They really have a great thing going on in that southeast outskirt section of Waterloo. A water park, theme park, a casino/hotel, KOA campground and public golf course. We really need this positive attention with our local mall dying and local job losses (Thank you John Deere, Hy Vee and Red Lobster!)
I love that Lost Island is focusing on immersive theming, rather than relying on existing IP. I know it's early days still, but I am rooting for the park!
Existing IPs cost money, of course they wouldn't use them. Its the fact that they are focusing on theming at all instead of just dumping rides in an empty parking lot.
I honestly really hope Lost Islands gets more successful and expands, it really is a THEMED, PARK and everything is different, yet cohesive. With the trees being planted, it could easily made into an even more beautiful place once they finish growing. It could become quite similar to those amazing european parks.
Cheers to the family that made this space possible for families to visit in the area. And for taking care of their employees before selling the business. Cheers to these great folks giving back to their community! 🍻
What a nice, clean park. It definitely looks great with the wide open spaces. A few more trees and vegetation to flesh it out would be great but I'm guessing they'll be growing/adding over the years.
Something cool is that my 5th grade school got to go there before it even opened (every Waterloo elementary school got to go), we were the first people ever there, it was a fun time
This park is absolutely incredible! Love the lore and rich detail in every realm. It is also a ton of fun to talk to the characters in each realm as well.
It's a great park with a super helpful staff, a wonderful layout, and a rock solid lineup of rides... but it needs a lot more foliage to grow in and help support the feeling of being transported. The food could also take a step up, but I think they'll get there.
Definitely! I personally have a great experience with the food. It was way cheaper than most other theme parks, and it was fresh. There's a lot of potential.
oh believe me i've been to the waterpark since i was a kid, and going to the theme park was dare i say better than disney? it was awesome i totally hope you're able to go one day
I haven't been to Lost Island waterpark in over a decade, even though I live less than an hour away. So many good memories from going there while in high school, when it was still pretty new. The theme park looks like even more fun! Can't wait to go.
hey! i’m from cedar falls-waterloo and i can confirm the addition of the theme park has been great for the area! it’s only 2-3 years old i think so it’s still really early but both the water and theme park are amazing! :)
I love in Western Wisconsin and I don,t get to travel much outside the state This theme Park gives me a very reason to visit Iowa. I will tell my family all about this place.😅😅😅😅😅😅😊
I'm a season pass holder, and I plan to be for a very long time. Fortunately, the waterpark is very successful, and can subsidize the losses until the theme park is profitable. The lack of advertising has been an issue. From what I've heard, they run radio ads around Waterloo, but I think they'd have better luck with billboards along I-380 from Waterloo to Iowa City. The fact that there are people within a 2 hour drive who do not know about this park is a crime
This park is absolutely beautiful. I was blown away by how much detail the family put into the park. You can tell that they genuinely put their heart and souls into its creation. It puts the only rival it has, Adventureland in Des Moines, to shame. We were able to go on every ride that wasn't meant for small children within two hours when we went last year. The crowds were so dead that employees were sitting around bored out of their minds waiting for anyone to approach their rides. Since the greenery is still young, there's barely any shade outside of some of the queues and other buildings. That gorgeous Nopuko coaster was admittedly very painful to ride. I've heard the same of Matugani, which has unfortunately been out of service every time I've visited. I really hope that this park is able to make it past its first few years. The family clearly put a lot of work into it and I hope I never have to see it close its door due to its scary low attendance.
Hey, I'm from Iowa! I used to go to the Lost Island's waterpark section all the time! Didn't know they added a theme park though, I might have to go again soon
i went there about a year and a half ago. if you want really good rides with absolutely no wait time on any of them at all due to the fact that nobody unfortunately goes to the park, then this is the park for you! not to mention the water park is awesome as well (besides the beer prices)
Just went earlier today and MAN it's incredibly immersive. The dark ride is extremely fun and it's the first time I've been on an upside down coaster. Also, half the ambient music is from Ori and the Blind Forest/Will of the Wisps and MAN that fits well. They're also building a merry go round in Awa!
Holy crap! I'm Iowan and every summer it seem when i was younger we'd go Lost and Adventureland. If you have the opportunity to go there, do! Extremely fun place to spend the day at! Commenting before even watching the video, I'll probably come back here to add more lol 1st edit I've been to the waterpark to the point that i forgot that they the themepark
I know they've already hinted at a Rapids ride in the short term, but a Gravity Group family woodie and a Chance Hyper GTX like Thunder Run at Kentucky Kingdom would fit the line-up (and budget) of Lost Island
Lost Island looks like a nice and promising park - I'll definitely pay a visit if I'm ever up in Iowa. I live in Orlando and am spoiled with parks but have seen just about everything here!
