lost island waterpark

What lost island waterpark does

Lost Island Waterpark (legal entity: Lost Island Themepark & Waterpark) is a privately held, multi-attraction family entertainment destination operating on a single campus at 2225 and 2600 E. Shaulis Road in Waterloo, Iowa. The venue combines a themepark and a separately ticketed waterpark with adjacent adventure golf, go-karts, themed KOA Kampground lodging, cabana rentals, and special experiences such as Swim with Mermaids. The themepark is structured around five proprietary themed realms — Mura (Fire), Awa (Water), Udara (Air), Yuta (Earth), and Tamariki (Spirit) — anchored by signature hardware such as the award-winning Fire Runner single-rail roller coaster and the Wailua Kupua hydromagnetic water coaster. A Lost Island Adventure Guide mobile app on iOS and Android supports park navigation, event information, and ticket purchasing.

The company operates a direct-to-consumer go-to-market model, selling single-attraction day passes, multi-attraction Island Pass and Season Pass subscriptions, cabana rentals, gift cards, corporate group discounts, and on-site food, beverage, and merchandise. Distribution runs through the company's own website and mobile app plus on-site ticket windows, with cross-promotion via AAA Approved status and World Waterpark Association membership. Event-driven marketing — including Back to School Drive, Teacher Appreciation Day, Daddy & Me, Big Kid at Heart, School Spirit Special, and the inaugural Fire Runner 5K — supplements ongoing digital channels across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and email.

The primary customer segment is families with children, supported by secondary segments in school/education groups, corporate groups, and regional tourists/campers. The company has earned national recognition through the USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, ranking 3rd best theme park and 4th best waterpark in the nation for 2026 and naming Fire Runner the Best New Theme Park Attraction for 2025. Ownership, funding history, revenue figures, headcount, and incorporation jurisdiction are not disclosed in available sources.

Name

lost island waterpark

Legal name

Lost Island Themepark & Waterpark

Website

https://thelostisland.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Multi-attraction family entertainment destination in Waterloo, Iowa, combining a themepark, waterpark, adventure golf, go-karts, and themed KOA camping. Serves families, school groups, and corporate groups through direct-to-consumer ticketing, season passes, and on-site F&B.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Amusement & Waterpark

NAICS

Amusement and Theme Parks (713110), Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131), Amusement and Theme Parks (71311)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Standalone/Pay-Per-Entry Water Parks (Day-Visitor Focused) (THAAABAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Parks (Outdoor/Indoor, Wave Pools & Slides) (THAJAEAB), Amusement Parks (Regional/Local Ride Parks & Funfairs) (THAJAEAD), Water Parks (THAAAAAB)

Keywords

• Theme park admissions
• Waterpark attractions
• Family entertainment center
• Amusement park rides
• Outdoor recreation

Headquarters

HQ city

Waterloo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Theme Park Admission: Day passes and admission fees for access to the Lost Island Themepark attractions including roller coasters, water rides, family rides, arcade, and playgrounds.
2. Waterpark Admission: Day passes for waterpark access including major waterslides, water attractions, and kids' areas.
3. Season Passes and Island Pass: Annual and multi-day pass products offering unlimited access throughout the operating season with various perk levels.
4. Adventure Golf and Go-Karts: Separate ticketed attractions for mini-golf courses and go-kart racing.
5. Waterpark Cabana Rentals: Premium shaded spaces reserved exclusively for guests seeking comfort and privacy within the waterpark.
6. Special Experiences: Specialty experiences such as Swim with Mermaids, birthday parties, and group events.
7. Corporate Discount Program: Volume-based discounts for corporate groups and organizations for team events and outings.
8. Gift Cards: Prepaid gift cards for park admissions and purchases.
9. On-site Food, Merchandise, and Merchandise Sales: Concession stands, restaurants, and gift shops within the park premises.
10. KOA Kampground Lodging: On-site themed camping at the KOA Kampground providing tropical getaway accommodations in the Midwest.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Lost Island Themepark & Waterpark operates a multi-attraction family entertainment destination in Waterloo, Iowa, combining a theme park with rollercoasters and five themed realms, a waterpark with hydromagnetic water coasters and major waterslides, plus on-site adventure golf, go-karts, KOA-themed camping, cabana rentals, and special experiences such as Swim with Mermaids. Visitors purchase single-attraction day passes, bundled multi-attraction Island Passes and annual Season Passes, and ancillary concessions, merchandise, and lodging on the premises.

