NEW Lost Island Theme Park in Iowa - Full Review & Guide
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
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I really hope this park gets a lot of visitors. They've done what we've asked of from bigger parks so they totally deserve big attendance numbers
Fingers crossed, I'm anxious to see how much this park grows. It looks like a great little tourist spot now, hopefully it will become a destination spot for thusies in the upcoming decade.
Agreed
Fingers crossed. The holiday only drew 450 guests and 10 percent capacity
@@timmyn8575 it needs to get more pressssss
What is it exactly that they've done that you've wanted big parks to do?
I thought I recognized you! It was cool to see you in Mura. Really appreciate the positive video. I was the attendant on the sidewinder Mura Fury. Working there and seeing this park from the ground up has been incredible and I'm glad we have awesome themepark enthusiasts like you to help spread the word! Thanks and I'm glad you had a great time!
I went this year and it is a really good park I hope more people come so it stays open
I am very impressed with this park. The heavy theming, colors, and architecture are up there with any theme park in the country. I do think I would’ve spent the extra money to import mature trees and vegetation to fill the park out. The first thing noticed is how barren it is and it would’ve been worth the extra cost, IMO. Having only young, small plants is going to take more than just a few years to make the park feel more filled out. But everything else is great. I really like that there is more than just the thrill rides. Too many parks are just too top heavy with them and ignores a big segment of other park goers, attraction variety, and indoor attractions/shows that come in handy in getting people out of the hot weather and in colder months if a park in a mid range climate (like Charlotte or Atlanta) want to go year round at some point. Thanks for the review.
This looks to be such an amazing new theme park! They've managed to put something together that bigger theme parks with more money have failed to do. I hope word gets out and this park achieves the success it deserves.
I went yesterday and was incredibly impressed! I had fun on every ride. The dark ride was, as you said, world class. And even though the purple roller coaster was rough (that first inversion... ouch) it was still really fun and intense. One ride not shown in the video, the spinning bumper cars! They are incredibly fun! The park was really empty and a group of us just kept riding it over and over. I will be back for sure. If you are someone who wants to do a small park tour, hit up this park, Adventureland in Altoona, Iowa. Valley Fair in Shokapee, MN is always a good time. And there is a tiny park on Lake Okoboji in Iowa where you should at least get the coaster credit.
You should check out Bay Beach in Green Bay, Wisconsin if you like smaller parks. They have a lot of fun rides, and a pretty good wooden coaster. It doesn't get much easier than free parking and free admission, either! The rides take carny-style tickets, which were a quarter a piece when I was there a couple years ago. Four of us had all the fun we needed with a $20 sheet - the rides are only 1-4 tickets each, most only one or two.
This park looks extremely underrated and I can’t wait for some time to pass to see the park at its full potential i have a feeling it could definitely be one of the best theme parks in the U.S.
Actually, nothing can “look” underrated. Whether something is underrated depends upon (1) an analysis of how good it is, and (2) an examination of the ratings.
Saying it looks TERRIFIC would have been much more appropriate.
This park looks beautiful and the theming is fantastic. It is weird not seeing any trees or bushes anywhere though. 😕 I do hope attendance picks up soon. Its obvious that they put a great deal of money, care and planning into this place. I'd hate to hear them be in financial trouble right off the bat.
Hopefully next season will help since it near the end of the summer season and I didn't realize it was opened so next year people will have a chance to make there way to the park
@@jaredstivers was that English?
@@detroitdiezel7856 it was but without punctuation, spelling and grammar
@@alegsb3943 LOL 😆😂🤣😅😄
Thank you for your excellent coverage! Our community is so proud of the new park and are excited for the word to spread about it!
I would like to see a wooden coaster from GCI or Gravity Group built in the Yuta realm in the near future. That not only fits in with the theme of the realm but also fills a gap in Lost Island’s coaster lineup!
This park has so much potential. As long as they pick up attendance numbers they could start to get some world-class coasters.
