Pleasure to amusement The Garden to Park Story

Pleasure to amusement The Garden to Park Story

The Pleasure Garden • Began in France (1600 s) • England’s Vauxhall Gardens (London) became most popular pleasure garden (1661 -1850) • Vienna’s The Prater becomes most popular pleasure garden and is first to add “amusement machines” in 1873 for World’s Fair • The “beer garden” is rough American equivalent of pleasure garden (began formally in early 1800 s)

Vauxhall Gardens, London

Vauxhall Gardens, London

Vauxhall Gardens, London

American Advances • Coney Island • World’s Columbian Exposition • Coney Island (again) • Trolley Parks

Coney Island • Located near tip of Long Island (Brooklyn), nine miles from Manhattan Island • Began as beach resort (1820 s) • Daily visits hit 50, 000 by 1870 s when first railroad to Coney is completed • Pavilions (theatre or vaudeville), bath houses, beer stalls, food, dancing, sideshows, hotels

Coney Island • Charles Feltman “invents” hot dog at Coney in 1867 • First major “amusement” in 1877 • Le. Marcus Thompson builds first “switchback railway” in 1884

World’s Columbian Exposition • Opened 1893 in Chicago • City planning, architecture and technology all used here (“White City”) • Introduction of “midway” • Introduction of Ferris Wheel

Coney’s Amusement Parks • Steeplechase Park (1897) – George Tilyou • Luna Park (1903) – Frederick Thompson and Elmer Dundy • Dreamland (1904) – Frederick Thompson and Elmer Dundy • Amusement parks are for adults • “The Nickel Empire” (1924) • Cyclone opens in 1928 for $175, 000

Trolley Parks • Built from 1900 to late 1920 s, with boom from 1910 to 1920 • Located in Northeastern and Midwestern cities • Put at the end of trolley lines to attract riders on weekends

“Golden Age” • 1920 -1929 • Major US cities had from two to six parks • Over 1, 500 amusement parks nationally, most in Northeast and Midwest • No television – amusement parks were America’s favorite form of leisure • Open admission – pay per ride

Other Players • Disney, while the obvious leader, is not the only major company involved in theme parks. In fact, being called a “theme park” is so desirable that places that aren’t really theme parks like Universal Studios and Sea World (owned by Busch), call themselves theme parks just for the additional marketing benefits.

Safety • Most accidents caused by riders • People in a relaxed state of mind when at an amusement/theme park • Employees often cause harm to themselves • Running is a major concern at large parks

Organizations & Publications • IAAPA: International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions • ACE: American Coaster Enthusiasts • Amusement Business Magazine

The (Ride) Design Firms • • Arrow Dynamics (Arrow Development) INTAMIN Vekoma Bolliger and Mabillard Great Coasters International Custom Coasters International S & S Sports The Others: – Giovanola, Zamperla, Morgan, Dinn, Chance, Premier, Zierer

The Top • Most Visited Theme Park: Tokyo Disneyland • Highest (Full Circuit) Coaster: Top Thrill Dragster, Cedar Point (320 ft high/120 mph)* • Highest Thrill Ride: Superman: The Escape, Six Flags Magic Mountain (400 ft high/100 mph) • Fastest Launch: Hypersonic XLC, Paramount’s Kings Dominion (0 -80 in 1. 84 seconds) • Highest Wooden Coaster: Son of Beast, Paramount’s Kings Island (215 ft high) • Park with Most Coasters: Cedar Point (16 coasters)*

Websites • Current Accident Report Information: http: //members. aol. com/rides 911/accidents. htm • IAAPA Trade Show: http: //www. coasterbuzz. com/features/iaapa 2000/gallery/