I feel like another issue is that they don't really advertise. I have never heard of it before and I go to the largest university in the state, less than an hour and a half away. This should be in the top five places in the state they advertise to
I literally have lived in Iowa for over two decades and I’ve never heard of this place or of people visiting it, not going to lie. Most folks either don’t go to theme parks at all, take advantage of the sale prices for Adventureland, or save up for a few years to go to the Disney Parks (most rare).
As a local Iowan, I'm surprised to see Lost Island as so special. Idk, I've always seen it as just another themepark, like Adventureland, Noah's Ark, and Wisconsin Dells.
I could see that for locals. But in the theme park industry, you don't really get a lot of new family-run parks like Lost Island. Especially with that level of storytelling. You can enjoy it on its surface and take it deeper if you want to.
I went here last year and it was basically dead, it was so cool learning all the lore and exploring the different elements, it was awesome, I just wish they had a couple more rides that expand on the lore or specific characters, and I wish there were a couple more trees
Yooo I live like less than 30 minutes away from Waterloo. I been to that Lost Island many times. In Iowa it’s pretty uncommon to not be able to see corn or soybean fields even in some smaller cities and towns in northeastern Iowa
I worked at the fencing company that put up the fences for the theme park. In fact I welded all the gates there personally. I remember the guys at work telling me about the fire. That was crazy😂
Medium coaster enthusiast here and I loved my time at this park last year. Would rather spend a day there than be stressed out for twelve hours straight at a disney park.
I live in the area and had no idea they added a theme park, decided to read their negative google reviews (kinda a hobby of mine, they're usually kind interesting or funny) and some of the owner responses were definitely interesting
Oh boy. 😅 I can say this video was made with no affiliation to the park, but the owner reached out afterward and was incredibly hospitable to me! Google reviews are always entertaining.
I was expecting a story about the theme park on an island that was lost about 50 years ago on clear lake Iowa. My dad grew up visiting the island before it closed. Now people go there to find artifacts.
@@StorybookAmusement I'd sit on the wooden beams at the top of the red slide or the big blue slide, or tucked in a little nook on top of the wave pool where I was hidden but could see most of the park. I went there all the time as a kid so it was almost surreal wandering it at night
I live in waterloo, i can tell you now that most people in the town havent even been to the park yet. Its still simply too expensive for most of us to justify going, especially when we're so used to the waterpark itself
I gotcha. I will say the price imo is pretty fair compared to similar parks, and the food is a really good value. They offer some discount days, so look out for that.
Being from the 515 my whole life I can tell you that you all need to get out and explore our great state because there is a SHIT TON more things to do beside this and corn🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
@@timduke4616that's what I'm saying! 641 born and raised, been here all my life. Iowa is beautiful. Every time I drive the back roads especially in summer I love the rolling hills full of vibrant colors, it's so beautiful and that's where there really is nothing. Then there's the beautiful Des Moines, and the beautiful places and history all over the state.
@@StorybookAmusement Yeah for sure. I do have a lot of criticisms of Lost Island but I am also rooting for them so hard, it's a breath of fresh air compared to the rest of the American regional theme park scene
I'll admit that description I added to the Matugani Wikipedia page was mostly based on a "Ask walkaround characters about lore" answer, but yeah, the station interior could definitely use some plussing.
Your video is so impressive. At this time around, Lost Island Theme Park is looking for the way to boost their attendance up by working with RMC with one or two roller coaster projects such as a Raptor model and/or an all new Wild Moose model. Here’s my wild card speculation if the rumors are true, Lost Island Theme Park will be making its largest investment yet by building a small-scale B&M Dive Coaster in the next five to ten years of park operations.
Really beautiful park. But, as crazy as it sounds, I think condensing everything would have done them a world of good. The sightlines are abysmal. I agree that when trees grow in it will fill out some but overall it has a density problem.
It seems the "all lands are connected" concepts helps with sightlines. I actually like how you can see the whole park in one glance. But lush landscaping would do wonders for this place.
I hope this park becomes more successful. They need to build NEW rides though instead of buying older ones. Something like a GCI family thrill coaster or even an RMC single rail would be great here. Along with some new flat and thrill rides like maybe a new version Enterprise ride. But I’m sure those things will come in time.
True! But aside from the two major coasters and I believe the drop tower, every ride there is new. They even considered a new wooden coaster before opening! Maybe someday.
i think it's a smart investment to get them going, and they made good choices. coasters are the crowd pleasers but they're very expensive. the general public aren't going to know they're not new unless the park goes advertising it. i hope they do find success so they can expand and get some one of a kind coasters.
@Ace-du7vw it will fail. The park is to far from Big cities in Iowa. Illinois can travel to 6 flags or house on the rock. We had a water park in Davenport. Lost island is too far for both
Fantastic deep dive of the park! In a landscape where it's seemingly easier to market the biggest and scariest rollercoasters, it's so refreshing to see a park focus on the areas first and then use attractions to compliment the story they're trying to tell. I wish them all the luck in the world! p.s. someone needs to tell them they can buy fully grown trees hahahah
Thanks! It's definitely a nice break from the standard regional parks here in the U.S. Hopefully this upcoming season is busier than ever! It seems the park is pretty aware of the shade comments. I believe they mentioned having some more shade installed, but I really hope those trees hurry up.
