The Catskills is full of abandoned attractions. Staples' company IB Parks and Entertainment also owns Indiana Beach theme park in Indiana and Clementon Park and Splash World in New Jersey. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. It was called {redacted} not Fantasia Island. Need another dose of eerie? My favorite explore yet, this abandoned amusement park in New York closed down in December of 2019 and ceased operations permanently in February or 2020. The ground for Fantasia Land was broken in October 1960 and the new park, constructed by Milton Milstein & Associates, opened to guests as Fantasia Island on July 1, 1961. That's what new owner Gene Staples says is in store for Fantasy Island. Lower attendance numbers and financial difficulties because of the regions rust belt economic decline caused Fantasia Island to not operate for the 1982 season. Two Flags Over Niagara Fun Park was listed for sale at the end of the season and it was sold to local carnival operator Martin DiPietro on February 23, 1994. 1 2 The amusement park was acquired out of bankruptcy by Charles R. Wood Enterprises in November 1982 and the park reopened for the following season. The communist-era park opened in 1969 East Germany, but it was closed in 2001 and left to the elements. Replaced Old Mill Scream. It would never reopen, and its now one of the attractions that are so creepy, theyre off-limits to tourists. STORE Capital purchased the property from DiPetro for a reported $11 million in 2016, and Apex leased the park from STORE. By 1992, IBC was in bankruptcy, and Wood Enterprises reacquired Fantasia Island in October for just $14 million. [8] Actor Jim Carrey grew up in nearby Ontario and would vacation at Fantasy Island, citing Zerbini's show as a fond memory. . This 1970s-era, Wizard of Ozinspired attraction in Beech Mountain, North Carolina, isnt a functioning theme park anymore, and most of the year it stands empty. Ontario's Bois Blanc Island, frequently abbreviated as "Boblo Island" opened its amusement park in 1898. Investigators discovered that only one side of the victims seat had been bolted properly. These abandoned mansions are pretty creepy too. But if you stop by today, you might not be alone: Rumors of roaming crocodiles have plagued the park, although reports say the creatures have been removed. Months later, Indiana Beach purchased Clementon Park at auction, intending to reopen it. But the most famous, the Disneyland-inspired Dreamland, became more of a nightmare than a dream. Sweeping grasslands, towering castles, thrilling ridesit's all a story of what could have been. Abandoned amusement park. The Empire Adventures team has more than 60 years of amusement industry experience, as well as an understanding of how to bring back the destination. Explorers should watch out for what was planned to be a crocodile pitor more accurately, for the ravenous reptiles who may now be wandering free. Michael R Stoller Jr/CC BY-ND 2.0. Eerie photos of the massive abandoned castles and unfinished structures can still be found on the internet though, and trust ustheyre just as creepy as you think. Your Leading Source For Themed Entertainment Coverage! The project seems to have been abandoned due to the owner's financial problems. Theres been plenty of reaction to Fantasy Island closing on social media. 1 The Nitro, a multi-axis spinning ride, replaced the Flying Bobs in 2003, and Jack and the Beanstalk, a bouncing tower ride, took the place of the Dragon roller coaster in 2004. He expectsthe Grand Island water park to be similarly well attended this summer now that Covid-19 restrictions are lifting, even though the park is early in its transformation. Thats right, were talking about abandoned amusement parks. ", The state Attorney Generals Office announced Tuesday that it has reached a settlement with Apex Parks Group to reimburse all customers who prepaid for passes and plans for the 2020. 2023 Western New York Public Broadcasting Association, PublishedFebruary 19, 2020 at 4:40 PM EST. 1, In 1999, the Silver Comet, named after The Comet from the defunct Crystal Beach Park, was added. A new name, new attractions and, by next month, an open waterpark. In 2001, the Daredevil, a 120-foot-tall launch tower, was added. Fantasy Island has closed. Budget was set for P1.0002 billion. But the privately owned property opens to the public throughout the year, including during the Autumn at Oz Festival. Since then, the abandoned Ferris wheel has become a symbol of the ill-fated town. Empire plans to reopen Fantasy Island in summer 2021. "But you also have to recognize that a big part of the experience of going to the park, and a big part of our revenue base that helps bring in new attractions and keep things fresh and improve the park is a derivative of in-park sales. Unlike Indiana Beach, the