Adventureland Amusement Park
Altoona, Iowa
July 18, 2013
Page Six






Adventureland opened in 1974 without a single coaster.  In 1975 and 1976 a couple of portable small steel coasters were added but the park really needed a coaster to stand out and make it feel like a proper amusement park.  Instead of seeking out a steel looping coaster that were all the rage at the time Adventureland went classic with a wooden coaster.  So they contacted Bill Cobb who at that point was about the only wooden coaster designer still working and he came up with The Tornado.



What Bill Cobb came up with was a fun airtime filled ride that makes you want to either hold on for dear life or throw your arms up in the air as you speed over hill after hill.



Out of all of the coasters at Adventureland I have to say that The Tornado is my favorite.  It is just so much fun.



Speaking of fun Adventureland has a Falling Star that completely rocks.  Unlike many of these rides this one is not slowed down at all leading to plenty of slamming back and forth with your fellow rider. 

Bond pulled his "elbows of steel" out while I was flying he jammed it up into my ribs getting me good.  In repayment I just didn't hold on when centrifugal force sent me his way I didn't hold on as much as a could.  We go back and forth like this every once in a while...a little rough housing is never a bad thing as long as it is done in fun. 




Next


Copyright 1999 - 2024

Paul B. Drabek