Where we didn't have another water park in that area at that time they could still go to Adventureland, I think it was like an hour and a half from there. Plus it's been there a lot longer. I live in Iowa and I didn't even know they expanded the park to anything but water park. And honestly would make more sense for me just to go to Adventureland anyway though since they have a huge established park and a water park on top of it
Going to add to this too because I hadn't finished the video and honestly I still haven't. I live an hour from here. There's so much more information in this video than I've ever heard in my entire life. I'm almost 30 and never heard 90% of this about this place. I didn't know there was even a story. I'm sure I'll add to it more cuz there'll be more what the hack's happening
Somebody take away from all of this is basically just that these people don't advertise at all. They're not getting people because nobody knows any of this is actually here. The only reason I know that this park even exists is because of one kid in elementary who told me about the water park one time. I don't think I've ever heard anybody else ever talk about this place since then. It's really depressing because lore is a great thing. However, if they would actually advertise literally any of this, their numbers would skyrocket faster than they know what to do with. Nobody knows this unless maybe they live in that general area. Like I said, never heard of any of it except for the water park
I live in Iowa and previously lived just miles from where the park is now. I’m super plugged in to happenings in Iowa, and I’d blame insufficient marketing. So many people in Iowa still have no idea the park has opened, let alone how high-end it is. Take a look at their social media, and you’ll see there’s a huge discrepancy in the work that’s gone into the theming and the rides, and the marketing efforts. The solution to me is simple: they need to hire world-class marketers to advertise a world-class park. Will it cost big bucks? Yes. But I’m not sure they can choose not to at this point.
From what I'm hearing, business is picking up, and they're starting to push the theme park a little more than previous seasons. I'm hoping they push push push like you said!
Dang. I just checked my script, and it says Northeast. When you narrate 4,500 words, your mind is bound to go into autopilot mode on some of them I guess.
Iowan here, this is one of my favorite places on planet earth. Also were not all about corn, we prefer slipknot. But in all seriousness, thanks for pointing us out.
Theming is great and all. But they need a Grade A, Major League roller coaster. That purple coster won't bring in coaster heads. That green one is great btw. They also need more advertising.
They lauched too late. We're in a Great Recession now. Deer just fired 1/3 of there workers after getting woke. Tyson has also fired workers. I mean fired not layed off. Liberty Packaging and Xpac also fired everyone not on first shift. To make things worse local banks have failed. I mean shut down or sold off. Better not need a car as car loans are DONE. Then you have the price controls. Uh.
I actually went to this park the first year it was open to the public, and i think there was at most 100 people within the entire park. It's a shame because i do believe that this park has the foundation of being really popular nd good, but i'm not sure what it is, either lack of advertising or connections to it's waterpark counterpart that deters people from this fun exerience.
It seems like they're starting to find their footing this season but still have a long way to go. There's a lot of heart in that place, and hopefully the crowds show up soon.
As someone who lives in Iowa, went to Lost Island regularly as a kid, and goes to school near Waterloo, I got *really fucking* jump scared by this video’s title and thumbnail. My good sir what are you doing in my house, get out /j
A new privately owned amusement park that found a niche due to its distance from other parks? This is like trying to freedive the Marianas Trench. Wow. I love amusement parks. I hope they make it. They have a Top Spin? Cool. I thought they stopped making those. Also a circular loop on a coaster? They're normally tear dropped. Wow. They've got some serious cojones. Oh, I see. They've separated the loop to make it more of a corkscrew. That makes it less of a headbanging ride. Cool. As you said, they need more shade. Those trees need time to grow. The land is sparse and flat. I find that a little unnerving, but it's new. That'll change over time.
Love the location, but it misses the mark in so many places. The bumper cars and water ride are very underwhelming. The purple coaster seems to have boxing gloves on as it knocks the crap out of you. The launch coaster is good but short. The water battle ride is hard with such poor attendance. I look forward to possible future expansions….
For your next video project please let it be another kennywood park video this time let it be about the olde kennywood railroad and how it evolved into Thomas town
Have you ever uhhhhh been to Des Moines? It's not actually that weird for a theme park to be in north Iowa as Des Moines is just a regular city with all the regular city stuff
I visited last year, but fair! The point is not so much that a theme park exists in Iowa-it's more so that a slice of Orlando-type quality exists in Iowa, which many people wouldn't consider a top tourist destination.
havent watched video yet but im somehow getting offended by the 'middle of nowhere' remark. its on the outskirts of one of our biggest cities, waterloo (including cedar falls). then again..... our biggest cities arent that big..
Hi! I mean no offense to the Waterloo area. I'll admit the thumbnail wording is clickbaity, but I have nothing but respect for that park and its surrounding area.
