When Iowa’s Adventureland was purchased by Palace Entertainment in 2021, it joined a list of other amusement centers owned by them. Certain levels of the Adventureland season pass gained access to other Palace properties.
With HFE’s original park, Silver Dollar City, a mere six hour drive from Des Moines, folks began to wonder if their Adventureland season pass would allow access to Silver Dollar City.
HFE confirmed early on (via website updates) that the Adventureland pass was still only good at other former-Palace Entertainment Parks. The HFE parks were not part of the perks, currently.
When we visited Silver Dollar City this year, we asked at the ticket counter if the Adventureland season pass offered a discount on day tickets there. They said no. We have since confirmed that they actually do, but not at the ticket counter. You have to go to guest relations first:
“Adventureland Pass Holders receive 50% off full priced one-day admission for the pass holder only. Please visit our Guest Relations team, located on the right-hand side of the pathway just before the park turnstiles and present your Adventureland pass to purchase the discounted ticket. The offer is only for the passholders.”
HFE Customer Support
When we inquired about discounts at other HFE parks, they did not know.
“We are very limited on this information. I have forwarded your email to the appropriate leadership team to answer your question. Thank you!”
HFE Customer Support
We have since received more details. HFE does not know, but…
“I have been advised that the Adventureland Pass Holder will need to reach out to Adventureland regarding discounts/benefits for other properties.”
HFE Customer Support
So … it might. HFE does not know which of their parks get a discount, but Adventureland should. Fair enough.
We have been Silver Dollar City passholders for the past few years and find the park very unique and charming. And, they have free parking for everyone, not just pass holders! Maybe we’ll see some of these perks make their way into the Iowa park.
My Adventureland-specifc blog has now been merged into this main Park Hopping blog. All old articles and photos should now be here, though some of the images still need some work.
The Adventureland Iowa sub-section still remains to host the Adventureland Wiki project:
That wiki contains historical information of every ride, shop, show and food location that I could find information on. It is missing much from the 70s and 80s, before I moved to Iowa, but should be fairly complete since I started visiting the park in 1995.
Adventureland photos remain in my Theme Parks gallery:
I have begun the process of merging the Adventureland Iowa content from Adventureland.parkhopping.com over to this main Park Hopping blog. Things will be messed up (especially images) for a bit…
NOTE: Herschend does not own Adventureland. They plan to own it, but the sale has not yet happened. Per HFE:
“We do not currently operate any Palace Entertainment properties. Until the sale is final, please direct any questions to the relevant property or a Palace HQ representative.” – Herschend
On March 18, 2025, Herschend Family Entertainment announced plans to acquire the Palace Entertainment U.S. properties, including Iowa’s Adventureland:
Herschend is the family that originally leased the Marvel Cave near Branson, Missouri and then opened Silver Dollar City in 1960. Today they are a large corporation that owns a number of attractions around America (and some outside of it).
Adventureland had been acquired by Palace Entertainment in December 2021:
Palace Entertainment is a subsidiary of Madrid, Spain-based Parques Reunidos which owns properties around the world.
I haven’t visited Adventureland since their 21+ Halloween event in 2018 so I cannot directly comment on the final years under the original Krantz family’s ownership, nor can I comment on the three seasons Palace Entertainment has operated the park (2022-2024), but I certainly have alot to say about Silver Dollar City.
What is Silver Dollar City?
I first visited Silver Dollar City as a teenager in 1984. It was a lovely park, and I thought “I should really get back here in 40 years.” So I did, returning in 2024 and buying their low-cost annual pass which let us visit several times that year. The main reason for making the 6-hour drive to Silver Dollar City so many times last year, and twice (so far!) this year, is their special events.
Silver Dollar City has more events each year than even Walt Disney World’s Epcot does — and that’s saying something. This year, the are hosting:
Spring Exposition
Bluegrass and Barbecue
Summer Celebration
Southern Gospel Picnic
Harvest Festival
An Old Time Christmas
We saw several of these events last year, and their Harvest Festival had more pumpkins than any place I have ever been, including pumpkin patch. An Old Time Christmas has more Christmas lights than any place I can think of other than the discontinued Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights that used to be held at the Disney/MGM Studios in Florida.
You can take a look at this original Herschend park by browsing through my (currently) 6000 photos:
This is the question fans of (insert name of Palace Entertainment park that HFE is about to start running) have been asking online. There are plenty of folks upset with what Palace Entertainment did with their home park (see the various Kennywood groups for great examples of this), but also plenty that really liked the new energy they brought.
The same can be said for Adventureland. Many classic rides and shops and long-running entertainment offerings were removed, but the park received new rides and new paint.
What will Herschend do?
