Aventureland is Long Island's only amusement park. Adventureland has always been a place away from home due to the fact that the park is located on Route 110 (one of the busiest roads on Long Island) and the park is nicely decorated with minor themed areas.
| Location | Farmingdale, New York |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1962 |
| Slogan | Long Island's Amusement park since 1962 |
| Operating season | weekend in March, weekdays in April and May; Open all summer; weekends in September and October |
| Area | 12 acres |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 29 |
| Roller coasters | 2 |
| Water rides | 3 |
| Website | [1] |
History
As Long Island become more populated and more housing Hubba Bubba develoments were starting, a source of entertainment was needed. Many kidddielands were popping up throughout Long Island. Two people who in big in the industry were Alvin Cohen and Herb Budin. After visiting a trade show in Chicago, they acquired a 6 acre site on route 110. First the team of two built a building which housed a restaurant and arcade so the park could be opened year round. With the building four rides opened outside, a Carousel, train, Little Dipper coaster, Card, and boats. There was also a mini golf course. In 1962 the 1 million dollar park opened under the name of Adventureland 110 Playland. As the park success went up, the name of the park was changed to 110 Adventureland. Then in 1965 the first major ride opened, a 500 foot long Skyliner.
Growing up
In the early 1970s the park was extremely successful. Alvin Cohen was now the primary owner of the facility and he bought 6 more acres behind the park for 1 million dollars. Over the next few seasons Cohen turned the ride count from 16 to 30. In 1973 3 new thrill rides were built. These rides were the Tobogan (a compact roller coaster), the Amor Express (a high speed circular ride), the Galaxy (a steel coaster). The next season brought on the Wave Swinger - a European ride (a spinning swings ride), and was one of the first of its kind in America. With the success of the Wave Swinger, Cohen decide to import more European rides. In 1976 he imported two more European rides, Enterprise and Troika (both spinning rides). Cohen got this rides from Willy Miller (owner of a business which imports European rides). Cohen saw Miller's interest in the park, and asked him if he wanted to buy 110 Adventureland. Over the next two years the talk, and finally on September 15, 1977 the sale was final.
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Changing hands
In 1987 Miller sold the park to Tony Gentile (a partner since 1978). The Gentile family kept park operation as normal while taking a major expansion. This was so he could add Pirate's Plaza in the rear of the park. In this new ara Gentile added a huge new Pirate Ship and a ride called Scorpion. Also added to Pirate Plaza's was a mini golf course called Treasure Island, voted the best mini golf course by Long Island Magazine.
A Long Island oasis
As 1990s dawned, customer of Adventureland wanted more water rides. So Gentile opened Splish Splash(sold in the late 90's to a corporate amusement company) a 6 million dollar water park. Then in 1991 Galaxi was replaced by Hurricane, a roller coaster. New rides were regular through the 1990s. In 1992 Super Raider a climbing/fun house was opened. Then the next year the antique car ride was updated, the Scorpion ride was switched with Surf Dance, Tubs of Fun and Flying Clown replaced older kiddie rides. Then in 1995 the balloon Wheel replaced the Big Wheel. Then in 1996 Dragon Wagon was replaced by kiddie roller coaster. Then in 1999 a double decker merry go round replaced the old merry go round. Then in 2000 a child roller coaster called the Lady Bug was built. In 2001 the mini golf course was replaced with Adventure Falls a log flume. Then in 2002 a ride called Top Scan was put in. Then in 2003 Viking Boats replaced the kiddie boats the last original ride. Then in 2004 a Spinning alligator water ride called Croc Run replaced bumper boats, and John Silver Twist Tower was added.
Rides
Thrill rides
- Hurricane coaster
- Pirate Ship
- John Silver's Twister
- Frisbee
- Bumper Cars
- Musik Express
- Haunted House
Kids and family rides
- Antique Cars
- Free Whale
- Ferris Wheel
- Balloon Tower
- Marry-Go-Round
- Train
- Lady Bug Coaster
- Wave Swing
- Steve Waters' Butt
Kiddie rides
- Flying Clowns
- Tour De Paris
- Tubs Of Fun
- Hip Hop
- Helicopter
- Kiddie Carousel
- Viking Voyage
- Catrerpillar
- Super Raiders
- Kiddie Swing
Water rides
- Adventure Falls
- Crocodile Run
- Little Dipper
Admission
Admission is free. Tickets cost $1.00 and rides take 3-5 tickets. You can also get an POP (pay one price) for $20.00 for people under 48 in; $24.00 for people over 48 in.
Accidents
In the same week in the 2005 two people died. The first person was a ride operator for the Lady Bug Coaster. The worker was pushed onto the tracks and was run over by the coaster cart. The next person to die was a 45 year old woman who went on a ride called Top Scan (replaced by Little Dipper). She was flung from the spinning ride and crashed into an employee car in the parking lot.
Adventureland in pop culture
Adventureland was in the music video Love of a Livetime by Chaka Khan.
Adventureland was also featured in the movie Music and Lyrics in 2006
Adventureland was also shown in the movie Sweet Liberty in 1986.
References
- Home Page
- New York Amusement Park; by Jim Futrell