Ah, landing the the theme park now. Remember the old days when the news said it’s just being built in 2019 and it should be done by 2022. And within a second, time flies and it’s here!
i'll be keeping an eye on this park for the next few years, it seems to have a ton of potential
Thank you for your video. I live local and yes a lot of people are waiting for the launch coaster to open which they said will open before the end of July. Of the people who have went have said the admission is worth the price just by riding Volcanu the dark ride. I heard it was amazing. Hopefully more people will come now seeing your video. I drive by this park everyday and it seems that they are getting more visitors by the day. I also have been saying the exact same thing that now is the time to go because you can ride all day and not have to wait in lines so you definitely get your money’s worth.
Not only this theme park looks so lovely but I LOVE how the mascots/characters of that park look like they've came from a Anime-inspired RPG! If I was rich enough & have the opportunity I would love to build a indie Anime theme park with several roller coasters with insanely creative scenery.
Looks like a lot of interesting rides with excellent theming. I think this should be the blueprint that all parks putting in new rides should follow. BUT... we really do need to talk more about how un-scenic Iowa and most of the Midwest can be! 😂 Fingers crossed it looks better in a few years!
Iowa can be plenty scenic. This park was literally a cornfield 2 year ago. Give it some time to grow up. Would have been nice if they brought in some more mature trees though.
@@timfischer Yeah I was kinda making a joke hehe. Iowa closer to the Mississippi is totally scenic! P.S. I'm in Chicago and if it weren't for Lake Michigan it's pretty darn flat with absolutely nothing to look at! 😀
Watched a POV of the dark ride, looks amazing for a park of this size.
Log Flume looking good, can’t wait for that to open.
Will definitely be checking out this park soon
I hope to visit this park in 5 years or so when they grow. This seems to have major potential. On a side note... the Tamariki characters look adorable! Especially Aoka (based off the app).
This park has so much potential from what I’ve seen. A decent SLC combined with an intamin launch and a kiddy coaster is already some good stuff. I think a Maurer spinner would be a good intermediate coaster. And then a Skyrocket II would be impressive in the parks skyline. And then maybe a gravity group or Gci woodie would top off the parks line up. Overall, I see nothing but potential in the lineup
This park looks very good from what I see here. Can't wait how it's developing over the future...
We’ll be going for the first time this weekend and are excited to support an independently owned theme park! I love the idea of theme parks that aren’t beholden to a larger brand (Six Flags, Disney, etc). I so badly want this to succeed!! ❤
Love this! Hoping to make a trip when Matugani opens
This park looks awesome. They did a great job with the ride selections so far, and the naked spaces are clearly set up for future growth. If I lived closer I would make this place a regular visit. I will have to put this place on my list of parks to visit. They have really put a lot of time and effort int to the different themed land. 👍🏾👍🏾
Thanks for posting this review!! I’ve been looking for a review of this park.
Park Pros
13.2K subscribers As a born Iowan. The ONLY theme parks that my Family and I usually go to are the worlds famous Iowa State Fair and the "Adventure-land" Amusement Park located in Altoona, Iowa near the city of Des Moines, Iowa. They just got NINE new rides for "Adventure-land" Iowa very recently. Also they permanently closed down the "Raging River" ride at "Adventure-land" due to a FATAL accident that resulted in a poor kid drowning to death as well as several injured people after the raft suddenly capsized and flipped over.
Dramamine 😂😂
And I'm really feeling the names, themes, and colors of the rides, this is great! 😃
Looks really good. If you squint your eyes you can imagine it's and avatar the last airbender park, and that is a huge compliment.
It does look rough right now though with the shrubbery just getting planted, and really nothing to break your line of sight into the great expanse that is Iowa... its just a boring state to look at.
However as it grows I'm sure it will look great as the themeing now is very impressive
I feel like they should have put up more theming to compensate for the lack of rides
I'll be in waterloo in September, looking forward to checking this out one of the days.
I just want to say there’s also a log ride coming and with me living near Waterloo it’s a great place and even though a thrill seeker would rather see a few more coasters those will be coming even though it’s getting very few customers in a few years this park has high chance to be booming
Very entertaining and fun to watch. Thanks for posting this.
I really loved watching this park go from concept to what it is now. So impressed that it became this fleshed out and detailed!
