Latest news with #WaterWorld
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Why the 'World's Most Dangerous Amusement Park' Continues to Fascinate, 47 Years After It Opened
Action Park was a New Jersey amusement park open from May 1978 to September 1996 The amusement park had a lot of thrill-chasing rides that weren't always safe for riders The rocky history of the park was the subject of the 2020 documentary, Class Action ParkIt's hard to believe it's been more than 45 years since one of the country's most talked-about amusement parks first opened its doors. Action Park, located on Route 94 in Vernon, N.J., was a destination for teenagers and families around the northern part of the state. While days at amusement parks were spent chasing thrills, guests of the notorious attraction have spent the years since its 1996 closing reflecting on just how dangerous some of its attractions could be. The amusement part was divided into the Alpine Center, Water World and Motor World. In each of those sections were rides that tested the limits of what was possible from amusement parks of the era. It left many guests with unforgettable stories, but also caused some truly shocking outcomes for people looking for a day of outdoor fun. The infamous location for summer fun was the subject of a 2020 documentary, Class Action Park. Created by filmmakers Chris Charles Scott and Seth Porges, the film shares some of the more shocking stories in Action Park history and why it was still beloved despite so many dangerous incidents. Here are five of the most unbelievable revelations from the documentary. The enclosed tube water slide took guests downhill fast before bringing them up into a loop and shooting them into a landing pool. "The first couple people that came in came out and their mouths were all bloody. And that was before they had put sufficient padding in the top; there was a little bit. So they sent a couple of other people down, and when those people came down, they came down with lacerations. They couldn't figure out why these people had lacerations from a giant loop," Jim DeSaye, director of park security, recalled in the documentary. "Then they took the loop apart and found teeth stuck in the padding from the first couple of people that went down the slide and got their teeth knocked out. And these other people are going up and ripping into it." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. While most amusement parks take a lot of considerations to make sure a ride is plausible and safe, at Action Park, all it took was an idea, former staffers allege. "A certain number of the Action Park rides were more or less designed in-house by people without engineering degrees, and I was certainly one of them," Ed Youmans, Park Operations Manager, said in the documentary. "The people who were kind of on the fringes of the ride-design world, people who Six Flags or Disney wanted nothing to do with, these guys would literally track Gene [Mulvihill, owner of Action Park] down at industry conventions," journalist Seth Porges claimed in the film. Gene was also interested in making rides "bigger, badder and more extreme," Porges said, leading him to tinker with designs, at time mid-construction. "Many of the rides were experimental, and on paper, the design looked good," said head lifeguard Bob Krahulik. "But in reality, once the ride was turned on, it was not fit for a safe ride by the average person in public." It wasn't unusual for a ride in Action Park to go off course. On more than on occasion, parts of attractions even ended up on Route 94, the highway that divided areas of the park. One ride "was this giant ball that we had with ball bearings inside it with another ball and you would open two doors and get in the ball to go down the mountain," Action Park CEO Andrew Mulvihill explained in the documentary, noting that the track was built with PVC pipe. The ball couldn't stay on track because of its size and shape. Additionally, the PVC track couldn't always hold up against the summer heat. "The day that we were gonna put a live man in it, it got really hot and he didn't realize that PVC expanded. So when we put the live man in the ball and tested it to go down the mountain, the ride just fell apart and the guy ended up going down the ski slope right over 94 into the swamp down below. It was unbelievable," Andrew said. Another incident occurred when employees figured out how to "override the speed governor" so go-karts known as LOLA cars could go up to 60 miles per hour. "I took a LOLA car on 94," confirmed Youmans. "It has a top speed of over 60 miles an hour. It was worth it." As Action Park built its controversial reputation, people wondered who insured the park. It came to light that the park was uninsured because, as Porges claimed, "Gene didn't believe in the concept of insurance." "He thought if you got hurt, you should be responsible. He shouldn't have to pay insurance companies. However, he needed insurance to stay in business. It was part of the terms for the lease, so he had a workaround." The workaround ended up being a fake insurance company that was made up by Gene himself on behalf of his parent company, Great American Recreation. According to a 1985 New York Times article, "Great American Recreation personnel, between 1977 and 1981, counterfeited paperwork and created a bogus insurance company to execute an elaborate self-insurance scheme that defrauded state agencies, Vernon Township and private companies and individuals." Gene was among the defendants ultimately charged with 110 counts of criminal conspiracy, fraud, forgery, theft and embezzlement to meet state lease requirements, per the Times. He "was fined $45,150 and put on probation for three years. State prosecutors said that the court also designated him as personally responsible for Great American Recreation's corporate fine of $250,000," the Times added. Those who visited the 2,700-ft. Alpine Slide rode in sleds that had a brake and accelerate control stick. The chutes were made of concrete and fiberglass, which could lead to serious road rash and other injuries for riders who might lose their sled amid the ride. "The area around the slide was just rock, so everything from broken bones to concussions. On an average day, you would have 50 to 100 people injured. On a weekend, you could double that," alleged security guard Mark Johnson. In one incident in 1980, a rider had a sled with a malfunctioning brake, which caused him to hit a turn wrong and be thrown from the cart. The rider, George Larsson Jr., hit his head on a rocky area around the ride after being thrown from the sled. He was in a coma for a week before he died, at just 19 years old. His death came just four days before he was supposed to be the best man in his brother's wedding. Gene made sure that accident wasn't reported to the state, the documentary states, claiming George wasn't a member of the general public but rather a former employee whose accident occurred in the rain after hours. The details were false and when the case went to litigation, Gene settled with the Larsson family for $100,000. Gene died on Oct. 27, 2012, at the age of 78. Class Action Park is streaming on HBO Max. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Memorial Day marks busy time of year for Waldameer