Product overview

Lost Island is a multi-attraction family entertainment destination combining a theme park and waterpark with adjacent adventure golf, go-karts, and on-site camping. The core offering consists of Lost Island Themepark (featuring rollercoasters, thrill rides, and five themed realms) and Lost Island Waterpark (featuring waterslides and water attractions), supplemented by Adventure Golf, Go-Karts at Manaleo's Speedway, KOA Kampground lodging, cabana rentals, and special experiences like Swim with Mermaids.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lost Island Themepark An outdoor theme park featuring rollercoasters, thrill rides, water rides, family rides, arcade, and playgrounds organized into five themed realms (Mura/Fire, Awa/Water, Udara/Air, Yuta/Earth, Tamariki/Spirit); visitors purchase a day pass or include it in a bundled Island/Season Pass.
• Lost Island Waterpark An outdoor waterpark featuring major waterslides, water attractions, and kids' attractions including the Wailua Kupua hydromagnetic water coaster and Starfish Cove underwater-themed shallow play area; access sold via day pass or bundled pass.
• Lost Island Adventure Golf Two separately ticketed 18-hole miniature golf courses themed with native vegetation, volcanoes, rapids, dinosaur fossils, and other tropical elements, located adjacent to the themepark and waterpark.
• Lost Island Go-Karts Go-kart racing experience at Manaleo's Speedway offering visitors a separate ticketed racing attraction adjacent to the Adventure Golf courses.
• Lost Island KOA Kampground On-site themed camping accommodation operated in partnership with KOA, providing tropical-themed overnight lodging adjacent to the themepark and waterpark in Waterloo, Iowa.
• Waterpark Cabana Rentals Premium private cabana spaces within the waterpark providing shaded seating reserved exclusively for guests seeking comfort and privacy during their visit.
• Swim with Mermaids A separately ticketed special experience at the waterpark allowing guests to swim alongside costumed mermaid performers.
• Island Pass and Season Pass Bundled multi-attraction passes offering combined or unlimited access to the themepark, waterpark, and other attractions across a multi-day window or full operating season, available in multiple perk tiers.
• Gift Cards Prepaid gift cards redeemable toward park admissions and on-site purchases.

Quantifiable outcome

• Voted 3rd best theme park in the nation by USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• World Waterpark AssociationminorOthersActive membership in the international trade association for waterpark operators, providing industry standards, best practices, and cross-promotional opportunities within the waterpark industry.
• American Automobile Association (AAA)minorOthersAAA Approved destination status, indicating the park meets quality standards for AAA-rated travel recommendations to members.
• KOA KampgroundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-site themed KOA Kampground offering tropical-themed camping accommodations adjacent to the theme park and waterpark. Provides extended-stay options for visitors and creates an integrated resort experience.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Kalahari Resorts and Conventions: Privately-held resort chain featuring large indoor waterparks plus outdoor waterparks, theme park attractions, and on-site lodging. Direct comparable due to Midwest presence, integrated waterpark/resort model, and family entertainment destination positioning.
• Great Wolf Lodge: Indoor waterpark resort chain owned by Blackstone, offering family-focused water-based entertainment with on-site lodging across multiple U.S. locations. Direct comparable because of the integrated waterpark + lodging destination model and family target market.
• Holiday World & Splashin' Safari: Privately-held Indiana theme park combined with one of the country's largest waterparks. Highly comparable as a private Midwest destination combining theme park and waterpark under single ownership with multi-attraction depth.
• Schlitterbahn (Cedar Fair): Iconic waterpark brand now owned by Cedar Fair, operating resort-style waterparks in Texas and Kansas. Comparable waterpark technology, ride innovation, and destination-resort lodging integration.
• Waldameer Park: Family-owned Pennsylvania amusement park with adjacent waterpark (Cascade Bay). Direct comparable as a private regional park combining traditional amusement rides with water attractions and free-entry/water extra-fee business model.
• Noah's Ark Waterpark: Largest outdoor waterpark in the U.S., located in Wisconsin Dells. Comparable as a large-scale Midwest outdoor waterpark competing for similar regional family tourism demand.
• Splish Splash (EPR Properties): Long Island waterpark operated by Palace Entertainment / leased via EPR Properties. Comparable as a stand-alone pay-per-entry outdoor waterpark serving a regional family market with similar attraction mix (waterslides, kids' areas, cabanas).

Broad incumbents

• Cedar Point / Six Flags: Mega-regional theme park operators (Cedar Point operated by Cedar Fair, now merged with Six Flags) operating large multi-attraction parks across the U.S. Broad incumbent comparable because of overlapping roller coaster and themed park offerings, but at significantly larger scale and with multi-site portfolios.
• SeaWorld Entertainment: Publicly-traded operator of major theme parks and waterparks across the U.S. (SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens). Broad incumbent comparable on waterpark operations, themed attractions, and family entertainment, but at much larger scale with broader geographic footprint.

Others

• Kampgrounds of America (KOA): National campground franchise and operating partner that runs the on-site themed KOA Kampground at Lost Island. Included because of the integrated lodging partnership and shared destination-travel customer base, though KOA is a hospitality/enabling partner rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCMmPqzo4WCcnde7e67Dv3Vg
• Facebookfacebook.com/lostislandthemepark
• Instagraminstagram.com/lostislandthemepark
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lost-island-themepark-and-waterpark

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about lost island waterpark