The American Adventure Theme Park – Its final year.
Well I suppose we all knew it was coming, yep another theme park in the UK has closed down. I was going to make this a trip report but considering whats happened recently its more a fond look back at the park in its final year of operation in 2006.
We visited the park in the height of summer last year and it was very quiet considering the time of the year. One of the ride ops mentioned they normally get about 600 people through the gates during the summer raising to 2000 on a very busy day. It was dead when we visited and you can see by the photographs it was a glorious day.
The park first opened in 1985 and was owned by a few companies the final one been Venture World Ltd.
The great rapids ride called Rocky Mountain Rapids, the boats are huge.
The Buffalo Stampede ride.
The parks Skycoaster
I didnt get many riders the day we were at the park.
Finally a ride for Dads. The great JCB Digger depot.
The Twin Looper coaster.
notice the JCB theming.
A closer look at the loops
The Santa Fe Railway that takes you around the lake.
A railway for the kids.
Inside the 4d cinema, one of the biggest ive ever seen. 4d Motion master. with very uncomfortable seats.
Junior Clipper pirate ship
Custers carousel. a nice carousel.
A view of the Aztec Kingdom
Junior Bronco buggie ride.
A couple of general views of the park. See how deserted the place is.
A similar view looking out at the lake.
Theming in the Aztec Kingdom. very appropriate.
The Performance area for the Silver City live show.
A Spot of maintenance before the show.
The live show in action.
They have a few horsemen and women.
They had a great speedboat trip for £3 each.
The wild mine ride from Gullivers, Called mini mine rush – now at Flamingo land.
Pedaloes. great on a warm day.
The Balloon Ride.
Left overs of the log flume removed earlier.
This guy was making fudge, he was recovering from a hangover the day we visited and still put on a good show. It tasted lovely.
A view of the pirate ship and western themed wheel.
Another view of the pirate ship, looking toward the park entrance.
The juvenille carousel.
A menacing looking Tenessee tentacles.
The ride in action
San Fransisco fire department ride. Good fun this in the summer.
Mississippi boat terminus.
This was one of the best days out we had in the summer holidays, it was a lovely park with a great atmosphere, friendly ride ops and a good choice of rides. The reason for the closure was money as with most things these days.
Its definately a day out I was looking forward to this year.:-(
I wish the staff all the best in the future
All images are copyright ridemad.com, if you want to use any please get in touch paul@ridemad.com, where ill be more than happy to share, i have higher resolution copies of all images, to see all the images from this visit, go to the Album
http://www.ridemad.com is an independant website not affiliated to any theme parks or fairgrounds, the views expressed are my opinions.
Thanks for Reading.
Sad to hear this placed closed. I worked in retail 1994 and rides part o 95 and 96. It had ...
i hat to bey a new tent of it thot it cost me £1000 to replase the tent. 
Thanks Paul for quick response. I will have a go at copying the postcard in the next few days and ...
Hi John,
Thanks for your comments, I would love to see it thanks. If possible I would like to include it ...
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Comment by neil on 19 March 2009:
very good enjoyed it zamperla wheel,sartoris polyp, all feature dont they, zamperla balloon race is that where drayton manors went to? shame isnt it neil watson
Comment by mike foster on 12 April 2011:
devastated….used to take my family to american adventure park in their younger days….recently movedback to Hull after living in Scotland for a lot of years…was looking forward to taking my grandchildren to pan for gold and watch the shoot out etc….Sundown has been recomended but it,s not as close to Sherwood campsites as i would like………
Comment by steevie-leigh on 16 April 2011:
wow havent been there since i was 3 and i still remember siting in the log flume with my mum
i almost cried looking at these
Comment by Simon on 12 May 2011:
Doing a little reminising (spello) this evening. Living in N.ireland for last 18 years or so. I loved American Adventure when i was a kid. Looking at those pictures bought back many memorys, even though they were taken years later.
Thanks for the memorys, Shame its not there to give other kids the great times i had there.
Comment by david nash on 16 May 2011:
Having been a regular visitor to the american theme park.I told my grandaughter we will go this weekend.Looking at the internet i was shellshocked to find it had shut.I have been going there for a long time and loved the fast rides as i still do at the age of 65.The steep log flume drop being my favourite.But as the saying goes all good things come to an end
Comment by DudleyL on 30 June 2011:
My brother and I were taken here quite a few times when we were younger, my parents were still together then and our family was very much a strong and happy ‘unit’. Now, with a daughter of my own, parents divorced and family split, our trips here are lovely, happy memories. Loved looking at this pics, and admit I did shed a tear at reading of the parks decline and closure. Would have loved to have taken my little girl to see the ‘shoot out’!! X x
Comment by john walsh on 26 July 2011:
very sad to see the place has closed, ive been living in the south of ireland the last 8 years. coming back to sheffield for a few days, thought i d bring the kids to see this great place. was sad to see that wont be happening. looks like alton towers will get my money instead
Comment by sue landy on 31 July 2011:
Me and my partner went there one year from out first flat that we had in stratford east London. It was only a day trip and a long way to go but still have pictures that were taken on the rides. The shoot out was good and the tombstones were very funny. We had a go at pottery too.
it was a great day out and totally loved it. Such a shame it has now gone as would have gone back again.
Comment by sue landy on 31 July 2011:
Bit more advertising like all these big parks do would have made a lot of difference.
Comment by Claire on 2 August 2011:
Gutted to find it has closed, was looking to go this summer and take my partners kids as I loved it here, went so many times over the years. Never got as busy as Alton Towers suppose why it isn’t open anymore! But was great not having to queue so long.
Still haven’t found a ride that can beat the thrill of ‘The Missile’
Or the drop of the log flume, was scary!
Oh well probably be Alton Towers now . . . . . . . Sad
Comment by Tom on 13 September 2011:
Had some great times here, got some home videos too!! Very sad to see it go…
Comment by Lou Lou on 21 September 2011:
Didnt believe it when my fella told me had closed. so many fond memories of this place when it first opened of me and my dad going there (he sadly now passed away). riding about ten times ina row on the runaway train and the buffalo stampede and being so proud when I was brave enough to go on the massive log flume and the constant music they played over the speakers…sad sad sad its gone.was lovely to look at the pics
Comment by Joanna on 6 October 2011:
The Mine train of Mellor’s was doing reasonab;le at Goose Fair, that used to be in the Park, he’s doing a good job with it.
Comment by Lee Amos on 1 April 2012:
Gutted to hear it has closed, good times were had here with all the family, it’s a dark dark day ;(
Comment by harrylee on 11 April 2012:
ahh fond memorys of this park i viseted this place in 2004/2005/2006 then in 2011 i went there and it had vaneshed puff i was so looking forward to riding twin looper and flying on the skycoaster
Comment by mandy on 15 April 2012:
my parents used to take me there when i was younger, i would have loved to have taken my children
Comment by Dobby on 16 May 2012:
Sad to hear this placed closed. I worked in retail 1994 and rides part o 95 and 96. It had a great atmophere mostly with the staff. It looked so smart in its final years too. Let hope the nature reserve they are looking to build there brings as much pleasure to many people.