originally posted on 4/29/2024
All Photos: HaeKyung Thompson. View full-sized image.
Adventureland (Altoona, Iowa) extended an invitation to ACEers for its Coaster Countdown preseason event, which began in the Palace Theater with a panel discussion Q&A session. During this time, attendees were able to sample some sweet treats and new food items that will be available at the park this year, including pork sliders to be served at Oinks.
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Attendees were well-fed by the park, and the meal included pork sliders to be served at the new Oinks eatery.
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As everyone filled up on the goodies, Alex Payne, Adventureland's media representative, began the panel discussion, detailing the park's plan for its 50th anniversary celebration. This will include decade-specific performances throughout June and July and a Tap Takeover with different local breweries highlighted each week. In addition, Adventureland will shift its schedule this summer to allow for more rides in the dark on favorites like Monster and Outlaw.
Speaking of coasters, the renovated Underground will be reopening this season. The park worked hard during the offseason to resurrect a park favorite. New train cars from Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc. are almost ready, and fans of the coaster/dark ride hybrid will hopefully be pleased to see them on the tracks this season.
A walking tour included a look at Phoenix — the park’s spinning coaster — and the new Falling star Lounge featuring the ride’s sign.
As attendees began the walking tour to The Underground, Monster and Phoenix, they stopped to catch a glimpse of the Falling Star sign that has been refurbished to hang above the new Falling Star Lounge opening this season. The lights seemed to shine brighter than ever before. Attendees also took a detour to the former location of the beer garden that will be home to Oinks, a new pork-themed eatery featuring new foods and a refreshed look with Iowa-style theming.
ACE extends gratitude to Adventureland’s staff for organizing the event and hopes to be invited again next year.
— HaeKyung Thompson
#ACENews