240:
first boom in popularity; events such as boxing matches, firework displays and aerial acrobat shows organised by the Royal Air Force drew in crowds of hundreds from all over Wales, and, as transport links improved further following the extension of the M4 motorway into South Wales in the 1960s and 1970s, Porthcawl experienced a dramatic rise in tourists visiting the area from all over the UK, and the park was one of the town's leading attractions. Further events, such as open air markets, circuses, and professional darts and snooker tournaments/exhibitions were staged. By the late 1980s, thousands of people visited the park from all over the world as more road and rail improvements in South Wales saw easier access from
Cardiff Wales Airport.
840:- Two months after the accident on the Top Flip ride, and less than two weeks after the fatal incident on the Water Chute, the 'Blizzard' roller-coaster overshot on its exit run, injuring three passengers. Unlike the previous two incidents in 1994, this accident was caused by human error, as the ride attendant was not paying attention and forgot to apply the brakes when the ride was supposed to have stopped. The employee was subsequently dismissed from the park. The Blizzard, in operation since the late 1980s, was eventually withdrawn in 2004 amongst reports that the speed of the roller-coaster comparable with size of the ride was causing many riders to experience shaking to the head.
29:
834:- A 9-year-old boy died in an incident on the site's Water Chute, less than six weeks after the aforementioned accident on the Top Flip ride. Poor weather conditions contributed to a gantry falling onto the track, causing several carriages to derail. It was also revealed in the aftermath that there had been an accident on this ride a year prior, where three passengers were injured when their boat left the tracks and fell nearly 6 ft; this had not been reported because it had been caused by drunken passengers deliberately shifting their weight and causing the boat to go off course.
873:
reported in the local press to create very sharp impacts on the rider and to be prone to shaking the rider's head rather vigorously throughout the duration of the ride’. However, no serious incidents resulting from maintenance problems on any of the rides occurred since the 'Skymaster' accident in 2000.
827:
when she was thrown 40 feet out of a newly opened Top Flip ride at the park. Three other people were injured in the incident and were treated for stomach, neck and leg injuries on its first day in service, just hours after launch. The incident occurred only hours after the ride had been tested. The
239:
Porthcawl had already been a popular holiday destination for locals in South Wales for many years, and the park attained modest popularity throughout the second half of the 1940s as the UK recovered from the after-effects of World War II. However, it was in the 1950s that the park experienced its
209:
aircraft hangar. This particular attraction continued to operate until July 1981, when it was dropped as part of an attempt to modernise the look of the park for contemporary audiences of the 1980s. Other attractions in the early days included a bandstand on the town green nearby, an outdoor and
872:
Many visitors and critics from local and national press complained in the 2000s that the park did not properly maintain or care for its older rides, instead focusing solely on its newer additions, compromising the safety of users. Additionally, the rides ‘Megablitz’ and ‘Nessi’ were regularly
243:
The 1990s, however, saw a downturn in the park's fortunes. The Water Chute was closed in 1995 (but not demolished until 2000), mainly due to an accident where a gantry fell onto the track, which had occurred due to the high winds in April 1994 and caused a number of cars to be
228:, the park was temporarily closed for several years as the 15th battalion of the Welsh Regiment was based at the Coney Beach site; later on, the Belgian Brigade's armoured car division were also billeted there until the unit left Porthcawl in 1942.
804:
Coney Beach had a reasonable record of safety between its opening in 1920 and its commercial heyday between the 1950s and 1980s, when it often attracted several thousand visitors per week in the summer months.
252:. This accident was the second in a chain of nine high-profile incidents from 1994 onwards that led to repeated negative publicity for the park, in turn causing the number of visitors to drop sharply by 1998.
172:
in Wales, in operation since 1920. Throughout its history, the park's period of operation is from end of
February of each year up until 5 November. Originally built to entertain American troops returning from
1021:
858:- A sex offender, who had been ordered to stay away from children by a court, got a job at the theme park just two weeks later. When this was reported in the local press, he was immediately dismissed.
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221:(then named Blackpool Pleasure Beach), opened in 1932 and operated until 1995. This particular attraction was unique and it dominated the skyline nearest the beach.
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55:
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248:, killing a young boy in the process; the stigma of the accident saw the numbers of people who used the ride to rapidly decline hence the
846:- A 17-year-old girl suffered a fractured skull when a large bolt fell out of the ‘Skymaster’ ride and hit her head as she walked past.
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890:"Fairground ride tested hours before girl fell - The Independent (London, England) | HighBeam Research"
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From 1994 to 2000, Coney Beach was the scene of several serious and, in one case, fatal incidents:
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The park's second quasar ride, operated previously at Butlin's
Minehead, Butlin's Pwllheli and
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Constructed on the town's old ballast tip, the park's roots date back to April 1920, when a
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864:- The body of one of several young adults who died during a spate of suicides in the
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169:
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A superbob ride, imported from
Holland. Later operated at Redcar Amusement Park.
