Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park facts for kids
| Previously known as Ward's Kiddie Park | |
 |
|
.jpg) |
|
| Location | Coney Island, New York, United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°34′28″N 73°58′45″W / 40.574310°N 73.979182°W |
| Public transit |
|
| Opened | 1920 (Wonder Wheel) 1950 (other rides) |
| Owner | Dennis Vourderis and Steve Vourderis |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 22 |
| Roller coasters | 3 |
| Website | http://www.denoswonderwheel.com/ |
Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park is a fun, family-owned amusement park located in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City. It has many rides for all ages. You can find six rides for adults, 16 rides for younger kids, and a dozen rides that families can enjoy together.
The park is famous for its main attraction, the Wonder Wheel. This giant Ferris wheel is 150-foot (46 m) tall and was built way back in 1920. The park sits right by the Atlantic Ocean and the Riegelmann Boardwalk, offering great views of the Coney Island beach. In 1989, the Wonder Wheel was even named a special New York City designated landmark.
Contents
History of the Park and Wonder Wheel
The amazing 150-foot-tall (46 m) Wonder Wheel was built before the park itself. It first opened in 1920. Charles Hermann designed it, and Herman Garms built it between 1918 and 1920. For many years, it was the tallest ride in Coney Island. It was a stand-alone attraction, meaning it operated on its own.
In 1955, Herman Garms also built a spooky indoor ride called Spook-a-Rama. Near these two rides, a man named Denos Vourderis opened a restaurant. Next to the Wonder Wheel, there was also a small park for kids called Ward's Kiddie Park, which opened in 1950.
Denos Vourderis started a concession stand at Ward's Kiddie Park in 1970. Then, in 1976, he bought the entire kiddie park. Later, in 1983, Denos bought the Wonder Wheel and Spook-a-Rama too. Since then, the park has mostly had rides for children, along with some rides for the whole family. After Denos passed away in 1994, his two sons, Dennis and Steve, took over running the park.
Recent Park Expansions
In January 2020, Deno's Amusement Park announced big plans to grow. This was to celebrate the Wonder Wheel's 100th birthday! The park planned to use part of an old amusement area nearby. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City, the park could not open in 2020, and the expansion was put on hold.
Finally, a new roller coaster called Phoenix opened on June 26, 2021. It's a special type of coaster where your feet dangle. Another new ride, Sky Flyer, also opened in 2021.
Park Attractions
Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park has many exciting rides for everyone. Here are some of the attractions you can enjoy:
- Big Trucks
- Boats
- Carousel
- Dizzy Dragon
- Fire Engines
- Jets
- Jump Around
- Jumping Motorcycles
- Phoenix - a Vekoma Suspended Family Coaster
- Pony Carts
- Rio Grande Train
- Samba
- Sea Serpent Roller Coaster - a E&F Miler Industries kiddy coaster
- Sky Flyer
- Speedway
- Tilt-A-Whirl
- Twist and Shout
- Bumper Cars
- Spook-a-Rama
- Wonder Wheel
- Thunderbolt - a Chance Rides alpine bobs
- Triotech XD
Images for kids
-
The iconic Wonder Wheel at Deno's Amusement Park.
-
The logo for Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park.
