Iconic Old Forge theme park bought by Florida company after 46 years of family ownership
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 4 p.m. March 5
After 46 years of ownership, the Noonan family in Old Forge has sold its Water Safari and related properties to Innovative Attraction Management of Windermere, Florida. The sale took place Friday, March 1, according to a news release sent by the new owners.
Originally opening in 1956 as the Enchanted Forest, Timothy Noonan purchased the theme park in 1977. He gradually expanded it into today’s Enchanted Forest Water Safari, New York state’s largest water theme park. In addition, the Noonans built the nearby Calypso’s Cove Family Fun Park featuring an arcade, mini-golf, and Go Karts. Also part of the sale: Old Forge Camping Resort, a year-round campground with cabins and cottages, RV and tent sites, and Water’s Edge Inn, a lakefront hotel with guest rooms and luxury suites.
“We are committed to preserving its great legacy developed over the last 4.5 decades by the Noonan Family, while enhancing the experience for guests of all ages,” said James Harhi, CEO for IAM a written statement. IAM specializes in theme parks, water parks, family entertainment centers, hotels and resorts, cruise ships, campgrounds, RV parks and similar assets.
Looking ahead
For Mike Farmer, head of tourism for Old Forge and town of Webb, the impacts of the sale remain to be seen.
“Water Safari is one of several key summer attractions our tourism department uses to market the town, along with McCauley Mountain, the Strand, VIEW, and others. The long-term impact will depend on IAM management continuing the high standards of customer service developed by the Noonan family. That’s what visitors take away and talk about, and that’s what brings them back year after year with new generations of their families,” he said.
When reached by phone on Tuesday, Katie Wojdyla of the Noonan family said she and her sister, Kelly Greene, will continue in their roles with the resort for the “foreseeable future.”
Greene, 55, who was the president of Enchanted Forest Water Safari, will serve as vice president. Wojdyla, 42, will continue to lead the marketing efforts. Wojdyla said her family felt that after 46 years, it was time to pass the torch.
Going forward, the name stays the same, and current staff retained at all the related businesses, said Wojdyla.
“I’m sure there will be some change, but that has yet to be seen,” she said. “It’s the same safe, clean family fun everyone has grown to love over the years. We are all getting our bearings and we will start the real work.”
One change going into effect this coming season, which starts June 12: A $2 increase in ticket prices. More information: https://www.watersafari.com/.
— Jamie Organski contributed to this story
Pictured above: Kids test out new slides at Enchanted Forest Water Safari theme park in Old Forge. Explorer file photo by Jamie Organski
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