originally posted on 5/20/2022
Photo: Tom Nickerson Collection. View full-sized image.
On Saturday, April 10, 40 ACEers received a walkthrough of the new Lost Island Theme Park in Waterloo, Iowa. This is a new theme park being built from the ground up and is the second park built by the owners of the existing Lost Island Waterpark across the street. The park is slated to open sometime in June, but an official opening date has not been announced.
Upon arrival at the park, one will be greeted by an impressive entrance with tiki statues and beautiful architecture reminiscent of a tropical getaway. There are also plenty of light posts in the shape of pineapples. Pineapples, in many cultures, are a symbol of welcome and friendliness, and Lost Island wants to promote the park as such. The theme park has five realms. In every realm, there are light posts that symbolize the area. In the Awa (water) realm, the light posts look like bamboo shafts. In the Mura (fire) realm the light posts are a deep red.
All photos by Tom Nickerson. View full-sized image.
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The park will open with three coasters, Nopuko Air Coaster, a Vekoma suspended looping coaster; Matugani, an Intamin Accelerator; and Lokolo, a Wacky Worm. The park will also feature various flat rides such as an S&S Drop/Space Shot Combo Tower, a Ferris wheel, a Zamperla Disk’O, a Gerstlauer Sky Fly and what the park is referring to as its signature attraction, Volkanu: Quest for the Golden Idol, a Sally Dark Rides attraction.
Matugani is an Intamin launched coaster.
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Theming is impressive, as seen here on the entrance to Tortora Market.
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During the tour, ACEers were able to see all the rides. Attendees had the opportunity to get up close and personal with Nopuko. They were escorted to the station for photos. Many sat in the coaster and felt the new softer over-the-shoulder restraints.
ACEers could see the new trains on the suspended looping coaster.
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Next, ACEers got a look at the interior of the two main restaurants, The Whale Bone and the Tortora Market. In the latter, attendees were shown the subtle but obvious attention to detail the park is featuring. There are handcrafted tables built by Gary Bertch (the patriarch of the theme park family). Walls are painted like tree bark, and a thatched roof with bamboo panels graces The Whale Bone. Both restaurants will feature typical park food that will be served cafeteria-style. Guests can select the food they like and head to the cashier to pay. There will be a food cart or stand in almost every realm. In the Awa realm, back by the lake, another venue, called Thirsty Voyager, will serve unique foods as well as alcoholic beverages.
The park has many secrets and things to discover, like hidden touches inside the concrete paths, signature signs in each realm and details around every corner. The park is encouraging all guests to download the Lost Island Adventure Guide app before visiting to help unlock these secrets and to help navigate the park. Although the park wants guests to use the app to enhance the park experience, they also want to encourage guests to put the technology away and to explore the many secrets and surprises around the park.
“We know this is kind of hypocritical. But when you go to theme parks today you see everyone on their phone,” said Owner and second-generation Operator Eric Bertch. “We wanted to blend both the app and in-person experiences to really get our themed story out.”
In every realm there is a play/interactive structure. In the Tamariki realm, a jungle gym-style feature includes sound-making instruments. In the Udara (air) realm is a feature that involves pedal bikes and wind makers. The Awa realm contains a water fountain maze. Finally, in the Mura realm, a volcano touch feature will require five people to work together to get all the elements to work in unison and create a new experience.
Interactive features within the park will make each section a place of discovery.
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The final part of the tour was a sneak peek inside Volkanu: Quest for the Golden Idol. The park requested no photos in this part of the tour to ensure that there will still be some surprises. But ACE did learn that the ride is a four-minute ride with 13 rooms. Lost Island management has said that this ride has been in the works with Sally for almost 10 years, as they have gone through different versions that have grown and changed during the development process. This ride will be the most state-of-the-art Sally ride yet.
Those coming to Iowa will find an entire island that needs to be explored. So put phones down and get ready to discover the Lost Island Theme Park in June. Of course, as always, please exit through the gift shop.
— Calvin Duane
Skyflyer.
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