The culmination! So cool to finally see this park open, very exciting future for Lost Island, I can’t wait to see how it looks 5-10 years down the road. Excellent job covering this project Cole. 👏
Awesome review! Look forward to visiting this park in the future. There is a HUGE gap between thrills rides though. They definitely need a family coaster like Thunder Mtn or Space Mtn. Not everyone wants to or can go upside down.
I’ve been tracking this since day one also and hoping it thrives. I need to visit asap.
Matugani was named Kanonen in Liseberg but they removed the model and sold it to Lost island
anyone notice the little girl BLASTIN herself in the face in the promo footage at 3:57 🤣
With CGA closing some time in the future, i can see Railblazer being relocated here.
Always great to see a new theme park open.
I loved the Park. It was colorful, clean and friendly. The virtual ride was world class and exciting. It was something different. The roller coaster was fun. Just enjoyed all the rides. I liked the 5 realms. I was with a large group there was something for everyone.
This video is so great!!! Great job showcasing the park and spreading awareness, as a Florida enthusiast I wish I could get over there because it looks so good
Excellent job, liked & Subscribed .
Thank you for this. I’ll be visiting it soon
I'm local to the park, but since it's not cheap (and I have a bunch of kids), I'm holding off going until the last coaster is ready. Hopefully early August, as that was the last estimate I heard.
Thanks for this video as I had no idea this park existed. Just got back from Orlando and am needing to get my thrill ride fix. This just being a few hours from me is great and will be visiting while I try to wait patiently for Universal Epic to open.
It’s cool how they have one of those top spin rides! Idk what it’s really called but u don’t see them often anymore
So I'm an Iowa local and was going to wait for Matugani to open. But you make a good point. Why not just go and have a reason to come back. I agree from what I've seen the park really does have vibrant colors that pop and I really like it.
Yep I live about an hour away in Iowa city, I’ll be sure to pay a visit there soon!
Go Hawks! 🙌🏻
Looks great they just need to add more Flora and Shade. Looks to wide open too.
Agree...definately more trees and shade lils and elderly would have a hard time staying all day...
Kanonen looks so cool with its new look
I think the park has got big potential but for now, the attractions look more like filler and the theming lacks immersiveness.
My suggestions would be:
A ground up RMC Hybrid: They aren't too expensive. Zadra at Energylandia, arguably a top 5 roller coaster worldwide, had a cost of about 13.5 million USD and Wildfire at Kolmarden had a cost of 15 million USD with difficult terrain. An RMC Hybrid would be highly marketable and a stand out attraction. You can see it with the hype of ArieForce One at Fun Spot Atlanta.
A good family coaster: Something from Vekoma or Gerstlauer, like a Vekoma Boomerang/ SFC/ Mine Train or a Gerstlauer Bobsled/ Family Coaster/ Spinning Coaster. They'd also be pretty cheap, something like 4-6 million USD, highly themeable and they'd close the gap between the Wacky Worm and the thrilling coasters.
An (Intamin) River Rapids Ride: They are extremely crowd pleasing and even those that don't like coasters/ rides would go on them. Thus, everyone would have something to enjoy. A ride like that is also highly themeable and afaik not too expensive.
Those 3 additions would make the theme park highly marketable for the GP and enthusiasts alike and with the Hybrid, it would even be a destination park for enthusiasts. It would also "just" cost about 20-25 million USD which, considering it would definitely put the park on a whole other level and they've already invested over 100 million USD, should be financially feasible.
There actually is a raft ride in their phase 2 plans as the Awa's story anchor attraction based on early blueprints for the park.
I think an issue leading to poor attendance is the price. While $52 isn't bad, Im not sure if charging full price for an unfinished park is great. I think if it was $39, more people would be going. Most people in the Midwest or traveling to the Midwest would rather pay $13 more and go to Six Flags. No one is going to vacation to Iowa lol. I know, I lived there.
Everything is running except Matugani, Yuta Falls and Nikas Gift. They are just now starting up advertising. A lot of people do not know it is even open yet. Also a lot of people want to wait for Matugani to open. Hopefully that will be this month. The lost Island waterpark across the street is always packed. The theme park will get the attendance in time. It hasnt even been a month yet. There is a lot to do in the midwest. I guess if you just want to go to one all inclusive resort then no but if you do not mind driving a bit there is a lot to do within 4-5 hrs of Lost Island.
