Before it became the soundtrack of Long Island summers, Adventureland was a broccoli farm.
Long before roller coasters and cotton candy lined Route 110, the property in Farmingdale was home to broccoli, escarole and chickens. In 1962, that farmland gave way to what would become the largest theme park on Long Island.
More than six decades later, Adventureland is still evolving, now in the middle of a $10 million redevelopment that is reshaping parts of the park while preserving its nostalgic roots.
Here are the facts behind one of Long Island’s most enduring attractions.
Adventureland Started as a Farm
- The land was originally a broccoli, escarole and chicken farm.
- Adventureland opened in 1962.
- Its original name was “Adventureland 110 Playland.”
- The name later changed to “110 Adventureland” before being shortened to simply Adventureland.
- The park began on six acres and soon expanded to 12 acres.
- When it first opened, there were only four attractions:
- A mini golf course
- A carousel
- Kiddie boats
- The Little Dipper Roller Coaster
- Today, the park features 27 rides and 13 midway games.
Roller Coaster Cred
- Adventureland has had eight different roller coasters over the years, two of which are currently in operation.
- Turbulence remains Long Island’s only spinning coaster.
- In 2022, the park debuted FireBall with a major grand opening celebration that included pyrotechnics by Fireworks by Grucci.
- The park has long imported unique European-manufactured rides. In 2018, it introduced Mystery Mansion, the first two-level suspended gondola attraction in the United States, built by Gosetto of Italy.
The Log Flume Era Is Over
- The popular Adventure Falls log flume closed and was dismantled in 2024.
- Its removal, along with the short-term Moon Chaser ride, opened up 45,000 square feet of space.
- That footprint has since been transformed into a new section of the park known as Legacy Corner.
- Moon Chaser, which debuted in 2024, was always intended to be a temporary attraction.
A $10 Million Reinvention of Adventureland
In 2024, Adventureland launched a multi-phase $10 million redevelopment plan originally scheduled to run through 2028. The 2026 season marks the third year of that transformation. Among the new additions:
- Wave Twister – A family-style ride that travels along a wave-shaped track. Each circular car holds 12 riders and is designed to provide a thrill experience accessible to younger guests.
- The Ram – A new swinging pirate ship ride manufactured by Huss Park Attractions of Germany. It replaces the park’s original pirate ship, which had become difficult to maintain. The Ram theme pays tribute to nearby Farmingdale State College, home of the Rams, while maintaining classic pirate aesthetics.
- New Midway Games – Wave Blaster, a target-based water shooting game and Jungle Run, a ball-rolling race game featuring moving animals.
- Legacy Bites – A new concession stand serving jumbo pretzels, churros, chicken tenders, fries and other specialty snack foods.
The Double-Decker Carousel
- In 2026, the park replaced its traditional single-level carousel near the birthday party entrance with a double-decker carousel built by Bertazzon of Italy.
- The new ride can hold up to 60 riders and is fully handicap accessible.
- In addition to horses, the carousel includes animals such as a tiger, lion, zebra, giraffe and panda, while maintaining a Venetian-inspired design.
- Fireworks That Shut Down Route 110
- Adventureland once hosted fireworks displays so popular that Route 110 had to be closed for safety reasons. The shows were eventually discontinued.
Rock Bands and Hollywood
- Long Island’s own Twisted Sister performed at the park in the 1980s.
- The 2009 film Adventureland was modeled on the Farmingdale park. Writer and director Greg Mottola worked there in the 1980s.
- Scenes from Music and Lyrics starring Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant were filmed at the park.
- Adventureland appeared as the fictional Greemulax World in the Netflix series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
- Chaka Khan filmed a music video at the park, and numerous other productions have used it as a backdrop.
The Pandemic Pause for Adventureland
- Adventureland shut down for a full year during the COVID-19 pandemic. It reopened in April 2021 with updated safety policies and operational adjustments.
Safety History
- For decades, the park was described as having an unblemished safety record.
- In 2005, there were two fatalities. Prior to that, there had been no deaths at the park since it opened in 1962.
Adventureland By the Numbers
- 27 rides
- 13 midway games
- Indoor and outdoor restaurant seating for more than 300 guests
- Open late March through late October
- Summer operations seven days a week
- Spring and fall operations on weekends and holidays
From farmland to roller coasters to multi-million-dollar reinvention, Adventureland has remained a fixture of Long Island summers since 1962. And for generations of locals, it is still the place where childhood memories begin.
Photo: Adventureland Facebook page.
