nhman93 Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 I can’t believe I just found out about this today! Looks great so far, my one comment/complaint would be is why does every park built in the last 20 or so years feel the need for a man made lake. I feel like they are taking a lot of future expansion space up with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegendLover Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 1 hour ago, nhman93 said: I can’t believe I just found out about this today! Looks great so far, my one comment/complaint would be is why does every park built in the last 20 or so years feel the need for a man made lake. I feel like they are taking a lot of future expansion space up with that. The park is surrounded by cornfields. All jokes aside, this lake will really add to the overall theme of some of these areas of the park. The center area of the park that is split in two looks to have some Polynesian/costal bay village or something like that. It looks to have a boat attraction on the lake. Plus two rides in the park will be built on the edge of the lake, allowing guests to swing out over the water. Plus it is just going to be aesthetically pleasing, especially with the massive Ferris wheel at the head of the lake and the two waterfalls that will be flanking it. I think a man-made lake didn't work for a park like Hard Rock Park, mainly because it was already small with no room for expansion around the park and because they didn't have any attractions that utilized the lake (aside from that show), but I feel like it works for Lost Island since there is still plenty of room for expansion around the park. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegendLover Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 I'm sure you all already saw this photographs via David Marvitz on Facebook, but great headway has been made on the park! As you can probably tell, the major roller coasters have had a ton of installation work done. It looks like the SLC is nearly completion! Kanonen looks great! It looks like both the swinging ship attraction, most likely from Ratanga Junction, has been installed as well as the Zamperla Windshear attraction. Looks like they have many buildings in place as well! This park is seriously going up fast! They said to expect a summer of 2022 opening, but it almost feels like they are trying for a summer of 2021 soft opening! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrillseeker4552 Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 I can't say I'm a big fan of the all-green color scheme on Kanonen (since I don't know what else to call it right now), but at this point I don't even care. The fact that a brand new, ground-up park that is not Disney/Universal/etc. is being built is exciting! And in a location that definitely needed a theme park, too. Any word on trains for the SLC? Did they happen to purchase new ones, or just refurbish the old-school ones from Ratanga Junction? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegendLover Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 23 minutes ago, thrillseeker4552 said: I can't say I'm a big fan of the all-green color scheme on Kanonen (since I don't know what else to call it right now), but at this point I don't even care. The fact that a brand new, ground-up park that is not Disney/Universal/etc. is being built is exciting! And in a location that definitely needed a theme park, too. Any word on trains for the SLC? Did they happen to purchase new ones, or just refurbish the old-school ones from Ratanga Junction? It isn't confirmed, however the old trains from the SLC are currently listed on amusement-rides.com. I feel confident in saying that there will be brand-new trains for the SLC. I think the all-green color scheme will look good with the area once it is complete. It appears that that section of the park will have a temple ruins theme. I'm sure that the area will have some nice jungle-like foliage which will look good with the green. I almost wonder if they are pushing construction so fast so they can plant foliage around the park during the summer so it has time to grow and fill in before the park opens. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBru Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 I find it funny that the only other coaster I can think of with this kind of one-tone green paint scheme is Anaconda at Gold Reef City, the only remaining inverted coaster in South Africa now that the Ratanga Junction SLC has been moved to this park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grsupercity Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 If this whole park is a tiki theme that will be sweet. I like the purple and blue color scheme on the SLC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 I'm just so glad that Kanonen got saved! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegendLover Posted February 24, 2021 Share Posted February 24, 2021 OMG I am so excited for this park. If anything, just because I love Lost Island. I ordered a Lost Island sweatshirt off of their website and it just came in the mail. They had wrapped the package in tissue paper, and they enclosed a brochure as well as a handwritten thank you note. It's little things like that that show that the Bertch family takes pride in their park and that the same pride is felt throughout the company. I'm about to become the biggest Lost Island Theme Park cheerleader out there. I mean the park already has a great starting line up of attractions. If the site plans are correct and they also add the family coaster from Ratanga Junction, a wooden coaster or a mine train, a rapids ride, and all with the same level of themeing as it looks like the rest of the park will have, then I think it really could be a gem for the midwestern theme park market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterGuy06 Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 According to RCDB the Roller Skater from Ratanga is under construction at a park in France right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegendLover Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 15 hours ago, CoasterGuy06 said: According to RCDB the Roller Skater from Ratanga is under construction at a park in France right now. Damn didn't even catch that. Either way, it looks like they plan to build a family coaster across from Kanonen and it looks like it could potentially be a Roller Skater. Though it would be pretty cool if they got a SFC like Steel Lasso at Frontier City. