'Dragonator': Playland's first ride in a decade named by summer camp kids

Playland’s first new ride in a decade was christened as “Dragonator” after a vote of summer camp kids on Wednesday.

The Schwarzenegger-esque moniker was one of five finalists after a naming contest by Westchester County government that netted more than 400 entries, County Executive George Latimer said.

“We got so many different submissions, we had a few like ‘Ridey McRide,’ ” he said prior to the vote. “You know, somebody wanted to call it I-95. I-95 is a ride unto itself, I know it very well.”

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The interstate is located nearby Playland, the county-owned amusement park on Rye’s Long Island Sound Shore. Latimer lives just outside of the park.

The vote to name the ride was done at Cranberry Lake Preserve, located mostly in North Castle. With the finalists decided, kids at the county’s Nature Camp lined up behind the names of their favorite. All five finalists, named by county staffers, were dragon-themed, keeping on brand with Playland’s iconic Dragon Coaster.

The other finalists were Dizzy Dragon, Dragon Spinner, Dragon Twist and Dragon’s Tail Spin. Mount Pleasant resident Larry Gottlieb suggested both the winning entry and Dragon’s Tail Spin.

Gottlieb said in a statement that it was a “truly unique honor” to name the ride as a lifelong Westchester resident who spent many hours at the park.

Dragonator was originally to open around Independence Day, but officials now say it is expected to open in about two weeks. The ride is a spinning top that moves back and forth on a U-shaped track in a half-pipe motion.

It’s the first new ride at the park since Music Express and the Playland Yo-Yo in 2008. It is being installed by Italian ride manufacturer Zamperla, which calls the model of ride “Disk O’24.”

The total cost of installation is $433,417, up from the original price tag of $305,000.

Westchester County will reimburse the manufacturer for the majority of that through a 50-50 split of gross receipts for the attraction. Zamperla gets a $25,000 administrative fee and has agreed not to be reimbursed for $50,000 of added work.

Follow Mark Lungariello on Facebook: @lungariello; and Twitter: @marklungariello.