| Wonder Wheel Press Release |
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CONEY ISLAND OPENING DAY
Sunday March 28th at 11am
“Blessing of Rides”
tradition continues.
Continuing a 30 year old family tradition, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park opens for the 2010 season Sunday March 28th at 11am with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by park owners, Dennis & Steve Vourderis. The ceremony will take place at West 12th street and the Boardwalk, in front of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park.
- “The Vourderis family works hard all winter to get the rides ready for spring,” says Debbie Santiago, Director of the Mission, “and these local Coney Island kids get to enjoy them for FREE. They’ve waited all winter for the rides to open.
- The World-Famous Landmark Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park is located near the NY Aquarium right on the Boardwalk in the heart of Coney Island.
- With 22 great rides including NYC’s newest ride – the amazing 100 ft high Super Shot Drop Tower.
- WW Park includes an indoor air-conditioned arcade, Spook-A-Rama, live entertainment, music, a new Famiglia Pizzeria, a Snack Bar with loads of Hot Dogs, Sausages and Shish KeBob. And of course, FREE Friday Night Fireworks and Karaoke on the Boardwalk starting the end of June.
- OPEN: Memorial Day thru Labor Day (11a-11p) 7 Days/ Weather Permitting
- OPEN : April, May, Sept & Oct. (11am - 9pm) Weekends/School Holiday
- SUBWAY: F, Q, D, N trains to Stillwell Ave
Download the PDF of this press-release
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Spookarama, installed in 1955 by the
former Pretzel Amusement Ride Company, was the largest
and most technically advanced dark ride of its time. The Vourderis family acquired
Spookarama with the adjacent Wonder Wheel in 1983 and has
lovingly maintained the classic dark ride. An online
tribute to Spookarama can be found on the Laff In The Dark
website at http://www.laffinthedark.com/articles/spook/spook1.htm
During the ceremony, the Vourderis family
presented the staff of Laff In The Dark with three vintage
signs that once graced the façade of Spookarama. The signs will
be kept in the Laff archives.
|
 Winner:
TURNING 85 T shirt Design Contest
John Bernard 5th Grader, PS 329
Teacher- Ms. Lisa Vingelli |
05/16/05FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONEY ISLAND, NY — The Vourderis family,
owners of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park, will be presented with the 2005 Leon
S. Cassidy Achievement and Preservation Award at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday,
July 23rd. The presentation, by the staff of the website Laff In The Dark
(www.laffinthedark.com) will honor
the Vourderis family for its preservation of the Spookarama dark ride, on this,
the 50th anniversary of the ride. The presentation will be held rain or
shine in front of Spookarama, located underneath the Wonder Wheel.
The award, otherwise referred to as the Laff Achievement Award, is presented
to individuals or businesses that have made notable contributions to the world
of traditional dark ride and funhouse amusements as well as those who have played
an important role in preserving existing historically significant rides for future
generations to come.
Spookarama was built in 1955 by the former Pretzel Amusement Ride Company of
Bridgeton, New Jersey. The Vourderis family acquired Spookarama with the
adjacent Wonder Wheel in 1983 and has lovingly maintained the classic dark ride. An
online tribute to Spookarama can be found on the Laff In The Dark website at
http://www.laffinthedark.com/articles/spook/spook1.htm.
The Vourderis family is the third recipient of the Laff Award. Past recipients
include Granville Trimper, owner of Trimper Rides & Amusements in Ocean City.
Maryland, and William J. Cassidy, former owner of the PretzelAmusement Ride Company. It
was William Cassidy who installed Spookarama in 1955. The award is named
in honor of William’s father, the late Leon S. Cassidy, inventor of the
single-rail dark ride.
The award features a one-twelve scale replica of the classic Pretzel ridecar,
and was created by Laff In The Dark creative director Bill Luca.
Laff In the Dark is dedicated to the recognition and preservation of classic
spook rides and fun houses. Over the past six years, the web site has posted
more than 50 features as well as comprehensive lists of operating spook rides
and fun houses. Laffinthedark.com has compiled several awards for online
excellence including being named “Web Site Of The Week” by the San
Francisco Chronicle and Pop Cult magazine.
04/26/05
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Opens in Coney Island
The spectacular SUPER SHOT DROP TOWER delights
everyone.
