Lost Island Theme Park (Waterloo, IA)

[WBR_Tom]

I thought this was interesting since proximity to Adventureland and Worlds of Fun is often given as a reason why it doesn't make sense to build a theme park in the Omaha/Lincoln area. Less than 90 minutes from Adventureland, a new $100 million park is set to open next year on 42 acres near the interchange of Interstate Highway 380 and U.S. 218. It will feature three large-scale roller coasters on opening day.

By comparison, Adventureland has six coasters and sits on 180 acres; Worlds of Fun is 235 acres. But there's lots of room for expansion and you gotta start somewhere I guess.

Also, it's amusing to me that the developer wouldn't let media in to see construction progress, so the Des Moines Register sent up a spy drone to take aerial photos







https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story ... 771773001/

[ita]

I thought this was interesting since proximity to Adventureland and Worlds of Fun is often given as a reason why it doesn't make sense to build a theme park in the Omaha/Lincoln area. Less than 90 minutes from Adventureland, a new $100 million park is set to open next year on 42 acres near the interchange of Interstate Highway 380 and U.S. 218. It will feature three large-scale roller coasters on opening day.

By comparison, Adventureland has six coasters and sits on 180 acres; Worlds of Fun is 235 acres. But there's lots of room for expansion and you gotta start somewhere I guess.

Also, it's amusing to me that the developer wouldn't let media in to see construction progress, so the Des Moines Register sent up a spy drone to take aerial photos







https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story ... 771773001/

Wow, that's interesting. Omaha and Lincoln would have better numbers in terms of regional population than that area, right? Who is building this things? Also, don't we still have a ban on roller coasters on the books in Nebraska?

[skinzfan23]

I have been following this for quite some time. The same family built the Lost Island Waterpark in next door and it is considered to be pretty nice for waterparks.

I question if this will be able to succeed long term though, since they are going to need great attendance numbers and that area just doesn't have the population base to continuously support a large park when Six Flags is in Chicago and Adventureland in Des Moines 2-3 hrs away.

I love that they are trying but I find it hard to believe that this will be successful 10 years from now.

Honestly, I have always wondered why Omaha doesn't have a developer build a massive waterpark. There are well over 1 million people within 60 miles and it could also draw from the KC, Des Moines, Sioux Falls areas as well. Speaking about Sioux Falls, they have a nicer water park than anything Omaha does, which is embarrassing. For as hot and dry as it gets in the summer a waterpark with more amenities than FunPlex offers.

[ricko]

I thought this was interesting since proximity to Adventureland and Worlds of Fun is often given as a reason why it doesn't make sense to build a theme park in the Omaha/Lincoln area. Less than 90 minutes from Adventureland, a new $100 million park is set to open next year on 42 acres near the interchange of Interstate Highway 380 and U.S. 218. It will feature three large-scale roller coasters on opening day.

By comparison, Adventureland has six coasters and sits on 180 acres; Worlds of Fun is 235 acres. But there's lots of room for expansion and you gotta start somewhere I guess.

Also, it's amusing to me that the developer wouldn't let media in to see construction progress, so the Des Moines Register sent up a spy drone to take aerial photos







https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story ... 771773001/

Wow, that's interesting. Omaha and Lincoln would have better numbers in terms of regional population than that area, right? Who is building this things? Also, don't we still have a ban on roller coasters on the books in Nebraska?

Your post just triggered a memory. Omaha banned roller-coasters in the 1930's because of a deadly accident that killed a number of people at the Krug Park amusement park (I think it was in Benson). This info was part of my family folklore since my mom was at the park that day. The ban was lifted when Peony Park petitioned the city council (Late 60's or early 70's I think) to remove the ban so they could build their roller-coaster.

I'm surprised that, in the years since Peony Park closed, no one has stepped up to build a decent amusement park. I guess it just takes the right interest from the right investors.

[ita]

I thought this was interesting since proximity to Adventureland and Worlds of Fun is often given as a reason why it doesn't make sense to build a theme park in the Omaha/Lincoln area. Less than 90 minutes from Adventureland, a new $100 million park is set to open next year on 42 acres near the interchange of Interstate Highway 380 and U.S. 218. It will feature three large-scale roller coasters on opening day.

By comparison, Adventureland has six coasters and sits on 180 acres; Worlds of Fun is 235 acres. But there's lots of room for expansion and you gotta start somewhere I guess.

Also, it's amusing to me that the developer wouldn't let media in to see construction progress, so the Des Moines Register sent up a spy drone to take aerial photos







https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story ... 771773001/

Wow, that's interesting. Omaha and Lincoln would have better numbers in terms of regional population than that area, right? Who is building this things? Also, don't we still have a ban on roller coasters on the books in Nebraska?

