Niagara Amusement Park Review, Former Fantasy Island | Should Visit Now or Wait?

Niagara Amusement Park reopened in 2021 after being closed for a few years. The park previously operated as Fantasy Island and Martin's Fantasy Island until Apex closed the park after the 2019 season. Gene Staples and IB Parks acquired the property and has reopened it in phases, and more rides are on the way! So should you visit now or wait? Find out in this review!
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[@ethantrademark]

As it's my true home park, I've ridden the Silver Comet more than any other roller coaster, I'm glad to see it back. It's not perfect for me cause I love airtime, but its still a solid coaster, and in my opinion one of the best in the state

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'm glad it's open again.

[@JeremyCoasters]

Visited there yesterday! I couldn’t help but notice how friendly all the staff was! The ride collection is very minimal but a good start. Silver Comet was amazing with Great laterals, Gunslinger was a very intense scrambler and the Amazing Flying Machine was a great flying scooter ride!

[@CanobieCoaster]

The staff was nice.

[@skippythealien9627]

honestly this makes it even sadder. kudos to the employees for at least trying and being genuinely excited when guests arrived. I really hope they are successful The Niagara falls area of New York is still economically in a bit of limbo. There are definitely signs of recovery, but it's still in a really rough place

[@CRISPYPOP]

True legends will remember fantasy island

[@CanobieCoaster]

Had a good visit there in 2010.

[@richardlong172]

This is a great update for those who haven't been to the park since IBC reopened it! Didn't realize they had put the swing ride in the back by Silver Comet, or that the Wild West Shootout was back! It looks like they have big plans for this park... with the rides they already have planned to install, plus whatever else they aquire in the future, I can see this park making a big come back! Personally, I feel this park had a lot better ride selection in the 80s and early 90s. Most of those rides were scrapped (like the original Devil's hole) or sold off around 94'.. it would be cool to see a video on their former rides! But I'm glad to see a top spin in the parking lot, those are a super fun flat ride!! Darien Lake got rid of theirs years back, I believe due to maintenance issues. That was one of my favorite rides there other than their coasters!

[@CanobieCoaster]

This place has potential once it's filled in.

[@ambeemariee]

that ride at darien lake was the best thing they ever had, i’m still devastated they took it out for a goddamn swing ride 💔

[@vladimirgarcia1933]

Im exited to see what is gonna be about the future of this park

[@CanobieCoaster]

Me too

[@michaeltaylor1603]

The park at that price point is worth a visit in 2022 & 2023. Mainly 2022to help with its "sea legs". Does have great potential with rides having second or 3rd lives in 2023. That would put a second Schwarzkopf Shuttle Type two (Old school) back on the map. That is a very nice entrance sign.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I agree it's fairly priced.

[@TheSonicsean]

I've only been once in 2019 (to redeem my 2020 season pass ironically) and my main takeaway is that Silver Comet is an elite wooden coaster. A real hidden gem

[@CanobieCoaster]

I wish it was running a bit faster.

[@artisdmb]

Thanks for all the great videos and reviews!!! Yr always very thorough, and I like the way you break things down in all yr different kinds of video formats. It’s accessible to enthusiasts and GP and I dig it! I hope you get tons and tons more subs man! ❤️

[@CanobieCoaster]

You're welcome!

[@waldameerrocks0258]

Never been to this park sad to see that it was neglected. But I'm also glad to see a small owned park getting back to the swing of things and putting it back to its former glory. Conneaut lake park Sadly is falling to pieces and blue streak and no longer with us. Due to the owner Todd joesph who had no right to remove that as it was a Ace historical landmark and was not to be destroyed. Hopefully he will fix what damage has been done and get the park back to its former glory again. Maybe with a new blue streak coaster.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I hope the investments pay off.

[@waldameerrocks0258]

Agreed

[@pretzelrides3748]

That’s never going to happen. Sorry but Todd got a deal as no one else bid.

[@timk987]

I've driven by a few times with the "fantasy" of stopping in one day. Big thanks to Gene Staples for keeping that 'fantasy" alive with Niagara Amusement Park. I'm hoping that one day when all three of the IB parks are running full strength that a multi park pass would be offered. Either way a day trip is certainly in my future, hopefully the other 2 coasters are operational by next year! Great informative video!

[@CanobieCoaster]

I hope it thrives.

[@askjeevescosby2928]

You need to visit now or they might nit have a later. We need to respect the hell out of gene for saving this place because it didn't make financial sense. He did it for the love of coasters and park. Show your support and go.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I wanted to go to support the park. I just want to let people know what the current offerings are.

[@askjeevescosby2928]

@@CanobieCoaster well you better go back tommorrow and support then some more 😆

[@ambeemariee]

i have hopes for this park but with darien lake thriving im not sure if they’re gonna be able to survive second time around. i will admit though it is great for kids!! but personally i’ll be spending my time at darien lake for sure

[@CanobieCoaster]

I hope they can do well.

