Elitch Gardens 1890-1994

[@michaelwhite4976]

Man, i cant believe how fast time goes. I remember being a teen and chomping at the bit every summer to head to 38th and Tennyson ( smiling and crying at the same time). When i heard they moved and six flags bought it , i was skeptical. I did finally go, and the minute i walked in, all those fond memories came rushing back. I have been now several times to the Speer location and had my share of fun. I am proud to say" I WILL ALWAYS BE AN ELITCHES KID".😁😊❤️

[@pandarush.]

This is wonderful, seeing the rich history of the park. Thanks for posting!!!

[@michaelt3885]

I went to the original Elitch's twice. Once in the mid to late 80's and once in the early 90's and all I can say is that the original Elitch's was way better than the new one. The way that they kept up the property and how they took care of it, they really cared about it. The rides how so much shade from al the trees and the gardens were beautiful and very well kept up. Now days the new one in downtown Denver is too cramped and not much room at all. There is absolutely no shade on a hot summer day. The water park is great but nothing like Waterworld, however I miss the old log ride but Disaster Canyon is great but not as good as the log ride.

[@craigdean7425]

I grew up going to the old one all day during the summer now I won't even go to the new one it's not the same feeling at all

[@Dre_aka_sleepysandman]

Me and my dad was saying the same. The atmosphere and beautiful gardens along with the rides was the best at the old eliches gardens.

[@michaelbliss333]

It's not the same. I miss it. I grew up going there.

[@michelecruz5182]

I miss the sky ride

[@gicueN17R0]

It was tough because they had to grow but doing so just destroyed the beauty and nostalgia that the original park gave. And they STILL boxed themselves in with no room to grow and improve the rides etc. No wonder why six flags dropped the park after picking it up. But they usually destroy parks they aquire. Although current Elitches is not all their fault. Just sad.

[@bennyshambles]

100% I also grew up going to the old one and it was really sad when they moved it. It had so much history. They should have kept that ballroom too… that would’ve been so cool to see (I was too young as I didn’t start going there until the mid-80’s as a little kid).

[@astronoodles9677]

Broooooo I went to elitches in 2018-2019 Every day of summer and it was such a good time with my friends i was 10 turning 11 now im 14 looking back on how nice it was :(

[@howardjohnson2138]

As a teen, my grandfather worked on the rollercoaster and because of that he had a life ticket to ride on it.

[@jobinsone420]

I lived just a few blocks away! You could always hear the kid’s screaming. The old west show was amazing.

[@wildsmiley]

Same. I remember, as a kid, my brother and I going to sleep on summer nights to the sound of the screams from the two roller coasters, the Wildcat and the Twister (nobody I knew ever called it “Mr.” It was like we knew it on a first-name basis) and seeing out our window the Rainbow rising up just over the trees. It was almost my home away from home during the summer. My go-to favorite ride was the Splinter (log ride). Oh, memories. They’re all that’s really left of that fun and friendly little park.

[@bennyshambles]

@@wildsmiley So jealous. I grew up in Aurora and would get dropped off at Elitch’s from noon ‘til close during my middle school years. The old location was pure magic, similar to Casa Bonita (which is still around, incredibly).

[@boi50s]

Old Elitches was the only Elitches. So many memories

[@furripupau]

I remember visiting Elitch's before they moved. The old park was much more interesting, the new one has always felt like a generic amusement park you could find in any state.

[@patriottex4813]

furripupau II

[@Jules-nm6ut]

And the fact that there moving again 🤷🏻‍♀️ so because I didn’t grow up with the original Elitches to be honest I’m ganna feel what y’all are feeling like.

[@bennyshambles]

Agreed. The old one had so much history and magic. It was incredibly unique. My favorite rides (besides the log ride) were the mine shaft and haunted house rides, but they were gone by the time I was in middle school.

[@303prospecting7]

I miss the old haunted house there that was the best. The new one is horrible and stupid. The gum tree was the best while waiting for the toboggan ride I hear they still have it there.

[@bennyshambles]

I loved the old haunted house and mine shaft rides as a little kid. The log ride gum tree was classic. Good memories!

[@LukeLovesRose]

It's nothing but a corporate shell now

[@hikaruultma]

Being from Denver, this is absolutely hilarious. I actually used to go to daycare at All Saints and watched the deconstruction in like 1999-2002? Now-a-days it's like a family doctor's office, startucks and other stuff.