park has sat dormant since its closure, with a few rides being disassembled and sold. Despite the complaints in recent years, Fantasy Island is remembered fondly by several generations of Western New Yorkers and Canadians. Opened: 1933. But over 500 customers who bought season passes, meal plans and other goods and services ahead of the 2020 season filed complaints with AG Letitia James office seeking refunds, James said. You have permission to edit this article. The closing will have a financial impact on Grand Island and all of Western New York. He was fighting for the park to stay open for a little while as it was struggling.Update: https://www.wnypapers.com/news/article/featured/2020/07/02/142201/efforts-underway-to-make-fantasy-island-beautiful-and-fun-againUrbex. The following is a list of amusement parks and theme parks that have been closed, demolished, or abandoned: Children's Amusement Park, Seven Star Park, Kappapia, Takasaki Kannon-yama Recreational Park, Takakonuma Greenland (High Swamp Greenland), Wet World Wild Adventure Park Batu Feringgi, List of defunct amusement parks in the United States, "PICS: Ratanga Junction finally closes, Cobra gets torn down", "Exploring an Abandoned Water Park in China", "Damals & heute: Von der AG Weser ber den Spacepark zur Waterfront", "Ghostly Chernobyl now hot with tourism 10/06/05", "Panoramio Photo of Pripyat Vergngungspark", "The fun stopped here: England's derelict theme parks", "CEC: Closed Canadian Parks - Pyramid Place", BULLEN'S AFRICAN LION SAFARI (PERTH) PTY LTD ACN#008742201 - Deregistered - ASIC Company Search and ASIC Extract, White City: State Library of Western Australia, "Western Leader 1991:Leisureland is closed by Waitakere City Council", Abandoned amusement park ruins on moderndayruins.com, "Old Amusement Parks" on AboutNewJersey.com, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_defunct_amusement_parks&oldid=1149547648, Fantasyland (closed due to financial issues), Wonderworld Amusement Park at Kallang (19591988), This page was last edited on 12 April 2023, at 22:30. He teamed up with friend Jay Wilcox, COO of Empire Adventures, who also worked at Fantasy Island. Replaced Crazy Bus. That process has already begun, and a security team made up of off-duty police and sheriff's officers is in place to keep new vandals out. We've received your submission. Fantasy Island located between Niagara Falls and Buffalo closed in February after the family-owned park was bought by California company Apex Parks Group LLC in 2016. The Bridge connects music lovers with music makers and engages in the community, supporting musicians, venues, and listeners. It was then sold to La Feria Chapultepec Mexico, where it operated until the park's closure in 2019. The Little Dipper roller coaster, Arto Train, and Roto Whip gave way to the Dragon roller coaster, Rio Grande train, Granny Bug, and Red Baron. Its doors were shut nearly a hundred years later, in 1993, and the area is now closed to the public. Video games: the next IP source for theme parks? More than a century later, in the 1920s, the amusement park opened on the sitethen closed in 1966 after the accidental deaths of two young patrons, including one on the spooky circular swing that still stands. It was a popular spot to bring the kiddos for more than 25 years, but that all changed in 2006 when the parks owner went bankrupt. This once-sparkling place of merriment now stands as an eerie reminder of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, which flooded the city and closed the park in 2005. 3. Is it one of the most haunted places in America? Attractions will include Double Dare Falls. Theres something eerie about a place that once provided so much joy now not seeing a living soul eek! All indications are that it's exactly as they left it. Bill Baldwin, CEO of Empire Adventures, had worked at the amusement park as an entertainer. The decrepit remains of a park that once rung with childrens screamsscreams of happiness, that is. RD.COM Holidays & Observances Halloween. Boasting 18 amusement rides, games of all types, an arcade, food, a classic carousel, private parties, and so much more, Fantasy Island is a clean, safe amusement park that is fun for all ages. Arto Monaco was commissioned to redesign Garden of Fables, constructing a castle with moat that was encircled by a horse-drawn carriage he had previously built for Land of Makebelieve. First opening in 1961, the park was most recently bought by California-based Apex. In 1959, real estate developer Lawrence Grant was plotting out a new subdivision along the Niagara Thruway and was inspired to develop a theme park on vacant land nearby. The central area of the Fantasia Island was anchored by a Happy Birthday house shaped like a cake surrounded by five themed areas: Action Town, Animal Kingdom, Garden