Family Kingdom Amusement Park
| Location | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 33°40′54″N 78°53′35″W / 33.68167°N 78.89306°WCoordinates: 33°40′54″N 78°53′35″W / 33.68167°N 78.89306°W |
| Operating season | Generally Good Friday through Labor Day |
| Rides | |
| Total | 37 |
| Website |
http://www.FamilyKingdomFun.com/ 
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Family Kingdom Amusement Park is the only seaside amusement park in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Located on Ocean Boulevard, in the heart of Myrtle Beach, the amusement park has 37 rides for adults and children of all ages, including thrill rides, family rides, kiddie rides and go karts. In 2007, TripAdvisor named it #5 on its list of the “Top 10 Amusement Parks Outside Orlando.” [1]
In business for more than 40 years, the park has a 2,400 foot, figure eight Swamp Fox wooden roller coaster, which is one of only 122 wooden roller coasters remaining in North America [2] and Number 10 on About.com's list of the top 10 most underrated roller coasters in North America.[3] Other signature rides include O.D. Hopkins Log Flume, Great Pistolero Round-up and the Giant Wheel.
Family Kingdom's Giant Wheel has round open gondolas that take riders to a height of more than 100 feet where they get a panoramic view of Myrtle Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. For 19 years, until 2011, it reigned as the highest Ferris wheel in S.C. [4]
Family Kingdom is one of the few remaining free-admission parks in the U.S.[5] There is no admission price to enter the open park. Ride tickets can be purchased independently. Wristbands that entitle patrons to ride all day are available. The park provides free entertainment such as clowns, magicians, jugglers, stilt walkers, face painters and balloon sculptors. Family Kingdom Amusement Park is located on both banks of historic Withers Swash. The swash is a point where a natural stream meets the beach and ocean, and through which tides flow. [6] Much of the surrounding area was part of a 66,000-acre King's grant to Robert Francis Withers in the early 1700s, who operated it as an indigo plantation overlooking the swash.
Family Kingdom Amusement Park is approximately 13 acres. [7]
History [edit]
Family Kingdom Amusement Park opened as Grand Strand Amusement Park in 1966. In 1992, it was rechristened “Family Kingdom Amusement Park” after being purchased by the Ammons family, owners of the landmark Sea Mist Oceanfront Resort. For more than 50 years, the Ammons family has played a prominent role in the development of Myrtle Beach as a nationally known, family vacation destination.[8]
Country music star Kenny Chesney shot part of his Anything But Mine music video at Family Kingdom in 2005. [9]
The Pistolero Round-up, a laser target shooting “dark ride,” was the first of its kind produced by the great American ride manufacturer Sally Corporation, and it made its international debut at Family Kingdom. [10] The park has a classic carousel built in 1923 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, with horses cast from the manufacturer’s original molds. [11][12]
External links [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ "TripAdvisor Announces Top 10 Amusement Parks Outside Orlando". Retrieved 16 May 2013.
- ^ Wooden Coaster Percentage "Wooden Coaster Percentage". Retrieved 16 May 2013.
- ^ "Top 10 Most Underrated Roller Coasters in North America". About.com. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
- ^ Wickprest, W. R. "Biggest Farris Wheel in South Carolina is in Myrtle Beach at Family Kingdom Amusement Park". Yahoo! Voices. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
- ^ Levine, Arthur. "Free Theme Parks". ThemeParks.com. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
- ^ "City of Myrtle Beach Local Government Page". City of Myrtle Beach. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
- ^ "Family Kingdom Fast Facts". Family Kingdom Amusement Park. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
- ^ "Family Kingdom Background". Family Kingdom Amusement Park. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
- ^ "Anything but Mine". Wikipedia. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
- ^ "Family Kingdom Amusement Park Rides". Family Kingdom Amusement Park. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
- ^ Gardner, Richard A. "Philadelphia Toboggan Co. Carousel History; 1904-1941". CarouselNews.com. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
- ^ http://www.carouselnews.com/New-Carousel-News/PTC/Philadelphia-Toboggan-Co.-Carousel-History-1904-1941.html
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