Kid's World, Children amusement park in Long Branch, New Jersey
Kid's World was an amusement park located on the boardwalk in Long Branch, featuring nine rides including a roller coaster and two water-based attractions for children. The rides were positioned along Ocean Avenue on the pier, creating a compact entertainment destination for families.
The park opened in 1985 when developers Pat Cicalese and Carmen Ricci transformed the Long Branch Pier, drawing inspiration from Sesame Place in Pennsylvania. A destructive fire at the McDonald's restaurant on the pier in June 1987 damaged the facility, leading to closure after just two seasons of operation.
Sandy the Sea Lion served as the official park mascot, appearing in television commercials and promotional materials throughout the New York and New Jersey regions.
The park was situated on a public pier accessible directly from the boardwalk, making it easy to reach from the beach area. Since the rides were positioned close together along the boardwalk, visitors with young children could navigate the space easily.
A Haunted Mansion attraction served as a centerpiece of the park, inherited from an earlier pier renovation project in 1978. This spooky-themed dark ride drew children with its blend of gentle scares and playful entertainment in a ghost-house setting.
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