Coney Island land owner Joseph Sitt is giving Astroland and Deno’s Wonder Wheel a run for their money this season by bringing an amusement park named after the fabled Dreamland to Stillwell Avenue. In addition to setting up more than two dozen rides with names like “Swinging Fire Ball” and “Giant Gondola” on his vacant land right outside the subway, some for the entire summer, he’s upping the ante with a petting zoo and side show. His spokesman pointed out that the embattled developer is bringing in the most new rides in decades, and million dollar ones at that. The “family-friendly side show” will feature the world’s smallest woman and the world’s smallest horse (apparently there are many because Thumbelina is booked). Some of the rides, like the Crusty Crab Funhouse, Tidal Wave and the “largest bumper car in Coney Island” will only be in town from May 22 until June 3. Others like the Zipper and bumper cars will stay until Labor Day. Sitt, founder of Thor Equities, ran a two-page ad on his “summer of hope” in the Bay News, pictured on Coney Island USA. He said in a statement, “Thor is fully committed to the amusement industry in Coney, and from the Ring of Fire to the world’s smallest woman, we’re sure the Summer of Hope will be a Summer to remember… Do you think he’s trying to prove to the city that he really can operate an amusement park? Because the Bloomberg Administration said he’s just a shopping mall developer. Update: We just recieved a press release that also listed the world’s largest alligator and the 100-pound rat as sideshow attractions. See the full list after the jump…
City Wrestles Sitt for Coney Island Control [NY Observer]

From the press release: The festivities kick off with a 10-day limited engagement with the oldest traveling amusement show in the country—the Reithoffer shows—and won’t stop until Labor Day, as Thor debuts a new, summer-long version of Dreamland Park. All rides will be located off Stillwell Avenue Between Surf and The Boardwalk.

Rides coming in with Reithoffer from May 22 to June 3 include: The Tidal Wave, Swinging Fire Ball, the largest Bumper Car in Coney, Giant Power Surge, The Storm, Giant Century Wheel, Crusty Crab Wheel, Demolition Derby, Super Fun Slide, Mini Indianapolis, Giant Avalanche, Starship 2000, Drive in Go-Round, Rocking Tug Boat, Crazy Bus, Tilt-a-Whirl and Bumble Bee.

Rides that will operate in Dreamland all summer include: Majestic Himalaya, Ring of Fire, Spin Out, Giant Gondola, Wacky Worm, Zipper, Mind Scrambler, Bumper Cars, Mini Himalaya, Mini Jet 6, and a Carousel. A petting zoo will also be located inside Dreamland.

Sideshow attractions the will alternate throughout the summer include: The World’s Smallest Horse, the World’s Largest Alligator, the 100-lb. rat and the World’s Smallest Woman.