Looking at Silver Dollar City is most likely not going to be a way we can figure this out. SDC is operated as a theme park, not an amusement park. They have themed areas where the workers wear costumes to match. Even the people working in the popcorn wagon are wearing 1800s outfits. The workers on their prison-themed Flooded Mine boat attraction are dressed in black and white striped convict outfits (and, you get a gun that looks like a real gun to shoot at targets).
Flooded Mine works wear themed costumes in the park, as do all other workers.
The folks working their steam train are dressed as conductors. It is a completely different type of park than Adventureland.
The park also does its best to make things fit with the area they are in. Even the Dippin’ Dots stands are themed and not just the same modern food stand you would see at a carnival.
Silver Dollar City tries to hide modern lighting in the landscaping.
Also, while Adventureland has served beer for decades, there is no alcohol sold at SDC or its water park. Other attractions they operate in the area are also alcohol-free, though I have been told some of the hotels they run have booze. I am waiting on an official list from HFE on which of their properties allow alcohol.
When Palace took over Adventureland, I was told by management of the park that they were not really keen on having an Oktoberfest. Since that event continued as planned the next three years under Palace, perhaps they looked at the amount of money it made and decided to keep it.
Praise the Lord and Thank You for your Service!
While Adventureland has a church, SDC takes Christianity much further. Many fans of the park call Herschend a “Christian business.”
SDC is a place where, if you sneeze, someone will say “bless you” instead of “gesundheit”. Entertainment in the park will share Christian stories, or offer prayer requests at the end of the show. Their Christmas event actually says Christmas, and features a living nativity show as well as a stop on the steam train to hear “the true story of Christmas.” The park even has a church with Sunday service.
The Wilderness Church serves as a history display, and real church.
Each day starts with a flag ceremony, recognizing veterans. Many shows will ask veterans to stand and be recognized. This is not specific to SDC — it is common at many of the attractions in the Branson area. For this reason, all of this may just be “because the park is there” rather than “because Herschend owns it.”
What about the cinnamon bread?
If you have seen anyone commenting on this acquisition, you might have seen references to cinnamon bread. Cinnamon bread appears to be the “Dole whip” of Silver Dollar City (and also at the sister park, Dollywood, which originally was a second SDC). There can be long lines to buy a fresh loaf of this stuff. The park even has an express lane at the shop that sells it JUST for buying loafs!
Clara Belle’s world famous cinnamon bread can create long lines to buy it.
Fans of it are hopeful this might make its way to the Iowa park.
What does this mean?
Nothing. We know nothing but there is an intent to buy the Palace Entertainment parks. We can only look at other properties SDC has acquired to look at changes they made — and, changes may be localized and not apply at any other property. (For instance, alcohol being served at one Herschend property did not mean it would be served at all of them.)
Time will tell. Meanwhile, Adventureland has already had two different general managers since they took over the park, so another change of boss may not be as disruptive as it was the first time it changed.
I am overdue for the annual “anniversary” post, so I’ll try to find time to collect that information, soon.
The park is open for the 2021 with many changes, meaning the Wiki is a bit out of date now, referencing rides that have been relocated, renamed or replaced. Sometimes all three 😉
Recently, Adventureland announced a new multi-tier season pass offering for 2021. Four different passes will be available at different price points with different benefits. The complete details are found on the official website.
Here is a breakdown of the new tiers:
Bronze – $110
This new pass is $30 lower than last year’s $140 pass, but only includes:
Admission Monday-Thursday
No discounts, no parking, no Oktoberfest admission, no arcade game card, etc. This is the “babysitter pass” for parents to drop their kids off at the park. Since a pass that includes parking is only $30 more, and with parking costing $10 in 2020, anyone driving to the park and paying for parking more than three times is better off upgrading to the next level.
Silver – $140
The silver level, matching the price of last year’s full pass, is a step down from previous season passes as it does not include food/merchandise discounts, Oktoberfest admission, etc. It adds the following:
Free general parking.
$5 off a guest ticket.
Season Pass Holder Only Days admission.
Sunset on the Boulevard Concert Series admission.
Notice “general parking.” 2021 will now bring an upcharge for “priority parking.” Also new is the concert series and Season Pass Holder Only Days.
Gold – $175
The gold pass is the new equivalent to last year’s $140 season pass. This means the price jumped $35 this year, but some new benefits have been added. It includes everything from bronze and silver, then adds:
$10 off guest ticket.
1 free guest ticket on each Season Pass Holder Only Days.
Circo de Luz Admission
10% retail discount.
$5 arcade card.
Full refund on Adventure Bay tubes.
$20 off Adventure Bay cabana.
2021 souvenir cup with one soft drink or ICEE refill.
2021 souvenir bucket with one popcorn or cookie refill.
Oktoberfest admission (21+).
$20 off Labor Day Party admission (21+).