Noted. I only used that phrase once at the beginning relatively speaking to the theme park world. I mean no offense to the kind, hardworking people in the Midwest! 🤗
I work very close to these parks. They're crap and tiny. If you're coming to Iowa just go to Adventureland. You can get both parks for one price instead of paying overpriced charges for each. Separately
They really have a great thing going on in that southeast outskirt section of Waterloo. A water park, theme park, a casino/hotel, KOA campground and public golf course. We really need this positive attention with our local mall dying and local job losses (Thank you John Deere, Hy Vee and Red Lobster!)
Wishing the best for that area!
As an Iowan, I’ve been to Adventure land/bay and Lost island water park. I want to visit the theme park sometime. I’m glad these places exist in Iowa!
It's not a bad home park to have! I wish I lived closer
I love that Lost Island is focusing on immersive theming, rather than relying on existing IP. I know it's early days still, but I am rooting for the park!
Absolutely! I'm hoping they get rewarded someday for their creativity.
Existing IPs cost money, of course they wouldn't use them. Its the fact that they are focusing on theming at all instead of just dumping rides in an empty parking lot.
@@506363 IPs also can get outdated
I’m actually happy to see that a non corporate owned amusement park is successful! It looks great and the detail they spent there is amazing!
It's so refreshing, especially in an age when corporate synergy is a huge influence in major theme parks.
The berch family are incorporated. They own berch cabinets and literally compete with MasterCraft in the industry.
I used to live in Cedar Falls and visited Lost Island back when it was only a water park. I had no idea what it had grown into since then!
Big things happening in Waterloo! 😅
I honestly really hope Lost Islands gets more successful and expands, it really is a THEMED, PARK and everything is different, yet cohesive. With the trees being planted, it could easily made into an even more beautiful place once they finish growing. It could become quite similar to those amazing european parks.
That's a great point!
Cheers to the family that made this space possible for families to visit in the area. And for taking care of their employees before selling the business. Cheers to these great folks giving back to their community! 🍻
Yes! They've done a great job!
What a nice, clean park. It definitely looks great with the wide open spaces. A few more trees and vegetation to flesh it out would be great but I'm guessing they'll be growing/adding over the years.
That's probably the No. 1 criticism of the park. I applaud what they've built so far, but it does feel a bit bare. Those trees need time to fill in.
Definitely needs more trees both to fill it in and for shade
I've been to lost island and I can say it is one of my favorite water parks
i had never heard of this place until recently, and I live in Iowa.
Lucky you being so close! I hope you get the chance to go someday
Me as well
I am just under 2 hours away and only learning of its existence because of the mighty TH-cam algorithm. I can’t wait to go!
Something cool is that my 5th grade school got to go there before it even opened (every Waterloo elementary school got to go), we were the first people ever there, it was a fun time
This park is absolutely incredible! Love the lore and rich detail in every realm. It is also a ton of fun to talk to the characters in each realm as well.
It's a dream!
It's a great park with a super helpful staff, a wonderful layout, and a rock solid lineup of rides... but it needs a lot more foliage to grow in and help support the feeling of being transported. The food could also take a step up, but I think they'll get there.
Definitely! I personally have a great experience with the food. It was way cheaper than most other theme parks, and it was fresh. There's a lot of potential.
Yeah, they need to splurge on the foliage a little.
Hey, we here in Iowa don't just have corn. We have corn, Casey's, corn, Dollar Generals, corn, weed, and soy beans.
Dollar Generals 😆
Heard about this park while on an internet rabbit hole several months ago- love how unique it is and would love to go one day! It's so adorable!
I hope you get to experience it someday!
oh believe me i've been to the waterpark since i was a kid, and going to the theme park was dare i say better than disney? it was awesome i totally hope you're able to go one day
I haven't been to Lost Island waterpark in over a decade, even though I live less than an hour away. So many good memories from going there while in high school, when it was still pretty new. The theme park looks like even more fun! Can't wait to go.
Have a great time once you get out there!
hey! i’m from cedar falls-waterloo and i can confirm the addition of the theme park has been great for the area! it’s only 2-3 years old i think so it’s still really early but both the water and theme park are amazing! :)
I'm glad it's been positive for you all! Thanks so much for watching
I love in Western Wisconsin and I don,t get to travel much outside the state
This theme Park gives me a very reason to visit Iowa. I will tell my family all about this place.😅😅😅😅😅😅😊
Have fun if when when you visit! Look out for their new coaster next year 👀
I have seen many people posting pictures of the main front gate, had no idea it is in Iowa!
It's waaaay out there, but worth it!
I'm a season pass holder, and I plan to be for a very long time. Fortunately, the waterpark is very successful, and can subsidize the losses until the theme park is profitable. The lack of advertising has been an issue. From what I've heard, they run radio ads around Waterloo, but I think they'd have better luck with billboards along I-380 from Waterloo to Iowa City. The fact that there are people within a 2 hour drive who do not know about this park is a crime
Last season did have a smattering of billboards in Rochester, Omaha and Dubuque, but they could definitely use some more within the state.
