Monster ride at Adventureland Iowa: Unleash the thrills!

Since its grand opening in 1974, Adventureland has been a cherished tradition for generations of families in Iowa and a favorite destination among tourists. From school kids to seniors, Hawkeye State’s largest amusement park offers entertainment for all ages: lively arcade games, refreshing slides, relaxing pools, fantastic carousels, an exciting log flume, unique shows, unforgettable seasonal events, and much more.

Yet, what truly gives “the Home of Iowa’s Best Thrills” its nickname is none other than Monster, the park’s star ride. Today, we’ll dive deep into this adrenaline-pumping attraction, and by the time we’re finished, you won’t be able to resist the urge to buy a ticket to the park and experience it for yourself!

The allure of Adventureland’s Monster

Monster is located in the center of the park and can be easily recognized by its bright green tracks. Do you want to hear an interesting tidbit? This insane ride is one of two roller coasters in Iowa with inversions and the first Gerstlauer Infinity Coaster in America, which makes it one-of-a-kind.

Thousands of visitors head to the amusement park just to experience the thrill of this unique attraction. But what exactly makes this coaster so unique? Let’s find out!

Main characteristics

Thrill level

Want to feel like you can touch the sky at any moment? The initial vertical hill will give you that exact feeling. Craving a heart-pounding rush? The steepest drop in Iowa will leave you breathless. Fancy feeling like you’re about to fall out of your seat? The unique negative-G stall loop will make your heart jump out of your chest. Thrill-seekers will be buzzing with excitement once the ride is over!

Physical features

Monster stretches an impressive 2,500 feet and reaches a top speed of 65 mph. The ride begins with an unbearable dose of anticipation as you set off by slowly climbing up a 133-foot vertical lift hill followed by an adrenaline-pumping 101-degree drop—steeper than any other in Iowa. Then, you’ll experience multiple back-to-back inversions, upside-down loops, banked curves, twists, stall loops, and corkscrew turns. As you can tell, this extreme ride isn’t for the faint of heart!

Unique elements

What makes Monster stand out from the rest of the roller coasters in America? Well, we get to read that question quite often, and our answer is always the same: this ride is the first Infinity Coaster in the United States and was tailor-made for Adventureland. However, that’s not the only reason why our coaster is so unique.

Monster boasts a 101-degree drop, the steepest drop in Iowa. This angle makes riders face the sky and aren’t able to see the track in front of them as they approach the crest, so much so that they get the thrilling sensation that they’re soaring into the clouds. Moreover, this ride features the only negative-G stall loop in the Western hemisphere, a slower loop that gives riders the heart-stopping feeling like they’re falling out of the car.

Still not convinced that Monster is as impressive as it sounds? Then, you should definitely jump on the coaster at night and see it all lit up in a dazzling show of lights courtesy of a mesmerizing LED display made up of 46 ground lights and 137 track-mounted fixtures. You won’t see anything like it anywhere else!

Exploring other intense attractions: Dragon Slayer

Four years after the mind-blowing success of Monster, Adventureland Iowa began teasing a new attraction to replace the iconic Dragon looping coaster. Coaster enthusiasts knew that this day would come, as the park staple had grown old already and had become highly uncomfortable.

On May 29, 2021, Adventureland unveiled Dragon Slayer, a vibrant red fourth-dimension coaster with a customised layout and a smaller size than most S&S 4-D Free Spins. Fortunately for nostalgic visitors, the lift hill, loops, and bunny hops still remain as the decorative “slayed dragon” that gives this ride its name.

Key features

The Dragon Slayer is 770 feet long and reaches a top speed of 34 mph. Its layout is quite simple: after a brief vertical lift hill, the coaster descends into a mostly downhill track course of flip-inducing hills and raven turns. Yet, what truly sets it apart is its horizontally spinning cars, which keep riders freely flipping throughout the entire ride.

While this fourth-dimension roller coaster isn’t for the faint-hearted, it does offer two distinct experiences depending on which side of the train you sit on. If you’re looking for a thrilling and uncontrolled spinning adventure, sit on the Knight side; if you fancy a milder ride this time, opt for the Squire side.

Comparisons with Monster

Intensity levels

Both Monster and Dragon Slayer deliver intense riding experiences, each with its unique appeal: the former offers a faster, more traditional coaster ride plagued with twists and turns, whereas the latter provides the added thrill of spinning on an axis while the cars ride along the tracks.

Suitability for families

Although both Monster and Dragon Slayer are designed to entertain a wide range of audiences, there are important access limitations to keep in mind. All riders must be at least 48 inches tall to jump on either coaster. However, anyone over 77 inches tall can’t ride the Dragon Slayer. Additionally, younger children wishing to enjoy the Dragon Slayer must be accompanied by a parent or guardian throughout the entire ride.

Experience the thrill of Adventureland Iowa's Monster ride!

Adventureland Iowa isn’t nicknamed “the Home of Iowa’s Best Thrills” for nothing. Packed with ups and downs, inversions, curves, and twists, Monster captivates thrill seekers with the sheer adrenaline rush it provides and continues to cement its status as the park’s most exhilarating ride year after year. Don’t miss your chance to conquer America’s first Infinity Coaster—purchase your tickets now!