@@Mrs-spark2039 I lived in Waterloo throughout the entire instruction (just moved away June 5th). Even locals didn't know it was being built. Hopefully they really start advertising.
@@rbalara31 Yeah a lot of people don't get out much past their daily routes/routines. It seems like each weekend gets larger and larger. It is still less than a month old(opened) so it takes time.
The bigger issue in my opinion is advertisement. I found out about the park today. After almost a month of it being open. I'm from Iowa.
Actually, the most enthusiastic and excited visitors to the park have been from out of state!! They love no crowds and the "Iowa nice" vibe from the employees!! We'll get there! I enjoy operating rides there!
The theme park may have only three roleercosters but when I went there it was amazing
Wow, the park is so flat. I'm from Iowa, so I know that in a lot of places the land can be on the flat side, but you'd think they would have worked on some landscaping to make sure you couldn't see across the park, as well as put in some developed trees. However, any attraction coming to Iowa is a good thing, because for the last thirty years there has been a real battle between the people trying to generate a little tourism against those who just want to keep quietly to their farming.
I was just thinking… “Where the heck are the trees” 😂. This park has a lot of potential! Hoping to get out there soon.
When they add more stuff and more scenery this could be a new universal (not literally) but pretty close to a new universal, or a mini Disney world
Planning on going this summer!
We just got back from Orlando last month and was thinking of taking my son here for his 10th birthday in July but wondering if it's worth a 6 hour drive there and then 6 hours back. We will also be taking him the 3 hours to KC this fall to go to Worlds of Fun for the first time. He loved the rollercoasters in Florida
I wanna see more rides come to the Lost Island theme park like new roller coasters and more flat rides like a carousel!
The purple coaster comes from Ratanga junction in South Africa it was formally called the cobra and was a much loved coaster by residents of Cape Town
Don’t get me wrong what they have looks great but man the blank spaces are jarring. There is no doubt your still in Iowa. That being said I really hope they do well you have to start somewhere.
We are looking in to it my niece would love a place like that!
I’m going to lost island in 2 days I’m super excited.
I May have to visit this since it's not too far. It's pretty cool that they have a gerstlour sky fly as its the second one in the us.
He also forgot to say there's a water park attached to a two it was rated number two in America
i went there today, it’s really cool!
Nice video - never heard of lost island... I have now!
Two things! They need some elevation change. I know earth moving is expensive. Or maybe a mountain ride. Also, it needs some mature foliage brought in. Also very spendy. I will be visiting if ever in the area
Lack of even a single tier season pass is hurting attendance. The numbers should jump up if they offer one next year.
hopefully once matugani opens and when more people realize it's open there will be more people because I think this park has a lot of potential.
Looks cool. It does seem like deserted island in the middle of nowhere. They should add more things to fill out the empty spaces
Looks like a nice place. It just needs some time to fill itself out. A few more rides and maybe another restaurant and It'll start to look even better. If they throw in a GCI woody like White Lightning or something it'd be awesome. Maybe even an RMC single rail. But things like that will come in time.
They're going to need to boost attendance for the next few years and bring in some serious dollars in order to afford the cost of putting something like that in the park.
@@detroitdiezel7856 I mean, they've already invested over 100 million USD and they've got other water parks where they could take money from. A woodie or a single rail can cost below 10 million USD and this price is reasonable to give the park an attraction that stands out
@@je4a301 A family Gravity Group would be great here (they do those better than GCI does even though I prefer the GCI trains). Right now there's a gap between that Wacky Worm and the launch coaster and SLC.
@@Danrarbc I completely agree with you. They should be careful not to get trains that are too small as it is the case with many GG Family Woodies.
Some family coaster from Vekoma or Gerstlauer would also be relatively cheap and well fitting. Something like a Vekoma Family Boomerang/ SFC/ Mine Train or a Gerstlauer Bobsled/ Family Coaster/ Spinning Coaster
@@je4a301 Good shout on the Mine Train - hard to remember you can still get those and for a themed park like this you can do a lot with one.
