Sadly, as is the case at most of New England’s once-thriving oceanside amusement meccas (as well as many of those that existed outside the region), the coasters and other rides are all gone at Salisbury Beach. Except for one.

Thanks to the concerted efforts of a dedicated group of visionaries, the Salisbury Beach Carousel is again bringing squeals of delight and kinetic energy to the midway. And it’s not just any carousel, but an historic and lovely piece of genuine Americana that beckons beachgoers.

Before we get to the current-day carousel, let’s explore some Salisbury Beach history. Its trajectory follows a similar path as other seaside amusement areas in the U.S. Starting in the mid-1800s, hotels, restaurants, and, of course, the beach itself drew visitors that arrived first via steamboats and ferries. Then, as now, its ocean breezes and cool waters offered refuge from summer’s often-stifling heat and humidity. In the late 1800s, amusements started to be added to the mix of diversions, including the first carousel, Culver Flying Horses. When it was destroyed by fire, the ride was replaced by the Broadway Flying Horses, which began welcoming guests in 1914. The hand-carved gem was built by the Looff Carousel Company and originally debuted in 1890 at Coney Island in New York City.

Other coasters preceded it and followed it, but the Wildcat was the reigning king of the midway at Salisbury Beach. According to rcdb.com, it was installed in 1922, although other sources say its debut was a few years later in 1927. The classic out-and-back ride, which was first known as Comet, was created by noted coaster designer, Herbert Schmeck, and built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. In a fascinating aside, the Wildcat was commissioned and operated by the Dodgem Corporation. Yes, that Dodgem company.

Located in nearby Lawrence, Massachusetts, the pioneering company installed its very first bumper car ride at Salisbury Beach in the early 1920s. The Dodgem folks had the coaster built next to the bumper cars, and the two rides shared a common entrance which featured stylish Art Deco lettering.

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In the first half of the 20th century, the amusements expanded and thrived at the beach. In the 1960s, when I began visiting the beach, there were open-gate amusement parks, including Shaheen’s Fun-O-Rama, as well as a host of independent concessionaires. By the time I took my first ride on Wildcat in 1974, the Salisbury Beach amusement area was experiencing a long, sad decline. With the advent of the automobile and the mobility it offered and later, the introduction of Disneyland and more modern theme parks, tastes changed and attendance waned at places like Salisbury Beach. The Wildcat closed after the 1975 season, and the Broadway Flying Horses stopped spinning in 1976.

The amusements continued to fade at Salisbury Beach. Pirate’s Fun Park, which offered a small collection of rides including a Ferris wheel, go-karts, and the old-school Kastle Frankenstein dark ride, hung in there until 2004. Condominiums encroached on the amusement area, which became eerily quiet.

With less to do, fewer folks made the trek to Salisbury Beach. The handful of merchants and property owners that remained banded together about 17 years ago to promote the area and attract visitors.

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The Salisbury Beach Partnership was formed “to revitalize the area–not to get it back to what it once was, but to get it to what it can be in the present day and age,” says Paul Descoteaux, one of the organization’s board members as well as the operator of the new carousel and the pavilion building that houses it.

One of the group’s first goals was to get a boardwalk built. In 2017, the organization celebrated the opening of the 625-foot-long oceanfront span. The organization then turned its attention to the beach’s legacy as a beloved amusement area and determined that it wanted to bring a carousel back to the midway. The group first tried to track down the Broadway Flying Horses. After it left Salisbury, the carousel made its way to Shoreline Village in San Diego in 1977 where it operated until 2004. It then went into storage.

By the time the Salisbury Beach Partnership tried to reclaim its crown jewel, some of its figures had been removed and sold individually to collectors. It is a fate that has befallen many of the grand carousels that were built during the ride’s golden age. So the partnership shifted gears and looked instead for a similar vintage ride. It hit the jackpot in Pennsylvania.

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The Wintersteen family operated a carousel for over 90 years at Don Hanson’s Amusement Park on Harvey’s Lake in Pennsylvania. The park closed in 1984, and the carousel was relocated to Old Town in Kissimmee, Florida near Disney World for a period. When the Salisbury group was seeking it, the Wintersteen family had it packed away in a warehouse.

Although it was the third highest bidder, the family accepted the beach organization’s offer. The reason? The other bidders wanted to break up the ride and sell it in pieces. The Wintersteens wanted to see their prized carousel remain intact and continue to bring joy as a functioning ride.

“We couldn’t sign the paperwork fast enough,” says Descoteaux. “We were so very happy with what we got. [The Wintersteens] were ecstatic about it as well.”

The carousel dates back to 1909 and, like the Broadway Flying Horses, was also designed and built by the Looff Carousel Company. The 44 figures on the three-row ride showcase the old-world craftsmanship that defined classic carousels such as this one. Known as a “menagerie” machine, it includes animals such as giraffes and zebras as well as horses. While the original ride was powered by a steam engine (which the Partnership obtained when it took possession of the ride), a modern-day electric motor now keeps the Salisbury Beach Carousel turning. A lift can accommodate guests in wheelchairs. The group was unable to get the carousel’s original band organ, although it is hoping that it will be able to someday obtain one.

The carousel is housed in a lovely octagonal, post-and-beam building. It includes radiant floor heating–another one of the Partnership’s goals is to make Salisbury Beach a year-round destination–but in the summer, the pavilion’s expansive doors are opened wide to let the ocean breezes in and the joyful ambiance out onto the midway. The building includes a separate function room, and tables can also be arranged around the carousel for large events such as weddings.

“As corny as it sounds, this is a magical building,” Descoteaux says. People love sharing their memories about the former Broadway Flying Horses and the many other rides and attractions they experienced at the beach, he adds. “Now we are creating new memories with our carousel. The tradition goes on.”

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Unlike many other seaside amusement areas, which often lose any semblance of their character once the rides go away, the merchants that remain carry on the spirit of Salisbury Beach. After guests take a ride on the carousel, they can head over to Joe’s Playland where Skee-Ball, classic pinball machines, and other games await. They can also scarf down some of the world’s greatest thick-battered onion rings, try some “beach pizza” (which, curiously, hardly has any cheese but can be topped with a slice of provolone for an extra charge), or head to Wiley’s, which has been serving scrumptious hand-made candies and ice cream since 1913. There are some wonderful sit-down restaurants in addition to a number of other quick-service food stands. While the Frolics, a huge nightclub that hosted famous big bands in the 40s and 50s and rock acts after that (and may or may not have been the site of my underage drinking escapades), is long gone, the Blue Ocean Music Hall now welcomes national and local performers in its beautiful venue.