440:. Originally owned by German showman Schafer. Sold to showman Paul Hart in 2010.
400:
A traditional Dive Bomber ride. Later operated at
American Adventure Theme Park.
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1063:
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Sold to showman Bob Wilson in
September 1977, later exported to Norway in 1978.
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174:
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217:
Another notable ride, the Water Chute (similar to the now defunct
Vikingar at
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70:
57:
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Normal service was resumed in April 1946 after World War II came to an end.
165:
40:
463:, owned by German showman Schafer between 1974 and 1976. Later operated at
177:, the park was named as a tribute to the famous New York amusement park on
865:
534:
A traditional side-friction wooden rollercoaster, replaced by "Cyclone".
852:- A large fire occurred in the park, the cause of which was suspicious.
211:
565:
824:
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570:
A Zierer "Viking" (Pirate Ship ride). Previously operated at
734:
A classic twist ride, replaced by a more modern version.
366:
A juvenile track ride with train engine shaped vehicles.
633:
The park's second superbob ride, operated previously at
214:
stage, and donkey and pony rides on the adjacent beach.
551:
A Voyager ride, exported to the United States in 2001.
417:
A circular water chute, pulled down after an accident.
484:
A standard Z40 Rollercoaster, replaced by Mega Blitz.
717:
The park's first quasar ride, imported from Sweden.
383:
A traditional caterpillar ride - the park's second.
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868:area was found in a vacant warehouse at the park.
967:"Bridgend sees 15 suicides in just over a year"
793:, later operated at Spanish City, Whitley Bay.
1473:Tourist attractions in Bridgend County Borough
955:News Report about Sex Offender working at park
39:Coney Beach Pleasure Park, Eastern Promenade,
1015:
501:An RC50 Rollercoaster, replaced by Go-Karts.
224:In September 1939, following the outbreak of
8:
21:
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1008:
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20:
349:A Rainbow ride, later sold to Australia.
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881:
114:End of February to 5 November annually
210:indoor skating rink, three cinemas, a
16:Amusement park in Mid Glamorgan, Wales
1031:Amusement parks in the United Kingdom
913:
911:
7:
675:A swing tower ride, now operates at
654:A Top Spin ride, later operated at
1073:Operated by Gulliver's Theme Parks:
205:and initially operated from an old
14:
1427:Pleasure Island Family Theme Park
1351:The American Adventure Theme Park
1310:Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo
1238:The Needles - Landmark Attraction
892:. 21 October 2012. Archived from
597:Pleasure Island Family Theme Park
1335:Universal Studios United Kingdom
919:"Fairground safety probe begins"
828:ride was immediately dismantled.
591:A polyp ride, later operated at
27:
1054:Chessington World of Adventures
1284:M&Ds Scotland's Theme Park
1279:Landmark Forest Adventure Park
1153:Crealy Theme Park & Resort
518:A small family rollercoaster.
1:
1188:Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach
1468:1920 establishments in Wales
1366:Belle Vue Zoological Gardens
1198:Hidden Valley Discovery Park
1258:Woodlands Family Theme Park
944:Article about blaze at park
800:Incidents and controversies
279:"Wacky Worm" Roller Coaster
1489:
1437:Manchester Botanic Gardens
1300:Barry Island Pleasure Park
1143:Camel Creek Adventure Park
698:Barry Island Pleasure Park
465:Barry Island Pleasure Park
264:Break Dance (New for 2023)
1458:Operating amusement parks
1371:Brocklands Adventure Park
1305:Coney Beach Pleasure Park
770:Imported from the U.S.A.
