allenhuffman Posted July 4, 2016 Share Posted July 4, 2016 So, I'm visiting the park in a couple weeks, and I'm wondering what the best way to ride Dragon in order to not be in loads of pain during and after the ride. I've heard so many bad things about the ride, I just have to ask if there is anyway to improve the experience (Or I might just skip it). It usually bops me to the left and right once each against the head rest, so if there is a trick to this, I'd love to hear it as well. I find the jostling of The Tornado also rough now that I sometimes have back pains but that is because they put square wheels on it many years ago. I'm pretty sure I read that in the Internet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VF15 Posted July 4, 2016 Share Posted July 4, 2016 So, I'm visiting the park in a couple weeks, and I'm wondering what the best way to ride Dragon in order to not be in loads of pain during and after the ride. I've heard so many bad things about the ride, I just have to ask if there is anyway to improve the experience (Or I might just skip it). Just keep your head forward off the headrest and brace for the bad transitions. You'll probably still get some headbanging, but it shouldn't be too brutal. Anyway, I'm hoping to get back down to Adventureland before the end of summer to ride Monster. Any know of any decent hotels in the area? Last time, I stayed at the Best Western across the street from the park and was not impressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureJack Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 So, I'm visiting the park in a couple weeks, and I'm wondering what the best way to ride Dragon in order to not be in loads of pain during and after the ride. I've heard so many bad things about the ride, I just have to ask if there is anyway to improve the experience (Or I might just skip it). Just keep your head forward off the headrest and brace for the bad transitions. You'll probably still get some headbanging, but it shouldn't be too brutal. Yeah, I would follow this advice. Everyone has different experiences, but a lot of them aren't good. It's too bad that Dragon has such a bad rep because after you get past the first infamous bunny hills and if you do in fact keep your head up straight, it's not that bad of a ride (at least imo). The last half is really fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgeboy Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 So, I'm visiting the park in a couple weeks, and I'm wondering what the best way to ride Dragon in order to not be in loads of pain during and after the ride. I've heard so many bad things about the ride, I just have to ask if there is anyway to improve the experience (Or I might just skip it). Just keep your head forward off the headrest and brace for the bad transitions. You'll probably still get some headbanging, but it shouldn't be too brutal. Anyway, I'm hoping to get back down to Adventureland before the end of summer to ride Monster. Any know of any decent hotels in the area? Last time, I stayed at the Best Western across the street from the park and was not impressed. I'll be staying at the Quality Inn next week. I'll let you know how it turns out, but based on the research I've done, none of the hotels immediately near the park look that great, with the possible exception of the Prairie Meadows Casino hotel--but it's also 2 times the price. ($94 vs. $200) I have pretty low expectations, and the Yelp/Trip Advisor reviews haven't been all that promising. But budget is an issue for me, so I'll put up with it... it's only one night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenhuffman Posted July 6, 2016 Share Posted July 6, 2016 I'll be staying at the Quality Inn next week. I'll let you know how it turns out, but based on the research I've done, none of the hotels immediately near the park look that great, with the possible exception of the Prairie Meadows Casino hotel--but it's also 2 times the price. ($94 vs. $200) I have pretty low expectations, and the Yelp/Trip Advisor reviews haven't been all that promising. But budget is an issue for me, so I'll put up with it... it's only one night. I have had amazing results booking through Hotels.com and low-bidding at Priceline.com. I have often stayed at hotels that quoted me a $150/night price for as little as $40 (mostly in Omaha). Des Moines is small so even a "distant" hotel isn't more than 15 minutes from the park. When will you be in the park? How big is your group? Drop me a note if you want some useless park trivia while you are visiting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenhuffman Posted July 6, 2016 Share Posted July 6, 2016 Adventureland has changed quite a bit since I last visited in 2010. My last July 4th visit was probably 2009. Here are some things I noticed the park was doing: 1. Sometime in recent years, they have added music to the fireworks. They had a dozen or so PA speakers on stands all along the riverfront, and had a sign at the front of the park giving that location as the best place to see them. 2. The fireworks were almost 30 minutes long (there was a few minutes at the start between the opening "get ready" shot and music until the actual show began). 3. They had special red, white and blue funnel cakes. 4. They had special red, white and blue Dippin' Dots. 5. Various shops had extra patriotic decorations in their windows. 