So, what are you waiting for? Take the Salisbury Beach Carousel for a spin. There’s plenty of merry to go round.

On a related note, for folks in the New England area (or vacationers who will be visiting), please consider coming to Salisbury Beach on July 6, 2026 to check out the band I am in, Express (and to ride the carousel, of course). We will be performing outdoors from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the Oceanfront Stage as part of the free Bands on the Beach summer concert series.

Are you a fan of antique carousels? Have you been to Salisbury Beach?

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Caterpillar

There used to be a bunch of Caterpillar rides at midways across the U.S. Today, there is only one standing. First opened in 1963, it has been generating squeals of delight at Canobie for over 60 years. The ride spins on an undulating track and generates a small pop of centrifugal force as it picks up speed–but not too much speed. Each car holds two passengers, and the seats are angled so that the riders on the inside can’t help snuggling up against the ones on the outside. At the risk of getting slightly squashed, smaller children should go for the inside position. After it revs up, a retractable canvas canopy unfolds over the passengers and cocoons them. It’s a bit of a thrill and disorienting when the cars are covered, but with light seeping in underneath the platform, it’s not a totally in-the-dark ride. When it starts to slow, the canopy furls, and passengers can spread their wings and head to Canobie’s next adventure.

Yankee Cannonball

The crown jewel at Canobie Lake Park and the first ride that visitors see when they pull into the parking lot is the Yankee Cannonball. New Hampshire’s only remaining wooden coaster, the elegant ride first began thrilling park guests in 1936. (The transplanted ride is even older; it operated from 1930 to 1935 at the defunct Lakewood Park in Connecticut.) How old is Yankee Cannonball? My 87-year-old mother rode it when she was a child and remembers being so scared that she tried to scream, but was unable to produce a sound. That was her first and last ride aboard a coaster.

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It may be old, but that doesn’t mean the grand dame doesn’t hold up well to contemporary coasters. It’s still wildly popular and a park highlight. My mother’s haunting memories notwithstanding, the ride is firmly in the family thrills category. It climbs 64 feet and hits a top speed of 35 mph. That’s not to say it doesn’t pack a punch. The out-and-back ride is loaded with airtime hills and delivers some nice out-of-your-seat moments. Yankee Cannonball is a rickety wooden roller coaster in the very best sense of the phrase.

Dodgem

Folks have been bumping and dodging cars at Canobie since the 1930s. The vintage cars have poles that contact a metal ceiling grid to provide power to the vehicles. There are occasional sparks of electricity as the contacts scrape across the grid and a faint smell of graphite and ozone; these are the hallmarks of the beloved rides. Another hallmark? The satisfying thwack that riders experience when they plow into another car.

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For many kids, the ride affords them their first time behind a wheel. For adults, the Dodgem lets them act on their road rage impulses with impunity. Interestingly, the Dodgem Corp. that pioneered the amusement park staple some 100 years ago was based in Lawrence, Massachusetts, which is just a few miles away from Canobie Lake Park. The company has since gone out of business, but the crash-bang-boom rides live on at parks such as Canobie.

Turkish Twist

Topped with its distinct pointed domes painted purple and gold, there’s something vaguely Middle Eastern about the structure that houses Canobie’s Turkish Twist. What awaits within is perhaps even stranger. It’s a Rotor ride. Like the Caterpillar, Rotors used to be a staple at U.S. parks. Now, the one at Canobie, which first appeared on the midway in the late 1970s, is apparently the last of its kind.

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So what is a Rotor? Imagine a comically oversized washing machine drum. Now imagine guests standing along the outer edge of the drum. The cylinder starts rotating, at first slowly and then at a pretty good spin cycle clip. The centrifugal force pins passengers to the wall. When it reaches its top speed, the floor drops slightly, but guests remain pinned in place. Although I watched the ride in action (there is an observation deck), I did not experience it. With its aggressive spinning, I was a tad concerned about getting queasy on the Turkish Twist. (Like others who get up there in years, getting queasy on rides is, sadly, a thing.) But it was quite a sight. Folks seemed to enjoy the unusual experience.

There are plenty of other vintage rides at Canobie, including a lovely antique carousel that was built in 1903. Family-owned and -operated parks are becoming an endangered species in the amusement industry. Thank goodness for the three families that lovingly preserve Canobie Lake Park’s legacy and keep its timeless rides in stellar condition for older generations to revisit and new generations to discover.

Have you been to Canobie Lake Park? What are your favorite family-owned parks? What vintage rides do you adore?

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More goodness for paid subscribers! Tomorrow (Friday, April 19) will be the monthly “What’s the Attraction” discussion thread that is exclusively for you. How and why did you fall in love with theme parks? That’ll be the topic of tomorrow’s thread. Please gather your thoughts, and plan to share your story.

4.5 (out of 5)

The iconic Wonder Wheel stands as a proud testament to the Industrial Era and to Coney Island’s storied past. Opened in 1920, it is older than two other venerable icons along the famed Brooklyn beach's skyline, the Cyclone roller coaster and the Parachute Jump. But it continues to remain relevant and vital to visitors today. Riders stand "on line" (as they say in New York City) to ride the Wonder Wheel as much for its panoramic views, unique swinging cars, thrills, and fun as they do for its sheer nostalgia.

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Salem Willows Park in Salem, Massachusetts was another shore shangrila the Levine family went to way back in the day, and that I continue to adore today. Located on a peninsula that’s nestled between Salem Harbor and Beverly Harbor with abundant shade provided by its namesake, stately, white willow trees, it offers a cool refuge on stifling summer days. But Salem Willows also offers amusements and, because it dates back to 1880, a cool vintage vibe. Granted, there aren’t a heckuva lotta rides there today, but there are some–as there have been, in some form, uninterrupted for 144 years.

And now, I’m pleased to report, this funky little amusement area that I have loved my entire life will be officially recognized as a trolley park. Let me explain.

Salem Willows helped set the stage for my strange journey as a theme park journalist. As I became immersed in the industry and learned about its history, I discovered the important role that trolley parks played. Railway companies of yore, which operated streetcars and trolleys, built amusement parks at the end of their lines to encourage ridership and generate revenue on the weekends and holidays when patrons were not commuting to and from work. In the late 1800s and early 1900s there were hundreds of them throughout the U.S., including Salem Willows Park. The Naumkeag Street Railway Company began offering service from downtown Salem to the seaside spot in 1877. It soon began acquiring land at the Willows for a planned amusement park, which it opened in 1880. Salem Willows is one of a handful of trolley parks that remain in operation. (You can read more about trolley parks in an earlier article I wrote about them.)