10% discount at Spectators Bar & Grill.
$10 RV campground discount.
$15 Adventureland Inn room discount.
Also note the new Circo de Luz and Labor Day Party events.
Platinum – $290
And, much like the special VIP packages offered at Oktoberfest the past few years, there is a new mega season pass which includes everything above, but adds:
Early Adventure Bay check in at 10:30. (Is this admission, or just check in to get in?)
$50 off Adventure Bay cabana.
PLATINUM CUP with free soda and ICEE refills.
Labor Day Party admission.
Park Hospitality Suite Admission.
$15 RV campground discount.
$20-30 Adventureland Inn room discount.
Free one night stay at Adventureland Inn.
Adventureland Inn Splash Pass.
I could not find any details on some of these offerings, so right now it’s a leap of faith on upgrading to a higher pass level for events or benefits that have not been announced. However, compared to regular single day admission to the park plus parking, an individual going to the park ($50 ticket + $10 parking) just five times is a break even for the $290 platinum level.
Obviously, using ticket discounts would require going more than that to benefit.
The new “babysitter pass” is likely to be very useful to families who can visit Monday through Thursday. A parent can get a gold pass that covers parking, and the rest of the family can get the basic bronze pass and save a bunch of money after just a few visits.
I, personally, would go for gold or platinum since I used my passes for numerous 1-2 hour visits to the park over the season. Depending on what the special events are, the upgrade from the $175 pass to $290 ($115) depends on if you planned to use the hotel room and the cost of the special parties. For someone who gets one or two sodas each visit, just having free soda refills might make it worthwhile.
These are some fantastic options. Let’s hope we are allowed to go to amusements parks in 2021.
Anniversary of the fire that destroyed have of Main Street (hat tip to Elizabeth Dunn Huether for mentioning this). The rebuilt Main Street re-opened for the 2011 season.
The big for 2020 was when Adventureland post this on May 17, 2020 to their Facebook page:
Mary 17, 2020 Facebook teaser. <!– wp:paragraph –>
<p>When <strong>Disney's Animal Kingdom</strong> opened in 1998, one of the few "rides" in the park was <strong>Countdown to Extinction</strong> in Dinoland U.S.A. The ride was basically a dinosaur-themed version of the <strong>Indiana Jones Adventure</strong> that had opened at Disneyland in 1995. Once the movie <strong>Dinosaur</strong> came out, the ride was renamed to <strong>Dinosaur</strong>, though remnants to the original name still remain…</p>
<!– /wp:paragraph –><!– wp:image {"id":869} –>
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://parkhopping.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/20190328_174621-1024×683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-869"/><figcaption>CTX Rover on the Dinosaur ride vehicles, a tribute to the original name of Countdown to Extinction. April 13, 2019.</figcaption></figure>
<!– /wp:image –><!– wp:paragraph –>
<p>But I digress… Taking a trip back in time (see what I did there?) to 1998 shows another change. In that inaugural year of the attraction, you would see this TV station news van parked nearby:</p>
<!– /wp:paragraph –><!– wp:image {"id":868} –>
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://parkhopping.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/19981017_005149.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-868"/><figcaption>WABC-TV 7 Newsvan parked outside of Countdown to Extinction on October 17, 1998.</figcaption></figure>
<!– /wp:image –><!– wp:paragraph –>
<p>As I browsed archived messages on the <a href="https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/rec.arts.disney.parks">rec.arts.disney.parks newsgroup</a>, I found <a href="https://groups.google.com/forum/#!original/rec.arts.disney.parks/DTbm-3qxo-M/oBRhgUqZWQ0J">someone noticing it was missing</a> by February 19, 1999. And, even more interesting, there was an <a href="https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/rec.arts.disney.parks/PX7F9MEWhX0/OtYQ3NqFtZ4J">entire thread just a few days earlier</a> speculating about what part this newsvan played in the story of the attraction.</p>
<!– /wp:paragraph –><!– wp:paragraph –>
<p>Oh well. Had the van remained, it would have been replaced by a website or blog by now, anyway.</p>
<!– /wp:paragraph –><!– wp:paragraph –>
<p>Until next time…</p>
<!– /wp:paragraph –>
The image of a knight slaying a dragon immediately started speculation that something would be happening to the double-loop Dragon coaster.
Two days later, on May 19, the park posted an animated GIF that has the same image rotating in to view with the text “The Dragon Slayer” above it:
May 19, 2020 Facebook post.
Facebook group member Alec Rushford posted that SkyHigh Coasters LLC had reshared the teaser on their Facebook page, with Tag Gable following up with a post saying that they were the ones that did the build job on last year’s Phoenix roller coaster.
