Kid's World (Amusement Park)
Encyclopedia
Kid's World was an amusement park
along the boardwalk on Ocean Avenue in Long Branch
, New Jersey
.
across the street that they had been leasing since the year prior to the purchase, Cicalese rethemed the pier, the pool, the Bumper Boats, and the waterslide as Kid's World, inspired by Sesame Place
in Langhorne, Pennsylvania
(Cicalese purchased Ricci's half of the business in 1980).
Many of the rides from years past had been replaced by this time by new rides, but the park still drew adults. The famous Haunted Mansion that started the revamp of the pier in 1978 remained as part of Kid's World. Kid's World also featured an attraction based on the popular children's program Romper Room
. The park was heavily advertised on TVO in New York
and New Jersey
. The previous advertisements for the pier were mostly geared towards the Haunted Mansion, but when the Kid's World concept was introduced, the advertisements were toned down to something more family friendly.
at the end of the pier. The fire quickly spread throughout the pier, despite efforts by the Long Branch Fire Department to save it. After the fire, all that remained of Kid's World were the water attractions across the street from the pier. However, after the fire, business had slowed down, so the rest of Kid's World closed down for good at the end of that summer.
Cicalese had originally planned on rebuilding the pier. However, his insurance didn't cover the cost to rebuild what was destroyed, and the town would not fund the project, so the plans were abandoned. What was left of Kid's World remained abandoned for 17 years after the fire.
What was left of the pier had deteriorated over the years, and it was finally demolished in 2001. The rest of Kid's World across the street met the wrecking ball in 2002.
, a retail/dining/condo complex. The redevelopment has revived the booming business that was once enjoyed by Kid's World. A new pier is being planned for the Long Branch waterfront, but there is presently no word whether or not the amusements will return as part of the new pier.
(or other wise after special event is announced by announcer) they repeat:
The park also featured snack stands and games.
Amusement park
thumb|Cinderella Castle in [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Disney World]]Amusement and theme parks are terms for a group of entertainment attractions and rides and other events in a location for the enjoyment of large numbers of people...
along the boardwalk on Ocean Avenue in Long Branch
Long Branch, New Jersey
Long Branch is a city in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 30,719.Long Branch was formed on April 11, 1867, as the Long Branch Commission, from portions of Ocean Township...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
.
History
In 1985, six years after developers Pat Cicalese (owner of the Chelsea Pool and the Mile a Minute Waterslide) and his business partner Carmen Ricci purchased the Long Branch PierLong Branch Pier
The Long Branch Pier was a pier located at 65 Ocean Ave, in Long Branch, New Jersey, United States.- History :The pier was popular among fishermen and club goers who enjoyed late nights at "The Pier Pub" night club...
across the street that they had been leasing since the year prior to the purchase, Cicalese rethemed the pier, the pool, the Bumper Boats, and the waterslide as Kid's World, inspired by Sesame Place
Sesame Place
Sesame Place is an American theme park in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. It derives its theme from the Sesame Street television program and characters like Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Ernie, and Bert. It includes a variety of rides, shows, and water attractions suited to very young children...
in Langhorne, Pennsylvania
Langhorne, Pennsylvania
Langhorne is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,622 at the 2010 census.The name "Langhorne" is used broadly to describe the majority of surrounding Middletown Township, which for the most part uses Langhorne's zip code of 19047...
(Cicalese purchased Ricci's half of the business in 1980).
Many of the rides from years past had been replaced by this time by new rides, but the park still drew adults. The famous Haunted Mansion that started the revamp of the pier in 1978 remained as part of Kid's World. Kid's World also featured an attraction based on the popular children's program Romper Room
Romper Room
Romper Room is a children's television series that ran in the United States from 1953 to 1994 as well as at various times in Australia, Canada, Japan, Puerto Rico, New Zealand and the United Kingdom...
. The park was heavily advertised on TVO in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. The previous advertisements for the pier were mostly geared towards the Haunted Mansion, but when the Kid's World concept was introduced, the advertisements were toned down to something more family friendly.
The Fire and closure
On June 8, 1987, at around 3 pm, a fire broke out at the McDonald'sMcDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
at the end of the pier. The fire quickly spread throughout the pier, despite efforts by the Long Branch Fire Department to save it. After the fire, all that remained of Kid's World were the water attractions across the street from the pier. However, after the fire, business had slowed down, so the rest of Kid's World closed down for good at the end of that summer.
Cicalese had originally planned on rebuilding the pier. However, his insurance didn't cover the cost to rebuild what was destroyed, and the town would not fund the project, so the plans were abandoned. What was left of Kid's World remained abandoned for 17 years after the fire.
What was left of the pier had deteriorated over the years, and it was finally demolished in 2001. The rest of Kid's World across the street met the wrecking ball in 2002.
Today
Today, the former site of Kid's World is occupied by Pier VillagePier Village
Pier Village is a Victorian-inspired mixed-use community located in Long Branch, New Jersey along the Atlantic Ocean. It opened in 2005.-History:...
, a retail/dining/condo complex. The redevelopment has revived the booming business that was once enjoyed by Kid's World. A new pier is being planned for the Long Branch waterfront, but there is presently no word whether or not the amusements will return as part of the new pier.
TV advertisement jingle
The franchise also had a jingle for advertisements with a man and kids singing the jingle.- Man- A Kid's World that surrounds you. It's happening all around you.
- The fun that makes the magic moment, you can say tells a story.
- Kids and Man: Slippery Slippery Slip, Soapin up, Poppin in.
- Riding down, climbing high, it all begins at the neatest kids place in the whole wide world!
- Share the magic moment at... Kid's World!
(or other wise after special event is announced by announcer) they repeat:
- Share the magic moment at... Kid's World!
Rides and Attractions
Here is a list of rides and attractions that were in Kid's World.- Waterpark- The park had its own waterpark which consisted of water slides, a wading pool, and obstacles.
- Bumper Boats
- Giant Slide
- Haunted Mansion
- Romper RoomRomper RoomRomper Room is a children's television series that ran in the United States from 1953 to 1994 as well as at various times in Australia, Canada, Japan, Puerto Rico, New Zealand and the United Kingdom...
- As mentioned, there was an attraction based on the famous children's TV Show. This attraction had a play area for young children. Mr. Do-bee, one of the characters in Romper Room also made appearances to the guests.
- Wave Swinger
- CityJet- a roller coaster inside the park
- Motorcycle Ride
- Skooters- a bumper cars ride
- Cinema 180- a stand up movie that featured fast paced action on a 180 degree screen. (Note: this ride was closed when Kid's World opened)
- Rock N' Roll
The park also featured snack stands and games.