The National Amusement Park Historical Association cites 12 remaining trolley parks in the U.S., including Canobie Lake Park in New Hampshire (another place my folks took me to when I was a wee lad) and Kennywood in Pennsylvania. It has long bugged me that the organization has overlooked Salem Willows and hasn’t included the park on its list. As I wrote previously, I decided to try and do something about it last fall.

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With the support and encouragement of Jim McAllister, a Salem-based historian, and Charlie Hobbs, the fourth-generation owner of E.W. Hobbs at Salem Willows (which has been making the absolute best popcorn in the world as well as some pretty damn fine ice cream and other treats since 1897), I gathered evidence, sent it to the NAPHA folks, and pleaded my case. The organization’s historian, Jim Futrell, recently informed me that upon consideration he would add Salem Willows Park to NAPHA’s official list of trolley parks. Hallelujah! It does my heart good to have played a small role in helping Salem Willows Park get its due.

In the spring or summer, I hope to help organize an event at Salem Willows to celebrate the recognition. I want to set the record straight and share the good news with the community. I’ll be sure to let you know the plans. It’d be great if Boston-area ATPers could attend. It’d be nice to meet you in person. Besides, I know you’d love the popcorn.

Have you been to a trolley park? Are you as crazy over vintage amusement parks as I am?

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I remember riding the carousel and clanging the bell on the kiddie boat ride when I was barely a toddler. Both of the rides were ancient back then; 60+ years later, they are still spinning. No summer is complete for me without at least one Salem Willows chop suey sandwich. (“Chop suey what now?” you’re likely thinking. You can read about the peculiar dish in an About Theme Parks article I wrote last year, in which I fretted about the impending closure of the eatery that serves the distinctive sandwiches. Update: New owners bought the joint, and–hallelujah!–they are still slinging chop suey.)

One thing has long bugged me about Salem Willows. Despite plenty of evidence to the contrary, it has never been recognized as a trolley park. I aim to do something about that. And I invite you along to share my journey.

A trolley park is an amusement park that railway companies of yore, which operated streetcars and trolleys, built at the end of their lines to encourage ridership and generate revenue on the weekends and holidays when patrons were not commuting to and from work. There were hundreds of them in the U.S. in the late 1800s and early 1900s. If you want to discover more about trolley parks, check out my earlier article about them.

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As the automobile gained popularity, and the railway companies folded, nearly all trolley parks shuttered. Today, the National Amusement Park Historical Association (NAPHA) recognizes twelve remaining trolley parks in the U.S., including Kennywood in Pennsylvania and Quassy in Connecticut. Salem Willows has somehow gone under the radar.

According to the historical record, however, Salem officials designated the Willows a city park in 1858, and the Salem-based Naumkeag Street Railway Company began offering service from downtown Salem to the oceanfront spot in 1877. Shortly thereafter, the company began acquiring land at the Willows for a planned amusement park, which it opened in 1880.

Granted, Salem Willows is not the bustling amusement park it was in its heyday. Acts such as Duke Ellington and other big bands used to perform at the Charleshurst Ballroom. Patrons could enjoy shore dinners and other feasts at the fine dining spots that lined Restaurant Row. There was a roller coaster, a Tilt-A-Whirl, bumper cars, and other rides. Today, all that remains are a vintage carousel, a boat ride, and two other spinning kiddie rides at Kiddie Land, a handful of walk-up food joints, two arcades (stocked with pinball machines from the 1960s and 1970s, Skee-Ball, and other classic games), and an outdoor band shell.

Nevertheless, the Salem Willows amusement area that the Naumkeag Street Railway Company built and debuted nearly 150 years ago endures. Folks still flock there as they have been doing for generations. That would seem to qualify it as a surviving trolley park. I plan to gather evidence and present it to NAPHA for its consideration.

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I thank Salem-based historian Jim McAllister for helping me in my mission by providing info, resources, and support. I also thank Charlie Hobbs, the fourth-generation owner of E.W. Hobbs at Salem Willows, for his encouragement.

“Salem Willows is a unique place,” Hobbs says. “Its history, how it started with the trolley company, is fascinating. It would be an honor to be recognized for that.”

E.W. Hobbs has played an important role in Willows history as well. Dating back to 1897, it has been dishing out homemade ice cream (making it one of the first places anywhere to serve ice cream cones), salt water taffy, peanuts, and popcorn items, including sugar corn, popcorn brittle, and popcorn bars. The stand is the last outpost of the National Popcorn Works, which dates back to 1885. There is also a grill and a soda fountain in an adjacent building.

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It is not hyperbole to say that the hot buttered popcorn at E.W. Hobbs, which is made in a gas-fired rotary popcorn popper that has been in the same spot since 1906, is the best in the world. I and other Willows loyalists can’t get enough of the addictive stuff and always scarf down a box whenever we visit. For special occasions, or if I really want to go on a salty snack bender, I’ll take home a giant plastic bag crammed with the buttery morsels.

Hobbs shared a photo with me of one of the streetcars that once took passengers to and from the Willows and says that an original section of trolley track is still embedded in the basement of his building, where he and his crew make ice cream. He also noted that from about 1885 until 1910, there were donkeys in the basement that walked in a circle to power the Willow’s first carousel.

I’ll keep you posted, ATPers, about my quest to gain official recognition of Salem Willows as a trolley park.

Have you ever visited Salem Willows? Share your memories! Don’t even think about contesting my claim that E.W. Hobbs makes the world’s best popcorn. It’s an objective fact.

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There is a sweet and palpable sense of the past echoing amid riders’ screams at amusement parks that have stood the test of time. Places such as Kennywood in Pennsylvania and Midway State Park in New York, which are both celebrating an impressive 125 seasons this year, continue to do what they have done for generations: bring people together and deliver joy. These living pieces of Americana are what the National Amusement Park Historical Association is all about.

It only makes sense, therefore, that NAPHA members would pay homage to the two places during their special anniversaries as part of ParkHop23, the organization’s annual pilgrimage. The four-day event kicks off today (July 27) with a visit to Kennywood.

Not only is the delightful, beloved park near Pittsburgh part of an exclusive roster of classic parks that have reached the 125-year milestone, but it is also one of the country’s few remaining trolley parks. Kennywood’s legions of fiercely loyal fans enjoy its modern-day rides such as Phantom’s Revenge and Steel Curtain, but especially adore its well-maintained legacy attractions, including its three wooden coasters that date back to the 1920s. Then there is Old Mill, a boat-propelled dark ride that first set sail in 1901.