6. Some places were giving out small American flags 7. Bernie Bernard (park mascot) appears in the juggler's show, and Bernie had a red, white and blue hat on today during it. 8. The Royal Hanneford Circus ended their shows with a patriotic solute where Ameircan flags unrolled from the big top. 9. Two of the park's three bar locations stayed open past 7 . They had the beir Garten and the Abita Bar (near the riverfront) open until 9:15. Huzzah! 10. The Monster had a special light program where the ground lights were cycling through red, white and blue. (Video to be posted soon.) 11. The Space Shot got new color LED lights this year, and they are also rotating red, white and blue (but that was already in place before this weekend). Fun stuff. EDIT: Anyone know how to make the 'list' tag work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureJack Posted July 6, 2016 Share Posted July 6, 2016 ^^^ I'm really liking all of these changes the park is doing lately. I know Adventureland has always been good at upgrades and updates. Even if its not a fresh ride every year they make sure that there's always something new for the guests, whether it be the new beer tent they put in a couple years ago or like the cool lighting designs they installed on Monster and Space Shot or the dozens of new food options. I mean just look at these funnel cakes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureJack Posted July 6, 2016 Share Posted July 6, 2016 Sorry for the double post but guys... I found a better one. *Photo by allenhuffman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenhuffman Posted July 6, 2016 Share Posted July 6, 2016 Sorry for the double post but guys... I found a better one.*Photo by allenhuffman I think the park's sample photo looked much better than the one they actually made for me I will be uploading video tonight of the fireworks show and of the color changing lights on Space Shot and The Monster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureJack Posted July 6, 2016 Share Posted July 6, 2016 (edited) Sorry for the double post but guys... I found a better one.*Photo by allenhuffman I think the park's sample photo looked much better than the one they actually made for me Yeah but I don't know... something about yours just makes my mouth water. Maybe just because it's closer to me. Edited July 7, 2016 by AdventureJack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrFurious Posted July 7, 2016 Share Posted July 7, 2016 Heading up to Des Moines tonight, staying with friends, and then both of our families are hitting the park together tomorrow. It will be my families first time...and even though they live there, I think that they have barely been to the park. What makes that even weirder is that he is an electrician who spent this past spring installing the light package on the ride. At the behest of the other couple we splurged and rented a cabana at the water park. Our plan is to drop off our gear there first, go hit the rides, and then finish up at the water park. Hoping that's a good plan (I'm a regular at SFSTL and that is how we attack that park). PSYCHED FOR MONSTER. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureJack Posted July 7, 2016 Share Posted July 7, 2016 Sounds like a fun time! Hope both families enjoy the park. You'll love the cabanas. And your plan of attack sounds great. Only thing I would add is that you should note that the water park closes at 7 while the actual park closes at 9 tomorrow. With this in mind, because there is only one main entrance you and your families will have to trek back to the front at the end of the day and you'll still have 2 hours at the least to re-ride on the dry side. I haven't been there this year yet but I've heard that riding Monster at night is a totally different experience! Other rides such as the Skywheel, Space Shot and Tornado are also great at night time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenhuffman Posted July 7, 2016 Share Posted July 7, 2016 Space Shot and The Monster doing red, white and blue lights for July 4th: [youtu_be] [/youtu_be] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fingers Posted July 7, 2016 Share Posted July 7, 2016 Heading up to Des Moines tonight, staying with friends, and then both of our families are hitting the park together tomorrow. It will be my families first time...and even though they live there, I think that they have barely been to the park. What makes that even weirder is that he is an electrician who spent this past spring installing the light package on the ride. At the behest of the other couple we splurged and rented a cabana at the water park. Our plan is to drop off our gear there first, go hit the rides, and then finish up at the water park. Hoping that's a good plan (I'm a regular at SFSTL and that is how we attack that park). PSYCHED FOR MONSTER. I would personally start at the waterpark as that is where the worst waits in the park usually are. Also the Waterpark has been known to reach capacity and stop allowing people in. That probably won't happen though, since it isn't the weekend. It is nice starting the day off with walk-ons for all the slides and then being able to lounge around while the slides have 30 mins waits. Either way you should have fun