Im in southern Iowa and have never heard of it. Looks like a nice little park.
@FigmentJedi
What?! They don’t even have any in Des Moines?! Their own state!
@@alexandramcginnis8872 I did see one in Des Moines too.
@@alexandramcginnis8872 Des Moines still has Adventureland it's just janky and old.
This park is absolutely beautiful. I was blown away by how much detail the family put into the park. You can tell that they genuinely put their heart and souls into its creation. It puts the only rival it has, Adventureland in Des Moines, to shame. We were able to go on every ride that wasn't meant for small children within two hours when we went last year. The crowds were so dead that employees were sitting around bored out of their minds waiting for anyone to approach their rides. Since the greenery is still young, there's barely any shade outside of some of the queues and other buildings. That gorgeous Nopuko coaster was admittedly very painful to ride. I've heard the same of Matugani, which has unfortunately been out of service every time I've visited.
I really hope that this park is able to make it past its first few years. The family clearly put a lot of work into it and I hope I never have to see it close its door due to its scary low attendance.
Great comments on the park! Matugani is not painful at all in my experience, but I agree that Nopuko is very jolty.
Hey, I'm from Iowa! I used to go to the Lost Island's waterpark section all the time! Didn't know they added a theme park though, I might have to go again soon
Hello! Hope you have a great time if you visit!
Fantastic video! Lost Island is my home park, and I hope more people come to visit this year!
Thank you! Your videos were a huge help. They're so informative and enthusiastic!
Been there many times as a kid. Super fun
Of all the videos to be recommended to me, a place I spent during my childhood and early working years poped up, well then
I live in Waterloo, and this makes me want to visit. Completely forgot the theme park expansion existed.
I hope you get a chance to go!
i watch and follow so many theme park pages on YT that I'm shocked I hadn't heard about this place before!
A true hidden gem!
i went there about a year and a half ago. if you want really good rides with absolutely no wait time on any of them at all due to the fact that nobody unfortunately goes to the park, then this is the park for you! not to mention the water park is awesome as well (besides the beer prices)
I've heard rumblings it's been a little busier this year. The park seems to be slowly catching on. Hopefully it picks up!
Just went earlier today and MAN it's incredibly immersive. The dark ride is extremely fun and it's the first time I've been on an upside down coaster. Also, half the ambient music is from Ori and the Blind Forest/Will of the Wisps and MAN that fits well.
They're also building a merry go round in Awa!
I was _just_ listening to the Ori soundtrack the other day for that exact reason! And finally that carousel is going up. 😅 Sounds like a good time!
Oh, i never knew they opened a theme park! I kind of want to drive up there to go to it now
There's no better time to go than now!
Holy crap! I'm Iowan and every summer it seem when i was younger we'd go Lost and Adventureland. If you have the opportunity to go there, do! Extremely fun place to spend the day at!
Commenting before even watching the video, I'll probably come back here to add more lol
1st edit I've been to the waterpark to the point that i forgot that they the themepark
This video is very well made!
Thank you!
I know they've already hinted at a Rapids ride in the short term, but a Gravity Group family woodie and a Chance Hyper GTX like Thunder Run at Kentucky Kingdom would fit the line-up (and budget) of Lost Island
The world needs more Chance Hyper GTX coasters
They just opened a theme park. I used to go there yearly with my Nana. Live in corn
It used to be a waterpark
There still is a water park! The theme park is in addition to the water park.
As an Iowan I would most certainly visit this place if it wasn't so far from where I live 😭
Oooh well maybe you'll be in that area someday!
Thank you for making me aware of this. I appreciate it.
Thanks for watching!
I love this place so much. I can't wait to see how it gets better every year!
It's exciting! I can't wait to see that carousel
Lost Island looks like a nice and promising park - I'll definitely pay a visit if I'm ever up in Iowa. I live in Orlando and am spoiled with parks but have seen just about everything here!
There are so many great parks across the country! But you've got an epic new park to explore in your area soon!
This theme park is incredible!! I wish more people would visit as I’m sure they would appreciate the fantastic experience.😊
Absolutely! Hopefully it's not a hidden gem for too much longer.
Might have to make the drive out from IL to get a look at it.
I drove 13 hours and didn't regret it. 😅 They have a new coaster opening next year, so keep an eye on that to plan your trip.
I would not go anywhere else. Good way to get shot. Many towns in Iowa have been gutted. Deer letting off made things worse. @@StorybookAmusement
I feel like another issue is that they don't really advertise. I have never heard of it before and I go to the largest university in the state, less than an hour and a half away. This should be in the top five places in the state they advertise to
It seems they're advertising more this season. But that's definitely been a talking point!
