From 1996: Adventureland opens the Underground roller coaster

��vlog archives: Adventureland unveils the Underground, world's only indoor wooden coaster

Adventureland visitors first learned the story of Bad Bob and Sheriff Sam in 1996. That was the year the Altoona theme park opened the Underground, the world's only indoor wooden roller coaster. A gravel-voiced animatronic miner greeted riders of all ages with the story, which was based on both the facts and folklore of Iowa's coal mining past: Bad Bob and his crew hid after a gold heist in the passages of the Underground, made to look like an old coal mine. Sheriff Sam and his posse used dynamite to destroy every entrance and exit, trapping the outlaws. Watch the video above for an interesting Adventureland fact.Custom Coasters International built the ride for about $1.5 million. It was shut down in 2023 for renovations. Park leaders say a "reimagined" Underground will be fully operational for the 2024 season, with a redesigned mineshaft and station and updated animatronics, lighting and audio. Adventureland opens for its 50th season on May 18.» Download the free ��vlog app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google PlayMore from the ��vlog archives��vlog archives: The heart-pounding thrills of Adventureland's wooden roller coasterRetro ��vlog: Beanie Babies were THE hot collectible in the 90s��vlog archives: Rusty Wallace goes for a test drive on the Iowa Speedway��vlog archives: Meet the man who dug a home into the side of a Des Moines hill

ALTOONA, Iowa —

Adventureland visitors first learned the story of Bad Bob and Sheriff Sam in 1996.

That was the year the Altoona theme park opened the Underground, the world's only indoor wooden roller coaster.

A gravel-voiced animatronic miner greeted riders of all ages with the story, which was based on both the facts and folklore of Iowa's coal mining past: Bad Bob and his crew hid after a gold heist in the passages of the Underground, made to look like an old coal mine. Sheriff Sam and his posse used dynamite to destroy every entrance and exit, trapping the outlaws.

Watch the video above for an interesting Adventureland fact.

Custom Coasters International built the ride for about $1.5 million. It was shut down in 2023 for renovations. Park leaders say a "reimagined" Underground will be fully operational for the 2024 season, with a redesigned mineshaft and station and updated animatronics, lighting and audio.

opens for its 50th season on May 18.

» Download the free ��vlog app to get updates on the go: |