Should Philly have an amusement park? (Philadelphia, Willow Grove: for sale, live in, nicest)

[Gerania]

Originally Posted by rainrock

Thats a kiddie Ferris Wheel, like a toy. Philly needs a real one.

That's a nightmare. Who wants something like that near their home. Oh honey, we need to buy those blackout drapes soon.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by DavePa

With rain some wind and of course Nor'easters that effect inland by me also. Many times with more snow. But hurricane strength winds ..... too far north and inland.

Besides , the boast was always Philly's milder climate vs cites like NYC and of course, Boston. Where the Jersey Shore northward get it worst in winds anyway.

Just seems the Theme Park Idea or other large one is most unlikely. But a smaller scale Amusement section associated with the Riverfront .... including Casino and even Stadiums area. Why not a Ferris Wheel many other cities have gotten.

They clearly would cater to Philly's rising tourism. They are a draw and add more of interest it becomes a tourism destination. Areas of the riverfront are still ripe for development. Even piers yet to Penn's Landing especially, when the expressway cap gets built.

Costly but clearly with a aim of opening up the Heart of CC to the riverfront more.

No one is saying some huge one that surpasses every other city. More then the Historic aspects of Philly can be draws too. Building them you could say -- they would come. Depends how well planned the idea looks and works.

Ideas are just that. But if the Jersey shore can have them and large roller-coasters ..... A hurricane too risky idea is moot.

Guess I should be sorry the Full Amusement Park idea being more a no. I brought in the Ferris Wheel one I've seen in other cities ENHANCE its tourism offerings. I certainly have no say in what the city or developers end up building.

Philadelphia and the South Jersey suburbs do get hurricane winds. A piece of Floyd broke off and came up the Delaware. Last fall Philadelphia and Pittsburgh both got pieces of Hurricane Florence. Hurricane strength winds will give a ferris wheel a beating. They have to be locked down.

There are too many other places getting ferris wheels. A very nice, restored, carousel would be a better idea. Besides, fewer people will toss their cookies on a carousel than a big ferris wheel.

[gwillyfromphilly]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

There are too many other places getting ferris wheels. A very nice, restored, carousel would be a better idea. Besides, fewer people will toss their cookies on a carousel than a big ferris wheel.

Carousels draw people who are mainly young children and senior citizens. It's not a big draw for anyone between the ages of 8-80 years old

[Gerania]

Originally Posted by gwillyfromphilly

Carousels draw people who are mainly young children and senior citizens. It's not a big draw for anyone between the ages of 8-80 years old

I've always loved them. It's always been one of my favorite rides at a park.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSslThrnx0o

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by gwillyfromphilly

Carousels draw people who are mainly young children and senior citizens. It's not a big draw for anyone between the ages of 8-80 years old

I've known a lot of people in your mid age group who like carousels, and I'm talking about the very old, restored, variety.

Why spend big bucks for something that lots of other places are getting, when you can get something more unique. Also, it's not a bad thing that small children can ride a carousel. That would attract families. There are usually age/size limits for large ferris wheels. If a family has two children under 7 or 8, the usual age limit, you'll get their money if the children can ride it.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by Gerania

I've always loved them. It's always been one of my favorite rides at a park.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSslThrnx0o

That's what I'm talking about. There's a limit of how many of the antique carousels have survived. There's only a handful of craftsmen who can make or repair the components. Even if the city had one made, that would be OK. Plus it fits in with the way the city sells itself. When you're selling history, you're selling that it's a good place for families.

[StayingAfterSunday]

I am wondering how Pittsburgh became part of this discussion (not that there's anything wrong with Pittsburgh). It's almost five hours away from Philadelphia and is quite different from Philly in many ways which would be too off-topic to get into here.

[Pennsport]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

I've known a lot of people in your mid age group who like carousels, and I'm talking about the very old, restored, variety.

Why spend big bucks for something that lots of other places are getting, when you can get something more unique. Also, it's not a bad thing that small children can ride a carousel. That would attract families. There are usually age/size limits for large ferris wheels. If a family has two children under 7 or 8, the usual age limit, you'll get their money if the children can ride it.

Because a ferris wheel on the waterfront of the Delaware is not really a ride; it's primarily a moving visual viewpoint - albeit an extremely fun way to get that vantage point. It would enable the riders to see all over the city, a good bit of NJ and up and down the Delaware including all three bridges. Think of it as an open-air high-rise that provides views that can't be replicated by existing buildings, as our current high rises are very far removed from the water and don't have that same vantage point. I can't imagine it would cost much and the actually footprint is not too invasive at all as it the foundation is rather small and the width is extremely narrow. Also, the "eyes" or "wheels" or whatever you want to call these, that I've ridden around the world, sell beer/wine/snacks. They're extremely profitable and attract a lot of patronage. I don't think the Delaware waterfront needs one for any specific reason, but I certainly see no reason to oppose the idea. I'm a bit confused why there is so much push-back on this thread against the idea. What exactly is the downside?

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by Pennsport

Because a ferris wheel on the waterfront of the Delaware is not really a ride; it's primarily a moving visual viewpoint - albeit an extremely fun way to get that vantage point. It would enable the riders to see all over the city, a good bit of NJ and up and down the Delaware including all three bridges. Think of it as an open-air high-rise that provides views that can't be replicated by existing buildings, as our current high rises are very far removed from the water and don't have that same vantage point. I can't imagine it would cost much and the actually footprint is not too invasive at all as it the foundation is rather small and the width is extremely narrow. Also, the "eyes" or "wheels" or whatever you want to call these, that I've ridden around the world, sell beer/wine/snacks. They're extremely profitable and attract a lot of patronage. I don't think the Delaware waterfront needs one for any specific reason, but I certainly see no reason to oppose the idea. I'm a bit confused why there is so much push-back on this thread against the idea. What exactly is the downside?

Riders on a ferris wheel have a fixed view point. The seats don't twirl around while the wheel rotates. That means they see in one direction only. If the wheel faces the city, that's what they see. If it faces upriver they see that. Downriver, they can enjoy the refineries.

Can I assume that you've never ridden PATCO? If you had ever ridden it, you can see up and down the Delaware, and westbound you get a good view of Center City. Eastbound you can see more of Camden than you ever wanted to.

I'm pretty sure, based on most of the calls for height in buildings to be built by the river, that few posters on this board have ridden PATCO.

[DavePa]

Originally Posted by Gerania

I've always loved them. It's always been one of my favorite rides at a park.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSslThrnx0o

By coincidence. This Amusement Park is only a few miles from me. Knoebel's is billed as the largest FREE admission and parking amusement park in the Nation. Rides are paid by tickets or handstamps for day riding certain days. The Carousel dates from 1913, I believe and built in NYC. It still has a couple organs that operate on the original concept of paper folding sheets.... similar to a player-piano.

I'm sure I did a hundred rides on it thru childhood. Still go to mostly eat a few times a year and free concerts with a few a year with some renown musical groups we look for.

The Park has 3-wooden roller coasters and steel varieties and of course ..... a Large Ferris Wheel. and many more rides. It certainly is not tiny. Many go for its campsites too and others in the area. A large swimming pool fed by a creek next to it. Don't look for nearby very close motels though. Any good ones are 10-miles away off the interstate.

Just the fact this Carousel from this Amusement Park was showed .... has me reply about it.