“As part of its mission, NAPHA advocates, celebrates, and promotes the history of the amusement park industry,” says Jim Futrell, the organization’s historian. “We also honor parks that preserve the heritage and traditions of the industry.”

To that end, Futrell will recognize Kennywood by presenting a commemorative plaque to park management during the ParkHop event. He says he always enjoys the ceremony because it gives him a chance to tell a park’s story and the importance of recognizing its efforts.

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Futrell will also be presenting a plaque to Midway State Park. Founded by the Jamestown and Lake Erie Railway (thereby making it, too, a trolley park) and then passed on to a succession of owners, the State of New York took control of the historic park in 2006. It boasts an impressive collection of vintage kiddie rides from the defunct Allan Herschell Company, which at one time was the world’s largest manufacturer of amusement rides.

ParkHop participants will also be visiting Waldameer Park in Pennsylvania, which dates back to 1896 and is yet another trolley park. Niagara Amusement Park in New York is on the itinerary as well. Formerly known as Fantasy Island, the park closed in 2020 and may have remain shuttered were it not for the vision and perseverance of Gene Staples. The entrepreneur rescued three struggling parks (including Clementon Park in New Jersey and Indiana Beach) over a two-year period and was recognized by NAPHA with a Champion of Preservation award at last year’s ParkHop.

Rounding out the 2023 event will be visits to the sites of defunct amusement parks as well as museums devoted to carousels and antique mechanical musical instruments, including band organs used at parks and fairs.

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“We like to consider ourselves students of the industry,” Futrell says, explaining the raison d’être for the event. In addition to the museums and tours of former parks, participants will enjoy behind-the-scenes peeks and historic talks at the amusement parks.

Organizers are expecting about 50 participants for the ParkHop. Founded by “a bunch of nostalgic baby boomers,” Futrell says NAPHA has seen a wave of much younger members join the organization over the past few years, some of whom will be along for the ride at the event.

“Many of them work or have worked in the industry. They really love amusement parks and are fascinated by their history,” he notes adding that their interest and participation is heartening.

Do you enjoy visiting classic parks? Have you been to Kennywood or more under-the-radar places such as Midway State Park? Are you interested in the history of the industry?

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For this month’s Rode It! Loved It! review (which is exclusively for paid subscribers; kindly consider becoming one), we head west to the self-proclaimed “America’s 1st theme park,” Knott’s Berry Farm in Southern California, and climb aboard one its first major attractions.

Calico Mine Ride is to Knott’s Berry Farm what Pirates of the Caribbean is to Disneyland. It is a grand-scale, engaging, and classic dark ride that is one of the park’s highlights. It dates back to 1960. A 2014 makeover restored Calico Mine Ride to its former glory and added some wonderful new elements as well. No visit to Knott’s (which, I should add, is among my favorite parks) would be complete without a trip into the trippy mine.

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Let’s count down the 10 oldest amusement parks still operating in the U.S.

It’s a bit difficult to develop a definitive list. For example, what, exactly, is the definition of an “amusement park?” Some of the places that we now call amusement parks started out as picnic groves and didn't have any amusement rides until many years later. Some, such as Salem Willows are tricky to qualify. The Salem, Massachusetts site opened as a city park in 1858, evolved into a small amusement park, but shed most of its rides through the years and barely qualifies as an amusement park today. Others, such as New York’s Coney Island are a collection of amusement parks and standalone attractions operated by independent vendors, many of which have opened and closed through the decades.

With the exception of Coney Island, which deserves recognition for its prominent role in the history of the amusement industry, the following list focuses on places that are defined, enclosed parks and that have roller coasters, carousels, and other rides that are typically associated with amusement parks. All of them date back to the 19th century. Their carousels have been spinning a long time.

1. Lake Compounce, Bristol, Connecticut – 1846

The oldest, continuously operating park in the country, Lake Compounce is one of the places that began as a picnic park. (Mechanized amusement rides such as roller coasters didn’t exist until the latter part of the 19th century.) Like most older parks, it doesn’t dwell on its history. Nonetheless, there is a palpable and authentic sense of nostalgia along its midways, and Lake Compounce is a living piece of Americana. Older attractions such as the circa-1927 Wildcat roller coaster (which will be closed for a much-needed makeover this season) and the Carousel, which was built in 1898 and moved to the park in 1911, offer tangible ways to experience its rich past. But Lake Compounce has plenty of contemporary thrills as well, including Boulder Dash, one of the country’s best wooden coasters, and Crocodile Cove, a full-featured water park that is included with admission.

2. Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio – 1870

Located on the shores of Lake Erie, visitors have been flocking to Cedar Point’s beach for years. Guests used to arrive by boat. Today, cars are the preferred mode of transportation, and roller coasters are the preferred form of entertainment. Known as “America's Roller Coast,” the park's first scream machine opened in 1892. It is now home to a collection of 17 wild roller coasters, including the magnificent 205-foot-tall, 74 mph, RMC hybrid, Steel Vengeance. My, how times have changed.

3. Six Flags New England, Agawam, Massachusetts – 1870

There were no Six Flags parks in the 1800s. Six Flags New England began as Gallup’s Grove and evolved into Riverside Amusement Park in 1912. It offered The Giant Dip that year, the park’s first roller coaster. The Six Flags name and brand arrived in 2000. Aside from the Thunderbolt coaster, which opened in 1941, the 1909 Illions Grand Carousel, and a few other minor remnants of the park’s past life, there is little to be found from the pre-Six Flags days. Instead, the park is now known mostly for its thrills, such as the highly regarded Superman and Wicked Cyclone coasters.

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4. Idlewild, Ligonier, Pennsylvania – 1878

Geared to families with young children, Idlewild is one of the few parks that wholeheartedly embraces its past. It is filled with classic rides such as the Rollo Coaster, which first opened in 1938, the Merry Go Round, a lovely carousel that has been giving rides at Idlewild since 1931, and the circa-1939 Whip. It also has a charming Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, which is themed to the television show of the same name.

5. Seabreeze, Rochester, New York – 1879

Known as a trolley park, passengers initially took the ride to Seabreeze on Rochester's outskirts to dine in its picnic areas and swim in its lake. Among the small park’s four roller coasters are the Jack Rabbit, which first started hopping in 1920, and Bobsleds, a junior coaster that opened in 1952 with a wooden track and was converted to a steel track coaster in 1968.