Your post just triggered a memory. Omaha banned roller-coasters in the 1930's because of a deadly accident that killed a number of people at the Krug Park amusement park (I think it was in Benson). This info was part of my family folklore since my mom was at the park that day. The ban was lifted when Peony Park petitioned the city council (Late 60's or early 70's I think) to remove the ban so they could build their roller-coaster.

I'm surprised that, in the years since Peony Park closed, no one has stepped up to build a decent amusement park. I guess it just takes the right interest from the right investors.

I see I read up on the incident again. It was a city ordinance.

I am surprised people with money don't see some kind of amusement/theme park at the right scale as a viable investment in our region. We have little in the way of natural recreation, like mountains and ocean, so I think people are starving for alternatives to what the region currently offers. While a full blown amusement park would be cool, I would even love to see some amusement park rides where you can just pay per ride somewhere like the riverfront or in the area between the durham museum and ketv building. I am thinking like coney island, knoebels in PA, or Family Kingdom in SC. Stick a giant ferris wheel, tilt a whirl, swinging ship, a slingshot ride, small coaster (chip davis can pay for it and call it the Steamroller), maybe a giant swing ride and call it the Vortex?

[TitosBuritoBarn]

I'm surprised that, in the years since Peony Park closed, no one has stepped up to build a decent amusement park. I guess it just takes the right interest from the right investors.

I am surprised people with money don't see some kind of amusement/theme park at the right scale as a viable investment in our region. We have little in the way of natural recreation, like mountains and ocean, so I think people are starving for alternatives to what the region currently offers. While a full blown amusement park would be cool, I would even love to see some amusement park rides where you can just pay per ride somewhere like the riverfront or in the area between the durham museum and ketv building. I am thinking like coney island, knoebels in PA, or Family Kingdom in SC. Stick a giant ferris wheel, tilt a whirl, swinging ship, a slingshot ride, small coaster (chip davis can pay for it and call it the Steamroller), maybe a giant swing ride and call it the Vortex?

Search "Steve Minard" in the forum search bar and prepare for a roller coaster of a story.

[ita]

I'm surprised that, in the years since Peony Park closed, no one has stepped up to build a decent amusement park. I guess it just takes the right interest from the right investors.

I am surprised people with money don't see some kind of amusement/theme park at the right scale as a viable investment in our region. We have little in the way of natural recreation, like mountains and ocean, so I think people are starving for alternatives to what the region currently offers. While a full blown amusement park would be cool, I would even love to see some amusement park rides where you can just pay per ride somewhere like the riverfront or in the area between the durham museum and ketv building. I am thinking like coney island, knoebels in PA, or Family Kingdom in SC. Stick a giant ferris wheel, tilt a whirl, swinging ship, a slingshot ride, small coaster (chip davis can pay for it and call it the Steamroller), maybe a giant swing ride and call it the Vortex?

Search "Steve Minard" in the forum search bar and prepare for a roller coaster of a story.

Yes, I have only read newspaper articles about him and his brothers' amusement park project. It's amazing to me that the Port Nebraska/Wild Escape website is still active. I looked him up on Google and based on Steve's LinkedIn, he is currently in Orlando. Fitting, ain't it?

[skinzfan23]

Sounds like the new theme park isn’t doing so well. They are only drawing 100-300 customers per day. With the $49 admission, that is less than $10,000/day. I don’t see how that is sustainable. They only had 415 people over the 4th of July weekend. They were expecting numbers 10 times that.

Fortunately for them, they still have yet to open the big roller coaster and carousel. The park is a great thought, but I wonder if there is enough population to warrant it. Probably only about 1/2 million between the Waterloo/cedar rapids/Iowa city areas combined. Add in the fact that they are between Adventureland and the Wisconsin Dells and I just don’t know if there is enough support.

[Linkin5]

It is just so bizarre that Omaha still has nothing to this scale in the metro.

[skinzfan23]

It is just so bizarre that Omaha still has nothing to this scale in the metro.

Yes I agree, but depending how this park is in the next few years, we will see if that is a smart move.

I still wish we had a nice water park with as hot as it gets in Omaha in the summer. Maybe we can hope for a Great Wolf Lodge someday.

[Cermak]

It will be interesting to see how well this new amusement park does. I wouldn't think it has a large enough population base to draw from. I personally am not a big amusement park fan but I know many people love them.

