Cliff's Amusement Park

Summary

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.[2] 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.

Cliff's Amusement Park
Previously known as Uncle Cliff's Kiddieland
Location4800 Osuna Road NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Coordinates35°08′42″N 106°35′22″W / 35.14494°N 106.58938°W / 35.14494; -106.58938
StatusOperating
Opened1959
Operating seasonMay through September
Area15 acres (6.1 ha)
Attractions
Total25
Roller coasters3
Water rides4
Websitewww.cliffsamusementpark.com
Cliffs Amusement Park

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

  1. ^ Moffett, Kevin (November 2004). "Funworld: the business of writing about the business of roller coasters". The Believer. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  2. ^ "Cliff's Amusement Park: Thrills and Fun for All Ages - ZuzuForKids". zuzuforkids.com. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  • 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.

External links edit