Codonas Amusement Park
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| File:Codonas Amusement Park.png Most recent logo | |
| Location | Aberdeen, Scotland |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1969 |
| Owner | Andrea, John & Alfred Codona |
| Slogan | "It's Scotland's Favourite!" |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 10 |
| Roller coasters | 3 |
| Website | http://www.codonas.com/ |
Codona's Amusement Park is family run Amusement Park based in Aberdeen, Scotland. It was established by the Codonas Family in 1969 and is currently ran by the third generation of the family. It is situated adjacent to the Aberdeen Beach and Queens Links on the coast of the North Sea.
History
The first known records of the Codona family begin with Francesco Cardoni when he moved to the United Kingdom in the 1800's. Very little is known of him other than he was likely to have arrived from Italy and that he was of Italian descent. Cardoni's descendants inherited his circus genes working in circuses throughout Europe, but the majority remained in Scotland.[1]
Throughout the 19th century the circus family toured Scotland entertaining towns and cities with various acts. In the latter half of the 1800’s, some of the Codona’s family emigrated to the United States of America leading to the formation of the world famous trapeze act “The Flying Codonas”. The act went on to become International Stars and featured in various films, including Varieté (1925). [2]
Once the industrial revolution hit in the 1860’s, the Scotland based Codona’s were able to purchase steam powered fairground rides which they toured the country with. Gradually expanding their business and receiving criticism by religious groups for their “cheap theatre” and “Low travelling caravans”. The first recorded visit by the Codona family to Aberdeen was in 1877 by John Codona to see his son marry. [3]
Another member of the Codona family, from the emigrated side made headline news when Alfredo Codona, a trapeze artist from the family, killed himself and his ex-wife Vera Bruce after the tragic death of his second wife in 1937. [4] This did not seem to impact upon the rest of the family whom continued with their work in Scotland, and his brother Lalo who took his place with the flyers abroad until he was forced to retire from damaged muscles in his legs. [5]
Alfred and Gordon took over their father John Codona’s Pleasure Fairs business which they ran until 1960. Alfred took over the beachfront amusement park which became the Codona’s Amusement Park of today. By the 1970’s the number of visitors began to decline, but has remained viable because of the combination of relatively low unemployment in the area, the beach itself, locals of Aberdeen, and contribution from UK holidaymakers[6]
List of Current Rides and Attractions
Amusement Park
Coasters
Looping Star
A sit-down coaster also manufactured by Pinfari, it opened in 2000 and is built on top of the Congo Golf Building.[7] It is the only ride at the park with an inversion. It replaced the Galaxy roller coaster, which was moved to Loudoun Castle amusement park (now defunct).
Big Apple
A small, sit-down coaster designed for children, it has 1 train with 6 cars which makes it a 24 riders per train. It was opened in 2003 and lasts for 2:50 minutes.
Crazy Train
A steel sit-down coaster, manufactured by Pinfari and was opened in 2003. It is designed to look like a mine-cart.[8]
Other Rides[9]
- Vertigo Ariel Assault Course
- The Grampian Eye (Ferris Wheel)
- White Water Log Flume (Standard Reverchon model)
- The Galleon (Swinging Ship type ride)
- Haunted Mansion
- Disco Waltzers
- Giant Slide
- Circuit 2000
- Jolly Rogers mini bikes
- Carousel without a roof
- Super Trucks
- Carousel with a roof
Past Rides
The Galaxy Coaster was a sit-down coaster that opened in 1999 and relocated to Loudoun Castle in 2002. The Wild Mouse Coaster was only in the park in 1977.[10]
The Congo
Pirate Island Adventure Golf
This well-lit outdoor attraction accommodates 18-holes, each of which puts the player’s ability to the test. Throughout this exhibition the theme of pirates is extremely evident with the highly technical special effects that are in use. As well as this the 25ft volcano and pirate ship are in keeping with the genre. The exhibition is known as one of Aberdeen’s must do attractions.[11]
The Congo Indoor Adventure Golf
Opening in the March of 2008, this attraction which is located indoors was the first of its kind within the North East of Scotland. The special effects used within this exhibition are first class, which along with the erupting volcano, jungle trees with tree-huts, waterfall and tropical palm trees and plants throughout ensure that the jungle theme is consistent throughout. As this attraction is all located indoors it ensures that no matter what the time of day or the weather, any player of any age is guaranteed to have fun.[12]
Sunset Boulevard
Rambo's Kids Adventureland
This Adventure Land, which was the first in Aberdeen, consists of two sections, one for children under the age of three and one for children over that age. The under three’s section contains a variety of things for the children to do free of charge such as playing on the slides, in the ball pit and in the castle which contains many things as well. The children can play with others in this area or their parents who can interact with them if they choose.