[EastCB]

The population in a hundred mile radius of Waterloo is 2,250,000. In a hundred mile radius of Omaha it is 1,926,000. For Des Moines it is 1,543,000.

[skinzfan23]

I just looked up the population for Waterloo/Cedar Rapids/Iowa City metros combined and its only 620,000, even if you add in the Dubuque metro area, its still less than 3/4 Million people.

Like I stated before, the details that have gone into the park so far are pretty amazing, but they aren't going to be able to sustain that without great attendance numbers.

It is crazy to think that Omaha just invested $325 million in the 3 parks, while this is an approx $100 Million investment. I will say this though, the size of the trees and the quality of landscaping that has gone in in Omaha is on a whole other level compared to the amusement park. I have seen quite a few reviews stating that they have no shade and you can see from one side of the amusement park to the other. Obviously, time will change that as the plants fill out, but the question is, do they have that much time.

[skinzfan23]

The population in a hundred mile radius of Waterloo is 2,250,000. In a hundred mile radius of Omaha it is 1,926,000. For Des Moines it is 1,543,000.

Not sure where you got those numbers, when I searched for 100 mile radius:

Waterloo: 696,861
Des Moines: 857,154
Omaha: 1,238,575

Edit:
I actually used a different radius tool and got numbers closer to yours: (however, I am not sure how accurate based on this:
Note: Counties are included if their center of population point falls within the selected radius. The whole county is included and the data are not apportioned to exclude the portions falling outside of the radius.)

Waterloo: 2,192,581
Des Moines: 1,568,113
Omaha: 1,926,800

[EastCB]

StatsAmerica big radius tool

[skinzfan23]

I am not quite sure how those numbers are configured, but they seem really high. Granted, eastern Iowa has a lot more cities than Nebraska, but having lived near there for 3 years I can attest there really isn't that big of a population base there. Not to mention, most people from Chicago or Madison/Milwaukee, WI would probably go to Six Flags in Chicagoland first anyhow.

[Linkin5]

Is a 100 mile radius of Waterloo a good indicator of the amount of people that will visit this park? 100 miles gets into areas of Wisconsin and Illinois where they have better options than this park, and Des Moines where they have Adventureland.

[skinzfan23]

Is a 100 mile radius of Waterloo a good indicator of the amount of people that will visit this park? 100 miles gets into areas of Wisconsin and Illinois where they have better options than this park, and Des Moines where they have Adventureland.

That is basically my point, I don't think Waterloo, IA is a tourist draw, so if the local population isn't going to support it, I think it will be hard to make it work financially. Sure, there will be some roller coaster enthusiasts that travel to it, but just like any business, the first year or so is the hardest trying to build a client base.

Like I mentioned before, I will still hold full judgement until the main roller coaster and carousel are open, but for right now, it doesn't appear promising. (as a side note, this park was funded by a family, so at least they won't have to answer to shareholders)

[skinzfan23]

Lost Island Themepark sees visitor growth, not yet profitability in second season

Last year, total attendance was far below Lost Island’s projections, a tenth of what had been expected, reaching 26,425 guests, Bertch said. As of Friday morning, with about a week left in the season, attendance had reached 46,013.

The park was built to handle a peak day of 7,500 guests daily, what he considers “wall to wall and shoulder and shoulder.” The most popular day was last Saturday at 1,400 guests, when the longest wait for any ride was only eight minutes, Bertch said.

Still don't see see how getting only 46,000 guests, which comes out to around 500 per day is working out. With the $48 admission price that is only $24,000 of revenue per day from ticket sales. That probably doesn't even cover the wages for workers and electricity for the rides.

This is a cool idea and all but I can't believe they built this park in area that isn't exactly a tourist draw and doesn't really have that large of a population base to support it.

[Greg S]

Lost Island Themepark sees visitor growth, not yet profitability in second season

Last year, total attendance was far below Lost Island’s projections, a tenth of what had been expected, reaching 26,425 guests, Bertch said. As of Friday morning, with about a week left in the season, attendance had reached 46,013.

The park was built to handle a peak day of 7,500 guests daily, what he considers “wall to wall and shoulder and shoulder.” The most popular day was last Saturday at 1,400 guests, when the longest wait for any ride was only eight minutes, Bertch said.

Still don't see see how getting only 46,000 guests, which comes out to around 500 per day is working out. With the $48 admission price that is only $24,000 of revenue per day from ticket sales. That probably doesn't even cover the wages for workers and electricity for the rides.

This is a cool idea and all but I can't believe they built this park in area that isn't exactly a tourist draw and doesn't really have that large of a population base to support it.