329:
326:
323:
300:"Go Gator" Junior Coaster
297:"Bounce" Jump & Smile
261:"Beach Party" Afterburner
158:Coney Beach Pleasure Park
26:
22:Coney Beach Pleasure Park
1463:Amusement parks in Wales
1203:Joyland (Great Yarmouth)
1133:Blackpool Pleasure Beach
635:Blackpool Pleasure Beach
588:Robles Bouso Attraciones
320:
317:
219:Pleasure Beach Blackpool
41:Porthcawl, Bridgend area
1391:Frontierland, Morecambe
1386:Dobwalls Adventure Park
1274:Codona's Amusement Park
1104:Other amusement parks:
572:Pleasureland Southport
306:"Nessi" Roller Coaster
303:Jumbo Circus Fun House
1233:Sundown Adventureland
1040:Merlin Entertainments
815:- A 14-year-old girl
455:HUSS Park Attractions
432:HUSS Park Attractions
345:HUSS Park Attractions
276:"Thunderdome" Waltzer
273:"Miami Madness" Miami
199:wooden roller coaster
1396:Granada Studios Tour
1178:Flamingo Land Resort
1173:Flambards Theme Park
1158:Drayton Manor Resort
1123:Adventure Wonderland
785:Reverchon Industries
731:Walldren Engineering
285:"Fantasia" Super Bob
971:www.telegraph.co.uk
360:"Santa Fe Railroad"
201:was relocated from
67: /
23:
1376:Camelot Theme Park
1356:Barry's Amusements
1223:Pleasurewood Hills
1138:Brean Leisure Park
1080:Gulliver's Kingdom
896:on 21 October 2012
311:Notable Past Rides
71:51.4797°N 3.6967°W
1445:
1444:
1422:Ocean Beach, Rhyl
1401:Killarney Springs
1381:Children's Corner
1323:
1322:
1208:Lightwater Valley
1163:Dreamland Margate
1090:Gulliver's Valley
797:
796:
791:Matterhorn (ride)
677:Lightwater Valley
438:Enterprise (ride)
155:
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106:Patrick Evans jr.
43:, CF36 5BY, Wales
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1213:New Pleasureland
1118:Adventure Island
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1095:Gulliver's World
1059:Legoland Windsor
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996:Official website
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925:. 14 August 2000
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823:and injured her
610:"Tahiti Express"
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111:Operating season
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127:23+ attractions
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1408:(never built)
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1406:London Resort
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766:Frank Hrubetz
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461:Troika (ride)
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414:Leslie Joseph
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394:"Dive Bomber"
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377:"Caterpillar"
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1193:Harbour Park
1049:Alton Towers
1038:Operated by
974:. Retrieved
970:
961:
950:
939:
927:. Retrieved
922:
898:. Retrieved
894:the original
884:
871:
861:
855:
849:
843:
837:
831:
812:
807:
803:
781:"Matterhorn"
669:"Star Flyer"
593:Flamingoland
495:"Mega Blitz"
451:"Turbo Star"
428:"Enterprise"
380:Henri De Vos
330:Description
242:
238:
230:
226:World War II
223:
216:
196:Figure Eight
195:
193:
179:Coney Island
157:
156:
18:
1064:Thorpe Park
994:Coney Beach
762:"Hurricane"
545:"Skymaster"
270:Ghost Train
267:Paratrooper
207:World War I
175:World War I
160:is a small
148:Other rides
140:Water rides
119:Attractions
74: /
49:Coordinates
1452:Categories
1228:Robin Hill
877:References
651:Far Fabbri
648:"Top Flip"
529:"Figure 8"
512:"Blizzard"
250:demolition
190:Early Days
59:51°28′47″N
1432:Tucktonia
1243:Twinlakes
976:9 October
929:9 October
900:9 October
817:fractured
748:Fairplace
627:"Bobslay"
585:"Octopus"
574:in 1983.
478:"Cyclone"
341:"Rainbow"
166:Porthcawl
90:Operating
62:3°41′48″W
1267:Scotland
866:Bridgend
711:"Quasar"
690:"Quasar"
672:Funlight
562:"Viking"
363:Supercar
291:Go-Karts
246:derailed
36:Location
1315:Oakwood
1183:Funland
1111:England
728:"Twist"
498:Pinfari
481:Pinfari
321:Closed
318:Opened
288:Dodgems
212:Pierrot
185:History
819:three
745:"Scat"
714:A.R.M.
693:A.R.M.
630:Sobema
613:Sobema
604:c.1980
566:Zierer
548:A.R.M.
95:Opened
87:Status
1293:Wales
825:lungs
759:1990s
624:1980s
506:1980s
397:Lusse
324:Name
294:Rotor
256:Rides
124:Total
103:Owner
978:2021
931:2021
902:2021
862:2007
856:2004
850:2002
844:2000
838:1994
832:1994
821:ribs
813:1994
778:1982
775:1980
756:1981
742:1977
739:1977
725:2000
722:1976
708:1989
705:1989
687:1995
684:1995
666:2015
663:2014
645:1994
642:1994
621:1983
607:1982
595:and
582:1985
579:1984
559:1987
556:1984
542:2000
539:1995
526:1981
523:1920
509:2004
492:2009
489:1996
475:1995
472:1982
448:1983
445:1977
425:2010
422:1981
408:1995
405:1932
391:1973
388:1947
374:1988
371:1984
357:2015
354:1952
338:1988
335:1983
98:1920
436:An
164:in
1454::
969:.
921:.
910:^
789:A
700:.
679:.
658:.
637:.
599:.
467:.
459:A
181:.
168:,
151:23
1042::
1023:e
1016:t
1009:v
980:.
933:.
904:.
143:2
135:2
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