I literally have lived in Iowa for over two decades and I’ve never heard of this place or of people visiting it, not going to lie. Most folks either don’t go to theme parks at all, take advantage of the sale prices for Adventureland, or save up for a few years to go to the Disney Parks (most rare).
As an iowan this is the first i have heard of this
I hope you get the chance to go!
I'm from Iowa, I just clicked, this better open with a corn joke
Yay corn
I go to the water park at least once a summer and it is always a lot of fun I have never made it to the theme park but now I realize maybe I should
I think you should!
As a local Iowan, I'm surprised to see Lost Island as so special. Idk, I've always seen it as just another themepark, like Adventureland, Noah's Ark, and Wisconsin Dells.
I could see that for locals. But in the theme park industry, you don't really get a lot of new family-run parks like Lost Island. Especially with that level of storytelling. You can enjoy it on its surface and take it deeper if you want to.
I went here last year and it was basically dead, it was so cool learning all the lore and exploring the different elements, it was awesome, I just wish they had a couple more rides that expand on the lore or specific characters, and I wish there were a couple more trees
That's when I visited too. It was pretty easy to get pictures without anyone in the shot. I'm hoping things turn around!
Yooo I live like less than 30 minutes away from Waterloo. I been to that Lost Island many times. In Iowa it’s pretty uncommon to not be able to see corn or soybean fields even in some smaller cities and towns in northeastern Iowa
I worked at the fencing company that put up the fences for the theme park. In fact I welded all the gates there personally. I remember the guys at work telling me about the fire. That was crazy😂
😅 I can't imagine
Medium coaster enthusiast here and I loved my time at this park last year. Would rather spend a day there than be stressed out for twelve hours straight at a disney park.
Definitely different experiences, but Lost Island is such a nice place to visit, absolutely. Thanks for watching!
I live in the area and had no idea they added a theme park, decided to read their negative google reviews (kinda a hobby of mine, they're usually kind interesting or funny) and some of the owner responses were definitely interesting
Oh boy. 😅 I can say this video was made with no affiliation to the park, but the owner reached out afterward and was incredibly hospitable to me! Google reviews are always entertaining.
I actually live like 5 minutes away from this park😂
Lucky 😅
I live so close to Waterloo. Guess I know what I'm doing this summer. xD
Woo! Have a great time!
I was expecting a story about the theme park on an island that was lost about 50 years ago on clear lake Iowa. My dad grew up visiting the island before it closed. Now people go there to find artifacts.
Now that sounds interesting 👀
Ok
1. As an Iowan, I can confirm that most of the land is corn fields.
2. I had no idea we had a theme park.
That's not what I expected you to say 😅
Working Security and wandering the waterpark at night was a blast (I climbed everything)
👀
@@StorybookAmusement I'd sit on the wooden beams at the top of the red slide or the big blue slide, or tucked in a little nook on top of the wave pool where I was hidden but could see most of the park. I went there all the time as a kid so it was almost surreal wandering it at night
I live in waterloo, i can tell you now that most people in the town havent even been to the park yet. Its still simply too expensive for most of us to justify going, especially when we're so used to the waterpark itself
I gotcha. I will say the price imo is pretty fair compared to similar parks, and the food is a really good value. They offer some discount days, so look out for that.
How do most people feel about the family?
as an iowan, I can most definitely confirm your first words. besides this, pretty much all there is is corn and soybeans.
Pigs we got a lot of pigs.
Butter cows
Being from the 515 my whole life I can tell you that you all need to get out and explore our great state because there is a SHIT TON more things to do beside this and corn🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
You must not go out much, Iowa is beautiful and has a lot to offer
@@timduke4616that's what I'm saying! 641 born and raised, been here all my life. Iowa is beautiful. Every time I drive the back roads especially in summer I love the rolling hills full of vibrant colors, it's so beautiful and that's where there really is nothing. Then there's the beautiful Des Moines, and the beautiful places and history all over the state.
Ngl I didn't realize the matugani station was supposed to be a mine transformed into a temple because it's just painted wood inside there lmao
Yeah I'll admit it's underwhelming. 😅 I'd love at least some build up music or something right before the launch.
@@StorybookAmusement Yeah for sure. I do have a lot of criticisms of Lost Island but I am also rooting for them so hard, it's a breath of fresh air compared to the rest of the American regional theme park scene
@@djboss302 Same! It's not perfect, but they made something really special
I'll admit that description I added to the Matugani Wikipedia page was mostly based on a "Ask walkaround characters about lore" answer, but yeah, the station interior could definitely use some plussing.
Your video is so impressive. At this time around, Lost Island Theme Park is looking for the way to boost their attendance up by working with RMC with one or two roller coaster projects such as a Raptor model and/or an all new Wild Moose model.
Here’s my wild card speculation if the rumors are true, Lost Island Theme Park will be making its largest investment yet by building a small-scale B&M Dive Coaster in the next five to ten years of park operations.
