Family Kingdom Amusement Park

Family Kingdom Amusement Park is a seaside amusement park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Located on Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach, the amusement park has 37 rides for adults and children of all ages, including thrill rides, family rides, kiddie rides and go karts. In 2008 TripAdvisor ranked it at number five on its list of the top 10 amusement parks outside Orlando.[2]

Family Kingdom Amusement Park
Previously known as Grand Strand Amusement Park (1966 – 1991) [1]
Family Kingdom Amusement Park
Location300 Ocean Blvd
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29577, United States
Coordinates33°40′54″N 78°53′35″W
StatusOperating
Opened1966
General managerDonald Sipes (since 1993) [1]
Operating seasonEarly April through Early October
Area13 acres (5.3 ha)
Attractions
Total37
Roller coasters3
Websitewww.familykingdomfun.com

In business for more than 40 years, the park has the 2,400 foot, figure eight Swamp Fox wooden roller coaster, which is one of roughly one hundred wooden roller coasters still operating in North America[3] and ranked number 10 on About.com's list of the top 10 most underrated roller coasters in North America.[4] In 2016, American Coaster Enthusiasts marked the 50th anniversary of the Swamp Fox by adding a historical marker.[5] The Swamp Fox was also declared a historic structure by the city in March 2017.[6]

Other signature rides include O.D. Hopkins Log Flume, Great Pistolero Round-up and the Giant Wheel.

Family Kingdom's "Giant Wheel" Ferris wheel has round open gondolas that give a 100-foot-high view of Myrtle Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. For 19 years, until 2011, it reigned as the highest Ferris wheel in the state[7]

There is no admission price to enter the open park.[8] Ride tickets can be purchased independently. Wristbands that entitle patrons to ride all day are available. The park provides free entertainment such as clowns, magicians, jugglers, stilt walkers, face painters and balloon sculptors. Family Kingdom Amusement Park is located on both banks of historic Withers Swash. The swash is a point where a natural stream meets the beach and ocean, and through which tides flow. Much of the surrounding area was part of a 66,000-acre king's grant to Robert Francis Withers in the early 1700s, who operated it as an indigo plantation overlooking the swash.

Family Kingdom Amusement Park is approximately 13 acres.[9]

History

Family Kingdom Amusement Park opened as Grand Strand Amusement Park in 1966. The park was purchased by the Ammons family in 1992 and renamed “Family Kingdom Amusement Park”.[10]

Country music star Kenny Chesney shot part of his "Anything but Mine" music video at Family Kingdom in 2005.[11]

Splashes Oceanfront Water Park
Splashes Oceanfront Water Park
LocationMyrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States
Operating seasonGenerally Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend
Websitewww.familykingdomfun.com
An area of Splashes Oceanfront Water Park

Splashes Oceanfront Water Park, originally known as Wild Rapids, was a water park attraction in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. A two-acre facility with 500 feet of Atlantic Ocean frontage, it was located across Ocean Boulevard from Family Kingdom Amusement Park.[12]

The park's attractions included a lazy river with waterfalls, water flumes,[13] and eight kiddie slides.[14] In 2007, TripAdvisor named Family Kingdom and Splashes number five on its list of the top 10 amusement parks outside Orlando.[15]

The park was located at 300 South Ocean Boulevard. It had 18 attractions, including two enclosed body waterslides, two speed slides, two open flume slides, and an enclosed flume slide; a children's area that includes splash pools, eight kiddie slides, two rain trees, and a play pool with a multi-tiered waterfall.

History

The park first opened under the name "Wild Rapids" in 1977.[16] In 1997, Family Kingdom Amusement Park purchased the water park, expanded the water attractions, and renamed it "Family Kingdom Water Park". In 2013, the water park was renamed "Splashes Oceanfront Water Park".

In 2022, the waterpark was permanently closed and demolished after Family Kingdom was purchased by new owners.

Current rides

Roller coasters

Family Kingdom features four different roller coasters. The oldest is Swamp Fox.

NameManufacturerTypeDesignYear Opened Description
Swamp FoxPhiladelphia Toboggan Coasters; Designed by John AllenWoodenSitdown1966 The oldest roller coaster in the park, which features 2,400 foot, figure eight wooden roller coaster, which is one of only 122 wooden roller coasters operating in North America.[3] and ranked number 10 on About.com's list of the top 10 most underrated roller coasters in North America.[4]
Twist ‘n’ ShoutZamperlaSteelSitdown2014 A steel roller coaster with several sharp turns and big dips. Previously operated at Magic Springs and Crystal Falls as Twist ‘n’ Shout from 2000 to 2012 and First opened at Gillian’s Wonderland Pier as Wild Wonder.
Kiddie CoasterD.P.V. RidesSteelSitdown1994 A tame coaster meant for small children with a small drop, hill, and a few non-banked turns.
Dragon CoasterJung-Max RidesSteelSitdown2023 A small dragon themed roller coaster meant for children with a small drop, a few hills, and a few non-banked turns.

