August 10, 2026 – Park Hopping

Last year, we did a road trip to visit some friends in Clear Lake, Iowa — home of the Surf Ballroom where Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper played their final concert before dying in a plane crash.

I have photos of the restored Surf Ballroom in my gallery:

https://www.disneyfans.com/photos/misc/OtherPlaces/Iowa/ClearLake/SurfBallroom/index.html

They have built a large “Music Experience Center” next to the ballroom. Inside is another museum with artifacts from musicians who have performed there. I expected to see things from Buddy Holly and those folks, but did not expect to see a hat from Slash of Guns and Roses…

Hat from Slash of Guns and Roses – Surf Ballroom – Clear Lake, IA

…nor did I expect they would have items from two different KISS members – boots worn by Ace Frehley, and a bass guitar from Gene Simmons:

Ace Frehley shoes – Surf Ballroom – Clear Lake, IA

This new facility also has a new type of “immersive” museum experience that uses projection mapping to enhance a history video. You see the main content, as well as content on the walls and behind you, and even the floor. As they describe the winter night crash of the plane, the floor turns into snow… Very interesting.

Surf Ballroom Music Experience Center – Clear Lake, IA

The technology reminded me of the Immersive Disney experience we saw in Branson, Missouri last year:

https://www.disneyfans.com/photos/misc/OtherPlaces/Missouri/Branson/Branson2025/Shows/DisneyImmersive/index.html

Especially after the presentation, when you could walk around and musical notes would follow you on the floor.

But, unlike those passive experiences (moving projected leaves on the floor is hardly an “experience”), this show ended with the main wall becoming an interactive museum. You could hold your hand in front of word bubbles then a pop up would appear and you could page through for more information – text, photos and even some video clips. It was very cool. They could then cram hundreds of displays on the wall rather than needing a huge facility to show them all in frames with plaques next to them.