though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrFurious Posted July 7, 2016 Share Posted July 7, 2016 Thanks for the plans! We probably would do the nighttime rides as well with the water park in between. However, I did have fears concerning that the other idea would be better to avoid water park lines. I have been considering that plan of attack at SFSTL as well. Even though tomorrow is a Friday, I'm hoping the crowds won't be crazy as it is still a weekday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrFurious Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 The trip is in the books. Here are some notes. Arrived a little later than I had hoped (10:30) and the local couple with us was shocked at how "crowded" they thought the park was. Went straight for monster on the way for the water park. It was shut down so they could add attachment points for barbed wire on the fences. The male of the couple who worked on the install of the light package was flabbergasted that they wouldn't have their crown jewel opening with the park opening for work that could be done at closing times. So...hit the water park up. The cabanas are awesome and really enhanced our stay. Rode the slides that we wanted with moderate to medium waits. Hit the wave pool (which didn't look impressive...but was surprisingly well done with wave alterations and patterns). We ate lunch at the water park, and I was VERY impressed by the options, price, accessibility, and speed. Coming from SFSTL as my home park, it was a night and day improvement over that park (and miles better than hurricane harbor). Shortly after lunch, it was time for the rides. Things were complicated by their youngest child not wanting to ride much of anything exciting (as opposed to my daughter who wanted to ride everything she could and was bored with the kiddie rides (she's 5 but a budding park junkie). Sadly their daycare took a trip to adventuresome early this summer and they put the kids on Tornado...together in pairs...without adults riding with them in the same car. Needless to say, but that child is now scarred for while, and too scared to ride anything big. Hit The outlaw twice. Once with my daughter (hated that ride...as it was spent.focussing on her not getting jostled too badly) and once alone (much more enjoyable). No drop, but a few good pops of airtime, and nice speed. Hit dragon. Man, the ride queue is dingy. And odd garbage was laying behind the scenes (how about an office rolling chair just sitting under the ride area with milk crates strewn about). Good lake setting, forgettable ride. Hit a bunch of flats and while they are just flats, the ride ops were either amusing, overly generous with ride duration time, or both. Hit monster. 30 minute wait. WORTH EVERY DAMN MINUTE. That ride is special and a hellova gamble for the owners. They are still working on the queue area and fences, but wow. The variety of elements that Gerstlauer put into the track was amazing. Just so smart. The way it plays with speed is genius. Impressed. After that we hit raging rivers. After the issue with the ride op that slipped, fell, and passed away...they have altered how they load the boats. The line now moves insanely slow. Hopefully they'll install panels at ride level so the ride can't move forward without both buttons being pressed (at loading and at ride control). Dicked around at water park until 7pm (water park closing), then friends youngest talked us in to riding Underground. HORRIBLE MISTAKE. Huge time eater. Awful ride. At this point some adults hit up monster again while I entertained the kids. Then when it was my turn...they closed.The line off. Couldn't get in line to ride. This was 8:15. Line was about 30min. Park closes at 9. This sucks. Park closes at 9. On a Friday. In July. There is an amazing light package for this ride (my friend's handiwork no less)...and they close the park and ride early so that you can't even see it.in action. Why spend this money if you can't use it? Loved.aspects of the park, but the few critical notes would be to use to trains on the coasters. Every coaster but monster uses one train only. Therefore ride capacity is atrocious. Two, please for the love of coasters paint them from time to time. Dragon and tornado look shameful. I hope the new coaster gambit works out, as revenue can really help the new owners (previous owners kids) can continue to revamp a park that had fallen into stagnation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenhuffman Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 The trip is in the books. Here are some notes.... Arrived a little later than I had hoped (10:30) and the local couple with us was shocked at how "crowded" they thought the park was. Went straight for monster on the way for the water park. It was shut down so they could add attachment points for barbed wire on the fences. The male of the couple who worked on the install of the light package was flabbergasted that they wouldn't have their crown jewel opening with the park opening for work that could be done at closing times. This is an interesting thing. I was in the park for a few hours on Saturday evening and someone told me to go check out the barbed wire. There are dozens of those signs all over -- on the fence, on the ground -- and now that I read they were making it a priority over opening the ride up early, it makes me