I bet that if I lived here, I would love this place! But as a destination it is very strange! I do think about lightning run a lot, since this is the only place something like it exists!
The coaster crews, when composed of enthusiasts, are the best ones there. I was a member of the Lightning crew for the end half of the season (2022, we had just gotten Herschend on for our first year with them as park operators) with the beginning being in FEAR zone (which is basically Fearfall, Cyclos, Bluebeards, PJFM, and Breakdance). I can say for a fact that since Herschend took over, keeping people employed was troublesome to say the least. It was hard, mentally straining work. Mental Stress and Labor Conditions aside, it was a fun place to work as an enthusiast and gave me a stronger respect for the people that work there. I remember when times got tough and we were short staffed, many rides would be operated by one person. Breakdance was one HUSS flat that I absolutely loved and dreaded at the same time if I had to work by myself. Everything had to be done manually, and with a single person, it maybe took 5 minutes to load and unload. EACH. It takes a long time. If the park is ever slow, its cause either half the force quit, or went back to high school/college. The vibes would be chill if we didn't have security everywhere doing their best. Never go by yourself. Not for fear of safety, but because it gets boring fast. I'll give the new park operators a couple more years before I go back.
The dragon slayer is because it took the place of the long time rollercoaster that used to be there called the dragon. You say you like it but there was quite a bit of negativity. Theres been a lot redone lately and now with the new switching of owners-who knows what will happen next.
@@heather.... oh see that makes a lot more sense. I did like it! But if it was replacing a more family oriented roller coaster, I could understand why people would be upset. Adventureland itself is showing signs of an identity crisis but those things tend to even out with time
The dual camera reviews were so fun! I'm honestly so here for the zen garden. Shoutout to the explanation of corn. (oops two coaster credit 153's) I was not ready for mid train vs. goose. Best quote: "I like it... but it's noooooooot perfect"
I hope you have fun! Just make sure to bring an empty water bottle to take advantage of the water fountains and some sort of portable shade if you can!
I feel so scammed that it wasn't the 60th anniversary in February! L for no penguins on the ride :( I do wish you had done a walmart haul. W for an appearance by goopy princess <3
Such an interesting theme park. I was shocked when I found out they were actually building building a theme park in Waterloo. The population of Waterloo/Cedar Falls just isn't enough to support an amusement park, which is evident by the low crowds. And tourists aren't exactly looking at Iowa as a state they'd like to spend their vacation in. For the city, I'd like to see the park succeed. But I 100% think it's going to be an uphill battle. Having multiple rides closed due to what I'm assuming is staffing issues isn't going to help the park at all. Even worse, if not a lot of people are going to the park, it'll make it hard for them to earn enough money to really add many new attractions. Opening day, you'd think the would want to make a good impression, but it just doesn't look like that'd be the case for anyone who went for the first time. I wish Lost Island the best though!
This is literally my EXACT sentiment around the park. I absolutely want it to succeed, but that doesn't mean I haven't had a kinda rough time both times I went!
I agree. Definitely getting the word out and more people there. I also believe when you guys went on opening day there were still some schools in session. I drive by the park almost everyday and you can definitely tell that attendance is up. I’m not too worried about the park failing. The owners are an amazing family and they pour their heart and souls into this community. They don’t know the meaning of failure.
I’m sure it is from a skid loader. I’m guessing they used it for any of the landscaping. That’s kind of what it looks like to me. It will go away eventually.
At 26:53ish you were passed by one of the owners I believe. Guy in straw hat. He would have answered all your questions and probably laughed with you about the tire marks. One suggestion I would make about your video is to give feedback on the rides you just rode. You had none. People look for that info not just nit picking everything. anyways good video and thanks for getting Lost Island out there for others to see.
yeah! I actually cut out a part of the footage afterwards where we talked about how that was him! I wasn't trying to complain to him that day though, he was having a nice conversation! Also I'm sure he's aware of everything I was experiencing. Nothing I saw was pretty unique to me. My videos are more about sharing the experience 1:1 instead of always reviewing. I imagine I didn't have a lot to say about the rides since they weren't new to me
I actually am very familiar with their business presence! I unfortunately just don't think they will make enough money to bring those ideas to the park. I hope to be proven wrong though
They have had a lot better attendance already this year. They spent more money on advertising and it has definitely helped. The waterpark they built about 24 yrs ago did the exact same thing. It took more than 5 years to start breaking even but eventually word caught on and they are doing awesome.
@@t.j._kerr I also saw that they are getting some group events in there which I also think will help a looooot if local companies do outings there! And schools! Anything to spread the word
😂 nooooo they definitely are trying to provide a good experience and definitely treat their very real employees well! it's just in such a weird location for what it is offering!
I really am sad to say it but like.. as much as I want them to succeed, it just really isn't set up for it. The fact that I could get basically every feeling I had about the park into this video is not necessarily a good thing. So I encourage people to go but.. for what, you know?
@@ghostercoasting Iowa isn't on my radar. They would need something like Aries Force One or something to get Thoosies out, but they need more than that.
Lost island and Adventureland are both not far from other major parks. If you're even in the Midwest I don't know why you would not go to those two parks. Monster and adventureland is a good coaster. Matugani at Lost Island is a good coaster. And yes I've been on my share of coasters at the large corporate parks. There is also a pretty amazing dark ride at Lost Island.
ahh literally just discovered your channel tonight! lol 😭✨ love your channel’s name 🥹 does this mean Kings Dominion is/was your home park?! always cool to meet a fellow Virginian enthusiast hehe 🎢
thank you for watching and thank you! kings dominion is my first home park! That place rocks. I miss volcano so very much though, not for the ride, just because of that presence!
@@ghostercoasting aw of course! no prob! ☺️ and omg niceee! lol i instantly was like i recognized that on ride pic! my dad bought quite a few on ride pics on that coaster of my sister & i on it 😆 and ahh same! 😭 i wish the mountain coulda been saved 😪 hoping for a lot of theming for the new coaster
I got it completely backwards btw. It is GOOD that Blood on the Boundary Waters is a MAZE and not a SCARE ZONE. Blood on the Bayou at Cedar Point was a scare zone and that was... yikes.. My thoughts on that here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-EiSBnW4UKP8.html
Great video! I'm going in a little over a week, so this video helped me understand what I should expect. Riding coasters with your mom is so wholesome lol
