Excelsior Amusement Park facts for kids
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"The Cyclone"
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| Location | Excelsior, Minnesota |
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| Coordinates | 44°54′12″N 93°33′45″W / 44.90333°N 93.56250°W |
| Status | Closed |
| Opened | 1925 |
| Closed | 1973 |
| Owner | Fred W. Pearce |
| Operating season | Memorial Day through Labor Day |
Excelsior Amusement Park was a super fun amusement park located right on Lake Minnetonka in Excelsior, Minnesota. This park was open for many years, from 1925 to 1973. It was a really popular place for families and companies from the Twin Cities to have picnics and enjoy a day out.
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Exciting Park Rides
The park had many thrilling rides, much like the famous Coney Island. Some of the main attractions included a big wooden roller coaster called the Cyclone. There was also a tall Ferris wheel, fun bumper cars, and relaxing boat rides on the lake.
Fun House and Carousel
Excelsior Amusement Park also featured a cool fun house. Inside, you could try a gunny sack slide and a spinning disc that would gently push people into a soft wall. There was also a turning barrel that was tricky to walk through without falling over!
A beautiful carousel was another favorite. It was built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. This carousel was at the park for its entire history. Guess what? It's still in use today at Valleyfair Amusement Park in Shakopee! Another ride, called the Scrambler, was also saved.
The Cyclone Roller Coaster
Many people thought the Cyclone roller coaster was moved to Valleyfair and renamed. But that's not true! The Cyclone was taken apart and recycled. The High Roller roller coaster at Valleyfair was a brand new ride built just for that park.
Park History
Excelsior Amusement Park first opened its gates in 1925. It was managed by Fred W. Pearce, who was known for running amusement parks and building roller coasters. For a while, a streetcar line from Minneapolis brought visitors right to the park. This line operated from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year until it closed in 1932.
Popularity and Changes
The park was very popular in the 1940s and 1950s. By the 1960s, it became a favorite hangout for teenagers from Excelsior and other parts of the Twin Cities. However, in the late 1960s, the park started to have some difficulties with large crowds and behavior. These issues contributed to the park's eventual closing.
Music at Danceland Ballroom
The Danceland Ballroom at Excelsior Amusement Park hosted many famous musicians. Big names like Lawrence Welk and Tommy Dorsey performed there. Even rock and roll legends like the Beach Boys and the Rolling Stones played at Danceland.
There's a cool story that a visit by the Rolling Stones in June 1964 helped inspire their song You Can't Always Get What You Want. It's said that Mick Jagger met a local person named "Mr. Jimmy". This meeting supposedly led to the song's lyrics, but it's a fun legend that has never been fully proven!
Park Closure
Excelsior Amusement Park closed its doors for good in 1973. The park was taken down soon after. The owners then bought land in Scott County to build a new park. Valleyfair opened in Shakopee in 1976. Today, Valleyfair is the main amusement park for the Twin Cities area. The old Excelsior Amusement Park site is now home to apartments and a restaurant.