6. Sylvan Beach Amusement Park, Sylvan Beach, New York – 1870s

Located on Oneida Lake, the tiny park has some vintage rides, including a rare Rock-O-Plane, a Rotor, and one of my favorite flats, a Tip Top (also known as a Bubble Bounce). The free admission park offers free concerts and free access to its beach.

7. Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York – 1884

The birthplace of the modern amusement park as well as the first roller coaster (the Gravity Pleasure Switch Back Railway, which opened in 1884), Coney Island is still chugging away. Its heyday has long since past, but potent reminders remain, including 1927’s Cyclone, arguably the world's most famous coaster, and the iconic Wonder Wheel, which opened in 1920. More recent additions, such as 2021’s Phoenix coaster, have breathed new life into the legendary amusement area.

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8. Dorney Park, Allentown, Pennsylvania – 1884

Originally a fish hatchery, Solomon Dorney converted his estate into a family attraction and initially offered a zoo, refreshment stands, and a hotel. It evolved into a trolley park and its owners added The Scenic Railway coaster, a Ferris wheel, and other rides as well as a dance pavilion and other attractions. Today, wild rides such as the hypercoaster, Steel Force, predominate. But visitors can still experience ThunderHawk, a wooden coaster that dates back to the trolley park era.

9. Lagoon, Farmington, Utah – 1886

Mules provided the power for Lagoon's first carousel. Its circa-1893 mechanized carousel still spins today. In 1899, Lagoon introduced a Shoot-the-Chutes water ride that sent riders plunging into the park's pond. Today, the park has a nice collection of 11 roller coasters including one that dates back to 1921. The cleverly named Lagoon-A-Beach water park is included with general admission.

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10. Arnolds Park, Arnolds Park, Iowa – 1889

One of the few remaining free-admission amusement parks in the country, visitors pay per ride–just as guests have been doing at Arnolds Park for decades. The popular place inspired the name of the town in which it is located. Opened in 1930 as the Giant Dips, the wooden coaster now called The Legend still sends riders racing through its figure-8 course.

How many of these classic parks have you been to? Are you aware of their history when you visit? Are there any you are hoping to visit?

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As you might expect, the members of the National Amusement Park Historical Association revel in nostalgia. They share a joy and reverence for classic parks and seek to preserve the heritage and traditions of the amusement industry. Each year, the organization holds a ParkHop event at which participants visit and celebrate traditional parks.

Starting today, the group will be kicking off a Midwest tour at Indiana Beach, a lakeside park that opened in 1926, nearly closed forever in 2020, but has been given a new lease on life thanks to an eleventh-hour rescue. ParkHop attendees will be visiting three additional parks over the following three days: Santa’s Village in Illinois, and Bay Beach Amusement Park and Little Amerricka, both in Wisconsin.

It might seem odd to find Indiana Beach, which draws inspiration from the bustling Jersey Shore boardwalk amusement parks, nestled among cornfields in the tiny town of Monticello. But in a build-it-and-they-will-come way, the modest park has become a beloved tradition in the region. Hoosiers go as much to rekindle cherished memories as they do to ride well-regarded coasters such as the wooden Cornball Express.

According to Don Hurd, Indiana Beach’s historian, the park owes much if its popularity to Tom Spackman, the second-generation member of the family that founded the park. In the 1950s, he rented high-powered searchlights, beamed them into the sky, and declared that the park was inviting space aliens to visit. For another promotional stunt, he hired a man to live in a glass cage under water.

“He was like the P.T. Barnum of amusement parks,” Hurd says. “It’s amazing how much Indiana Beach grew under his watch.”

The Spackman family sold the park in 2007, and a succession of corporate owners mismanaged it, alienated its loyal fan base, and almost destroyed it altogether. In 2020, Gene Staples bought and saved the park from the wrecking ball. The Chicago businessman came to Indiana Beach as a kid, brought his own children to the park, and apparently couldn’t bear to see it demolished.

“He was the white knight,” says Hurd. “Gene is a perfect fit for Indiana Beach. He loves Americana and classic amusement parks. He is a big kid at heart. He’s bringing the sparkle back to the park.”

Indiana Beach has new paint, new energy, and will soon boast a major new attraction. It is set to debut its seventh coaster, a refurbished steel ride with three inversions, later this season.

“Indiana Beach had such a remarkable rebirth,” says Jim Futrell, NAPHA’s historian. “It got us thinking that there are some interesting stories to be told about preservation.”

Santa’s Village, which is located outside of Chicago, has a similar tale. Opened in 1959, the Christmas-themed park closed in 2005. It reopened under new management in 2011 and has both restored many of its existing rides and brought in vintage rides from a nearby shuttered park. The funky spelling of Little Amerricka is an ode to its founder, Lee Merrick. The relatively young park, which opened in 1991, nonetheless boasts an impressive collection of rare, older rides such as Test Pilot, one of the few remaining Roll-O-Planes (a pendulum ride which sends passengers flipping upside down) still operating.

Among the country’s ten oldest amusement parks, the municipally owned and operated Bay Beach dates back to 1892. Some of its vintage rides, such as its circa-1950s Ferris wheel, are still spinning on its midway. When the park wanted to expand and add a major thrill ride, NAPHA played a role in brokering a deal to move Elvis Presley’s favorite roller coaster, the Zippin Pippin, from the defunct Libertyland in Memphis, Tennessee to Bay Beach.

“There are great, old rides out there and parks that want them,” says Futrell, explaining that the association sometimes acts as a clearinghouse to connect buyers and sellers. “We like to give rides a shot at a second life.”

About 50 NAPHA members will be participating in this year‘s ParkHop. They will be taking tours of the parks, enjoying exclusive ride time on some of the most popular attractions, and listening to presentations from representatives about the parks’ history and plans for the future. Hurd will be addressing the group at Indiana Beach.

Parks such as the four featured at the Midwest event act as living museums. Instead of placing artifacts in static exhibits, they invite visitors to experience the rides and to squeal and scream in delight, just as guests have been doing for decades. Why is it important for parks to preserve the heritage of the amusement industry?

“One of the most powerful, fundamental appeals of a trip to the amusement park is shared memories across generations,” Futrell contends. It turns out that preservation can be good for the bottom line as well. “Looking at the parks we’re visiting, having links to the past can be a very successful business strategy,” he adds.

Have you visited any of the Midwest parks included on ParkHop? Do you have a favorite classic park in your neck of the woods? Why do you think it is important to maintain and honor the traditions of the amusement industry? (Or is it not important to you?) Weigh in with your thoughts.