That'd be something special if you're right!
I LIVE RIGHT NEXT TO IT!!!!!!
Looks awesome but needs tons of trees
This place was a soybean field just a few years ago, so it's understandable, but hopefully the trees they have now grow fast.
Ive been there and its awsome
Awesome! What's your favorite ride?
The green one was my fav because it was super fast 0-60 in 3 seconds was crazy
@@gamingdaniel9749 Oooh yes. It packs a punch!
Hey thanks for responding normally it does not happen but I just finished my job for today a got the notification
Too bad most people don’t know this park exists
Hopefully some local marketing efforts this year help bring some more locals to the park!
@@StorybookAmusementnope.
I hope I get to go someday! With where I am in iowa, it’s probably a three or so hour drive :]!!
I'm roughly 13 or so hours away and think it was worth the drive 😅 Have fun!
Really beautiful park. But, as crazy as it sounds, I think condensing everything would have done them a world of good. The sightlines are abysmal. I agree that when trees grow in it will fill out some but overall it has a density problem.
It seems the "all lands are connected" concepts helps with sightlines. I actually like how you can see the whole park in one glance. But lush landscaping would do wonders for this place.
I hope this park becomes more successful. They need to build NEW rides though instead of buying older ones. Something like a GCI family thrill coaster or even an RMC single rail would be great here. Along with some new flat and thrill rides like maybe a new version Enterprise ride. But I’m sure those things will come in time.
True! But aside from the two major coasters and I believe the drop tower, every ride there is new. They even considered a new wooden coaster before opening! Maybe someday.
i think it's a smart investment to get them going, and they made good choices. coasters are the crowd pleasers but they're very expensive. the general public aren't going to know they're not new unless the park goes advertising it. i hope they do find success so they can expand and get some one of a kind coasters.
@Ace-du7vw it will fail. The park is to far from Big cities in Iowa. Illinois can travel to 6 flags or house on the rock. We had a water park in Davenport. Lost island is too far for both
Fantastic deep dive of the park! In a landscape where it's seemingly easier to market the biggest and scariest rollercoasters, it's so refreshing to see a park focus on the areas first and then use attractions to compliment the story they're trying to tell.
I wish them all the luck in the world!
p.s. someone needs to tell them they can buy fully grown trees hahahah
From what I understand, transplanting larger trees is more expensive out here.
@@FigmentJedi oh I bet it’s way more expensive!
Thanks! It's definitely a nice break from the standard regional parks here in the U.S. Hopefully this upcoming season is busier than ever!
It seems the park is pretty aware of the shade comments. I believe they mentioned having some more shade installed, but I really hope those trees hurry up.
There's also a lost island water park
Just saw the beginning lol
Where we didn't have another water park in that area at that time they could still go to Adventureland, I think it was like an hour and a half from there. Plus it's been there a lot longer. I live in Iowa and I didn't even know they expanded the park to anything but water park. And honestly would make more sense for me just to go to Adventureland anyway though since they have a huge established park and a water park on top of it
Going to add to this too because I hadn't finished the video and honestly I still haven't. I live an hour from here. There's so much more information in this video than I've ever heard in my entire life. I'm almost 30 and never heard 90% of this about this place. I didn't know there was even a story. I'm sure I'll add to it more cuz there'll be more what the hack's happening
Somebody take away from all of this is basically just that these people don't advertise at all. They're not getting people because nobody knows any of this is actually here. The only reason I know that this park even exists is because of one kid in elementary who told me about the water park one time. I don't think I've ever heard anybody else ever talk about this place since then. It's really depressing because lore is a great thing. However, if they would actually advertise literally any of this, their numbers would skyrocket faster than they know what to do with. Nobody knows this unless maybe they live in that general area. Like I said, never heard of any of it except for the water park
I live in Iowa and previously lived just miles from where the park is now. I’m super plugged in to happenings in Iowa, and I’d blame insufficient marketing. So many people in Iowa still have no idea the park has opened, let alone how high-end it is. Take a look at their social media, and you’ll see there’s a huge discrepancy in the work that’s gone into the theming and the rides, and the marketing efforts. The solution to me is simple: they need to hire world-class marketers to advertise a world-class park. Will it cost big bucks? Yes. But I’m not sure they can choose not to at this point.
From what I'm hearing, business is picking up, and they're starting to push the theme park a little more than previous seasons. I'm hoping they push push push like you said!
Aaand now I want to visit a theme park in Iowa.
We also have house on the rock.
House on the rock is in Wisconsin. Not Iowa.
We have Adventureland
Northeast Iowa not northwest haha. Very funny to hear as someone that grew up there
Dang. I just checked my script, and it says Northeast. When you narrate 4,500 words, your mind is bound to go into autopilot mode on some of them I guess.
Iowan here, this is one of my favorite places on planet earth. Also were not all about corn, we prefer slipknot. But in all seriousness, thanks for pointing us out.