I would have loved to have seen something like these two parks built on I80 between Lincoln and Omaha.

[Louie]

It's almost like they forgot to do any market research.

[skinzfan23]

I would have loved to have seen something like these two parks built on I80 between Lincoln and Omaha.

I agree, I think the Omaha/Lincoln/CB is big enough to support this with 1.5 million within 60 miles. The Waterloo, IA 60 mile radius is only about 360,000. Not to mention that we could draw people from the KC, Sioux Falls areas as well and we are right on I-80.

[skinzfan23]

It's almost like they forgot to do any market research.

The quotes in the story mentions that their waterpark does well so they thought the amusement park would too.....that is a huge assumption especially for a $100 Million private investment.

[stormchaser]

It's almost like they forgot to do any market research.

Lol, exactly what I was thinking. Population base is too small and Waterloo isn't a big tourist area so it seems like it's doomed to fail.

The Okoboji area is much smaller (even though it's population balloons to around 100,000 in the summer time) but it's at least a tourist area so it can sustain Arnold's Park (even though it's small - plus that park is historic). Maybe they were thinking if they build the amusement park in Waterloo, eventually that area will become more of a tourist destination even if doing so is kind of an a$$-backwards way of going about it?

[Louie]

It's almost like they forgot to do any market research.

Lol, exactly what I was thinking. Population base is too small and Waterloo isn't a big tourist area so it seems like it's doomed to fail.

The Okoboji area is much smaller (even though it's population balloons to around 100,000 in the summer time) but it's at least a tourist area so it can sustain Arnold's Park (even though it's small - plus that park is historic). Maybe they were thinking if they build the amusement park in Waterloo, eventually that area will become more of a tourist destination even if doing so is kind of an a$$-backwards way of going about it?

Yeah Okoboji is definitely different when you consider that 90% of the people there in the summer aren't working and are on vacation. They have all the time in the world to hit up an amusement park.

[stormchaser]

As others have said, I’m shocked there isn’t a theme park in our area. We have the population and the zoo is a huge tourist draw (especially for families which would obviously be ideal for a theme park).

[Garrett]

As others have said, I’m shocked there isn’t a theme park in our area. We have the population and the zoo is a huge tourist draw (especially for families which would obviously be ideal for a theme park).

I imagine if Big Lake ever happens it would be a great location for one

[skinzfan23]

From 3 years ago:

Honestly, I have always wondered why Omaha doesn't have a developer build a massive waterpark. There are well over 1 million people within 60 miles and it could also draw from the KC, Des Moines, Sioux Falls areas as well. Speaking about Sioux Falls, they have a nicer water park than anything Omaha does, which is embarrassing. For as hot and dry as it gets in the summer a waterpark with more amenities than FunPlex offers.

Now, with Bellevue proposing theirs, we may finally have a big family attraction besides the zoo.

Also, heard another report on the Waterloo park from just a few days ago. There were only 100 people in the park. It was a weekday, but there is absolutely no way that can be sustainable. They had a special on Memorial day weekend where veterans got in free, the turnout was much better but still very far from their projections.

Initially they were saying they needed around 270,000 people per year.

2022: 26,000
2023: 46,000
2024: better, but probably going to end up way short of the amt needed once again

[Louie]

From 3 years ago:

Honestly, I have always wondered why Omaha doesn't have a developer build a massive waterpark. There are well over 1 million people within 60 miles and it could also draw from the KC, Des Moines, Sioux Falls areas as well. Speaking about Sioux Falls, they have a nicer water park than anything Omaha does, which is embarrassing. For as hot and dry as it gets in the summer a waterpark with more amenities than FunPlex offers.

Now, with Bellevue proposing theirs, we may finally have a big family attraction besides the zoo.

Also, heard another report on the Waterloo park from just a few days ago. There were only 100 people in the park. It was a weekday, but there is absolutely no way that can be sustainable. They had a special on Memorial day weekend where veterans got in free, the turnout was much better but still very far from their projections.

Initially they were saying they needed around 270,000 people per year.

2022: 26,000
2023: 46,000
2024: better, but probably going to end up way short of the amt needed once again

I wonder how many years of failing to hit that attendance threshold they can handle?

[Nosebot]

I assume they're losing millions a year in maintenance and other costs. so if they are trying to turn a profit by the 10 year mark it might already be to late.

[skinzfan23]

I wonder how many years of failing to hit that attendance threshold they can handle?

I was wondering the same thing. I can't imagine more than this year and next at most. The family has stated that they don't want a return on their money, but to be able to see the park pay for itself.

