to report they still scare the heck out of me. Even this shorter model. For my first ride, I was wrapped around the restraint and scared stiff. At the end of the day, my friend took a couple extra rides on Monster while I rode this again. Then he waited patiently on a bench while I rode this 4 more times until the park closed. By that time, I was all arms & legs out, happy as ever. The simple 'round' (as opposed to parabolic) Bill Cobb breakover on the first drop of Tornado. This gives you a good kick of what I like to call real air time in the back seat. I call it real air time as you actually get to leave the seat a bit, in contrast to some modern rides where you are stapled in from the get go. I'll take fun and moderate forces with basic restraints over extreme forces with extreme restraints any day. It's more fun to me. Tornado is in relatively good condition. There is a little grind at the bottom of the first and third drops, and a bit after the turn-around. Most of that is pronounced in the back seat. They could use a little track work from Gravity Group, but it's nothing that I would classify as overly rough (B&M/RMC fanboys might disagree haha!) With all do respect to Great Coasters International and the awesome new coasters they build (and rehab: holy cow Ghost Rider!), please do not let them near this first drop. They have a thing for taking the kick out of first drops. The ride is just as awesome as I remember, plus some. We don't have many woodies that have the higher buzz-bars anymore. Ratchet bars that have replaced many of them have much heavier locking mechanisms under the train: more weight -> more and faster wear and tear -> rougher ride. I've watched so many coasters changed over to ratcheting bars that simply loose their fun spirit soon after. Still popular, sure, but not as fun as they once were. As Tom Rebbie from PTC told me himself a couple years ago "we can give the park what they want." Congratulations to Adventureland for keeping their wood coaster as classic as possible. I wish more parks would follow suit; maybe a restore trend will happen some day - never say never! When I drove by the park the night before, blue train was in operation. It's nice to rotate trains. Even at the busiest time of the day, there was never more than a little over a train full of people in the station. Tornado is clearly loved by Adventureland regulars. Heaven to me: a classic-ish PTC train that looks new. I say classic-ish, as there are seat dividers - which I think opened with the ride in 1978. Compared to all the ratcheting bar madness we had taking over our former classic wood coasters, this is a true treasure. How do they keep it in such great shape!? Adventureland takes such good care of their stuff. If it aint' broke, don't fix it! The simple and classic Tornado logo on an impeccably maintained coaster train. The "clearly a Cobb" turn-around of Tornado. The entrance and exit are partially fanned, while the bulk of the turn is flat. This is great stuff; you get tossed up a bit (especially in the front), slam to the right a little, level out to enjoy the view, then another little slam and down. There is a progression there that is part of the design. Another design element that isn't in these days. Being faster or having a huge dip in the middle wouldn't make it better. The classic post card view of the classic Tornado. Great hair time in back! Flood lights on the first hill at night quickly change colors. The 2nd hill of Tornado is classic Bill Cobb; give them a kickin' first drop then almost stop them at the top of the next hill to show them what's coming. Another hallmark of his designs that many new coaster people don't get. Texas Cyclone, Riverside Cyclone, Judge Roy Scream and Tornado here all had that design feature. The whole ride is visually in great shape; the paint is chipped here and there but you can tell they used high quality wood to build these wood coasters back then. Not much sagging or warping to be seen. One last night view of Tornado. Next time, I won't wait so long to get back to Adventureland. Probably 2020! We also rode the classic Tea Cups and train. The water rides looked great, but I opted out due to being tired. This trip solidified my decision to spend more time at well-run parks. Good service and a relaxed, care-free day run circles around a park that might have more coasters and cheap season passes. After this mini-trip, I don't even feel like going to my home park to ride the new coaster. If the whole experience is continuously sub-par, why bother? I know there is better quality. I'm sure I'll jet up to my local park to meet friends for a couple hours (4 hours in 2 visits spent on my 'membership' this year so far) or to take a quick spin on my favorite rides. But more than that, I'm ready to take more of these short 2 day trips to what I consider higher-quality parks/experiences (Knoebels needs 4 days!) Thank you Adventureland for taking such great care of your park, the employees and your guests. You should be proud!

I respectfully disagree with you. It's not the "cool thing to do," it's being honest. Six Flags hires good people, but they aren't given anything to work with. This was even my experience in the mid 90s working for CP for 3 summers then one season as an intern at SFOT. It was clear even back then, and the difference between the chains in terms of functionality/service/efficiency and communications is profound. It's natural to compare the 2 as they are the 2 main "thrill park" chains.

Some decent training would work. Think Cedar Fair, Holiday World... I know, decent training is not a part of six flags' system. How awesome these parks could be!

