About Adventureland Resort
Nearly 50 Years of Fun
Since opening in 1974, Adventureland has grown to more than 100 rides, shows, and attractions for all ages, from mild to wet-and-wild, and features shows throughout the park for a variety of family fun and entertainment.
Adventureland is part of Palace Entertainment, the country's largest operator of some of the top theme parks, water parks and family entertainment centers including Kennywood, Lake Compounce and Noah’s Ark, operating 25 parks in 10 states. It is part of the Parques Reunidos worldwide family of parks, featuring 40 parks entertaining 14 million visitors per year. A steadfast commitment to safety and maintaining a top-notch family entertainment venue, as well as to providing superior guest service, remains stronger than ever.
Adventureland was founded in 1974 by Jack Krantz. What started as an amusement park grew into a resort including a hotel, restaurant and campground. Adventureland Resort was run as a family business by the Krantz family until 2021.
A balance of change and tradition continue to be important for Adventureland Resort, which is one of the Midwest’s best-known family fun and entertainment theme parks and has become a regional magnet for tourism and fun for all ages.
A Letter from Our General Manager
To our valued Adventureland guests & neighbors,
It’s a busy time around Adventureland Resort as we prepare for another exciting season ahead. Adventureland Inn and Spectators bring in winter vacationers and sports watchers daily, and lots of planning is underway for a 2023 that will be bigger and better than ever. Our two new rides, Flying Viking and Draken Falls, are taking shape. But, as we look forward to the upcoming season, I’m reflecting on my first year leading Adventureland, with all the learnings it provided for me and the Palace Entertainment team, as new operators of Adventureland.
The start of a new year is a great time to reflect and give thanks, and we have plenty to be thankful for at the Home of Iowa’s Best Thrills. We started our 2022 season with the smash hit Rockin’ Rainbow ride at the end of a freshly painted Main Street, plus eight other new rides offering thrills for guests of all ages. The debut of our Phantom Fall Fest event in October made 2022 Adventureland’s longest season ever. It was a scream seeing you enjoy our chilling collection of haunts, rides, and fall family fun.
I got to experience “Iowa Nice” and see Adventureland collaborate with others in the community. Hosting Ellipsis families on Opening Day, participating in the Southeast Polk Homecoming Parade, welcoming Des Moines’ own cake-baking star Andrew Fuller during Phantom Fall Fest, and hosting Make-A-Wish Iowa’s Jolly Holiday Lights were just a few of the ways we made new friends this year.
I am also so thankful for how the Adventureland team came together to provide a great experience for our guests. We implemented changes in our operations throughout the resort, always with an emphasis on safety as the most important element. As new owners of the resort, we conducted a review of all rides, and have decided to permanently close the Raging River attraction. The decision comes after months of examination, working closely with its manufacturer to identify what enhancements would be needed to meet our strict operating standards. Based upon that review, the best path forward is to close Raging River, and focus on enhancing the Adventureland experience elsewhere.
Adventureland’s future holds much to be thankful for as well. Draken Falls, a next-generation super flume ride, will be a fitting successor to the park’s beloved log ride, with Flying Viking debuting as Adventureland’s seventh roller coaster! This intertwined two-ride combo will be enhanced with a unique Nordic theme, perfect for a pairing that will be unlike anything else in the Midwest. Keep a close eye on our social media channels for construction progress until opening day.
On behalf of the entire Adventureland team, thank you for your support in 2022. We are counting down to opening day 2023!
Best regards,
Bill Lentz
General Manager
Adventureland Resort