Other rides
NameYear OpenedManufacturerModelDescription
Sling Shot 2003 Chance Rides Slingshot A 100 ft (30 m) drop tower. SBNO since 2019.
F5 2023 KMG Freakout A 69 ft (21 m) pendulum ride that swings around on am arm reaching 240- degrees at its maximum while riders sit in suspended seats while the ride vehicle spins while the arms swings.
Dodgems Bumper Cars 2000 Duce Bumper Cars A classic bumper cars attraction
Galleon 1998 Zamperla Galleon This is a boat suspended from a giant "A" frame structure. The boat swings back and forth until it achieves a height of 40 feet (12 m) and is at a 75-degree angle with its initial resting position, giving riders the sensation of weightlessness.
Hurricane 1990 Moser's Rides Music Express A quick circular ride that travels clockwise around an undulating track.
Tilt-A-Whirl 1993 Larson Tilt-A-Whirl The ride consists of seven freely-spinning cars that hold three or four riders each, which are attached at fixed pivot points on a rotating platform. As the platform rotates, parts of the platform are raised and lowered, with the resulting centrifugal and gravitational forces on the revolving cars causing them to spin in different directions and at variable speeds.
Thunderbolt 1995 Chance Rides Flying Bobs Similar to "Hurricane" but with suspended vehicles.
Yo-Yo 1980 Chance Rides Chair-O-Plane This ride is a swing ride that is a variation on the carousel in which the seats are suspended from the rotating top of the carousel.
Log Flume Water Ride 1998 Hopkins Log Flume A log flume water ride and a water roller coaster, built in 1998 and consisting of two lifts, a spillway that is 20-feet (6 m), and a roller coaster track section.
Antique Cars 1969 Arrow Development Electric Cars An antique car ride. Features Electric- powered cars that go along a track.
Bumper Boats 1969 Arrow Development Bumper Boats A water-based bumper ride. The small boats can hold one or two people and have oversized fenders that resemble a large tractor tire inner tube
Carousel 1923 Philadelphia Toboggan Company Carousel An antique carousel from the Philadelphia Toboggan Company.
Kite Flyer 2001 Zamperla Kite Flyer This is a ride with vehicles in the shape of hang gliders that spins and tilts at a 50 degree angle.
Pistolero Round-up 2000 Sally Corporation Great Pistolero Round-up A western themed dark ride where riders sit in four-person vehicles that go along a track.
Train 1970 Crown Metal Products Train A train ride that takes riders around the park.
Ferris Wheel 1990 Chance Rides Ferris Wheel A 100-foot tall ferris wheel ride where riders can get a panoramic view of the park.

Children’s rides
NameYear OpenedManufacturerModelDescription
4 x 4 Big Trucks 2000 Zamperla Convoy A kiddie ride with Truck-like carts and an oval track.
Canoes 1966 Allan Herschell Company Canoe
Cycles 1990 Hampton Amusements Motorcycle Jump Riders sit on little motorcycles that go around a small oval.
Flight School 1998 Zamperla Flying Tigers This ride features 16 tiger shaped cars that travel along an oblong track and "whip" as they go around the bend at either end.
Frog Hopper 2001 Frog Hopper A small drop tower meant for children.
Hampton Combo 1988 Hampton Amusements Umbrella ride A kiddie ride with Firetruck shaped carts and an oval track.
Jump Around 2005 Zamperla Jump Around This family ride has vehicles rotating around a core that features a colorful design theme.
Kiddie Speedway 1990 Allan Herschell Company Kiddie Speedway Small race cars that travel on an oval track.
Kiddie Swing 1990 Zamperla Kiddie Swing A small version of the Yo-Yo, although this ride does not lift or undulate.
Kiddie Wheel 1999 Zamperla Mini Ferris Wheel A children's version of the Giant Wheel.
Magic Bikes 2005 Zamperla Magic Bikes This hot air balloon-themed ride has colorful vehicles with elevated seats and bicycle pedals.
Mini Bumper Cars 2008 Zamperla Mini Bumper Cars A miniature bumper cars ride with cat-and-mouse–themed cars.
Mini Enterprise 2009 Zamperla Mini Enterprise Riders steer a rocket ship.
Red Baron 1966 Allan Herschell Company Aeroplane A small airplane type ride with 2 person vehicles.
Wet Boats 1975 Allan Herschell Company Boat ride

References
  1. "FAST FACTS: Family Kingdom". Family Kingdom Amusement Park.
  2. "TripAdvisor Announces Top 10 Amusement Parks Outside Orlando". Retrieved May 16, 2013.
  3. "Wooden Coaster Percentage". Retrieved May 16, 2013.
  4. "Top 10 Most Underrated Roller Coasters in North America". About.com. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
  5. Donovan, Jennifer (April 25, 2016). "Roller Coaster enthusiasts honor Family Kingdom coaster as landmark". The Sun News.
  6. Johnson, Chloe (March 28, 2017). "A favorite Myrtle Beach thrill ride just became an historic structure". The Sun News. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  7. Wickprest, W. R. "Biggest Farris Wheel in South Carolina is in Myrtle Beach at Family Kingdom Amusement Park". Yahoo! Voices. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
  8. Levine, Arthur. "Free Theme Parks". ThemeParks.com. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
  9. "Family Kingdom Fast Facts" (PDF). Family Kingdom Amusement Park. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  10. "Family Kingdom Background" (PDF). Family Kingdom Amusement Park. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 7, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
  11. Anything but Mine
  12. "Family Kingdom Amusement Park". Family Kingdom Amusement Park. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  13. "Family Kingdom, Myrtle Beach's Only Oceanfront Water Park". Archived from the original on 2014-02-27. Retrieved 2014-01-26.
  14. "Family Kingdom, Myrtle Beach's Only Oceanfront Water Park". Archived from the original on 2014-02-26. Retrieved 2014-01-26.
  15. Ferencsik, Brooke. "TripAdvisor Announces Top 10 Amusement Parks Outside Orlando". TripAdvisor. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  16. "Myrtle Beach Family Kingdom Amusement Park". HTOMC.dns2go.com. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
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