Replica Of Historic Coney Island On Tap For EnterTrainment Junction In Cincinnati

Online, December 26, 2012 (Newswire.com) - The "Wow Factor" is taking yet another leap forward at the award-winning EnterTRAINment Junction in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The family entertainment center has announced that it is building a one-of-a-kind, real-working replica of Cincinnati's own historic Coney Island Amusement Park, which has a remarkable 127-year-old history and has created an exceptional legacy in the hearts and minds of generations of visitors.

The large Coney Island exhibit, covering more than a thousand square feet, features working rides from Coney Island's glimmering past, such as the Shooting Star roller coaster, the Lost River, the Ferris Wheel, Flying Rockets, Tumblebug and Carousel (all of which are already complete).

All rides and attractions are being made from scratch by hand, based on historic photos and dimensions, with most items created in a 1/24th scale.

This is NOT a small, miniature recreation - the Shooting Star roller coaster alone is 40-feet long and 4-feet tall (!), and the Ferris Wheel is also nearly 4-feet tall.

"This hand-built recreation of Coney Island is one of the biggest and most challenging projects we have undertaken," said Don Oeters, EnterTRAINment Junction's president and owner. "Historic Coney Island is a seamless fit for us because of our skill in creating scaled and authentic historic design throughout our model train display, which is the largest indoor model train display in the world."

Due to space limitations, minimal creative license has been taken in the Coney Island layout, but the millions of visitors who have enjoyed Coney Island over the years will instantly recognize the park's treasured attractions of the past. The Coney Island replica recreates the park mainly as it was in 1965.

The replica will recreate the best-of-the-best of Coney Island's memorable features, including the front gate entrance way, Lake Como, Moonlite Gardens, tree-lined Coney mall, picnic areas, Skeeball Arcade, basketball games and the Ohio River Gate with its steamboat landing. Additional rides include the Wild Mouse family coaster, Train Ride, Haunted House, Turnpike, Skyride, and a rides' building with Dodgems, the Whip and Cuddle Up.

There will also be a working trolley line with running trolleys bustling along Kellogg Avenue and stopping at Coney's front gate. The trolleys ran to Coney until 1925.

Nearly a dozen interactive buttons throughout the exhibit will allow visitors to personally engage the ride attractions to make the rides go, lights blink and music play. "This project is truly amazing in both its scope and attention to detail. Seeing the park's iconic rides actually operating in miniature is just wonderful," said Vic Nolting, President of Coney Island.

The Coney Island exhibit, with a planned official opening in the spring of 2013, is located on the second-level overlook of EnterTRAINment Junction. Visitors can currently view the construction of the new exhibit, including several rides already in-place, such as the Shooting Star, Ferris Wheel, Tumblebug, Carousel and the Flying Rockets.

The new Coney Island exhibit will be at no additional cost to the public.

EnterTRAINment Junction has 80,000 sq. ft. of family fun with something for everyone, including two world-class attractions - the world's largest indoor model train display and the wild-and-whacky A-Maze-N FunHouse.

Visitors to EnterTRAINment Junction can also experience a giant kids' interactive play area, American Railroading Museum, expo center, incredible hobby & toy shop, indoor 1930s village-scape with cafe, gift shop, and party rooms, and two outdoor train rides (open seasonally.)

Coney Island, nestled along the banks of the Ohio River, 10 miles east of downtown Cincinnati, is a true legend in its own time, with its beginnings dating back to 1886. Beloved by generations and generations of families, Coney Island today features massive Sunlite Pool, water slides, 24 family rides (including seven classic kiddie rides), paddle boats and canoes on Lake Como, Moonlite Gardens, miniature golf, picnic areas, live stage shows and much more.

EnterTRAINment Junction is at 7379 Squire Ct., West Chester, OH 45069. (513) 898-8000. (877-898-4656.) It is open daily, Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sundays noon-6 p.m. Closed Wednesday January through March. FREE parking.