Marineland Niagara - More coming soon.

This section is being worked on as there is a lot involved. More history will be added as it comes available. People have thier own opinions, this site is not about negativity, none will be posted and none will be allowed. This page is to show the history and development of the park.

In 1961, John Holer, a Slovenian Immigrant started building his dream in Niagara Falls. Originally calleded as Marine Wonderland and Animal Farm, this atraction started out with 2 custom built tanks to hold marine mammals like dolphins, seals, and sea lions. Other animals were brought in, including special shows throughout the summer featuring elephants and tigers. The park was later renamed Marineland and Game Farm, finally becoming Marineland Niagara. Marineland ended up as one of the largest amusement parks (by land) in North America. In addition to the various animal attractions, which later included Orcas and Beluga Whales, John started adding amusement rides. In 1982 the a section up front saw various rides added for the younger crowd, including the Tivoli Coaster (later Lady Bug), Mack Rides Boat Carousel and Zierer Tioli Wheel. 1983 saw 2 more sections develped with rides, including the addition of the Arrow-Huss steel coaster, Dragon Mountain. This unique ride was once touted as the longest non stop coaster in the world. This was a custom built terrain coaster with 2 loops and a bowtie loop 9for a total of 4 inversions). There was also a helix inside a volcano, and a section that was supposed to go behind a smaller version of Niagara Falls. Sadly, that part was never built. Other rides were added over the years, many from Zierer, setting 3 main areas for amusements. The final new ride, Star Voyager (a Zierer Star Shape added in 2022), replaced the ill fated Huss Topple Tower across from the entrance to Dragon Mountain. Sky Screamer, a 300ft (91 m) high launched free fall tower from S&S - Sansei Technologies had ascending riders experience 4Gs, while descending riders experience a -2Gs. The ride was situated on a 150-foot-tall (46 m) hill, making the total height of the ride 450 feet (140 m), and allowed for some pretty amazing views when stopped at the top. John Holer passed away in 2018 and the park carried on under his wife, Marie Holer. Marie was responsible for the addition of the $3million, 2 acre Polar Splash, splash pad. This attraction proved a very popular addition for the brief time it was at the park. Marie passed away in September 2024, and the park did not reopen after that season. The property and rides have been offered for sale, with the owners working to rehome the remaining dolphins and beluga whales to other sites in the US.

Despite the incredible size of the property, some 3000 available acres, it never met the true potential it could have been. Only about 300 of that land was actually used for the park. John's dream, which also included a boat ride, train ride, and monorail throughout the park, was only partially completed. We would love to see the park continue as an actual amusement park with more rides and attractions, but who knows what the future has in store for this once popular attraction.

Marineland & game Farm button. (APHAN Collection)

Marineland & Game Farm map from the brochure, before any rides were added and it was only an animal park. (APHAN Collection)

A Beluga whale pokes its head out of the water. (APHAN Collection)

Marineland & Game Farm brochure cover.
(APHAN Collection)

Brochure page 1
Brochure page 2
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Polar Splash front. (APHAN Collection)

Some of the realistic details on Polar Splash. (APHAN Collection)