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The answers to these questions can be found in a new book, “Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari: 75 Years of America’s First Theme Park.” It chronicles the history of the park and the town and traces Holiday World’s evolution into one of the Midwest’s best and most beloved theme parks. Just as significantly, it traces the four generations of the Koch family that have shepherded the park with bold foresight, determination, and zeal.

Originally known as Santa Claus Land, founder Louis J. Koch developed the park to provide an attraction for visitors to the town and to capitalize on its peculiar, endearing name. Opened in 1946, the modest park slowly expanded, adding kiddie rides, shows, and other features through the 1950s and 1960s. It continued to grow into the 1970s and was made considerably more accessible when Louis’ son, Bill Koch, along with others in the region, successfully petitioned the government to move Interstate 64 closer to Santa Claus.

That paved the way for more growth, including a new Halloween-themed land in 1984 and with it, a more expansive name for the property: Holiday World. It was third-generation leader, Will Koch, who aggressively expanded the park by adding additional lands, a trio of highly regarded wooden coasters, and the water park, Splashin’ Safari. With an incredible array of attractions, including three water coasters, it is one of the largest and best water parks in the U.S., let alone one that’s bundled with admission to a theme park.

He also pioneered the industry-defying concept of free soft drinks, which, combined with the park’s policy of complimentary parking and sunscreen as well as its commitment to spotless grounds and cheerful employees, solidified its reputation for great value and friendly service. In 2010, Will unexpectedly passed away at a relatively young age, leaving his wife and children with the difficult task of carrying on the family legacy.

About that “America’s first theme park” claim: Fourth-generation family member Leah Koch, who serves as Holiday World’s director of communications and is one of the book’s authors, admits that the title comes with some caveats. Other parks, most notably Knott’s Berry Farm, also claim to be the country’s first theme park. The Southern California park traces its origins to 1920 when the Knott family began a farm and produce stand that specialized in berries. It wasn't until many years later, however, that anything resembling a park debuted. It could be argued that the World’s Columbian Exposition, which was held in Chicago in 1893 and is among the seminal events in the amusement industry, shared some qualities with what we now think of as a theme park. Likewise, New York’s Coney Island, another industry pioneer, offered attractions in the early 20th century that could be construed as “themed.”

Yes, the Indiana park predates Disneyland, which is often cited as the original theme park. (The term, “theme park,” by the way, did not come into regular usage until a few years after Disneyland opened in 1955.) But, when Santa Claus Land welcomed its first visitors in 1946, it was really more of a roadside attraction than a theme park. Its offerings included a restaurant, a toy exhibit, an outdoor trail adorned with characters from nursery rhymes, and a miniature train. There were no roller coasters, carousels, dark rides, or other attractions typically found at theme parks. Only a handful of kiddie rides were added in its early years.

But Jim Futrell, who penned much of the book and is a noted historian for the National Amusement Park Historical Association, contends that because Santa Claus Land was the first U.S. park to adhere to a central theme–in this case, Christmas–it qualifies as the country’s first theme park. Interestingly, a number of Christmas-themed parks, surely inspired by Santa Claus Land, subsequently opened, including Santa’s Village in New Hampshire’s White Mountains.

There are some great anecdotes in the book, including one that involves The Voyage, a highly regarded wooden caster in the park’s Thanksgiving section. Instead of using water dummies or sandbags, which is the norm when testing new coasters prior to opening, the park used–what else?–100-pound sacks of corn. The stand-ins worked well enough; however, some of the bags ripped, and cornstalks soon began popping up around the ride. There is also mention of the touching tribute that the family made to honor the late Will Koch by naming the building that powers the park’s Thunderbird launched wing coaster, “Will Power.”

For Leah Koch, the book is partly personal.

“There’s a lot of history that gets handed down from one generation to the next,” she says. “Since my dad died [at an early age], there’s a lot of history that we’ve been missing and trying to fill in the gaps.” The “Holiday World” book is also a great way for fans to fill in the gaps of the important and long-admired park. It’s a great way, as well, to gain insight on the Koch family and their willpower to persevere and nurture their park. Family-owned and -operated parks are uncommon these days, and it’s rare for the fourth generation of a family to continue to lead and expand any business. “We put so much passion into what we do. We put our hearts and souls into it,” adds Leah. “It’s what makes [Holiday World] special.”

While the book covers all the way through the 2020, pandemic-era opening of Cheetah Chase, Splashin’ Safari’s third water coaster, Leah emphasizes that Holiday World’s story is far from over. “I have big plans for the park and the town of Santa Claus as well,” she says, hinting at what future chapters may hold.

Have you visited Holiday World? How do you think it compares to other theme parks? What makes it special? What are some of your favorite Holiday World attractions? Join the conversation.

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At the same time, parks call out to us for their nostalgic appeal; they hold cherished memories, often going back to our childhood and passed down from generation to generation. It is a curious juxtaposition that has always fascinated me and is one of the (many) things I love about parks.

With coasters such as the magnetically launched Sky Rocket and the 220-foot-tall, 75-mph Steel Curtain, Kennywood, outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is no slouch when it comes to high wow-factor rides. But the park, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year and is one of the oldest remaining trolley parks, also pays homage to its glorious past. Perhaps more than any other U.S. park, Kennywood maintains an extensive lineup of classic rides, some of which date back more than 100 years.

Case in point: The park restored its aging Kangaroo ride and returned it to its longtime home on the midway this season. That wasn’t the original plan, however.

In late 2020, Kennywood announced that it would be removing four older rides, including the Kangaroo. To put it mildly, that didn’t sit too well with the park’s fans. Folks in the Pittsburgh area and beyond are deeply invested in the beloved park and almost consider it a sacred shrine. Along with the Penguins, the Pirates, and pierogies, Kennywood is an integral part of the city’s fabric. Pittsburghers made their voices heard loud and clear.

In response, Kennywood reversed course and decided instead to refurbish the vintage ride.

“We’ve learned something pretty profound with the Kangaroo, and that is we listen to our guests,” says John Reilly, the COO of Palace Entertainment, which is Kennywood’s parent company. “They told us this ride is special.” He confirmed that the park could have put in a splashy new ride for the cost of rehabbing the old one, but chose the Kangaroo. Or, as Reilly puts it, “In reality, our guests chose the Kangaroo.”

So, what is so special about the ride? At first glance, it wouldn’t appear to be much.

Known in the industry as a “flat ride,” or more colorfully as a “whirl-and-hurl” or “spin-and-puke” ride, the Kangaroo sends passengers in circles. Once per revolution, their vehicle ascends a small ramp and then jumps off when the ramp abruptly ends.

