History
Astroland was first built as a "space-age" theme park when it opened in 1962, although in later years "a visit more like stepping into the past than the future." Some of the later rides were similar to regular carnival rides, but others offered a kitsch experience that was lacking in modern amusement parks.
In 1955, Dewey Albert and his friends Nathan Handwerker, Herman Rapps, Sidney Robbins and Paul Yampo formed a corporation called Coney Island Enterprises. In 1957, Rapps and Albert announced they would build Wonderland. Through a series of acquisitions, together they built what is today known as Astroland, with rides including the Tower to the Stars or Astrotower gyro tower, the Cape Canaveral Satellite Jet emulating a trip to the Moon, the Mercury Capsule Skyride carrying patrons in bubble cars across the park to the boardwalk, and the Neptune Diving Bells, a duplicate of an Atlantic City ride that took patrons 30 feet down into a tank to watch porpoises and fish. In June 1975 Astroland was chosen to be the new operator of the Cyclone, the famous wooden roller coaster, which stood on Parks Department land. On July 12, 1975, an early-morning fire wiped out much of the park, but they were able to rebuild.
On November 28, 2006, Astroland was sold by the Albert family for US $30 million to Thor Equities, which planned to redevelop the area as a $1.5 billion year-round resort. Under the agreement, the Alberts would continue to operate the Cyclone. At the time, the Alberts hoped to relocate attractions like the water flume and the Astrotower to another part of the neighborhood.
After the sale, opposition to the relocation plan emerged. Efforts supporting the extension of Astroland's existence for the 2008 summer season were established. Astroland celebrated the 45th anniversary of its opening on April 1, 2007.
It was announced October 24, 2007, that the Albert family and Thor had reached a deal, and that Astroland would re-open March 16, 2008. However, after a few months when no agreement between the two parties could be reached, Astroland closed on September 7, 2008. It was replaced in 2009 by a new park called Dreamland Amusement Park in 2009. A new amusement park called Luna Park, named after Brooklyn's famous park and other Luna Parks from the early twentieth century, opened for the 2010 season on May 29, 2010, at the former site of Astroland.
The co-founder of Astroland, Jerry Albert, died on March 15, 2012, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease.
Local legend has it that restaurateur Charles Feltman invented the hot dog in the area of Astroland in 1874.
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