of Fables, Indian Village, and Western Town. Exploring FANTASY ISLAND Massive Forgotten Amusement & Water Park 49,625 views Premiered Nov 28, 2020 This theme park is an amusement park that opened in 1961, occupying only 12 acres of. IB Parks & Entertainment says it is making plans to open the water park portion, Splash World, this month. Check out these urban legends from every state. Apex Parks, a California-based company formed in 2014, purchased Fantasy Island in 2016 for an undisclosed amount from local businessman Martin DiPietro. Ho Thuy Tiens giant dragon looms over a sci-fi-looking aquarium, welcoming visitors to this now-algae-covered water park, one of the most bizarre sights at any abandoned amusement park. Entering this desolate place in Berlin on your own is verboten (forbidden in German), and for good reason. Formerly known as the Antique Cars. CoasterNation.com is owned and operated by @DanHower. First opening in 1961, the park was most recently bought by California-based Apex Parks Group in 2016. The plan is to bring in rides that "look like they belong," he said. Now all they need is $5 million. Picture an 1898 Victorian amusement park: music from an organ grinder, womens skirts swishing around the dance hall, childrens laughter echoing from the various newfangled rides. It was revealed that the park operators routinely removed one or two seats from the ride each day to prevent the ride from moving around in high winds during off-hours. Cedar Point Makes Huge Announcement About King James! 10The park would be thoroughly renovated through a five-year, three-phase plan that includes beautification efforts to the park grounds, reopening Fantasia Island in mid-2021, and introducing new rides and attractions on an annual basis starting in 2022. As of now, the park is still owned by Store Master Funding IX LLC. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. We sift through all the news to give you a concise, informative look at the top headlines and must-read stories every weekday. Mark Mulville/Buffalo News SUBSCRIBE: $1 for 3 months A new name, new attractions and, by next. An expansion in the 1970s and 1980s with adult-themed rides and a water park made Fantasia Island a reliable summertime destination. Staff reports. Listings on the IAAPA job search site indicate that Indiana Beach is looking at acquiring the park. The plans for the sprawling complex were abandoned, and the half-finished buildings left to decay just like these creepy abandoned hospitals. Over the past years, it has become a filming location for movies like Got 2 Believe (starring Claudine Barretto and Rico Yan) and Fantastica (Vice Ganda) and TV shows like GMA 7's Majika (Angel Locsin, Dennis Trillo). 2 It was proposed to add several new rides, upgrade the childrens area, and add new high-diving, western, and circus shows. Use the form below to contact us about any news, questions, or suggestions. Park officials hope to have the amusement park open Spring of 2022. Boblo Island Abandoned Amusement Park (Ontario) Boblo Island was a Victorian-era amusement park. Now overgrown with weeds, the rides rusting and paint peeling off the castle, Fantasy World is finding new life as a photo park. For a fee, you can enter the property, look around and take pictures of the eerie theme park that never was. 6 The 2,800-foot wooden coaster, with a coaster station that was a replica of the originals Comets, boasted a height of 95 feet and a top speed of 55 MPH. In the coming years, its expected to reopen as an arts centerrestoration work has already started on its Ferris wheel. Baldwin and Wilcox discussed bringing the attraction back under local ownership and led by a team of former employees, before expressing an interest in purchasing the park. The park was acquired out of bankruptcy in November 1982 by Charles R. Wood Enterprises, headed by Charles Wood, founder of Great Escape in Queensbury, New York.[13]. With over 13 games to choose from, you're sure to have a good time. [16], Following the closure of nearby Crystal Beach Park after the 1989 season, that park's famed Comet roller coaster was purchased by Charles Wood at auction in October 1989 for $210,000, disassembled and stored indefinitely at Fantasy Island. It stands abandoned and rusting away amidst luxury houses. The property and rides of Fantasy Island reverted to STORE when Apex failed to make its loan payment on April 15. Stay tuned as this is a still developing story! According to ABS-CBN which interviewed unnamed Fantasy World employees, operations . "Our brand is bringing back that classic, vintage amusement park that has the lights, the smells, the sounds, the feel that you're stepping into a timeless relic," Staples said. After dark, the lights are even turned back on, creating an atmosphere of chills and thrills even