Family Kingdom Amusement Park

Family Kingdom Amusement Park is a beloved, old-school oceanfront amusement park that represents everything charming about classic American beach-town entertainment. Located directly on Ocean Boulevard in the heart of Myrtle Beach, this park has been thrilling families since 1966 with a collection of over 35 rides, an array of carnival games, and an atmosphere that evokes the golden era of seaside amusement parks. In a world of mega-theme-parks with $100+ admission fees, Family Kingdom offers genuine fun at a fraction of the cost.

The park's crown jewel is the Swamp Fox, a classic wooden roller coaster that has been a Myrtle Beach landmark for decades. This ride delivers authentic wooden-coaster thrills — the rattling climb, the dramatic first drop, and the whipping turns — all with the Atlantic Ocean visible from the highest point. For kids who meet the 48-inch height requirement, this is often their first real coaster experience, and the combination of thrills and ocean views makes it unforgettable.

The kiddie rides section is thoughtfully stocked for younger children. Mini coasters, spinning teacups, a child-sized carousel, and gentle boat rides give preschoolers and early-elementary kids the full amusement park experience at their comfort level. Parents appreciate that these rides cluster together, making it easy to supervise multiple children.

The joy on a three-year-old's face riding a miniature roller coaster for the first time is worth the trip alone.

For older kids and teens, the park offers a solid mix of thrill rides including a log flume, pirate ship, scrambler, and several spinning rides that deliver the stomach-dropping sensations that tweens crave. The carnival game midway — ring toss, basketball shoots, water gun races — adds classic competition and the chance to win oversized stuffed animals. These games use individual pricing, typically $3-$5 per play.

One of Family Kingdom's most appealing features is its pricing structure. There is no admission fee to enter the park. Families can walk through, soak in the atmosphere, and let kids observe rides before deciding whether to commit to wristbands or individual tickets.

Unlimited ride wristbands run approximately $30-$35 per person, which is remarkably reasonable compared to major theme parks. For families with very young children who may only ride 5-6 attractions, individual ride tickets at $1-$4 each can be even more economical.

The park operates primarily as an evening attraction, opening at 4 PM on weekdays and 1 PM on weekends. This makes it a perfect complement to a day at the beach — families transition naturally from sand and surf to rides and cotton candy as the afternoon wears on. The park is at its most magical after dark when hundreds of colorful lights illuminate the rides against the dark ocean backdrop, creating a nostalgic carnival atmosphere that modern mega-parks cannot replicate.

Splashes Oceanfront Water Park, operated by the same company, sits directly across the street and offers water slides, a lazy river, and pool areas with separate pricing or combo wristbands. Families often pair a few hours at the water park with an evening at Family Kingdom for a full day of entertainment at a combined cost well under what a single day at a major theme park would run.