[@Liight]

Just visited this park yesterday- it was great! There were several ride closures but they were working hard to get things open and did get many of the closed rides open later in the day which was great.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's positive.

[@bigc1280]

If you look closely at double dare falls, it is the exact same slides as the twisty slides at WhalesTale in Lincoln NH. That is why the runoff is so weird at Whales Tale, as it was made for riders on a mat like they still do here.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Both slides used to run faster for me.

[@tractorgt]

The serpent is supposed to open there soon. That's a fun ride that has moved around a lot. I rode it about 30x at a battle of the bands we played in 1991 at Americana amusement park in Middletown Ohio. It moved to Michigan after Americana's closure until just last year being relocated to Niagara.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I hope Serpent opens to give them another coaster.

[@chargedonpc9989]

That's nice that they made it so cheap this season. It would be cool to have access to riding Silver Comet with a minimal wait pretty much any day if you lived nearby.

[@CanobieCoaster]

True!

[@ScottyMania313]

I love the scenery on this park. My question is this, would a smaller park like this be more lienient on snapping on the flyers or more hardcore against the snapping? Awesome vid and have a great week Canobie Coasters ♥️

[@CanobieCoaster]

Cedar Fair allows it, others don't. It's a park by park thing.

[@micoasters]

I’d spend the $20 and just spend some hours marathoning silver comet, and the flying scooters I have a soft spot for them

[@CanobieCoaster]

These flyers aren't that good unfortunately.

[@paintervision]

My only visit here was in 2008, and the park was already beginning to get neglected. Glad to see it coming back to life, but I'm surprised at the lack of a true kiddie coaster. That seems like a gimme, given what's here now.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That would be a good fit for them.

[@sophiehanssel2017]

They REALLY need one!

[@zachcoastercrazy4032]

Its depressing what happend to this park. Hopefully within the next few years, they can get back to a relatively good position. I can tell they are at least trying to get the park back to normal

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'm glad they're readding rides.

[@mitchellries256]

I could see myself visiting on a trip to Niagara Falls later in the future. I have no doubt 2023 will be a complete 180 for this park compared to this year.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I hope it thrives.

[@daveblock4061]

Fun? WOW! Never went, we always did Crystal Beach.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@ibreathedojacat]

i miss fantasy island sm it was my childhood

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's making a resurgence.

[@markvolpe2305]

I believe Gene Staples once said that he wants Niagara Amusement Park to compete with Six Flags Darien Lake, and with Seliem (sp?) at the helm of Six flags, that may not be hard to compete with the way things are going right now.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I hope this park thrives.

[@richardlong172]

What is Seliem?

[@markvolpe2305]

@@richardlong172 the new CEO of six flags

[@thepanman2024]

Very good to see this park come back. Maybe if they get enough money and rebuild. Maybe they could RMC silver comet if they wanted to

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'd rather get a new ride to compliment Silver Comet.

[@pretzelrides3748]

Agreed. Leave it as is. Once running 100% it stands on its own.

[@CoasterNerd]

I love how in all of the shots of Silver Comet there are either no riders or just one rider

[@CanobieCoaster]

It was very quiet.

[@maxhagenauer24]

Jene Staples is doing good things to Indiana Beach and I think he will do good things here as well.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I hope so

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

I would be absolutely shocked if we get a Huss Top Spin back in America

[@CanobieCoaster]

I hope we do.

[@pretzelrides3748]

It’s sitting there, along with Playlands Flying Witch triple decker Dark Ride!

[@sophiehanssel2017]

OMG THAT'S MY LOCAL THEME PARK

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@ThousanWhite]

I love three blocks away and I still haven’t been this year. Im gonna wait until 2023 and get a season pass

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's fair.

[@clairefunnell8481]

Good rides. Be good when they get more rides.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Indeed.

[@planecrashes633]

Will you return back this year they have two new Rollercoasters with

[@CanobieCoaster]

I don't believe I will get there this year, but I'm glad to see the park grow.

[@mateoalvira7826]

What do you think about silver comet at Niágara, and comet at Great escape?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Prefer Comet since it's a more airtime based ride.

[@kaylawhipple7570]

I hope to get here when that Schwarzkopf opens. For now I'll just see if it's an appropriate place to send my cousin and his wife and their young children (5, 3)

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's fair.

[@Soundofsilence-j4d]

Its lot like pleasure ISLAND in Mass. Western town. Probally only two exzist shoot outs. One thing about this park i dont see is good old dark ride. Or nice huge rainbow slide. Banna split days they all been taken down

[@CanobieCoaster]

They have a dark ride coming.

[@Soundofsilence-j4d]

@@CanobieCoaster THAT BE. AWESOME I DONT DRIVE BUT IF I GET OUT THERE. I HOPE THEY GET OLD DARK RIDE. LIKE IN SIXTIES.

[@OnTheMapWithZack]

Gene staples should save California's great America next

[@CanobieCoaster]

I don't think the company that bought the land will give that up.

[@doodoodude800]

I miss the devil's hole😭

[@CanobieCoaster]

Me too.