I'd still like to see airtime in the layout though - it's something the park lacks and it's something you can do with on a family scale.
i know its new and thats why but if you put a big guitar in the middle it reminds me of Hard Rock park...so flat no trees...(i grew up in Iowa so you dont have to explain that)
owa's indoor water park just opened
Would love more if they’d transplant some well-grown trees around the place rather than just waiting for the current ones to grow in.
How about background music around the park? Since you did a voiceover we couldn’t get a good indication of that.
He commented on that!
What this park absolutely needs is more foliage. Unless we're set in the savannah, I have a hard time believing we're in a Tropical location when there's obvious desert foliage everywhere.
With some more trees from the regions or that look like they are from the regions the park is supposedly set in, the theming of a tropical island would be really effective.
Granted, it'd be hard to find tropical foliage in Iowa, but if it looks the part, it'll likely work.
I'm hoping to check this place out in July!
I want to go but I thought it would be so busy since it just opened I decided to wait till next year
you get me 5 thrilling coasters and a few more flat rides, I may visit, looks to be one the best theme parks in the country, maybe in ten years or so?
It is an amazing theme park, I love the rides but my only thing is that they should work on the theming area a little bit more. Other than that i have a feeling we're going to be seeing more of the lost islands theme park expanding to other states .
Theming looks great for a park of this size. Do you mean landscaping?
This park is definitely a gem
It’s crazy the owner decided to close it for the rest of the season.
Make shur to eat before you go I got a cheeseburger and it was cold I needed to go up 2 times for them to get it right and the free refill cup is 35$ bring water bottles to save money but the rides were definitely fun
Every one who has watched this or does please come support this park!!! Matugani had opened!!!
Needs more trees
I just want a park in my area, even if its small like this. Closest park to me is Discovery Kingdom with a 3 hour drive. I get to go maybe once a year if I'm lucky.
First review of this place I have seen….thanks.
I see they tried to fix the areas drainage problem with a small reservoir and huge dike but only succeeded in moving it a few more feet and almost flooding the entrance to their parking lot. Hopefully, they will seldom be open when it floods. It was also put in an area with high winds and lightning often.
It's Avatar and hamajang Polynesia. I'm down for it
If they added a magic quest to this park. Where you had to go to each area to complete a story quest with magic wands. They would have a large harry potter fan base.
Hey, thanks a lot for this review of a brand new park. Great to see.
The one negative I had in mind while watching you eventually addressed: the park looks really bare and shadeless. Those trees can’t grow fast enough. But hey even Dollywood’s Wildwood Grove looked like that when it opened, and they’re all about theming at that park.
Finally, did you manage to save Lost Island from the Lava Monster? I heard you were the park’s only hope.
Maybe they'll buy railblazer from cedar fair. That would be a major addition to the park and it doesn't take much land
I was thinking the same thing, sad to see such a beautiful park go, but hopefully railblazer can support a smaller park like this.
@@ashtonirigatoni It will probably go to another park in the Cedar Fair chain. There are several parks that would highly benefit from an RMC Raptor and it's less of an effort to just put it to one of their parks than to sell it and buy something else for those parks
@@je4a301 good point!
@@je4a301 Agreed. Cedar Fair has at least 4 parks that Railblazer would do well in - they won't be selling it.
The 4 would be World's of Fun, Valleyfair, Michigan's Adventure and Dorney.
I don't know why, but I find it a bit ugly, must be the lack of any type of vegetation? It's like super empty
I only happened to find out about the park from someone at King’s Island, and I live in Iowa.
Hopefully I’ll go this summer
Do they have games out there as well like adventure or no?
Yeah they had a decent sized stretch of games
I’ve always wanted an Avatar the Last Airbender theme park, and this seems like the next best thing.
Very cool.
Very helpful review!
Trees will help, but the park looks like it needs buildings. Lots of space and time for that, though.
I’m holding off for the Blitz coaster and I can’t wait for it.
Check out the plans they put out a year or so ago. They have some attractions grayed out that are presumably coming in future years. If this park takes off that is.
Can you post the pre-shows of the drop tower and dark ride?
If I didn’t live on the east coast I would go lol