Coney Beach Pleasure Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Coney Beach Pleasure Park

Location	Coney Beach Pleasure Park, Eastern Promenade, Porthcawl, Bridgend area, CF36 5BY, Wales
Coordinates	51°28′47″N 3°41′48″W / 51.4797°N 3.6967°W / 51.4797; -3.6967
Status	open
Opened	1920
Owner	Patrick Evans jr.
Operating season	End of February to 5 November annually
Attractions
Total	23+ attractions
Roller coasters	2
Water rides	2
Other rides	23

Coney Beach Pleasure Park is a small amusement park in Porthcawl, Mid Glamorgan in Wales, in operation since 1920. Throughout its history, the park's period of operation is from end of February of each year up until 5 November. Originally built to entertain American troops returning from World War I, the park was named as a tribute to the famous New York amusement park on Coney Island.

History

Early Days

Constructed on the town's old ballast tip, the park's roots date back to April 1920, when a Figure Eight wooden roller coaster was relocated from West Glamorgan and initially operated from an old World War I aircraft hangar. This particular attraction continued to operate until July 1981, when it was dropped as part of an attempt to modernise the look of the park for contemporary audiences of the 1980s. Other attractions in the early days included a bandstand on the town green nearby, an outdoor and indoor skating rink, three cinemas, a Pierrot stage, and donkey and pony rides on the adjacent beach.

Another notable ride, the Water Chute (similar to the now defunct Vikingar at Pleasure Beach Blackpool (then named Blackpool Pleasure Beach), opened in 1932 and operated until 1995. This particular attraction was unique and it dominated the skyline nearest the beach.

In September 1939, following the outbreak of World War II, the park was temporarily closed for several years as the 15th battalion of the Welsh Regiment was based at the Coney Beach site; later on, the Belgian Brigade's armoured car division were also billeted there until the unit left Porthcawl in 1942.

Normal service was resumed in April 1946 after World War II came to an end.

Commercial peak

Porthcawl had already been a popular holiday destination for locals in South Wales for many years, and the park attained modest popularity throughout the second half of the 1940s as the UK recovered from the after-effects of World War II. However, it was in the 1950s that the park experienced its first boom in popularity; events such as boxing matches, firework displays and aerial acrobat shows organised by the Royal Air Force drew in crowds of hundreds from all over Wales, and, as transport links improved further following the extension of the M4 motorway into South Wales in the 1960s and 1970s, Porthcawl experienced a dramatic rise in tourists visiting the area from all over the UK, and the park was one of the town's leading attractions. Further events, such as open air markets, circuses, and professional darts and snooker tournaments/exhibitions were staged. By the late 1980s, thousands of people visited the park from all over the world as more road and rail improvements in South Wales saw easier access from Cardiff Wales Airport.

The 1990s, however, saw a downturn in the park's fortunes.

Rides

• Beach Party
• Super Bowl
• Paratrooper
• Ghost Train
• Flying Bob Matterhorn
• Miami Madness
• Thunderdome Waltzer
• Sizzler Twist
• Fantasia
• Dodgems
• Go-Karts
• Typhoon Orbiter
• Rotor
• Carousel
• Bounce Jump & Smile
• Go Gator Junior Coaster
• Fun House
• Nessi Family Coaster

Notable Past Rides