Adventureland Park in Des Moines, Iowa will be opening for its 30th season this spring. Over the years the park has grown dramatically from the original Main Street area that opened in 1974 with just a few rides. At that time Adventureland hotel and campgrounds had already opened, and the opening of the park made Adventureland a complete entertainment complex. Little did any one know back then, that Adventureland would soon become Iowas largest family resort. Year by year the park has continued to grow, and now encompasses well over 100 rides, shows, and attractions.

Since the very beginning, Adventureland has received considerable notoriety, and has also had its share of firsts along the way. In 1978 a Tornado blew into town, the Tornado roller coaster that is. Designed by the legendary roller coaster architect Bill Cobb, the Tornado soon attained the #1 position on the American Coaster Enthusiasts Top 10 List, and remained on the list for several years following its introduction. In 1983 Adventureland was among the first parks in the nation to build a river rapids raft ride called the Raging River. In 1993 a twelve-acre, five million dollar expansion to the park included the addition of the Outlaw Gulch theme area and the Outlaw roller coaster. Over the last 10 years Adventureland has added 10 new rides, and dozens of amenities that make the park even more enjoyable for visitors.

2002 marked Adventurelands most ambitious expansion yet. An 8 million dollar project nearly doubled the size of the hotel, added a second courtyard, new pools with interactive water features and new pool-side rooms and suites. It also added a new first of its kin water ride in the park, a spinning white water adventure, called Saw Mill Splash.

In 2004 a ride called the "Sidewinder" was added to Adventureland. The "Sidewinder" is a giant pendulum that pivots back and forth 240 degrees, swinging riders over 6 stories into the sky on a rotating platform that revolves 360 degrees. The "Sidewinder" was engineered and designed by Mosier Rides of Italy especially for Adventureland Park.

Adventureland Park, Inn and Campgrounds are located on I-80 (Exit 142A) just east of Des Moines, IA. The newly expanded Inn and Campgrounds are open year round. Adventureland Park opens for weekends beginning April 26th, and will be open daily starting May 17th.

The new ride is named the "Sidewinder", and is among the first of its kind in the United States. The "Sidewinder" is a giant pendulum ride that pivots back and forth 240 degrees, swinging riders over 6 stories into the sky on a rotating platform. An endless combination of twists and turns occurs for the full duration of the ride. The "Sidewinder" is the newest feature in the Outlaw Gulch area of the park.

Adventureland's Offering 2004 Season Passes

Adventureland Park is now selling season passes for the 2004 season. The pass will allow holders to visit the park as many times as they want during the park’s 122 day season in 2004 and NOW includes parking. Season passes may be purchased from the park for $60.00 until December 31st, $70.00 until May 1, and $80.00 thereafter.

“Our Season Pass will make Adventureland the best value for summer fun in Iowa,” said Adventureland President, John Krantz. “The new pass will allow holders who only visited the park once or twice per year to now visit much more often,” Krantz added.

Adventureland Park, Inn and Campground are located on I-80 (Exit 142A) just east of Des Moines, Iowa. The Inn and Campground are open year round. Adventureland Park opens weekends beginning April 24th, and will be open every day starting May 15th.