XD Theatre
There is no other attraction like this in Scotland. The stimulator, which originated from Canada, sits eight people on the ride at once and takes the riders on an exciting expedition. The films the theatre run are The Haunted Mine, Cosmic Coaster and Underwater Adventure.
Caesars Games Emporium
The games emporium is split into four different areas, three of which are for people ages eighteen and over. Within the three areas they are many different fruit machines, some of which give the user to collect winnings of anything up to and including £500. The other area consists of fruit machines that don’t offer as much money as winnings and ones for the whole family to use.[13]
Other Attractions[14]
- 10-Pin Bowling
- Skydeck Super Dodgems
- American Pool
- Video Games Deck
- Cuba Pool Suites
- Play'N'Win
Mascot
In 2006, the park introduced Dodgem the Dog as the mascot for the park. It was the winning creation of a Primary School competition to design a mascot for the park. Dodgem the Dog is seen walking around the park as well as on rides.[15]
Nearby Attractions
The Satrosphere Science Centre is in close proximity to Codonas Amusement Park. It opened in 1988, and was the very first attraction of its kind in Scotland. The attraction has a number of different exhibitions and live shows for all to enjoy.[16]
Also located nearby is the Aberdeen Maritime Museum. This museum is situated on the notable Shiprow, which is significant, based on the museum's genre. It contains an assortment of exhibits that include illustrations of shipbuilding as well as the history of the port it is sited near.
Aberdeen Art Gallery is a local tourist attraction where admission is free of charge. Within the gallery there is a collection of fine paintings and sculptures that can be dated right back to the 15th century. The collection also includes art that is in keep with the modern day society.
External links
- Official Site
- Codonas on Coasterpedia - The roller coaster encyclopedia
- About Aberdeen - Codonas
- Satrosphere Science Centre
- Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
References
- ^ http://www.leopardmag.co.uk/feats/316/codona-s-and-the-forgotten-fun-of-the-fair
- ^ http://www.circopedia.org/index.php/The_Codonas#The_Flying_Codonas
- ^ http://www.leopardmag.co.uk/feats/316/codona-s-and-the-forgotten-fun-of-the-fair.
- ^ Staff report (August 1, 1937). BULLETS OF CODONA FATAL TO HIS EX-WIFE; Vera Bruce Dies in Morning After Aerialist's Suicide at Long Beach, Calif. New York Times
- ^ http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/124054/Codona-family
- ^ http://www.leopardmag.co.uk/feats/316/codona-s-and-the-forgotten-fun-of-the-fair
- ^ http://codonas.com/Looping_Star_Rollercoaster.html
- ^ http://www.pinfari.com/models.html
- ^ http://www.codonas.com/Rides_-_Attractions.html
- ^ http://rollercoaster.wikia.com/wiki/Codona%27s_Amusement_Park
- ^ http://www.codonas.com/Pirate_Island_Adventure_Golf_.html
- ^ http://www.aboutaberdeen.com/congo_indoor_adventure_golf_aberdeen.php
- ^ http://www.codonas.com/Caesars_Games_Emporium.html
- ^ http://www.codonas.com/Rides_-_Attractions.html
- ^ http://www.codonas.com/'Dodgem_the_Dog'.html
- ^ http://www.satrosphere.net/Visitors/About-Us_117.html
57°9′4″N 2°4′39″W / 57.15111°N 2.07750°W
Category:1969 establishments Category:Amusement parks in Scotland Category:Visitor attractions in Aberdeen