Fun Forest ride will make a new splash on Coney Island
Miss the Wild River ride at the soon-to-be shuttered Fun Forest?
You can ride it again next time you're in New York.
Seattle's hometown water flume has found a new home on the legendary Coney Island.
You could say we should be flattered. Seattle's old classic will be the only used ride at Luna Park, a permanent carnival of 19 rides set to open May 29.
"We're big fans" of the ride, said Ramon Rosario, director of sales for ride manufacturing at Zamperla USA, which is building the $24 million Luna Park. "All of us like Seattle very much here."
In 2007, Seattle decided to shut down the Fun Forest after years of declining interest and revenue in the more than 40-year-old park. Its kiddie rides and indoor arcade are expected to stay open through Labor Day. Its big rides -- including Wild River -- closed down last year.
Zamperla purchased the water flume from Fun Forest in January. One of about a half-dozen Reverchon-brand flumes still operating in the country, it's sturdy and uniquely portable, Rosario said.
"We felt it was a good opportunity for us to pick something up that would meet our needs," Rosario said. "It's something that's becoming a trend in our industry -- taking something that's a an favorite and reconditioning it."
The ride got a 6-week scrub down in a factory in Colorado. Now it's arriving, in pieces, at Luna Park's Coney Island site.
Its "liner" -- a large sheet that lines the inside of the "splash" pool at the end of the ride -- came in about five minutes before I called him, Rosario said.
When the flume is assembled and ready to go (Luna Park crews have apparently been working nonstop for weeks), the flume will have a different light pattern than it had when it sat in front of the Experience Music Project at Seattle Center. But it may just keep its identity.
"I can't guarantee it, but we may keep the name Wild River," Rosario said.
P.S. -- Thanks to Tricia of Coney Island blog Amusing the Zillion for breaking the news and sharing the tip!
"We're thrilled that Fun Forest's Wild River has found a new home in Coney Island. Seattleites visiting New York City this summer are especially welcome to come to the new Luna Park and cool off on their flume!" Tricia wrote.
Seattle's hometown water flume has found a new home on the legendary Coney Island.
You could say we should be flattered. Seattle's old classic will be the only used ride at Luna Park, a permanent carnival of 19 rides set to open May 29.
"We're big fans" of the ride, said Ramon Rosario, director of sales for ride manufacturing at Zamperla USA, which is building the $24 million Luna Park. "All of us like Seattle very much here."
In 2007, Seattle decided to shut down the Fun Forest after years of declining interest and revenue in the more than 40-year-old park. Its kiddie rides and indoor arcade are expected to stay open through Labor Day. Its big rides -- including Wild River -- closed down last year.
Zamperla purchased the water flume from Fun Forest in January. One of about a half-dozen Reverchon-brand flumes still operating in the country, it's sturdy and uniquely portable, Rosario said.
"We felt it was a good opportunity for us to pick something up that would meet our needs," Rosario said. "It's something that's becoming a trend in our industry -- taking something that's a an favorite and reconditioning it."
The ride got a 6-week scrub down in a factory in Colorado. Now it's arriving, in pieces, at Luna Park's Coney Island site.
Its "liner" -- a large sheet that lines the inside of the "splash" pool at the end of the ride -- came in about five minutes before I called him, Rosario said.
When the flume is assembled and ready to go (Luna Park crews have apparently been working nonstop for weeks), the flume will have a different light pattern than it had when it sat in front of the Experience Music Project at Seattle Center. But it may just keep its identity.
"I can't guarantee it, but we may keep the name Wild River," Rosario said.
P.S. -- Thanks to Tricia of Coney Island blog Amusing the Zillion for breaking the news and sharing the tip!
"We're thrilled that Fun Forest's Wild River has found a new home in Coney Island. Seattleites visiting New York City this summer are especially welcome to come to the new Luna Park and cool off on their flume!" Tricia wrote.
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