Part of its appeal is that it is accessible to a wide range of ages and visitors with varying degrees of thrill tolerance. Opened in 1962 and celebrating its 60th anniversary, there’s also the tradition factor and the whole generation-to-generation mystique.

“On the very first ride this season, there was a grandfather, father, and two kids all enjoying it together,” says Mark Pauls, Kennywood’s general manager. “Everybody loves this ride.”

To return the Kangaroo to its glory, the park brought in Premier Rides, the same company that built Sky Rocket. In addition to rebuilding the ride to last another few decades, the vehicles now have additional padding for added comfort, and the loading process was improved. The Kangaroo also features a nifty, retro backdrop that is particularly evocative when it is illuminated at night.

At one time a number of parks offered the ride, which was known as a “Flying Coaster.” Now, Kennywood lays claim to the last remaining model. That also helps explain its cachet.

It’s not the only ride at the park to hold the distinction. Kennywood also has the world’s last Tumble Bug, which the park refers to as “Turtle,” as well as the only surviving Noah’s Ark, a walk-through funhouse. This year, the park restored that attraction’s shaker floors.

First opened in 1901 and sporting a variety of themes through the years, the Old Mill is still ferrying passengers through the tunnel of love-style attraction. And then there are the park’s three legendary wooden roller coasters, Jack Rabbit, Racer, and Thunderbolt, which all hark back to the 1920s.

If fans adore the vintage rides, the mechanics who painstakingly maintain them, often using old-school craftsmanship, take the relationship to the next level.

“They love the classic rides,” Pauls says. “It’s like the rides are part of their families.”

In addition to Kennywood, Palace Entertainment has a number of other historic amusement parks in its portfolio, including Lake Compounce in Connecticut, which is the oldest, continuously operating park in the U.S., as well as Idlewild in Pennsylvania and Story Land in New Hampshire.

“We see ourselves as stewards of these beloved parks,” says Palace’s Reilly. “Along with that comes a responsibility for preservation.”

And a responsibility to preserve an endangered species, such as the Kangaroo ride.

Have you been to Kennywood? Do you have a special fondness for vintage rides and classic parks? Let us know.

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Perhaps you’ve heard the term, “trolley park,” and wondered what it meant. Or maybe this is the first time you’re discovering it, and I’ve sparked your curiosity. Trolley parks, as you will learn, were a vital part of the amusement industry and contributed significantly to its evolution. In fact, at one time, there were over 2,000 amusement parks in the U.S. (compared to about 400 today), about 75% of which were trolley parks. Now, only a few remain.

The story begins with the advent of electrified trolleys. In the late 1800s through the early 1900s, many railway companies that operated trolley lines, which were the primary mode of transportation within and around cites and towns, began harnessing electricity to replace the horses that pulled the vehicles. The nascent form of power proved highly efficient, and soon the streetcars, with their trolley poles connected to overhead power lines, could be found in virtually every burgh.

In some cases, the electric companies and the railway companies were one and the same. Mostly, however, the railway companies purchased electricity from the local utility for which they were charged a flat monthly rate. To maximize their profits, it therefore behooved the trolley operators to keep their cars as full as possible as much as possible. But, they had a problem. Passengers crowded the streetcars to get to and from work and to shop, but business was slow during the evening hours and especially on weekends.

Somebody at one of the railway companies–it’s unclear which one–came up with the brilliant idea of building a park along a trolley line, typically at the end of the line. The appealing destination provided an incentive for passengers to board the trolleys on weekends and on warm summer evenings so they could enjoy the fun. With the addition of parks, ridership picked up considerably during what had been underutilized, off-peak hours and days. The idea rapidly caught on, and by 1910 there were some 1,500 trolley parks throughout the U.S. Every major city (and many minor ones as well) had a park, and in some cases, more than one. There were also trolley parks in Japan, France, Mexico, Germany, Australia, and elsewhere around the world.

Get away from it all

The pleasure parks were often built next to lakes or other waterways and, at first, included little more than picnic groves, ballfields, and perhaps bandstands, dance halls, boat rides, and restaurants. Admission to the parks were generally free, and for the price of a nickel trolley ride, they provided respite from the hubbub of the city core as well as the stresses of work.

Soon, mechanical rides, typically starting with carousels, were introduced at the parks. These were followed by Ferris wheels, vintage spinning rides, tunnels of love, penny arcades, and, of course, roller coasters. In addition to the trolley fees they generated, the parks themselves made money for the railway companies from ride ticket sales and food concessions.

Because the electricity flowing to the park wasn’t metered, operators often strung thousands of lights along the park’s rides and buildings. They helped illuminate the grounds at night and also provided visitors, many of whom did not have power lines connected to their homes, the opportunity to experience the then newfangled electric lights. Twinkling lights remain a mainstay–and a delightful sight–at amusement parks and theme parks today.

Many of the trolley parks were known as “Electric Park,” emphasizing the novelty of the power source. Many more of the trolley parks bore the name, “Luna Park,” hoping to capitalize on the world-famous, original Luna Park that opened at Coney Island in 1903. (By the way, although a streetcar company did not build or operate the amusements at Brooklyn’s Coney Island, it could be argued that the rail lines and later, the subway, that connected it to the rest of New York City, qualified it as something of a trolley park.)

With upwards of 1,500 to 2,000 of the wooden lattices dotting the country, the 1920s are considered the golden age for roller coasters. (Today, there are about 800 thrill machines in the U.S.) Trolleys shuttled masses of people to ride the coaster rails and experience the other diversions at the parks.

“They all basically had the same rides,” says prolific writer Stephen M. Silverman, author of “The Amusement Park: 900 Years of Thrills and Spills, and the Dreamers and Schemers Who Built Them.” “[Trolley parks] really contributed to the mass culture. We all knew the same things in America. We were homogenous.”

Among the trolley parks that delighted visitors were large ones, such as Kennywood, located just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and smaller ones, such as tiny Lake Quassapaug (today known as Quassy Amusement Park and Waterpark) in central Connecticut. More than 100 years later, the two parks continue to bring joy, albeit without the trolley lines.

“Quassy is nothing short of a New England–if not a national–treasure,” says Ron Gustafson, director of the park’s marketing and public relations. “It has beaten the odds on many an occasion to proudly proclaim the title of survivor in an industry that has seen hundreds of similar facilities fade away.”

The end of the line

The growing popularity of automobiles and the Great Depression were the one-two punch that caused the demise of nearly all trolley parks. No longer confined to their hometowns, folks could get behind the wheels of their own vehicles and travel wherever their fancy took them. With lower ridership in general and reduced attendance at the parks, railway companies were reluctant to invest in their properties. Many sold their trolley parks or closed them. The Depression left Americans with little discretionary income to spend on recreation, which squeezed the parks that remained and triggered many more to shutter.