Have you ridden Whizzer at Six Flags Great America? Mild, exciting and super-smooth. One of the most comfortable coaster trains you will ever ride in. Here comes the Schwarzkopf plug: May I suggest a Schwarzkopf!? Here are the cream of the crop: - sooperdooperLooper, Hersheypark; very mild and one smooth loop - Scorpion, Busch Gardens; small and quick, with powerful turns - Montezooma's Revenge, Knott's; one loop, once forward, once backwards - Shock Wave, Six Flags Over Texas; 2 strong consecutive loops and some good drops and curves - Mind Bender, Six Flags Over Georgia; the masterpiece! 2 non-consecutive loops, 4 great drops, strong curves, and great terrain use (my personal #1 steel coaster since 1990) All these have super-comfortable 70s seating; a simple lap bar (no head-banging!) and smooth flat seats where you can get a little gentle "lateral time" on the curves. They are like very smooth wooden coasters but with loops. Also, Revolution at Magic Mountain has one single (but rather strong) loop where the rest of the ride is an exquisite orchestration of mild swooping drops and curves. The new trains have lap bars only, but the seats aren't the same as the other Schwarzkopf trains. Us Schwarzkopf fans have wanted one of these at Holiday World for years. Schwarzkopf is long gone, however Gerstlauer works out of the former Schwarzkopf plant and has all their plans. The can build a modern coaster but with the same track (flexing with hinges, don't see that anymore) and trains (simple and comfortable, non-bucket seats).

I'll would piggy back on that with the detail of 2nd to last seat (front seat of last car). It's more leg room, more viewing room and smoother. One of the last "snapping drops" in existence (Bill Cobb did these his Cyclones). Note: this drop was redone on the California Demon in the 90s; Paramount thought it was too extreme. So West Coast Demon has a 45 degree drop while ours retains the 55 degree drop with snap built in 1980. Thank you Arrow for making mistakes.

I saw that Adventureland is completely smoke-free. No smoking sections. Good for them. There’s something a little funny about it too. At a rest stop on the way... smoking was only allowed in your closed car. Also funny. My have things changed. Go Iowa. Looking good!

Going to the park for the first time since 1990(!!) tomorrow (Monday, June 24th). I'm looking forward to the geeky stuff I didn't care about when I was a little guy, like sky rides and transport rides. Blame it on Planet Coaster... In addition to the coasters. Loved Tornado back then, sure I'll love it now. Always loved Cobb coasters, not many around today. Anyone have any tips for getting to everything in one day? What's a nice place to eat in the park?

^Charm is nice, I would be happy with a tight operation and more care put into the guest experience (see Cedar Fair, Holiday World... and a slew of smaller parks). Six Flags parks always seem very 'fend for yourself.' Very user UN-friendly.

I respectfully disagree. So much SF does seems geared to a more badass-acting crowd. Chicago has dangerous neighborhoods, but not the whole city. Couldn't agree more. My friends and I are always like "well, even though our home park is a SF, at least it's Great America!" There are a lot of rides to enjoy, yes. The whole experience just sucks for me anymore. It's kind of sad to me as I've been going to this park since I was a little guy in the early 80s.

I'm surprised the fight in the parking lot on Wednesday hasn't surfaced on the news. My friend and I were leaving the park at closing - around 8pm, and there was something going on right at the front of the lot. We stood out front and watched this thing escalate quickly, but kept back. It was all this yelling and we could see people going back and forth... a couple minutes go by and 2 cop vehicles with flashing lights come from BOTH sides. A small crowd had formed around the fight and then the cops where there and a bunch of park security. I had a second of disbelief when I heard a booming voice scream out "DROP IT!" Then again "DROP IT!" Scary stuff. People were leaving and just trying to get to their cars. It was sad to think these people with their kids and toddlers had to be around this stuff. My friend and I were only at the park from 6-8. Buying a membership was a challenge for me this year, as I've gone to the park less and less over the past couple years. I love the rides we have at my home park, but it's still a Six Flags operation (and probably the best operated in the chain, which isn't saying much). Those stupid long "cattle" exit walks to get off the coasters, except Whizzer and Demon, which were built before Six Flags*. The outdated blaring speakers in ride stations; the uninspired, bored and cocky employees (they are probably good people, but SF doesn't give them anything to work with ). The smell of fresh blacktop. The lack of seating. The annoyance of loud repetitive boom music screaming in our faces. The horrible communication of everything the employees should have been trained for... It's time for an extended Six Flags break for me. It's just not fun anymore. It's not even worth my time. I'd rather drive several hours to another park where I feel a little more respected, and where I can relax if I need to. Why do it if it's not fun? There are so many other GREAT options; from 30 minutes away to 5 hours: Santa's Villiage, Little Amerricka, Bay Beach, Cedar Point, Holiday World, Kings Island (Indiana Beach was on that list before about a decade ago.) Having a good time is worth the extra drive at this point. Every year, I hear the same thing from friends. "Oh, they're doing much better this year at Six Flags (fill in the blank)." "Even Park President (fill in the blank) is on top of the operation, they promise you'll see the changes!" Blah blah blah. It probably won't be open for a LONG time. The new half-coaster*, we heard, "should be ready on August 1st." I couldn't care less about the new ride, personally. Another test track to nab a record. *Ridiculously long exit walkways back to the midway and super-short coasters are NOT spacial issues. They are designed that way on purpose. *****End rant***** Good stuff: Whizzer, as always, is running like new. The train we rode it was pristine, they really do take special care of that ride. Same deal with the Lobster - but a shorter ride cycle than ever. Flashing lights seemingly sweeped in from both sides of the parking lot. It's like the cherry on top of your six flags day.