Custom built for Deno’s and the newest
ride in NYC, the SUPER SHOT towers 100 feet into the sky, providing beautiful
views, peace and quiet to 12 passengers before the exciting gravity defying
free fall begins.
BACKGROUND: Recently, there have been new drop towers
installed in cities all across the country. In Las Vegas,
there is one installed on the roof of a high-rise hotel.
Thousands of people line up for hours to experience 30
seconds of thrills at drop towers all over America and
now the excitement is right here in Coney Island.
The AMAZING SUPER SHOT is a state-of-the-art, steel drop tower, utilizing the
newest magnetic braking technology, ensuring a safe, smooth ride every time.
Having a minimum height restriction of only 42”, it is perfect for children
of all ages AND exciting enough for grown-ups. This drop tower gives everyone
in the family a chance to ride together – mom – dad – teens
and kids will all enjoy the incredible new…SUPER SHOT DROP TOWER
at Deno’s WONDER WHEEL Amusement Park.
To schedule interviews,
photo opportunities and live demonstrations:
Please call: Dennis & Steve Vourderis at 718 372 2592
CONEY ISLAND RIDES OPENING Sat 4/03
11am “Blessing of Rides” tradition continues.
Free Rides for over 300 kids from the local Salt N Sea Mission
Continuing a 24 year old family tradition, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement
Park opens for the 2004 season this Saturday at 11am with a ribbon cutting ceremony
hosted by park owners, Dennis & Steve Vourderis.
COMMUNITY INVOLVMENT:300 local kids from the Salt N Sea Mission will enjoy the
rides FREE OF CHARGE to open the season in the spirit of charity.
“The Vourderis family works hard all winter to get the rides ready for
spring,” says Debbie Santiago, Director of the Salt ‘N Sea Mission
in Coney Island, “and then the local kids are invited to enjoy them for
FREE. These kids have waited all winter for the rides to open. They
can’t wait to have a chance to share in the fun.”
Press are invited to bring their families to participate in the OPENING DAY.
For more information call Dennis Vourderis at 718 372 2592
04/04/05
The Vourderis family, owners
of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park, will be presented with the 2005 Leon S. Cassidy
Achievement and Preservation Award at 12 noon on Saturday, May 21st. The presentation,
by the staff of the website Laff In The Dark (www.laffinthedark.com) will honor
the Vourderis family for its preservation of the Spookarama dark ride, on this,
the 50th anniversary of the ride. The presentation will be held rain or shine
in front of Spookarama, located underneath the Wonder Wheel.
The award, otherwise referred to
as the Laff Achievement Award, is presented to individuals
or businesses that have made notable contributions to the
world of traditional dark ride and funhouse amusements as
well as those who have played an important role in preserving
existing historically significant rides for future generations
to come.
Spookarama was built in 1955 by the former Pretzel Amusement Ride Company of
Bridgeton, New Jersey. The Vourderis family acquired Spookarama with the adjacent
Wonder Wheel in 1983 and has lovingly maintained the classic dark ride. An online
tribute to Spookarama can be found on the Laff In The Dark website at http://www.laffinthedark.com/articles/spook/spook1.htm
TheVourderis family is the third
recipient of the Laff Award. Past recipients include Granville
Trimper, owner of Trimper’s Rides & Amusements
in Ocean City. Maryland, and William J. Cassidy, former owner
of the Pretzel Amusement Ride Company. It was William Cassidy
who installed Spookarama in 1955. The award is named in honor
of William’s father, the late Leon S. Cassidy, inventor
of the single-rail dark ride.
The award features a one-twelfth
scale replica of the classic Pretzel ridecar, and was created
by Laff In The Dark creative director Bill Luca.
Laff In the Dark is dedicated to
the recognition and preservation of classic spook rides and
fun houses. Over the past six years , the web site has posted
more than 50 features as well as comprehensive lists of operating
spook rides and fun houses. Laffinthedark.com has compiled
several awards for online excellence including being named “Web
Site Of The Week” by the San Francisco Chronicle and
Pop Cult magazine.
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08/1/05
VOURDERIS FAMILY
RECEIVES DARK RIDE PRESERVATION
AWARD
TURNING 85
T shirt Design Contest
05/16/05VOURDERIS FAMILY TO
RECEIVE DARK RIDE PRESERVATION AWARD
04/26/05
ONLY DROP TOWER in NYC
We All Love the Wonder Wheel
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