It was so fun to visit!
@@StorybookAmusement thanks
@Bytheway-2004 nope corn, beans, hey, and nurses. Shake a tree and a bowling ball will fall out.
@@TempoLOOKING i have no clue what you just said
Iowa resident here, lost island is my favorite theme park just because its not the capitalist theft that is Disney or other popular parks
Theming is great and all. But they need a Grade A, Major League roller coaster. That purple coster won't bring in coaster heads. That green one is great btw. They also need more advertising.
That launch on Matugani 🔥
Good news, they're teasing RMC stuff for the 2025 season.
They lauched too late. We're in a Great Recession now. Deer just fired 1/3 of there workers after getting woke. Tyson has also fired workers. I mean fired not layed off. Liberty Packaging and Xpac also fired everyone not on first shift. To make things worse local banks have failed. I mean shut down or sold off. Better not need a car as car loans are DONE. Then you have the price controls. Uh.
I actually went to this park the first year it was open to the public, and i think there was at most 100 people within the entire park. It's a shame because i do believe that this park has the foundation of being really popular nd good, but i'm not sure what it is, either lack of advertising or connections to it's waterpark counterpart that deters people from this fun exerience.
It seems like they're starting to find their footing this season but still have a long way to go. There's a lot of heart in that place, and hopefully the crowds show up soon.
Next year they are adding another new coster.
It looks so good too!
As someone who lives in Iowa, went to Lost Island regularly as a kid, and goes to school near Waterloo, I got *really fucking* jump scared by this video’s title and thumbnail. My good sir what are you doing in my house, get out /j
I'm sorry 😭
A new privately owned amusement park that found a niche due to its distance from other parks? This is like trying to freedive the Marianas Trench. Wow. I love amusement parks. I hope they make it.
They have a Top Spin? Cool. I thought they stopped making those.
Also a circular loop on a coaster? They're normally tear dropped. Wow. They've got some serious cojones. Oh, I see. They've separated the loop to make it more of a corkscrew. That makes it less of a headbanging ride. Cool.
As you said, they need more shade. Those trees need time to grow. The land is sparse and flat. I find that a little unnerving, but it's new. That'll change over time.
All great attractions!
Love the location, but it misses the mark in so many places. The bumper cars and water ride are very underwhelming. The purple coaster seems to have boxing gloves on as it knocks the crap out of you. The launch coaster is good but short. The water battle ride is hard with such poor attendance.
I look forward to possible future expansions….
As with any park, there's good and bad. I think the good outweighs the bad here. Volkanu alone is worth the price of admission.
I HATE drop towers but the backstory to that one might make me reconsider...
Same, but they would probably let you go through the queue and preshow without riding!
Well I have lived in Iowa for decades and have never heard of this place. HA.
A true hidden gem 😅
Go hawks!
For your next video project please let it be another kennywood park video this time let it be about the olde kennywood railroad and how it evolved into Thomas town
I didn't like it when they did that to a historical landmark
Thanks for the suggestion! I have most of 2024 planned out at this point, but I'll add this to the list. Thank you.
@@sonic23233 let’s agree to disagree
@@StorybookAmusement maybe next year after all next year is the franchises 80th anniversary
Then, there's an SLC. Prayers sent
It's jolty, but that extra helix is worth it 😅
@@StorybookAmusement could be worse. Imagine a relocated arrow mega looper. Or a nother dang boomerang
I just wish they could have re tracked it, like at Morey’s Piers
@@CoasterCentral305 retrack it with b&m track and get new b&m trains
Have you ever uhhhhh been to Des Moines? It's not actually that weird for a theme park to be in north Iowa as Des Moines is just a regular city with all the regular city stuff
I visited last year, but fair! The point is not so much that a theme park exists in Iowa-it's more so that a slice of Orlando-type quality exists in Iowa, which many people wouldn't consider a top tourist destination.
What if I told you that I’ve been there 😂 it sure is …. Something and weirdly enough everyone just goes to the water park right next to it
Can't beat a water park in the summer 😅
people actually know Iowa exists I live in Iowa
I had no clue! 😉
havent watched video yet but im somehow getting offended by the 'middle of nowhere' remark. its on the outskirts of one of our biggest cities, waterloo (including cedar falls). then again..... our biggest cities arent that big..
Hi! I mean no offense to the Waterloo area. I'll admit the thumbnail wording is clickbaity, but I have nothing but respect for that park and its surrounding area.
Can we refrain from calling Iowa the middle of nowhere. Its very hurtful after the 20th time.
Noted. I only used that phrase once at the beginning relatively speaking to the theme park world. I mean no offense to the kind, hardworking people in the Midwest! 🤗
We are.
Are we sure, like absolutely sure, it isn't money laundering?
I work very close to these parks. They're crap and tiny. If you're coming to Iowa just go to Adventureland. You can get both parks for one price instead of paying overpriced charges for each. Separately