Waldameer Park representatives said they've been enjoying a nice start to their summer season as they welcomed thousands of people to the park on Memorial Day. Waldameer's Chief Operating Officer Brian Gorman said many people have been eager to get out and enjoy the nice weather after what's been a cold and rainy May. PA Soldiers' & Sailors' Home holds Memorial Day ceremony He said their new ride, the Time Twister, has been well-received and that people are excited to be back in the park with family. 'We come to Waldameer every year on Memorial Day. We love it, and wanted to check out the new ride,' said Ashley Strello, who was visiting Waldameer with family. NFL Hall of Famer Fred Biletnikoff makes stop in Erie to sign autographs, raise funds 'Being able to have the option for families to come and enjoy our park on a day like this, it's a great holiday weekend and is the unofficial start of summer. We have great areas to relax, cook food, and enjoy time with the family, which is what we're all about. It's about family and having safe fun here. That's what it's all about,' said Gorman. While the park has been open every weekend since May 3, Sunday marked opening day for Water World over at Waldameer. Summer hours go into full effect starting Friday, June 6. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Water World closed on Memorial Day due to cold temperatures
DENVER (KDVR) — Water World is closed Monday due to colder Memorial Day temperatures hitting the Denver metro area. The water park north of Denver had just opened for the season on Saturday and was also closed Sunday due to storms in the area. Park officials made the announcement just before 8 a.m. on Facebook. Memorial Day forecast: More showers, storms and cooler temps Pinpoint Weather Meteorologist Travis Michels said storms and showers are possible on Monday, and highs will only be in the lower 60s. Water World officials said they are looking forward to warmer temperatures on Tuesday, and Michels said highs will be in the mid-70s. To make changes on ticket dates, Water World officials said guests can contact Guest Services at 303-427-7873 or visit their website to make a request. Stay prepared for storms and forecast changes, a Pinpoint Weather Alert Day and other important weather information: Interactive Denver weather radar Colorado weather alerts Business, church and school closings Weather newsletters FOX31 News app The Pinpoint Weather team will continue to update the forecast multiple times each day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Women's agriculture group brings local beef to Colorado schools
EASTERN PLAINS, Colo. (KDVR) — A Colorado farm community is partnering up with several school districts on the Eastern Plains to supply hundreds of pounds of locally sourced beef. The idea started nearly a year ago, and now it's been implemented across four school districts. Organizers plan to expand. Water World closed Sunday ahead of Memorial Day due to weather Local producers have already donated more than 1,700 pounds of beef to Genoa-Hugo, Arriba-Flagler, Limon Public Schools and Karval School District. 'The Eastern Plains Cowbelles are a group of women that came together to make an organization that was dedicated to agriculture and just contributing to a thriving community,' said Leslie Witt, spearhead of the group. 'Keeping all of the things we value about agriculture alive.' Witt said providing locally produced beef to local schools has already shown great promise in the first year. 'Everyone just latched with the idea and really ran with it,' said Witt. 'It's been great. It's a work in progress but we have no doubt we'll make a big impact.' Eastern Plains Cowbelles' initial donations were whole beef animals, but the goal is to start donating a set amount of pounds of ground beef to each school twice a year. 'It's not necessarily a financial money saver to the school districts, but it is a pipeline to directly get the beef donated to school districts from people that the kids and employees of the schools know,' said Witt. 'We could not do this program without the local producers who have believed in our mission and supported us from the beginning. So, they actually donate the beef and we also have donors in local businesses that have covered the processing costs. None of it would be possible without those donations.' So far, the group is made up of 65 members from across 13 counties on the Eastern Plains. Rocky Mountain region sees 3rd best ski season; US industry reports 2nd best season 'All these schools are in the Eastern Plains of Colorado and we all have students or kids or a direct connection to these school districts,' said Witt. As the program continues to grow, Witt hopes to expand the focus to help connect students to the agricultural roots of the community. 'Agriculture is a dying breed and just the hard work ethic and dedication that goes into raising and producing our food,' said Witt. 'The greatest asset to everyone is education and knowing how it comes about and knowing how it's grown and made. Those that do it are assets to all of us.' The Eastern Plains Cowbelles are now working to implement the program in three other districts, including Miami-Yoder, High Plains and Kit Carson. Organizers say if you want to get involved, you don't have to have your own cows, just a passion for agriculture. Their website has more information about becoming a member and more about bringing local beef into local schools. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Water World closed Sunday ahead of Memorial Day due to weather
DENVER (KDVR) — Water World is closed Sunday just a day after opening for the season due to weather, according to the park on Facebook. The Pinpoint Weather team is looking at possible hail around the Denver metro area Sunday, with the first storms developing after 1 p.m. lasting through the evening. Denver weather: Hail possible Sunday afternoon, storms possible Memorial Day Water World opened on Saturday for the busy Memorial Day holiday weekend, but Sunday's closure could put a damper on Coloradans' weekend plans. Park officials said to check the park's social media pages for updates on Monday operations. The Pinpoint Weather team said more storms on Monday are possible, but severe weather potential was low. Stay prepared for storms and forecast changes, a Pinpoint Weather Alert Day and other important weather information: Interactive Denver weather radar Colorado weather alerts Business, church and school closings Weather newsletters FOX31 News app The Pinpoint Weather team will continue to update the forecast multiple times each day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