wonder if something happened, like some stupid kid (or adult) climbing over the fence to try to get his cap he foolishly rode on the ride with endless warning signs saying not to bring them on. If it's pre-emotive, because they know people can get killed, good for them. If it's because someone actually did climb the fence, then bad for humanity. The wording on the signs is great... "Cut your loses... Go back!" Pictures: themeparks.disneyfans.com/photos/Adventureland/Adventureland2016/NewFor2016/MonsterBarbedWire/index.shtml Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenhuffman Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 And speaking of stupid ... In the queue to The Underground, the lower level roof is just slats. When you go through that, you go up a ramp to get to the ride entrance, and that brings you level with those slats. They are usually FULL of trash once the park season gets busy. Cups and trash ALL OVER IT. I've seen kids reach over (or throw stuff at the trash) causing a partially full trash cup to tip and pour crap on people in the line below. Awful. That, and all the graffiti, are my biggest peeve in the park. Saturday, I was noticing that much of the trash up there was also beer cans and such ... So I guess we have stupid adults to blame too. Grrr. Clean: themeparks.disneyfans.com/photos/Adventureland/Adventureland2016/Underground/slides/20160528_201653.shtml Full of trash: themeparks.disneyfans.com/photos/Adventureland/Adventureland2016/Underground/slides/20160709_213631.shtml Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenhuffman Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCjunkie Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 Visited the park Saturday and got in 6 rides to check out Monster. The park now has a very fun coaster to ride. Thrilling first drop where it feels like you are being thrown out of your seat followed by lots of twisty goodness. The Immelmann turn is my favorite element of the ride but they are all good. The smooth and easy transitions between the different turns and twists gives this coaster great pacing and a high 're-ride' ability factor. Every ride was just as fun as the other ones. Great addition to the park so hopefully it pays off for them and they add other new rides in the future. The operations were solid too. They ran all 3 cars and as soon as one hit the final brake run they had another one dispatching. It was busy because it was a Saturday and I waited the first time (about noon) for about 45 minutes. After that it was between 25-35 minutes and the lines were always moving so it did not seem that long. If you can make it to the park you will not be disappointed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diggerg56 Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 The following was just posted on the Adventureland Facebook page: Unfortunately, due to some unexpected maintenance, The Monster will be closed on Tuesday, July 12 and Wednesday, July 13. We apologize for the inconvenience and will update everyone here and on our website just as soon as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenhuffman Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 The following was just posted on the Adventureland Facebook page: Unfortunately, due to some unexpected maintenance, The Monster will be closed on Tuesday, July 12 and Wednesday, July 13. We apologize for the inconvenience and will update everyone here and on our website just as soon as possible. The folks from the coaster company were supposed to be in town this week, so I bet it's for inspections (unless they truly found something wrong). (Update: Since it's open today just fine, it must not be anything serious.) I'll find out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chadster Posted July 12, 2016 Share Posted July 12, 2016 Where is the outrage? They will certainly have bad PR, this is not new technology, they are certain to lose money, I've canceled my trip, what an atrocity to prevent us from riding. Did I miss anything? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenhuffman Posted July 12, 2016 Share Posted July 12, 2016 Where is the outrage? They will certainly have bad PR, this is not new technology, they are certain to lose money, I've canceled my trip, what an atrocity to prevent us from riding. Did I miss anything? Not being a regular here, it's really tricky for me to tell if this is sarcasm or serious. It seems so real!!! On Saturday, they had the entrance sign (before parking boothes) just saying "Parking $10" and not rotating through any other messages like it normally does. This made me wonder if people were rolling all the way up then being shocked they had to pay for parking (or, if they skipped five years like me, and didn't realize they'd need a $10 rather than a few bucks to park). I wonder if they have it saying "Monster Closed" there, or not until people are at the front gate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenhuffman Posted July 12, 2016 Share Posted July 12, 2016 7 minutes of raw video footage of Adventureland after dusk... Apologies for the shaky camera in some of the scenes. It's not exciting, but if you haven't seen the park at night, this is a good overview of pretty much every section of the park. [youtu_be] [/youtu_be] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now