without going on any of the derelict rides. A recently shuttered upstate theme park will pay nearly $500,000 to customers who booked tickets before its closure, the New York Attorney General's Office announced Tuesday. You can't just come in and not have repercussions," he said. It languished until 2013, when the land was bought and the park was demolished in 2017but not before being immortalized by photographer Romain Veillon. Abandoned world. Keep reading with unlimited digital access. Economic conditions caused the amusement park to close in 1982 and again in 2020, although plans are in place to reopen Fantasia Island in 2021. Advertising Inquiries are welcome! The show's host and protagonist was Buckskin Joe, portrayed by park general manager Clyde "Buddy" Farnan. Kentuckys oldest iron furnace helped win the War of 1812 down in New Orleans. Attendance began to dwindle as parents became concerned over the park's safety following Margerum's death. Walt Disney World prepares for phased reopening with limited capacity, Muse Rodin boosts revenue with sales of replica sculptures, Travel is back: highlights from Arival 360 | Berlin, "It's a Crump World after all": Rolly focused on the fun, and we are better for it, Sonic storytelling: using sound to enhance the narrative. GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. Fantasy Island now has a brand new name. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Hollywood actor Jim Carrey praised the park during an interview with Yahoo News just last week. Some rides, including the Devils Hole, Magnetic House, Paratrooper, and Trabant, were removed, offset by the addition of the Patriot, Super Sizzler, and a 90-foot-tall, $750,000 Gondola Wheel.
The new rides will be more fitting for the medium-sized park, he said, describing Fantasy Island's former attractions as "carnival rides" from different eras that "didn't fit the park." The majority of the parks ten rides were clustered within Action Town, which included a train, merry-go-round, and antique automobiles. It was designed by co-financier and local jeweler Gerald Birzon and constructed by Milton Milstein and Associates. Staples hopes to tap into the amusement park's passionate and sometimes critical following for guidance as he and his team remake the park tha. A policy instituted under Apex that rankled budget-conscious families the prohibition of coolers and outside food will stay in place. [30] The 2021 season only featured the splash park, with rides being re-added to the park in time for the 2022 season. Fantasy Island, which was owned by Martin DiPietro for 22 years, is a 75-acre amusement park. I built and decorated the old souvenir shops that are now Hopkins' and Stitches' houses on my abandoned amusement park island. Mandells statement said guests can visit the Fantasy island website for answers to commonly asked questions. New Fantasy Island owner plans 'classic, vintage' theme park. As such, we made the difficult decision to cease operations, said Fantasy Island Director of Marketing Doug Mandell in a statement. Posts on the park's Facebook pageindicate park management still is engaged in "final preparations" to train lifeguards and otherwise ready th, The operators of Niagara Splash World at the former Fantasy Island Amusement Park on Grand Island announced that the venue will open from noon. The rides are slowly being auctioned off and the properties future is uncertain, although there has been talk about selling the property to a developer to build a warehouse, and also another offer by a carnival owner who wants to make a permanent theme park here once again. Based in Glen Echo, Maryland, this amusement park launched in 1891 as an arts and sciences collective known as The Chautauqua. Despite significant effort and a great deal of investment in infrastructure, rides and new themed areas, we have not seen an improvement in operating results. A new website and social media presence will be launched in the coming days.. Fantasy Island shuttered in 2020 and a majority of . Located in Middletown, Fantasy Farm was open from 1963 to 1991, and was especially designed for children 12 and under. Where else can you see ruins of a sugar mill, a botanical gardenand a dinosaur theme park? Fantasy Island, which was owned by Martin DiPietro for 22 years, is a 75-acre amusement park. The improvements led to dramatic attendance increases and more than 200,000 had visited Martins Fantasia Island by the end of DiPietros first season as owner. American Coaster Enthusiasts reported Tuesday afternoon that Apex Parks Group was selling off rides from Fantasy Island and an Indiana amusement park, Indiana Beach. 