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 I just ran across this update https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/lost-island-theme-park-taking-shape/article_3cc989ee-17b8-59dd-b04c-70666c92b2ab.html Lost Island Theme Park taking shape Jeff Reinitz Feb 28, 2021 WATERLOO — Iowa’s newest theme park is rising from a former farm field south of town. The purple supports and tracks of a roller coaster soar above the snow-covered ground, and buildings are beginning to spring up as construction workers continue to labor through the winter. Work is projected to continue through 2021, and the Lost Island Theme Park remains on track for a 2022 grand opening, according to officials. “It’s going to be a huge asset for the city,” said Tavis Hall, executive director for Experience Waterloo. Even though it will only be open for a few months out of the year, the attraction is expected to be a large boost for the Cedar Valley economy. Hall said the total economic impact will be about $32 million a year once open, according to a study undertaken in 2019. That includes $6 million for food and beverage, $5 million for retail, $4 million for overnight lodging and $2 million for recreation, he said. “Most folks, when they come from out of town, they are going to make a weekend out of it and stop at restaurants,” Hall said. Gary Bertch, who is taking on the project with his wife, Becky, said plans for the theme park have been in the works for a decade. They came up with the idea as a way to fill a gap in the children’s and family-oriented entertainment in the area. Hall said the park will pair well with other attractions in the area. “From a community branding standpoint it’s awesome for us to have this amazing addition to the market,” Hall said. The Bertch’s also operate Lost Island Water Park — which opened in 2001 and is rated one of the best in the nation — the Bamboo Ridge Campground, Monaleo Adventure Golf and Monaleo’s Speedway go-cart track, which are across the road from the theme park site. The Isle Casino Hotel is also across the road. Stretching out over 90 acres and with a cost of around $100 million, the Lost Island Theme Park will have a 30-acre lake and five different “lands,” according to earlier reports. Concept art shows amusement park rides and play areas scattered among a volcano, temple ruins, statues and huts. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twisterfan1995 Posted March 27, 2021 Share Posted March 27, 2021 A new article and aerial photos of the park's construction were posted on the Des Moines Register's website (courtesy of Reddit): Source Compared to the original site plan from the groundbreaking press conference, it looks like the log flume and Kanonen have switched site locations, which might be to add the ability for the park path to go under the coaster track. The full article also has more details about the park's background and theming: Owners seem to think the waterpark maxed out its growth potential and were looking for ways to drive more traffic to the area Heavy emphasis on theming and lore within the park and continuing the waterpark's polynesian/island theming, with area/land names corresponding to the concept art and having element/tribe theme in each: Mura Fire Clan (Volcano theme) - dark ride and disko, top spin-like, and pendulum rides) Yuta Earth Tribe (Temple theme )- Kanonen coaster , log flume Awa Water Nomads (Water/Boat theme) - swinging ship, Ferris wheel, carousel, flying carousel-type ride Udara Air Kingdom (Air/wind theme) - Ratanga Junction SLC, drop tower, sky-fly type ride Tamariki Kids Area (fantasy/garden theme) - kiddie rides, samba balloon type ride, kiddie ferris wheel, kiddie coaster, playground Adventureland (2hrs away in Des Moines) is taking the "rising tide lifts all boats" take on the park's construction, but it appears both they and Lost Island's waterpark have been collegial in the past and Lost Island thinks its offering a different enough experience from Adventureland Bertch family (Lost Island owners) considered pulling the plug due to pandemic, but are optimistic 2022 will be post-covid enough Waterloo-area tourism board estimates the park will generate $32-67 million annual economic impact depending on season length. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WolfBobs Posted March 29, 2021 Share Posted March 29, 2021 On 3/27/2021 at 4:17 PM, Twisterfan1995 said: Heavy emphasis on theming and lore within the park and continuing the waterpark's polynesian/island theming, with area/land names corresponding to the concept art and having element/tribe theme in each: Mura Fire Clan (Volcano theme) - dark ride and disko, top spin-like, and pendulum rides) Yuta Earth Tribe (Temple theme )- Kanonen coaster , log flume Awa Water Nomads (Water/Boat theme) - swinging ship, Ferris wheel, carousel, flying carousel-type ride Udara Air Kingdom (Air/wind theme) - Ratanga Junction SLC, drop tower, sky-fly type ride Tamariki Kids Area (fantasy/garden theme) - kiddie rides, samba balloon type ride, kiddie ferris wheel, kiddie coaster, playground Soooo.. This park will be themed to Avatar: The Last Airbender without being themed to Avatar: TLA. Interesting but not a bad idea, use a popular idea and not pay for the IP. Curious if this causes any copyright issues in the future. Either way, still super excited to see this park being built. Not often we get to see small independent parks built from the ground up these days. Hoping lots of success and growth. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twisterfan1995 Posted March 29, 2021 Share Posted March 29, 2021 2 hours ago, WolfBobs said: Soooo.. This park will be themed to Avatar: The Last Airbender without being themed to Avatar: TLA. Interesting but not a bad idea, use a popular idea and not pay for the IP. Curious if this causes any copyright issues in the future. Either way, still super excited to see this park being built. Not often we get to see small independent parks built from the ground up these days. Hoping lots of success and growth. Looks like it based on the article. Though I doubt the Avatar/Korra franchise itself was a huge inspiration for the park owners as much as "elements" are an easy way to differentiate themed areas while continuing the Polynesian motif. Kind of wish they had found some "element" for the kids area, but it looks like 'Tamariki' is a Maori word that roughly translates to youth/juvenile so it at least makes sense. So glad to see a new independent park go up in an unexpected area, especially by owners who seem to want to do more than just put up a bunch of rides in a field and start selling tickets. It's clear a lot of thought went into this place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WolfBobs Posted March 29, 2021 Share Posted March 29, 2021 I am very ignorant to Polynesian culture/history so my initial assessment may be a stretch, but it is very similar. It'll be interesting to see how it all develops and matures as the park is built. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegendLover Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 Seeing the pictures are making me even more excited for the park! Seeing it come to fruition is amazing! I can't wait to see how this park grows! I think it'll be incredible! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegendLover Posted July 14, 2021 Share Posted July 14, 2021 Has anybody driven by the park recently to see any updates? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegendLover Posted July 20, 2021 Share Posted July 20, 2021 Lost Island Theme Park Flythrough - YouTube Look at this! A fun Lost Island update! There is so progress on the park! I think by fall, we will start to see actual pathways and such start to take place. Plus I'll be expecting them to start planting trees so that they can take root before spring! Something you can really see in the video is how much expansion space the park has built into its footprint around the outer edges of the park. I think in the park's future, we will see new areas around the outer edges of the park. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grsupercity Posted July 21, 2021 Share Posted July 21, 2021 Looking great. Friends of ours job relocated them to Iowa only an hour or so away so we plan on attending this park next summer assuming its ready Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boldikus Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 I hope they saved some money for trees. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WolfBobs Posted July 24, 2021 Share Posted July 24, 2021 On 7/22/2021 at 7:23 PM, boldikus said: I hope they saved some money for trees. Nah, this makes the park more attractive to be purchased by CF in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boldikus Posted July 25, 2021 Share Posted July 25, 2021 On 7/24/2021 at 11:38 AM, WolfBobs said: Nah, this makes the park more attractive to be purchased by CF in the future. But CF build the Orion the Orion is good so CF good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegendLover Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 On 7/24/2021 at 10:38 AM, WolfBobs said: Nah, this makes the park more attractive to be purchased by CF in the future. I really think this park is going to be a hit. It is going to have a solid ride lineup and the waterpark already has a large following. I really think we are underestimating the future success of this park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twisterfan1995 Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 13 hours ago, LegendLover said: I really think this park is going to be a hit. It is going to have a solid ride lineup and the waterpark already has a large following. I really think we are underestimating the future success of this park. It helps that people in the region are already familiar with travelling to the area for a successful and high-quality waterpark there now so its a nice logical extension. The Bertch family, who own the Lost Island park/s are apparently a prominant family in the area, and also ran a successful kitchen cabinet manufacturing business in the area that they sold earlier this year to focus on the theme/water parks. So in theory, between having a successful local brand and (assuming) adequate capital and resources after selling their cabinet business, they should be in a good position to capitalize on a (hopefully) post-COVID opening season in 2022. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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