Major new additions and park improvements will greet guests at Adventureland theme park when it opens for the season at 10 am on Saturday, May 6. Opening Daywill feature a flag raising ceremony, the Festival of Bands, and more. The park improvements are just the first big changes guests will experience as the park continues work on two thrilling new rides, Flying Viking and Draken Falls, opening later in the season.
The park’s food and beverage department is unveiling a lineup of fresh new menu items, along with two new food stands. Potato Patch, the iconic brand that debuted 50 years ago at Kennywood in Pittsburgh is coming to Adventureland. It has since expanded to six Palace Entertainment parks and Acrisure Stadium (home of the Pittsburgh Steelers). The stand features fresh-cut French fries with a variety of toppings. The building will be crowned with a massive three-dimensional Viking ship full of oversized fries. The nearbyCone Zonewill feature sweet frozen treats including soft serve ice cream, sno-cones, and Dole Whips, just north of the Coca-Cola Café.
Featuring candies, oversized lollipops, chocolates, truffles, and more, Sweet Boutique is new on Main Street, in addition to new outdoor seating along Main Street. The improvements build off major updates to the park, including Main Street, that Palace Entertainment made leading into the 2022 season.
Also new on Main Street, the VFX Studiowill allow guests to star in their own photoshoot with various backdrops. It’s a part of a new photography experience throughout the theme park featuring selfie stations and on-ride photos on Draken Falls, Flying Viking, Monster, and Tornado.
Meanwhile guests can experierience life as a prospector trying to stake their claim at the all-new Mining for Gold experience. Miners hoping to cash in can pan for gold, gems, and other treasures.
“We wanted to create a more welcoming park experience, making Adventureland a place everyone can enjoy, while also building on what people already love about the park,” said Adventureland general manager Bill Lentz. “These new experiences and park improvements truly complement the two new rides we have coming later this season.”
Guests wanting to skip the line are in luck. The new Speedy Pass will cut wait times by up to 90% on some of the park’s most popular attractions. Guests will be able to choose either single use or all-day passes to ride more and wait less. Rides included in the new Speedy Pass program are Flying Viking, Draken Falls, Monster, Phoenix, Dragon Slayer, Space Shot, Storm Chaser, Sidewinder, Saw Mill Splash, and Underground.
Adventureland’s events and entertainment lineup feature exciting new acts along with the return of some fan favorites. America’s longest running theme park magic show continues for its 36th season with Ben Ulin’s Magic and Comedy Show. New strolling entertainment will be featured throughout both the theme park and Adventure Bay water park. Live music returns to Iowa Beer and Wine along with additional musical acts on a new stage at Adventure Bay starting on Saturday, May 27.
The new Summer Concert Series will take place every Friday and Saturday in June. It leads into the four-day Celebrate America event featuring concerts each night July 1-4, concluding with fireworks on July 4. All concerts are included with park admission. On Labor Day weekend, the Kids Festbrings exciting family-friendly events and entertainment to Adventureland. Then, the 21+ fan-favorite Oktoberfest will take place on Saturday, September 16. The 2023 season ends with the Phantom Fall Fest starting on September 23, and running through the end of October.