Also on May 19, local TV station KCCI posted an article that included drone footage of the Dragon being dismantled at the park:
May 21, 2020 Facebook screen shot. <!– wp:paragraph –>
<p>When <strong>Disney's Animal Kingdom</strong> opened in 1998, one of the few "rides" in the park was <strong>Countdown to Extinction</strong> in Dinoland U.S.A. The ride was basically a dinosaur-themed version of the <strong>Indiana Jones Adventure</strong> that had opened at Disneyland in 1995. Once the movie <strong>Dinosaur</strong> came out, the ride was renamed to <strong>Dinosaur</strong>, though remnants to the original name still remain…</p>
<!– /wp:paragraph –><!– wp:image {"id":869} –>
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://parkhopping.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/20190328_174621-1024×683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-869"/><figcaption>CTX Rover on the Dinosaur ride vehicles, a tribute to the original name of Countdown to Extinction. April 13, 2019.</figcaption></figure>
<!– /wp:image –><!– wp:paragraph –>
<p>But I digress… Taking a trip back in time (see what I did there?) to 1998 shows another change. In that inaugural year of the attraction, you would see this TV station news van parked nearby:</p>
<!– /wp:paragraph –><!– wp:image {"id":868} –>
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://parkhopping.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/19981017_005149.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-868"/><figcaption>WABC-TV 7 Newsvan parked outside of Countdown to Extinction on October 17, 1998.</figcaption></figure>
<!– /wp:image –><!– wp:paragraph –>
<p>As I browsed archived messages on the <a href="https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/rec.arts.disney.parks">rec.arts.disney.parks newsgroup</a>, I found <a href="https://groups.google.com/forum/#!original/rec.arts.disney.parks/DTbm-3qxo-M/oBRhgUqZWQ0J">someone noticing it was missing</a> by February 19, 1999. And, even more interesting, there was an <a href="https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/rec.arts.disney.parks/PX7F9MEWhX0/OtYQ3NqFtZ4J">entire thread just a few days earlier</a> speculating about what part this newsvan played in the story of the attraction.</p>
<!– /wp:paragraph –><!– wp:paragraph –>
<p>Oh well. Had the van remained, it would have been replaced by a website or blog by now, anyway.</p>
<!– /wp:paragraph –><!– wp:paragraph –>
<p>Until next time…</p>
<!– /wp:paragraph –>
That post was quickly removed from the page, but said a zoomed photo taken off property confirms this was actually happening.
As of this posting, it looks like the park will have two rides less for the 2020 season, with something new to replace the Dragon next year. Nothing has been announced about a replacement for the Splash Over (though some have speculated maybe it is just being disassembled to be refurbished and will return).
This might explain why there was a sharp spike in activity to this blog yesterday. The top search results that people are looking for when they end up here are “maps” and “season pass” information. Frankly, I’m surprised they can even find this site buried in all the hundreds of travel sites that have Adventureland entries.
Welcome, new visitors! Be sure to check out my Adventureland Wiki for some neat park history.
Recently several very old Adventureland post cards popped up on eBay that I had not seen before. One in particular showed “The Moat’ which was the original entrance to the ride area of the park. I knew that the location was the bridge at the end of Main Street, but I’d never seen a picture of what was there. I guess in my mind it was someone just taking tickets or something, but it was actually a ticket building of some sorts:
The Moat (entrance to the ride section of the park). Behind it: Der Flitzer. Back of post card for “The Moat.”
I believe that is the original bridge that was still in the park in 2017, but was rebuilt between the end-of-season and that year’s Oktoberfest. If you notice, there is fencing along the left of the photo, which would have kept visitors from going past the end of the Main Street buildings.
Also, middle right of the photo are the old one-way exit turnstiles like the park used to have at the entrance. That would have been where ride visitors would have exited back to Main Street.
Behind it appears to be Der Flitzer. That roller coaster (originally called Rallye Racers) sits about where the Splash Over is today. This clears up something I’ve wondered about.
The roller coaster was located in the “Alpine Village” section of the park and the Giant Skywheel (100′ tall Ferris Wheel) operates in its spot today.
– Roller Coaster Database entry for Der Flitzer
Apparently this is incorrect, since this post card shows it’s location further down, towards The Boulevard. Also, we found a photo of the Sky Ride that had the coater in the background, and the coaster in that picture matched the description of Rallye Racers. My wiki entry notes:
It was located somewhere around where Tea Cups is. This is based from seeing it in an old photo of the Sky Ride that was taken in 1975. It shows a coaster matching this description in the background. (Thanks to Johnathan C. for pointing this out.)
If Rallye Racers were there (down from the Tea Cups) and the post card shows Der Flitzer in the same location, then the notes about it being relocated may be incorrect.
Does anyone know if Rallye Racers was just rethemed and renamed in the same location to become Der Flitzer?
