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Coordinates: 40°34′28″N 73°58′45″W / 40.574310°N 73.979182°W / 40.574310; -73.979182
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==History==
==History==
The Wonder Wheel predates the history of Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. It was designed by Charles Herrmann; created and built by Herman Garms in 1918-1920 by the Eccentric Ferris Wheel Company. It opened on Memorial Day in 1920. Until the [[Parachute Jump]], it was the tallest attraction in Coney Island. It was a stand-alone attraction operated by Herman Garms. In 1955, Garms built [[Spook-a-Rama]], an indoor dark ride.
The Wonder Wheel predates the history of Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. It was invented by Charles Hermann and built in 1918-1920 by the Eccentric Ferris Wheel Company. It opened on Memorial Day in 1920. Until the [[Parachute Jump]], it was the tallest attraction in Coney Island. It was a stand-alone attraction operated by Herman Garms. In 1955, Garms built [[Spook-a-Rama]], an indoor dark ride.


Near these two attractions, Denos Vourderis opened a restaurant called the Anchor Bar & Grill. Also, next door to the Wonder Wheel, stood a small kiddie amusement park called Ward's Kiddie Park owned by John Curran. That area was built in 1950. Denos opened up a concession stand there in 1970. In 1976, Denos bought the kiddie amusement park from Curran. In 1983, Denos acquired the Wonder Wheel and [[Spook-a-Rama]] from Fred Garms and Walter Kerner Sr. Today the park still has predominantly children's rides along with several family attractions. Since Denos' death in 1994, the park has been operated by his two sons, Dennis and Steve,<ref>{{cite book|last=Lilliefors|first=Jim|title=America's boardwalks: from Coney Island to California|year=2006|isbn=978-0-8135-3805-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7asFiGxywfsC&pg=PA41&dq=%22Deno%27s+Wonder+Wheel+Amusement+Park%22&hl=en&ei=eSFITcn4C8H6lweipOzsBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=%22Deno%27s%20Wonder%20Wheel%20Amusement%20Park%22&f=false}}</ref>
Near these two attractions, Denos Vourderis opened a restaurant called the Anchor Bar & Grill. Also, next door to the Wonder Wheel, stood a small kiddie amusement park called Ward's Kiddie Park owned by John Curran. That area was built in 1950. Denos opened up a concession stand there in 1970. In 1976, Denos bought the kiddie amusement park from Curran. In 1983, Denos acquired the Wonder Wheel and [[Spook-a-Rama]]. Today the park still has predominantly children's rides along with several family attractions. Since Denos' death in 1994, the park has been operated by his two sons, Dennis and Steve,<ref>{{cite book|last=Lilliefors|first=Jim|title=America's boardwalks: from Coney Island to California|year=2006|isbn=978-0-8135-3805-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7asFiGxywfsC&pg=PA41&dq=%22Deno%27s+Wonder+Wheel+Amusement+Park%22&hl=en&ei=eSFITcn4C8H6lweipOzsBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=%22Deno%27s%20Wonder%20Wheel%20Amusement%20Park%22&f=false}}</ref>


==Attractions==
==Attractions==

Revision as of 04:50, 13 December 2017

Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park
Previously known as Ward's Kiddie Park
LocationConey Island, New York, United States
Coordinates40°34′28″N 73°58′45″W / 40.574310°N 73.979182°W / 40.574310; -73.979182
OpenedWonder Wheel 1920 - Park 1950
OwnerDennis Vourderis and Steve Vourderis
Attractions
Total21
Roller coasters1
Water rides0
Websitehttp://www.wonderwheel.com/
Wonder Wheel

Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park is a family-owned amusement park located at Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City featuring 5 adult rides and 16 kiddie rides, including a dozen family rides that parents and children can ride together. Their main attraction is the Wonder Wheel, a hundred and fifty foot eccentric wheel built in 1920.[1] On the Wonder Wheel, 16 out of 24 of its gondolas run down a short track inside of the wheel swinging in and out of it as they reach the top.

The park overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and Coney Island beach. Deno's Wonder Wheel was designated an official New York City landmark in 1989.

History

The Wonder Wheel predates the history of Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. It was invented by Charles Hermann and built in 1918-1920 by the Eccentric Ferris Wheel Company. It opened on Memorial Day in 1920. Until the Parachute Jump, it was the tallest attraction in Coney Island. It was a stand-alone attraction operated by Herman Garms. In 1955, Garms built Spook-a-Rama, an indoor dark ride.

Near these two attractions, Denos Vourderis opened a restaurant called the Anchor Bar & Grill. Also, next door to the Wonder Wheel, stood a small kiddie amusement park called Ward's Kiddie Park owned by John Curran. That area was built in 1950. Denos opened up a concession stand there in 1970. In 1976, Denos bought the kiddie amusement park from Curran. In 1983, Denos acquired the Wonder Wheel and Spook-a-Rama. Today the park still has predominantly children's rides along with several family attractions. Since Denos' death in 1994, the park has been operated by his two sons, Dennis and Steve,[2]

Attractions

Kiddie Park

Teen and Adult Rides

References

  1. ^ "Wonder Wheel History". Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
  2. ^ Lilliefors, Jim (2006). America's boardwalks: from Coney Island to California. ISBN 978-0-8135-3805-1.
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