[@milehighkit4725]

Wow, four generations in Denver and growing up in the nearby, Berkeley Park neighborhood. We visited that park at least three times a month if not a lot more in my earlier youth. I can't think of a bigger loss to Denver than the loss of that original location! Ironically, my grandfather was in the Carnation business as well in the 30s through 70s.

[@chrishernandez2250]

I miss the old elitch's

[@LukeLovesRose]

It sounds like the founders of the park were great people, especially Mary.

[@hikaruultma]

13:55 One day I'm just going to yell "NOT TO SEE ELITCHES IS NOT TO SEE DENVER" really loud with that same low pitch demeanor

[@startoftext]

Bad news for you. They are already working on rezoning so that mixed use development could be built. Its only a matte of time.

[@brandnewty]

The new elitch's is a big steaming pile compared to the old park. It had SO many huge trees, the new park is a concrete wasteland.

[@bennyshambles]

I grew up going here until they “moved” it in 1994 (which was kinda perfect timing, as I was a sophomore in high school and was over amusement parks). I hated the new Elitch’s the one time I went; it just didn’t have the history or magic.

[@gicueN17R0]

Can't wait to get back to Elitches! Because not to see Elitches is not to see Denver! Oh God I miss that old park. The new park was necessary to grow but shouldve been in a place where it could REALLY grow and provide the type of experiences that the major east coast parks provide. Doesn't have to be Cedar Point but man the current Elitches is bad and is not right or fair to the original developers and owners like the Elitches themselves. Thanks for sharing that! 👍

[@LukeLovesRose]

Necessary? They destroyed Elitchs by destroying The Wildcat and remaking the log ride poorly and cheaply

[@gicueN17R0]

@@LukeLovesRose So you're unapologetically going to hate on Elitches for relocating when they had to in order to keep the park functioning and in efforts to locate the park a bit more centrally but yet you've never experienced the original Elitch Gardens? 🤦 I got to experience it and it was gorgeous but don't be fooled. It's not going to, nor would it have ever survived as a park outside of a full conversion to a zoo/wildlife exhibit which was never the original intention for the park. The New and I mean upcoming park relocation of the second variety is necessary not just because the current park is trash after Six Flags bought and left it in horrible shape but because it's land locked worse than Knotts! Doesn't look like it but the plans for the lot that it's on, not to mention the entire plan the kronkes released leave no room for an amusement park. And at this point we should feel lucky that they are looking at a relocation considering The Caverns just added the latest Gerstlaurer in Defiance. It just might become the park of the state which is a beautiful park but not the Amusement park that this part of the country needs. And it doesnt have to be hollow. Doesn't have to be a "sold its soul" lavish amusement park that doesn't resemble what the original felt like but this is THE chance if any to resurrect that vibe while brining in cheaper but more thrilling and better maintenence coasters and other thrill rides including a nice log flume possibly one of its kind and futuristic in a sense that it's not the typical 80's western shooter. But even better!(since you're obviously a log flumer) So I'm not sure why you would think it's a chance just at creating a hollow shell of the original especially when you didn't even see the original but even if you did why wouldn't this as equally be an opportunity to recreate the Elitch Gardens that true coloradans would be proud of? We kept the greatest Waterpark of its kind for a long time. We can recreate Elitches in a great place where it can grow AND entertain in many ways. More of a Dollywood/Hershey Park/ Knotts feel instead of a six flags anything or cedar fair park not that they are terrible. Wouldn't happen but a park like some of the best in Europe would be amazing especially with the changes in elevation, lots of room and places that can be easily accessible to most. So I dunno why you feel the way you do. I'd understand more if you got to experience it the way it was meant to be but I'm sure if you got on wildcat you got enough. But I'm sorry...even the old wildcat would get RMC'd before restored at this point. You might call it a hollow shell but it's financially better In many ways especially ROI on these newer coasters or even topper tracks/wooden renovations by Gravity group or GCI or similar. You're spending a lot no matter what but if done right I'd highly doubt you feel like you're in a hollow Corp shell. If six flags were to get back involved, I'd fully agree and join you on the petition list. Lol. But I don't see how relocation hurts the current park at all and does nothing but give it opportunity to grow AND maybe rediscover its roots...am I wrong?

[@LukeLovesRose]

@@gicueN17R0 Yes.

