Castle Park (amusement park) facts for kids

Castle Park is a super fun amusement park and family entertainment spot in Riverside, California. It's about 25 acres big, which is like 25 football fields! The park has a cool medieval "castle" theme, making you feel like you've stepped into a fairytale.

You can find lots of exciting things to do here, like a miniature golf course, a big arcade with games, and 27 different rides. If you love roller coasters, Castle Park has three of them! There's "Merlin's Revenge," a junior coaster, "Screamin' Demon," which is a spinning coaster, and "Little Dipper," perfect for younger kids. The main castle building holds the arcade and a special interactive ride called "Ghost Blasters." This park was first designed by Bud Hurlbut, who also created rides for Knott's Berry Farm. Today, Palace Entertainment owns and runs Castle Park.

History of Castle Park

Castle Park first opened its doors in 1976. Back then, it was mostly a Family entertainment center with a cool castle-themed building. Inside, there was a huge, two-story video game arcade, and outside, you could play on a fun miniature golf course.

In 1985, the park got even bigger! They added a whole new area with lots of classic amusement rides. This included a beautiful old carousel built way back in 1905, a miniature train ride, and a log flume ride. That's when Castle Park truly became a full-fledged amusement park!

A super cool addition came in 1999 with "Ghost Blasters." This is an interactive "dark ride" where you use laser guns to shoot at targets and earn points. It's the only dark ride at the park and took over the second floor of the arcade building, making the arcade a bit smaller but adding a new adventure.

More fun rides arrived in 2008. The park added "Dragon Flyer," a spinning ride, and "Screamin' Demon," a thrilling spinning roller coaster. Castle Park keeps growing and adding new ways for families to have a great time!

Rides and Attractions

Castle Park has a wide variety of rides and other fun activities for everyone!

Exciting Rides

• Antique Acre Ride
• Bumper Cars - Get ready to bump and spin!
• Castle Park Railroad - A fun train ride around the park.
• Crazy Plane - A rotating "bus" ride that spins you around.
• Dragon Flyer - A "flying" ride that lifts you into the air.
• Dragons Tower - A vertical drop ride that sends you soaring down.
• Fireball - A looping ride that twists and turns. (It's getting a wheelchair ramp and will reopen soon!)
• Flying Animals - A classic ride where you can fly your own animal.
• Flying Saucer - A spinning ride that pushes you against the wall.
• Ghost Blasters - An interactive ride inside the arcade where you shoot targets.
• Kings Crown - A swing ride that lifts you high above the ground.
• Little Dipper - A fun roller coaster perfect for younger adventurers.
• Log Ride - Get ready for a splash on this water ride!
• Merlin's Revenge - A thrilling junior roller coaster.
• Merry-Go-Round - A beautiful carousel built in 1905.
• Motorcycles - Hop on your own motorcycle for a spin.
• Riverside Express - Another fun miniature train ride.
• Samba - A children's helicopter ride that spins and lifts.
• Scrambler - A classic spinning ride that twists you in different directions.
• Sea Dragon - A big swinging ship that goes back and forth.
• Sea planes - A children's ride where you can fly your own plane.
• Spaceships - A children's ride that takes you on a space adventure.
• Spider - A spinning ride that twirls you around.
• Tilt-a-Whirl - A classic spinning ride that tilts and whirls.
• Whip - A ride that whips you around corners.

Other Fun Attractions

• Arcade - A huge video game arcade with lots of games, also home to "Ghost Blasters."
• Buccaneer Cove - A super cool water play area, perfect for cooling off!
• Miniature Golf - An 18-hole miniature golf course where you can test your putting skills.
• Anthony The Magic - Enjoy a magical show!
• The Big Top - A special area for private parties and events.

Former Attractions

Over the years, some rides have left Castle Park to make way for new ones. Here are a few that used to be here:

• Falling Star - A rotating pendulum ride.
• Thunderbolt
• Trabant
• Ferris Wheel - A classic Ferris wheel.
• Tornado Coaster - A smaller, powered roller coaster.
• Cyclone Racer - A ride similar to a Musik Express.
• Go Karts - These used to be where "Screamin' Demon" is now!