Fantasy Island kicked off the summer 2018 season Tuesday with daily operations and the debut of Fairy Tale Forest, a re-imagined children's area.
The new area showcases Cinderella's Midnight Magic Wheel, three kid-sized Ferris wheels with pumpkin carriages, and Storybook Lane, where children can visit tiny houses modeled after the homes of their favorite fairy tale characters. The park also incorporated Fantasy Island's classic children's rides into the new area including: Enchanted Tea Party, All the Kings Horses, Storybook Express, "Rapunzel! Rapunzel!" and Goosey Goosey Gander.
The project was inspired by the former "Garden of Fables" area that opened at the park in 1961.
"We wanted to honor the spirit of the Garden of Fables in an area filled with folklore and wonder," said Chris Kearsing, Fantasy Island's general manager, calling it "the perfect play area for every prince and princess."
Grand Island Councilwoman Jennifer Baney represented Grand Island town government at the event and congratulated Fantasy Island for its more than 50 years of operation.
"As you know, for Grand Islanders and Western New Yorkers as a whole, Fantasy Island often carries a generational nostalgia," Baney said. "Many have early memories of visiting the park with their parents, perhaps spending some of their earliest employment days working in food service or in the water park. And then they're able to reminisce as they take their own children to some of their favorite spots here long ago."
"We are thankful for the long-standing success of Fantasy Island," Baney added. "Today I'm also thankful for the capital investments within the park, both those celebrated today and those you may not notice because they're not quite as visible."
She said in addition to Fairy Tale Forest, which caters to the youngest patrons, water park patrons will benefit from an improved wave pool and a revamp of its filtration system.
Baney told Kearsing and company, "Thank you for keeping the safety of your visitors you top priority."
"Investments continue in general park improvements and enhancements," Kearsing said. "Fairy Tale Forest is just the beginning."