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Indiana Beach facts for kids

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Indiana Beach
Previously known as Ideal Beach; Indiana Beach Amusement Resort
IndianaBeach logo.png
Location 5224 East Indiana Beach Blvd, Monticello, Indiana, United States
Coordinates 40°47′N 86°46′W / 40.79°N 86.77°W / 40.79; -86.77
Status open
Opened 1926
Owner IB Parks & Entertainment
Slogan "There's more than corn in Indiana!" (previously: "Where Families Flock For Fun" & "The riviera of the midwest!")
Operating season May through October
Area 10 acres (4.0 ha)
Attractions
Total 43
Roller coasters 6
Water rides 4

Indiana Beach is a fun amusement park located right on Lake Shafer in Monticello, Indiana. It's a great place for families and friends to have an exciting day! The park was first started by the Spackman family in 1926. Over the years, it has been owned by a few different companies. Today, IB Parks & Entertainment runs the park, making sure everyone has a blast.

History

Indiana Beach first opened in 1926. It was originally called Ideal Beach. It started as a small beach area by the lake. There was a bath house and a place to buy snacks.

In 1927, the park added its first exciting ride. From then on, it kept growing and adding more fun things to do. In the 1930s and 1940s, the Ideal Beach Ballroom was very popular. Famous bands would play music there.

A cool paddle boat called the Shafer Queen was added in 1961. It took people on rides on the lake. After 11 years, a new Shafer Queen boat took its place.

In February 2008, the park and its campgrounds were sold to a company called Morgan RV LLC. Then, in September 2015, Apex Parks Group bought the park.

A Close Call and Reopening

On February 18, 2020, Indiana Beach made a sad announcement. They said the park would close for good after 94 years. Apex Parks Group explained that they had money problems. They tried hard to find someone to buy the park but couldn't. This news meant 27 full-time workers and many seasonal workers would lose their jobs.

But there was still hope! In March 2020, Apex Parks Group said they were talking to possible buyers. It seemed like the park might open again that year. The park is very important for tourism in White County. So, officials there offered $3 million to help a new buyer.

Good news came in April 2020! Indiana Beach announced it would reopen! A businessman from Chicago named Gene Staples bought the park. This happened after White County approved the $3 million loan. The park officially reopened its gates on June 27, 2020, bringing joy back to many visitors.

Rides

IBeach ShaferQueen DSCN9212
Shafer Queen
IBeach HurricaneDrop DSCN9199
Hoosier Hurricane
Flyers-IndianaBeach
Air Crow
IB-fascination
Carnival Games

Indiana Beach has many exciting rides for everyone! From thrilling roller coasters to fun water slides, there's something for every age.

Roller Coasters

Here are some of the awesome roller coasters you can ride:

Name Year Opened Type Manufacturer
Cornball Express 2001 Wooden roller coaster Custom Coasters International
Hoosier Hurricane 1994 Wooden roller coaster Custom Coasters International
Lost Coaster of Superstition Mountain 2002 Wooden coaster with an elevator lift Custom Coasters International
Steel Hawg 2008 El Loco S&S - Sansei Technologies
Tig'rr Coaster 1984 Steel, Jet Star Schwarzkopf
All American Triple Loop 2024 Steel, Triple Loop Coaster Schwarzkopf
Cyclone 2022 Galaxi Robles Bouso Atracciones

Water Park Attractions and Rides

Cool off and have a splash at the water park!

Name Year Opened Type
Action river 1989 Lazy River
Big Flush Water Coaster 1998 Water Coaster
Sandy Beach swimming area 1926 Swimming area with a recirculating pool
Splash bash water spray pad 1989 Splash Pad
5 tube slides 1989 3 enclosed slides, 2 open slides

Major Rides

Check out these other big rides at the park:

Name Year Opened Type
Air Crow 2004 Larson International Flying Scooters
Antique Autos 1960s Antique car ride
Den of Lost Thieves 1998 Sally Corporation Shooting dark ride
Dodgem 1960s Bumper cars
Double Shot 1998 S&S Power Double Shot tower ride
Falling Star 1990 Chance Rides Falling Star
Flying Bobs 2020 Allan Herschell Company Alpine Bobs
Giant Gondola Wheel 1989 Chance Rides Ferris wheel
King Chaos TBD HUSS Park Attractions Top Spin
Music Express 2011 Mack Rides Music Express
Nao de China TBD Weber Traumboot
Paratrooper 1970s Frank Hrubetz Paratrooper
Rockin' Tug 2014 Zamperla Tugboat Spining Ride
Rocky's Rapids 1986 Arrow Dynamics Log flume
Scrambler 1960s Eli Bridge Company Scrambler
Sea Dragon Chance Rides Pirate ship
Sea Warrior 2021 Klaus (SDC) Polyp
Shafer Queen 1961 Paddle Wheel Riverboat
Skyride 1960s Chairlift
Spackman Express Chance Rides C. P. Huntington Miniature Train Ride
Tilt-A-Whirl Sellner Tilt-A-Whirl
Water Swings 1992 Chance Rides Yo-Yo

Attractions

  • Cap'n Crow's Bumper Boats
  • Dr. Frankenstein's Haunted Castle – A spooky walk-through adventure
  • SkyCoaster

Kiddieland

This area is perfect for younger visitors with rides like:

  • Beach Buggies
  • Boogie Boats
  • Crazy Carp
  • First Flight
  • Leap Frog
  • Mini Motors
  • Rocky's Roundup
  • Wild Wagons

Former Rides

Some rides that used to be at the park include:

  • Bullet
  • Chaos
  • Flying Bobs (Chance TM)
  • Grand Carousel
  • Dragon Wagon (roller coaster) (2014-2018)
  • Galaxi (roller coaster) (1971-2013)
  • Growler - Spinning Family Ride
  • Mystery Mansion
  • Pumpkin Ferris Wheel
  • Skydiver
  • Splash Battle
  • Superstition Mountain Mine Ride
  • Trabant
  • Twister
  • Viper
  • Zugspitz

Former Attractions

  • Adventure Point
  • Boat Tag

Games

Test your skills and win prizes at these fun games:

  • Fascination
  • Gallery of Ghouls – A cool shooting gallery
  • Skee Ball
  • Video Arcade
  • 21
  • Quackerz

Lodging and Cabins

If you want to stay longer, Indiana Beach has places to sleep. You can find hotel rooms, motel rooms, and cabins. They have different prices and sizes. There are also campgrounds called Indiana Beach/Monticello KOA. They have about 1,000 spots for camping.

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