By Lisa Hagen
Updated for 2022
Growing up in Iowa City, I was always excited as a child for our annual trek to Adventureland. We would get there when the doors opened and stay until they closed for the evening. I knew it was a costly trip for my parents to take four children and we definitely wanted to get our money’s worth.
We moved to Des Moines in 2010 when my son was four. I don’t think we even went to Adventureland that first summer but we went once or twice in 2011. It was a little hard at five for him to not be tall enough to go on many of the rides but there always seemed to be plenty to keep him busy and it was fun to see him progress as he grew into the big kid rides.
We figured for a family of three it cost us about $120 plus $15 parking every time we went. We began purchasing the early bird family pass in 2012. The cost is $149 per person (in 2022) and parking is included with your season pass. It comes to a breakeven of about 3 visits per summer for the season pass to pay off versus the pay as you go method.
We love having the season pass. Since we first began going, Adventure Bay opened and is part of the season pass. It offers a wave pool, water slides and a play area for small swimmers. I enjoy it as much as the kids.
Many of our Des Moines friends also have passes, so it is great to be able to take another friend or two with us and not have the burden of additional cost. And, if they don’t have a ticket, we can purchase one at a discount.
It is so fun to be able to go to the park on days that look like it might rain or chilly days when we know the park will be less crowded and sometimes we just stay a couple hours. Other times we get there when the gates open and stay until they kick us out. I love coming home with a bunch of exhausted kiddos that are a little sun drenched and tired from running all day without an iPad or a cell phone in sight.
Adventureland offers a great value on the season pass and they are already open for business in 2022. Enjoy!
Adventureland Season Pass Details
2022 Season Pass Costs: Platinum $449 per person; Gold $219 per person; Silver $149 per person; Bronze $89 per person (Monday through Thursday only)
Compare That To: Single Day Ticket ((4) four years of age and older on the date selected) $39.99, if purchased online, and parking is $15.00. (Keep in mind Children (3) three years and under receive free admission to Adventureland Park)
The Biggest Perks for Silver Level and Up: FREE parking for season pass holders; Early Park Admission, Resort Discounts & Discounted Tickets, Admission and Discounts to Special Events and Park Retail Discounts.
Adventureland
305 34th Ave NW
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 266-2121
https://www.adventurelandpark.com/
Does your family have an Adventureland Season Pass? Tell us what you think the best benefits of it are in the comments below!
Lisa is an urbandale transplant from Iowa City, Chicago and Kansas City. She is in pharmaceutical sales and loves everything about Des Moines, from the big city events and offerings to the small town Iowa upbringing for her family.
