Cliff's Amusement Park
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (June 2016) |
| Previously known as Uncle Cliff's Kiddieland | |
 | |
 | |
| Location | 4800 Osuna Road NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 35°08′42″N 106°35′22″W / 35.14494°N 106.58938°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opened | 1959 |
| Operating season | May through September |
| Area | 15 acres (6.1 ha) |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 25 |
| Roller coasters | 3 |
| Water rides | 4 |
| Website | www |
Cliff's Amusement Park (previously known as Uncle Cliff's Amusement Park prior to 1991) is a combination amusement park and water park in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States.[1] It opened in 1959. It features 24 rides for all ages, food, and carnival style games. It also features a water attraction, WaterMania!, which operates Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. It also has the only wooden-hybrid roller coaster in New Mexico, the final coaster designed by Custom Coasters International, called the New Mexico Rattler.
Early beginnings (1959–1962)
[edit]Cliff and Zella Hammond built a small kiddie park located at 7600 Lomas Blvd in 1959 and named it Uncle Cliff’s Kiddieland. After a few years at this location, the neighbors started a petition to have the park shut down. They relocated for a very short time to Little Beavertown in Tijeras Canyon outside Albuquerque.[citation needed]
Evolution (1963 – present)
[edit]In 1963, Cliff's relocated to its present location at 4800 Osuna Rd. NE. At that time it was on the very outskirts of Albuquerque. As bigger attractions were being built the company wanted to take the emphasis from the word "Kiddie" and dropped it and renamed the park Cliff's Amusement Park.
Rides
[edit]Roller coasters
[edit]| Image | Name | Opened | Manufacturer | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxi | 1977
|
S.D.C. | A Galaxi roller coaster model. | |
|
New Mexico Rattler | 2002
|
Custom Coasters International, Cliff's Amusement Park | A wooden roller coaster with an out-and-back layout. |
| Spin-O-Rama | 2016
|
SBF Visa Group | A figure eight roller coaster with spinning cars that opened in May 2016. |
Water rides
[edit]| Name | Manufacturer | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The Big Flush | WhiteWater West | A 2-person raft slide. |
| Mega Water Monkeys | White Water West | RF-5 Water Play Element |
| Lil Squirts | In house | A splash pad. |
| Rocky Mountain Rapids | OD Hopkins | A log flume ride. |
Thrill rides
[edit]| Name | Opened | Manufacturer | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downdraft | 2000
|
Dartron | A downdraft ride. |
| Cliff Hanger | 2005
|
ARM Rides and Larson International | A 120-foot tall drop tower. |
| Musik Express | 2005
|
Mack Rides | A Music Express ride |
| Fireball | 2013
|
Larson International | A Fire Ball ride |
| Wind Rider | 2012
|
ARM Rides | A 115 foot tall swing ride |
| SideWinder | 2007
|
Moser's Rides | A sidewinder ride |
| Falling Star | 2005
|
Chance Rides | A falling star ride |
Family rides
[edit]| Name | Opened | Manufacturer | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demolition Disco | 1970
|
Soli of Italy | A classic bumper cars ride |
| Train | 1975
|
Chance Rides | A train ride |
| Carousel | 1970
|
Chance Rides | A carousel ride |
| Tilt-A-Whirl | 1980
|
Sellner Manufacturing | A tilt-a-whirl ride |
| Sea Dragon | 1999
|
Chance Rides | A Pirate ship ride |
Kiddy rides
[edit]| Name | Opened | Manufacturer | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kiddy Bumper Cars | 1980
|
Soli of Italy | A children's bumper cars ride |
| Happy Swing | 2012
|
Zamperla | A Happy Swing ride |
| Doggie-Go-Round | 2012
|
SBF Visa Group | A Puppy Go Round ride |
| The Balloon Wheel | 1999
|
Sartori | Mini Wheel |
| Hop 'n Drop | 2023
|
SBF Visa Group | Mini Drop Tower |
References
[edit]- ^ Moffett, Kevin (November 2004). "Funworld: the business of writing about the business of roller coasters". The Believer. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
- Brodsky, Rivkela (May 25, 2009). "50 Years of Screams". Albuquerque Journal. p. Business Section, P. 1.
- Redman, Donna (August 4, 2005). "Hot Summer at Cliff's Amusement Park". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, NM. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
- "Cliff's Amusement Park". Retrieved March 3, 2010.