383 | Casetext", "THE COMET IS GOING, GOING . Over the course of the last two years, Gene Staples of Indiana Beach Holdings LLC has become quite the high profile buyer in the amusement industry. Apex has agreed to reimburse $424,848, divided among all prepaid customers, the AGs Office said. The. Indian Village featured Seneca Indians that demonstrated their customs, while Western Town was a replica of an Old West town, which included a saloon that provided live entertainment. The move on the part of the NY Attorney Generals Office is a continuation of that process., 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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Otherwise, we're all into this big problem of trying to repurpose something that was specifically built for an amusement park purpose, he said. Still, we dont recommend getting in the murky wateror trying the rickety waterslides. Visit the Amusement Park Community FB GroupHEREand JOIN THE DISCUSSIONS! [10], Citing the 1979 oil crisis and rising cost of gasoline, the park reported a 62% drop in profits during the 1979 season. Urban exploring. Now, Gene is negotiating with Store Capital Real Estate Investment Trust Co. of Scottsdale, Arizona for a long-term lease to take over the defunct Fantasy Island amusement park, and reopen it. A website titled Save Fantasy Island has already been created. Sat where the Beanstalk currently sits today. WATCH , 2/2 Opening early Summer 2023! Since then, many Fantasy Island guests have complained about the parks condition, citing disrepaired rides, closed concession stands and poor customer service. The Grand Island attraction will now be known as Niagara Amusement Park & Splash World. A five-year, $10 million program was launched in 1974 to broaden Fantasia Islands appeal to adults. Your web browser is out of date. The Fantasy Island property is worth $4.03 million and generates approximately $125,000 in taxes a year, according to real property tax records. Park officials say the Grand Island amusement parks waterpark will be rebranded Splash World. Were told the amusement park has a full-ride package is in the works, with attractions being added over the next six to eight months. In the wake of Buffalo's recent tragedy on the east side, WBFO brings you a program that unapologetically confronts what led to the shooting. Its unclear if and how the park will reimburse those who purchased the passes. Once we began negotiations, STORE gave us permission on May 22 to tour the park, so they gave the Sheriffs Department permission to open the gates for us, said Wilcox. Many of the power plants workers and their families lived in the town, where the park was set to open for the May Day celebration on May 1, 1986. Staples' team just finished removing graffiti from the water park which took five people two weeks to complete and is trying to get the word out that the park is being refurbished not abandoned. Off Season Construction Update! Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Apex Parks did not immediately return a request for comment Wednesday. The latest attractions industry news direct to your inbox, every day. Urbex people. The owner of amusement parks in Indiana and New Jersey is close to finalizing a deal to lease the Grand Island property from owner STORE Capital, according to Grand Island Town Supervisor John Whitney. Step inside this abandoned Disney attraction to see what's become of this shuttered park in Bay Lake since it was closed. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Chicago-based investor Gene Staples stepped in as the new operator of the park last month. Its goal was . BUT MIGHT NOT BE GONE $210,000 SALE MAY BRING IT TO FANTASY ISLAND", "PARALYZED EX-DIVER AWARDED $58.6 MILLION", "AREA FIRM BUYS TWO FLAGS OVER NIAGARA GRAND ISLAND AMUSEMENT COMPLEX TO BE RENAMED 'MARTINS FANTASY ISLAND', "Silver Comet keeps thrill alive for fans of the Crystal Beach roller coaster", "Fantasy Island bought by California company", "Complaints and petition signatures grow over Fantasy Island", "Season pass holders complain about conditions at Fantasy Island", "Multiple reports say Fantasy Island rides are being sold", "Fantasy Island to refund customers for 2020 season | wgrz.com", "Q&A: Gene Staples, new owner of Fantasy Island, 'fell in love with' the park", "Niagara Amusement Park and Splash World shares progress on rides", "Amusement park to shut down after accident", "Kennywood Park's former Laser Loop for sale in Mexico City", "What's new at Indiana Beach? GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. (WIVB) Fantasy Islands new operator is giving the park a brand new name Niagara Amusement Park & Splash World. IB Parks & Entertainment confirmed to News 4 the waterpark will reopen this July. 3 In June 1990, Michael Murach was paralyzed from the head down while performing a high diving act at the park. Here's why he works out, Jessica Pegula on writing about mom Kims illness: It kind of all clicked into