For the first year their operating loss was in the seven figures. I can imagine that they only can continue taking that risk for so long.

With even 300 people there in a day, revenue from ticket sales alone would only be some around $14,000. Hardly enough to pay for insurance, electricity, wages, etc.

[skinzfan23]

I assume they're losing millions a year in maintenance and other costs. so if they are trying to turn a profit by the 10 year mark it might already be to late.

I hate saying it, but this is one of those projects I want to see fail based on market analysis that they did. There is nowhere close to enough demand in that region of Iowa and as I have mentioned, people from Chicago, Madison, WI and Des Moines all have their own amusement parks much closer. There may be a few that will travel to this place, but otherwise they are drawing from a region with only about 500,000 - 600,000 people. That just isn't a demographic that makes sense for a project like this.

The Omaha metro alone is 1 Million and would be a hard sell here too, but I think we could pull it off. Waterloo also isn't exactly a destination for a lot of people and it doesn't have I-80 running right through it.

[djc311]

I assume they're losing millions a year in maintenance and other costs. so if they are trying to turn a profit by the 10 year mark it might already be to late.

I hate saying it, but this is one of those projects I want to see fail based on market analysis that they did. There is nowhere close to enough demand in that region of Iowa and as I have mentioned, people from Chicago, Madison, WI and Des Moines all have their own amusement parks much closer. There may be a few that will travel to this place, but otherwise they are drawing from a region with only about 500,000 - 600,000 people. That just isn't a demographic that makes sense for a project like this.

The Omaha metro alone is 1 Million and would be a hard sell here too, but I think we could pull it off. Waterloo also isn't exactly a destination for a lot of people and it doesn't have I-80 running right through it.

Still can't believe Omaha doesn't have anything - I don't count FunPlex; everyone is entitled to their opinion, but it's barely a step above a combination of waterpark and Amazing Pizza machine as far as rides (OK, that's a stretch, but you get my point). Heck, Vala's has about as many "real" rides now. Paying almost $50 to get in the door at FunPlex or Vala's is crazy (IMO). Our are certainly could do much better.

I-80 between Omaha and Lincoln is a no-brainer.

[Nosebot]

I personally went with my kid last summer and my biggest gripe was no trees and virtually no shade. other than that I enjoyed the short lines.

I'm not one to want too see people fail but it amazes me they thought Iowa could handle two amusement parks, I wonder if Adventureland has been affected by it at all?

[Louie]

I wonder if Adventureland has been affected by it at all?

Based on Lost Island's attendance, I'd gather that Adventureland hasn't even noticed.

[Cermak]

Surprised this even got built, not sure how the developers could figure this was going to be successful. Simply not enough people in the immediate area and Adventureland park is relatively close.

[skinzfan23]

Another report online that last Thursday there were only about 200 people there. Although it does sound like attendance numbers are better on the weekends (which is to be expected) there is no way 100-200 people (probably $8,000 in ticket revenue) is going to support a park like this.

[OmahaOmaha]

Lost Island Theme Park is getting a new RMC single-rail roller coaster for the 2025 season called Fire Runner. It will have three inversions, a top speed of 52 miles per hour, and 1,950 feet of track.

[Louie]

Lost Island Theme Park is getting a new RMC single-rail roller coaster for the 2025 season called Fire Runner. It will have three inversions, a top speed of 52 miles per hour, and 1,950 feet of track.

Sheesh, they're still throwing money into it as it loses money each year.

[skinzfan23]

Lost Island Theme Park is getting a new RMC single-rail roller coaster for the 2025 season called Fire Runner. It will have three inversions, a top speed of 52 miles per hour, and 1,950 feet of track.

Sheesh, they're still throwing money into it as it loses money each year.

Exactly my thoughts, I heard that they were probably getting a new coaster. Although they haven't publicly released attendance numbers yet this year, I have seen several posts where it is still nearly empty most days. A place like this isn't going to make it only have 3-4 busy saturdays a month. From the pictures I have seen, the staff gets excited when there are 30-40 people in a line waiting to ride a ride. Most amusement parks, you would be lucky to see lines that short. Again, unless the Bertch family wants to keep blowing their family money, there is no way this is going to succeed long-term.

Edit: I was able to get some info from that article.

This year they expect season attendance to be around 50,000. (600 people per day) Last year it was 46,000 and the first year 26,000.

So to update the numbers:

2022: 26,000
2023: 46,000
2024: 50,000

In earlier articles, the owner said that they were anticipating about 270,000 guests each year. So while, they have gotten a tiny bit better, still less than 20% of what was projected. But yeah, sure, lets throw some more money at it.