Today, a mere dozen eleven trolley parks remain in the U.S., most of them located in the Northeast. To varying degrees, many pay homage to their past. The buildings and signs at Lakeside Park, which is located in Denver Colorado and was originally known as White City, for example, features glorious Art Deco flourishes. Kennywood lovingly maintains three of its vintage wooden coasters and other legacy rides.

“Kennywood is a personal favorite,” Silverman says. “Riding its landmark roller coasters gives a good sense of what it was like. You really feel like you’re back in the 1920s.”

U.S. trolley parks that remain, ordered by the dates that they opened:

• Seabreeze Amusement Park, Rochester, NY (1879)

• Dorney Park, Allentown, PA (1884)

• Lakemont Park, Altoona, PA (1894)

• Waldameer Park, Erie, PA (1896)

• Midway State Park, Maple Springs, NY (1898)

• Kennywood, West Mifflin, PA (1898)

• Canobie Lake Park, Salem, NH (1902)

• Camden Park, Huntington, WV (1902)

• Oaks Park, Portland, OR (1905)

• Clemonton Park, Clemonton, NJ (1907)

• Quassy Amusement Park, Middlebury, CT (1908)

Have you been to a trolley park? Have multiple generations of your family made memories at a trolley park? Do you miss a trolley park that has closed? Share your stories!

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I feel a bit like Tom Hanks making the rounds on the late-night talk shows to promote my latest movie. Except I am appearing on parks and attractions podcasts to promote my Arthur's About Theme Parks Substack publication and site. I had a ball chatting with Andrew on The Coaster101 Podcast about Disney World, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, how I got into this park journalism gig some 30 years ago, and more. Did the conversation veer into, of all things, pro wrestling (and specifically AEW)? Well you’ll just have to listen to find out. Find The Coaster101 Podcast on your podcast apps or listen online here.

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The amusement area at Brooklyn’s fabled Coney Island continues to expand. Luna Park announced that it will be opening three new attractions this summer, bringing additional fun and energy to the seaside boardwalk.

The headliners will be Tony’s Express, a junior roller coaster, and Leti’s Treasure, a “Super Flume” boat ride. The two attractions, which will intertwine with one another, will be located in a previously undeveloped parcel between the classic B&B Carousell (and no, that is not a misspelling; that has been the name of the lovely merry-go-round since 1906), the decommissioned Parachute Jump, and the Thunderbolt coaster. The site has been empty for more than four decades,

The rides, which visitors will access by passing through an evocative archway that recalls Coney Island’s original Luna Park (which operated from 1903 to 1944), will line the boardwalk and should be quite a sight.

The custom junior coaster will climb about 50 feet and reach a top speed of somewhere between 30 and 40 mph. Although the park has not posted any height requirements yet, the relatively mild ride should be accessible to a wide audience, including young children.

Its stylized, retro trains and cars will recall vintage coasters that once graced Coney Island such as the Gravity Pleasure Switch Back Railway that LaMarcus Thompson, the “father of the American roller coaster,” created in 1884. One of the earliest thrill machines, it helped kick off the coaster craze that continues unabated.

The flume ride will feature 12 large boat vehicles, each capable of accommodating six passengers. They will be lifted into the air and encircle the coaster while providing a view of the famous beach. For the finale, the passengers will climb 40 feet and plunge down a partially enclosed tube into a splashdown pool.

The names, Tony’s Express and Leti’s Treasure, pay homage to Antonio and Letizia Zamperla, the grandparents of Alessandro Zamperla, the park’s president and CEO. The family has been in the entertainment and amusement industries for a number of generations. Antonio led the Italy-based Zamperla company for many years, and his wife, Letizia, worked alongside him.

“We are honored to names the two rides after my grandparents,” says Alessandro. “There is an emotional attachment and meaning. It is a symbol of our passion, commitment, and legacy in the amusement industry.”

Zamperla, though its subsidiary, Central Amusement International Inc., operates Luna Park in Coney Island, and the amusement company provides all of its rides and attractions, including the new coaster and flume. The arrangement is something of a throwback to the early days of Coney Island when it was the epicenter of the amusement industry. Brooklyn-based ride manufacturers would showcase their rides at the boardwalk amusement area before selling them to other operators across the country and around the world. Today, Zamperla often debuts its latest ride concepts at Luna Park. Leti’s Treasure represents the first Super Flume, a new model from the company.

A third attraction, the Sky Chaser ropes course, will also debut this summer. The 50-foot-tall structure will invite guests to strap in and navigate its obstacle course. It will be located on a former public street that the city has tuned over to the amusement district.

Parts of two additional public roads will be closed to traffic and added to the district. All told, the newly developed parcels will represent a 50% increase in Luna Park’s footprint according to company officials.

“After the pandemic, people want and need to have fun at a great place like Coney Island,” Alessandro says. “This is a great place to be.” He adds that the compact park may be running out of space in which to expand. But future plans call for the removal of its go-karts which would free up space for new attractions.

Coney Island, which had seen its fortunes ebb from its heyday in the early 20th century, is now on the upswing. The two major amusement operators, Luna Park and Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park, have been reinvesting and introducing exciting new attractions. Last year, Deno’s introduced Phoenix, a wonderful suspended, family thrill coaster. During its debut season, the park invited me to fulfill a childhood dream of operating a coaster. My son, noted filmmaker Jeremy Levine, captured my adventure and created a video.

When was the last time you visited Coney Island? Might you make a trek this year?

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Mike Collins and E.B., the funny, informative, affable, and gracious hosts of the CoasterRadio.com podcast (the original theme park podcast, as they are fond of pointing out) invited me as a guest on their most recent episode. As usual, we had a ball talking about parks and attractions, including my takes on some of this year’s new rides such as Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens Tampa, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot, and Ice Breaker at SeaWorld Orlando. I also shared the news about my new Substack newsletter, “Arthur’s About Theme Parks.”

If you aren’t familiar with the podcast, you should give it a whirl. I’ve been regularly listening to Mike and E.B. since their first episode way back in 2005 (when podcasts were something of a newfangled curiosity). They strike a great tone, providing plenty of laughs and a bit of irreverence, but also giving the topic great respect. Mike and E.B. clearly love the industry. And with their production and broadcasting backgrounds, they approach the entertaining podcast with careful attention.

You can find CoasterRadio.com wherever you get your podcasts. Or you could listen online to my guest starring episode here.

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