Astroland

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Astroland
Astroland

Astroland is a 3.1 acre amusement park in Coney Island first opened in 1962. It is located at 1000 Surf Avenue (Corner of West 10th Street) on the boardwalk.

Contents

[edit] Astroland History

Astroland "first billed itself as a 'space-age' theme park. Today a visit is more like stepping into the past than the future."[1]

In 1955, Dewey Albert and his friends Nathan Handwerker, Herman Rapps, Sidney Robbins and Paul Yampo formed a corporation called Coney Island Enterprises. In 1957, Rapps and Albert announced they would build Wonderland. Through a series of acquisitions, together they built what is today known as Astroland. On July 12, 1975 an early morning fire wiped out much of the park but they were able to rebuild.[2]

[edit] Astroland Today

On November 28, 2006 Astroland was sold by the Albert Family to Thor Equities for US $1.5 billion. According to the article in Newsday, the Alberts will continue to operate the Cyclone, the famous wooden roller coaster.[3] Coney Island Park will replace Astroland beginning 2011. Astroland will celebrate 45 years when they open on April 1, 2007.

[edit] Rides and Attractions

Dante's Inferno
Dante's Inferno
World-famous Cyclone roller coaster.
World-famous Cyclone roller coaster.

[edit] Adult Rides:

  • Power Surge
  • Top Spin
  • Thrill Ride
  • Cyclone Roller Coaster
  • Water Flume
  • Pirate Ship
  • Scrambler
  • Bumper Cars
  • Dante's Inferno
  • Break Dancer
  • Astrotower
  • Tilt-A-Whirl[4]

[edit] Kiddie Rides:

  • Pirate Jet
  • Tea Cups
  • Froghopper
  • Motorcycle Jump
  • Super Swing
  • Himalaya
  • Fire Engines
  • Big Apple Coaster
  • Mini Trucks
  • Convoy
  • Popeye Boats
  • Circuit 2000
  • Carousel
  • Dune Buggy Jump[5]

[edit] Other Attractions:

  • More than 10 games of skill
  • 3 Arcades
  • 2 Coney Island Style Restaurants[6]

[edit] Trivia

  • Local legend has it that restaurateur Charles Feltman invented the hot dog there in 1874.[7]

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Fodor's Astroland entry
  2. ^ Coney Island - Astroland
  3. ^ Coney Island's Astroland sold to developer
  4. ^ Astroland Rides and Attractions
  5. ^ Astroland Rides and Attractions
  6. ^ Astroland Rides and Attractions
  7. ^ Coney Island's Astroland sold to developer