Adventureland: 18 things you didn't know

Long Island prefers Turbulence

In a recent Adventureland Instagram poll, Turbulence, which debuted in 2015 as the first and only spinning coaster in the tristate area, was the top-rated ride. Turbulence is the tallest, fastest and most family-friendly coaster the park has seen, according to Adventureland.

There was a mini golf course where the log flume now lives

The Adventure Falls Long Flume opened in 2001, replacing the Treasure Island mini golf course that debuted in 1988. The course was awarded Best Miniature Golf Course by Long Island Magazine, and was closed in 2000 to make way for the log flume.

The park opened in 1962

The "tomato" that can be seen on the train ride is actually a pumpkin. It is an original park decoration from 1962.

Adventureland celebrates National Roller Coaster Day

You can ride the Lady Bug Coaster and Turbulence for free on August 16 when you donate school supplies to the Helping Hands Foundation. The donations will benefit local schools in need.

Adventureland has had two mascots

Albert Adventureland, left, was the original mascot for the amusement park since the 1980s. The current mascot, Alfie Adventureland, right, joined the team for the park's 50th anniversary celebration in 2012.

You can leave your legacy at Adventureland

You can leave your family's legacy by purchasing a brick that will be placed in front of Turbulence, Adventureland's top ride. Proceeds will be donated to Adventureland's Helping Hands Foundation.

Adventureland hosts Santa Saturdays in July

Adventureland's Helping Hands Foundation holds Santa Saturdays to promote its annual toy drive for the children of the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island and Stony Brook Children's Hospital. While Santa will be in the park from 5 PM to 7 PM every Saturday of July, toy donations are welcome every day throughout the month.

Adventureland has gone green

About 80 percent of Adventureland features LED lights and 20 percent feature low wattage bulbs. The park installed more than half a million LED bulbs and 488 solar panels since 2006. Since going green, Adventureland has produced enough energy to run a refrigerator for 103 years.

Adventureland loves to have fun in the dark

What's wrong with a little fun after dark at Adventureland? The iconic talking tree and owl added to the original Haunted House in the late 1980s were both restored in 2013 and are now located across from the current Ghost House. Do you remember the warning they gave to guests brave enough to enter 1313 Cemetery Way?

Several movies have been filmed or written about Adventureland

In 2007, scenes from the romantic comedy "Music and Lyrics" were filmed at Adventureland. Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant starred in the movie.

In 2009, Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg, pictured, starred in the movie "Adventureland," which was directed by Greg Mottola and released by Miramax. Although the movie was shot in Pittsburgh, it's based on the director's experiences of working at Adventureland.

Adventureland and the Islanders are connected

Since 2009, Adventureland has donated more than $100,000 to the Islander's Children's Foundation through their annual Islander's Children's Day Meet and Greet hosted at the park every October.

The original Haunted House came from overseas

The original Ghost House was imported to Adventureland from Germany for the 2010 season. The haunted ride got a complete makeover in 2018, with a new, two-story Mystery Mansion ride, replacing the old house. Riders will sit in floorless, ski-lift-style seats suspended in the air, elevated throughout the 2-minute-long ride.

Twisted Sister performed at Adventureland

In the late 1970s-80s, Twisted Sister performed at Adventureland. The concert was so large, Route 110 was shut down for the show.

Train station relocation

Throughout the park's 53-year history, the Train Station has been relocated four times. It's currently located in the middle of the park, across from the Music Express.

From farm to amusement park

The property that would later be home to Adventureland was originally a six-acre broccoli, escarole and chicken farm. It was purchased by Alvin Cohen in 1960.

Antique cars go from gas to electric

The original Antique Cars were replaced by gas-powered Arrow Dynamics models that debuted in the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair. These cars were then replaced in 1995 by electric Antique Cars.

There used to be fireworks shows

Adventureland featured fireworks shows until the late 1970s. Guests enjoyed the fireworks so much that the shows had to be discontinued for safety reasons because the crowds grew so large, Route 110 had to be closed.

Adventureland gives back to the community

In 2014, Adventureland launched the Helping Hands Foundation, which aims to help support the Long Island community through increasing awareness about local issues, supporting local initiatives and providing educational resources for community residents. The foundation's annual toy drive occurs throughout July, its school supply drive is in August and its food drive is run throughout the fall.