[@gicueN17R0]

@@LukeLovesRose Sorry you lost your ride, bruh. And extremely sorry you missed the point of that post. Not to mention the shoutout to the original park and owners. But if you think it was unnecessary, go take it up with them. I'm sure they got a lot of paperwork showing you just how "100mil necessary" it was at the time they agreed to move. And poor you and your log flume/wildcat. Find a better ride to begin with maybe? They are not going to relocate it back then and the flume was already showing signs of failure. So whats the point in that situation? Maybe just all in all consider taking a class on running a business? Might clear this all up for you. Money moves the world man...unfortunately. The Elitch family kept its ownership thru the move until 1996. Before then securing the 95 million dollar relocation loan. That family did it all together & lived on property for much of their lives. They had to make moves just like any other business to survive and/or keep the dream alive even if albeit in another person's hands. I'm just not sure they thought of the park history being left behind as much as it did when they saw those zeros on that check! But again, money moves the world! They still operated it for a couple years but gave way to premier parks in '96. The selling to 6 flags is what really sealed the parks fate but had the Elitch family not chosen to relocate to an urban environment, it would more than likely survived as you and I might have hoped it would. But 6 flags ruined its current location after the decision to move was made. Land locking yourself like that doesn't do well for amusement parks that's why there were so few operating in them when it opened. They did it anyways. So you can hop on here and reply to my comments amd miss the point let alone provide much to add yourself all you want. I know my history of Colorado and of the Amusement industry here. Doesn't mean I'm right or an expert but I just had to hop on and see what prompted your response considering the facts and I guess all you got are a few words and a "Yes..." as a reply. Good for you! Take care. Stat safe and stay healthy! 🙏

[@everyone_knows_itsbutterst7808]

Like the old park better.

[@youngfamilymoments591]

The old sight was way better miss the original

[@michaeltoddaviation]

Did you see the early render of DIA and the convention center?? Hahaha 😂

[@daldladla]

Yeah that was such a great reminder of the sci Fi nonsense they were shooting for. Sadly they have only gotten worse in that sense!

[@markwachter3141]

and they r announcing to move again in 2019

[@alejandrogomez720]

And here we are in 2021 and they still haven’t relocated and are selling season passes for 2021

[@CoasterTails]

@@alejandrogomez720 of course they are selling season passes for 2021. They haven't announced where they are moving to. Moving the park again is definitely in the plans for the city as they plan to redo and update that area of downtown along the river front.

[@LukeLovesRose]

And they'll probably make it even worse

[@youngfamilymoments591]

Here we are in 23 and it's still in the same spot and still sucks...

[@LukeLovesRose]

38th is my street. I lived 5 blocks from Elitchs. I'll never forgive them for moving it. THE NEW ELITCH GARDENS wont be special or great at all. It will be a hollow corporate shell of what it was. I wish I couldve experienced it in the beginning and seen the Elitch Zoo. I wish we couldve experienced the ballroom. 😔

[@jameskennedy8409]

Does anyone remember the name of the wooden roller coaster, circa 1950's - 60's? In it's day, that was a great ride!

[@coloradodude2612]

The old one was the wild cat the newer one was callthe twister

[@Gitarzan66]

@@coloradodude2612 That's 'Mr. Twister"

[@LukeLovesRose]

They destroyed Elitchs by destroying The Wildcat

[@sarahhagemann6432]

Wow it was made so long ago!.

[@michaelbliss333]

The gardens on 38th and Tennyson has been closed since 94.

[@tonymantini3147]

And high prices its not the same its a shame they destroyed what the park was i miss it

[@devonboulden2496]

Woah, the new Elitch Gardens grand opening day had 1/3 the attendance they were expecting. It's not as well loved as the old Elitch Gardens was. And the park is horribly landlocked. The fanfare for the new park opening is disappointing. Ownership of the park has changed a few times since it opened. It's not the little darling this documentary is describing.

[@kevincssmith]

Stupid to have closed this !

[@whatweather]

And now it’s getting demolished to provide low income housing hopefully

[@mitchpipes2518]

Unfortunately that is what everyone wants now. We have lacke side but they will not put anything in to the park . Ow thay keep making and buying McDaniel franchises lol haha 😢😢😢😢 .....

[@drbenmccullough2608]

They should have left it alone. As far as I'm concerned elitch gardens is dead and gone forever...thanks to webb

[@kevincssmith]

Shouldn't have closed original location ... the new one sucks and has no soul .