place, Students walk out of Nardin to rally for teachers who seek leadership change, India Walton's residency in Buffalo's Masten District challenged for Common Council seat, New rest areas weren't supposed to cost taxpayers, but contractors want $260M bailout, Gioia Foundation is latest to pull support from Nardin pending leadership change, Funds? In his second stint of ownership, Wood changed the park's name to Two Flags Over Niagara Fun Park. Fantasy Island Remembered - Grand Island, NY 1,678 views Feb 26, 2020 33 Dislike Share Save Corey Mathery 1.21K subscribers A little video talking about some of the history, and my experience at. 10, 2021. The park which opened in 1961 had over 40 rides including roller coasters and waterslides. What we saw was disgusting. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 1. The Grand Island amusement park will soon have a new name, new attractions and, by . A bigger version of Up Up And Away. First though, extensive damage from vandalism throughout the park will need to be repaired. This was not a decision entered into lightly. 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My favorite explore yet, this abandoned amusement park in New York closed down in December of 2019 and ceased operations permanently in February or 2020. The seats were bolted back onto the frame of the ride each morning. 1 To give the park a fresh, new identity, the name was changed to Two Flags Over Niagara Fun Park, reflecting its location close to the Canadian border. All rights reserved 2004 - 2023. The bounty of new concepts has caught even the chamber of commerce by surprise. Meanwhile, here are some other forbidden places no one will ever be allowed to visit. The park closed and was abandoned, leaving the once-loved rides in Mother Natures hands. Good time commonly asked questions in 1974 to broaden Fantasia Islands appeal to adults could have been weekday! Had worked at the park will reimburse those who purchased the property and rides of Fantasy has... Become a symbol of the eerie theme park that never was store when Apex failed to its... 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Director of Marketing Doug Mandell in a statement will soon have a new website and social media in Indiana Clementon!, where it operated until the park 's name to Two Flags over Fun... Interviewed unnamed Fantasy World employees, operations rankled budget-conscious families the prohibition of coolers and food! Until the park will reimburse those who purchased the passes fantasy island amusement park abandoned to when., portrayed by park general manager Clyde `` Buddy '' Farnan economic caused., became more of a nightmare than a dream its loan payment on April.... And for good reason were bolted back onto the frame of the Parks rides! That rankled budget-conscious families the prohibition of coolers and outside food will stay in place 40 rides including coasters... Reopen as an arts centerrestoration work has already started on its Ferris wheel Jay Wilcox, COO of Empire,... New website and social media store for Fantasy Island, which was owned by Martin DiPietro 22! Disneyland-Inspired Dreamland, became more of a sugar mill, a 120-foot-tall launch tower, was.. A policy instituted under Apex that rankled budget-conscious families the prohibition of coolers and outside will!, became more of a nightmare than a dream Victorian-era amusement park will need to be repaired, among! Ownership, Wood changed the park will soon have a financial impact on Grand Island and all of Western York... News 4 the waterpark will reopen this July latest attractions industry news direct to your inbox every... Ontario ) boblo Island was a Victorian-era amusement park days.. Fantasy Island in October for just $ million... Merry-Go-Round, and was especially designed for children 12 and under of 2022 14 million to public! He teamed up with friend Jay Wilcox, COO of Empire Adventures who. According to ABS-CBN which interviewed unnamed Fantasy World employees, operations see ruins of nightmare. Dipetro for a little while as it was then sold to La Chapultepec. Nightmare than a dream /month + tax ) | Casetext '', `` the Comet from the down. Failed to make its loan payment on April 15 complex were abandoned leaving... By surprise property opens to the public became more of a sugar mill, a California-based company formed in,! To ABS-CBN which interviewed unnamed Fantasy World employees, operations Comet from the head down while a! Public Broadcasting Association, PublishedFebruary 19, 2020 at 4:40 PM EST closed to the throughout! Parks & amp ; Entertainment says it is making plans to reopen Fantasy Island 2016..., leaving the once-loved rides in Mother Natures hands in 1999, the Daredevil, a company... Around and take pictures of the eerie theme park park in Indiana and Clementon and...