Palace Playland


Palace Playland is a seasonal amusement park located in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. It has operated on the same site since 1902.

History

In the 1900s, Palace Playland's startup decade, the then-small amusement park centered on a roller skating rink and adjacent merry-go-round. Simple summer refreshments were served, such as lemonade and salt water taffy.
In the 1950s, Palace Playland was operated by future banker and philanthropist Bernard Osher, a Maine native.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Palace Playland was noted for operating a 1910 Philadelphia Toboggan Company carousel, PTC #19; however, in 1996, the valuable antique was withdrawn from service and moved to Ohio.
In the 1990s, Palace Playland claimed to be "New England's largest pinball and video arcade." A guidebook writer recommended the park to "aficionados of the garish."

Today

In the 2010s, Palace Playland described itself as "New England's Only Beachfront Amusement Park." In 2010–11, the park tore down and replaced its Ferris wheel. The Playland has positioned itself as a provider of amusement-park-experience services to French-speaking residents of Quebec, including offering a webpage in French. In 2018, Palace Playland opened another new roller coaster known as the "Sea Viper" replacing the "Galaxi". In April 2020, Palace Playland implemented a cashless card system for its arcade.
Palace Playland is located directly on the waterfront, across Maine State Route 9 from the Old Orchard Beach Downeaster passenger railroad station.

Rides

NameRideTypeNotesYear Added
HyperJumpTechno JumpThis ride was manufactured by Preston & Barbieri.2023
KrakenPendulumTechnical Park Street Fighter Revolution. Replaced Adrenalin2024
MatterhornMatterhorn
Nitro SpeedBreakdanceReplaced Orient Express2025
PiratePirate Ship2005
Power SurgePower SurgeZamperla; Moved to the former Cascade Falls plot for the 2022 season.2003
RiptideReplaced Moby Dick2012
Wind SurferCliffhangerReplaced Cliffhanger2025

NameRide TypeNotesYear Added
CarouselCarouselChance Rides Menagerie Carousel
Convoy
Crop Duster2008
Dizzy DragonsSimilar to Tea Cups, riders enter a dragon's stomach and can spin their dragon either direction.2012
Dumbo
Euro SlideFun Slide2005
Frog Hopper
Grand Orient Fun HouseFun HouseRelocated from the Galaxi side of the Park to near the Ferris Wheel in the early 2000s
Hampton Cars
Hampton Motorcycles
Motorcycle Jump2005
Samba Balloon2025
Tea CupsKiddie Tea Cups2002
Winky The Whale