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Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier facts for kids

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Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
Galeveston Pier Logo.png
Location Galveston, Texas, U.S.
Coordinates 29°17′12″N 94°47′24″W / 29.286614°N 94.789910°W / 29.286614; -94.789910
Opened May 25, 2012 (2012-05-25)
Owner Landrys, Inc.
Attractions
Total 16
Roller coasters 1
Website http://www.pleasurepier.com/

Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier is a pleasure pier in Galveston, Texas, United States. Opened in Summer 2012, it has 1 roller coaster, 15 rides, carnival games and souvenir shops.

History

Pleasure Pier in Galveston, Texas
Pleasure Pier in Galveston, Texas

The new Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier was built 1,130 feet (340 m) out over the Gulf of Mexico waters. It had its "soft" opening on May 25, 2012.

The new pier complex is located where the original Pleasure Pier stood from 1943 until 1961, when it was destroyed by Hurricane Carla. The original Pleasure Pier featured rides, an arcade, an aquarium, concessions, a large ball room, named the Marine Ballroom, and fishing at the end of the pier. It was also the site of the USS Flagship Hotel, an over-the-water hotel built in 1965 that was demolished after Hurricane Ike in 2008.

Before the renovation there had been almost no maintenance in over 70 years, resulting in the pier having exposed reinforcing steel with accelerated corrosion and concrete spalling at piles, beams, joists, and reflective overhead flat plates. Because of this, extensive structural concrete restoration was needed. Repairs were eventually completed using shotcrete struck and finished in alignment with pre-existing materials making up the pier.

Attractions

Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier - concept
Concept art of the park.
Pleasure Pier entrance in Galveston, Texas
Pleasure Pier entrance in Galveston, Texas
Galveston Island Pleasure Pier
The new Pleasure Pier in 2012.

Features at the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier include:

  • Iron Shark — a steel roller coaster constructed by Gerstlauer, a 100 feet (30 m) tall coaster offering four inversions with a back section cantilevering over the water.
  • Sky Shooter — airborne shot ride.
  • Texas Star Flyer — swinging riders over the water 230 feet above the Gulf.
  • Galaxy Wheel — a 100-foot-tall Ferris wheel, featuring programmable LED lights.
  • Bubba Gump Shrimp Company restaurant.

Current Attractions

Ride Name Year Opened Manufacturer/Ride Type Other Notes
Big Wheelin 2012 Kiddie Ferris Wheel
Carousel 2012 Chance Rides 36' Double Decker Carousel Double-Decker Carousel
Cyclone 2012 Larson International Fireball
Frog Hopper 2012 S&S Worldwide Kiddie Ride
Galaxy Wheel 2012 Chance Rides Ferris Wheel Ride
Gulf Glider 2012 Zierer Wave Swinger Ride
Iron Shark 2012 Gerstlauer / Euro-Fighter
Pier Pileup 2012 Bertazzon Rides / Bumper cars
Pirate's Plunge 2012 Interlink Log Flume
Revolution 2012 Chance Rides Revolution 20 Thrill Ride
Rock & Roll 2012 Bertazzon Rides / Matterhorn Ride
Sea Dragon 2012 Chance Rides Pharaoh's Fury Ride
Sky Shoes 2012 SBF-Visa Group Airborne Shot
Texas Star Flyer 2012 FunTime Industries Star Flyer Thrill Ride
Texas Tea Cups 2012 Zamperla Tea Cups Ride
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