Water cup challenge on Legend during HWN 2018: in the top 10 single most fun times I've ever had on a coaster. I didn't make it this year, but I'll be back next year eager to do that challenge!

Great report and pictures! I can't wait to get back to this place. After one full-day (the park really charms heavy at night) at the park 3 years ago, Seabreeze instantly became one of my top 5 parks. "Most fun" over records and quantity.

Years ago I would have never imagined we would be building coasters that start braking at 90 (or more?) degrees and waste such fun-looking moments... not to mention potential of a 2nd half. Sighs... at least they will have a new record, which is very important to six flags. There were some construction pics posted from Sky Trek tower and it looks like Six Flags still enjoys building their standard longest possible walk back to the midway exit. Gotta keep them guests busy! I'm sure it will be fun though. I'm mostly eager for Whizzer to re-open!

^I was JUST thinking about Mind Bender on my neighborhood walk. I really miss ride! 4 long years... too long. Such a perfect ride.

Must be Schwarzkopf. Those have that effect on people.

Thanks guys. Much quicker and confident than say... calling the park

^Thank you. That one looked fine, I just couldn't find definitive information on "parking at all Six Flags parks."

A friend called me last week with confusion about which pass or "membership" to get from Six Flags and what's included. "It should be all layed-out on the site, all you have to do is look" I told him. Pulling up the official SF page, I realized that I couldn't answer his questions. Is it just me or is their pass/membership program more confusing than ever? What both of us want is: - admission to all SF parks every day they're open (including holidays/Fright fest) - included parking at all SF parks (not special parking, just regular ass parking). You know... standard season pass stuff. I couldn't figure out if parking is included at all parks depending on the membership level. (Just in case the questions come, I'm NOT interested in free soda <>, in-park discounts, cut-the-line passes, a fright fest haunted house wrist band, etc. I just want to get in any Six Flags park when they are open. And park with out paying extra.) It seems that the difference (other than the highest level) is only a few dollars, so that doesn't matter. But do I get parking at all parks?

^Oh, the cross-over. Wow, that looks dynamite. Why can't we have nice things anymore?

I went to Seabreeze for the first time back in 2015 and it quickly made it in my top favorite parks. Charm-out-the-kazoo... and the steepest log flume drop (or so I heard, either way it was fun). The Bobsleds was a huge surprise. I had more fun on that than most big coasters. A spinning mouse that ran incredibly, and old woodie that was a blast even with a Morgan train. The whole place was laid-back and spotless. Couldn't get enough out of it, pure fun and can't wait to get back.

That is hilarious* as I stole MY copy of The Great American Amusement Parks around 1987 from the Oak Forest Public Library. A few years ago I spoke to Gary across facebook (and told him how I got the book!), and thanked him for such a great book. He also shared some great Colossus 1978 stories with me. Last year, I did a true "amends" and returned the book to the library's current manager and made a financial donation/financial amends as well. Yes, about 30 years later... I worshiped that book for a couple decades. *Not saying that stealing anything from anywhere is cool... Wow that's great you did that...return the book that is. Did they frown upon you or just take it in stride? I wondered about doing the same thing. But considering it really pushed me over the top in my love for roller coasters, enough love to spend 10 years actually SAVING one from being torn town, I figure its the least I can get in back return. LOL. Well... they were very nice about it. It was a "recovery step" if you will, part of a life improvement program. Tricky stuff as it might seem odd to some, but it went very smoothly and felt great being able to give back (plus a donation). I do miss the book though!!

^Firechaser yes, but in my book those Gravity Group woodies are not family rides for everyone. They're friggin' awesome little Voyages, but NOT mild at all.

How about a nice family coaster that everyone can ride. Like Whizzer or Big Thunder Mountain. Just 2 cents

See many, many earlier S&S models: El Loco, Literally every screamin' squirrel. Forgot about those, good point! Great reminder. With SF anything is game haha. "Cleanest theme park in the country." "Best waterpark in the country." They had those spring-signs on the midways advertising that a few years ago. And then ads in front of every urinal. There is a strange and wonderful serenity to go to places like Holiday World and staring at a blank wall while I pee. Such needed tranquility in a private moment.