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3. Freedomland U.S.A. (Bronx, New York)

Freedomland USA (1)

Image via Viewliner Ltd

After Disneyland opened, Walt Disney was approached by several groups about the possibility of opening an east coast version of the park. One of the proposed sites was near New York, but Disney rejected it on the basis that it would not be able to operate year-round.

Fresh from being fired by Disney, C.V. Wood had already played a big role in designing the doomed Magic Mountain. But he wouldn't stop there - he also took up the challenge of creating a theme park in New York. He partnered with Milton T. Raynor, a television sports producer and attorney to build Freedomland U.S.A., perhaps the best known early Disneyland rival of all.

Freedomland USA (3)

Image via WFUV.org

Freedomland would sit on the site of a former municipal landfill, with the park itself covering 85 acres. Hundreds of artists and architects were brought in, while Broadway composer Jule Styne wrote an original soundtrack for the park. A total of $65 million was invested, with the park featuring eight miles of navigable waterways and lakes, 10,000 trees, 18 dining outlets and parking for 72,000 cars.

Just like Pacific Ocean Park, Freedomland U.S.A. initially looked certain to be a massive success. On its opening day, June 19, 1960, 65,000 visitors attended. The following day, traffic jams leading to the park forced it to stop selling tickets.

Freedomland USA (2)

The park was shaped like a giant map of the US, with areas dedicated to Old New York, Old Chicago, The Great Plains, San Francisco, The Old Southwest, New Orleans and Satellite City (inspired by Florida's "Space Coast"). It boasted no fewer than four unique dark rides, each built by Arrow Development - a key partner of Disney.

San Francisco Earthquake
Image via Dafe.org

The San Francisco Earthquake ride was a typical example. In the queue, guests listened to a commentary about the great earthquake of 1906, and the loading area featured a mural depicting the ruined skyline of the city after the disaster struck. Riders boarded antique automobiles, and then found themselves "driving" on the city's streets the night before the earthquake. Then, suddenly, the buildings began to shake, with one even sliding towards the car.

Freedomland USA (4)

Freedomland's opening season was beset by problems. Less than a week after opening, a stagecoach overturned in the Great Plains section, causing ten injuries including a broken spine. Two months later, armed men made off with more than $28,000 from the park's front office. By the end of 1961, the park was $8 million in debt. Competition from the 1964 New York World's Fair was the final straw, with the park being declared bankrupt and subsequently being demolished.

 
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I remember Circus World had painted concrete walkways that when freshly washed and wet in the morning were the slipperiest law suit waiting to happen ever.

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