I use to love going to this park as a kid. It's sad to see so many of this type of family spot fall into just memories. Great job on setting up this site, it made me feel really good to see the pictures. Patrick Starworldsarcade.com

Now 37 it is almost hard to believe this was the BEST PLACE in the world as a kid! I will never forget every Thanksgiving Day night, my grandparents would let me sleep over and the next morning-time to shop for my birthday!!!!!! So Cool to see the pictures and share with my children (which really do not understand) and my wife who is not from this area originally. Seems that it really is the little things that makes memories!

GREAT site! Never visited the park but have fond memories of the castle and the commercials. Congrats on getting this up! Any Facebook page yet? I'll also info the amusement park sites of this as well. Best Wishes!

I lived in Villa Park and less than 10 minutes away from the place. We moved away in '79, and then I drove past the place where it used to be in the early '90s and wondered what happenned, and why it was gone. Now my questions have been answered. Thanks for the memories!

I remember trying to make my "acting" debut on your commercial day where you invited everyone to come to the Castle and enjoy the rides while a camera filmed in the hopes of pulling off a commercial for the Castle. I remember how excited I was at the thought and when the commercial was complete and on the T.V., I watched it intently each and every time trying to find myself on a ride. Thank you for everything. what a happy place!

You did a great job on the new video page. We looked at all of them and it brought back some wonderful memories. Keep up the good work!

I worked at the Kiddie Kingdom one summer in the games department. Lots of memories of the duck pond, the shooting gallery, etc. and made lots of friends while working there.

BRINGS BACK OLD TIMES I ALWAYS LIKED GOING HERE AND TO THE TOY STORE AS A KID WHAT KID DIDN'T LIKE GOING TO A TOY STORE ABOUT 1 MILE FROM YOUR HOUSE ANY CHANCE YOU HAVE OLD THINGS ON THE BOWLING ALLEY OR THE ROLLER RINK?

I remember this place when I was a little kid growing up in south Elmhurst. We went there alot with my parents and friends. It was so much fun and exciting to see the rides and the lights and smell the popcorn and hear the screaming and laughter. The castle seemed so big in those days. It was like you could get lost inside of it. We were all younger and more innocent then. It's gone now but the memories will remain forever.

It was a rare treat the few times our parents took us to Kiddie Kingdom. We shopped a lot at Sears in Oakbrook Center and upon exiting that store you could see Kiddie Kingdom / Castle of Toys just over the hill. It was like dangling a treat just out of our reach every time we saw it. It didn't make any difference to us what time of day it was...if we saw the property we always asked, "Mom, can we go to Kiddie Kingdom?!" Sadly the answer was usually no :-( Thanks for keeping the memories alive!

My mom was so excited to forward me this site. As the oldest of my siblings, I was the only one that remembered the fun times we had there! Thanks for sharing.

WOW - so many memories and great images. It's great to see some of these items again. From toy trains in the castle to the mint chocolate chip ice cream in the parlor. Time to dig out my photos and more memories!

I always loved Dispensa's and as an adult, I've frequently asked my mom, 'What was that cool amusement park you and dad used to take me to?" When she told me the name -- I looked up Dispensa's and found a photo of a postcard online, but that was years ago. I remember my favorite ride -- Storybook Land -- and was wondering if you had any pictures on the INTERIOR of the ride?

My grandparents lived in the condos behind Kiddie Kingdom and we could always see the ferris wheel lit up at night. They used to take us there when we'd have overnights at their house. My sister drove by there yesterday, and although it's gone we had fun reminiscing! Thanks for the memories.

I went to grade school with Nick and thought it was very cool that someone I "knew" was part of the Castle! Just remembered the place during a conversation tonight, and thought I'd try to look it up. Thanks for the site!

I rermember the Carnivals (including the one at Butterfield Firehouse in mid 60's), the little toy store, later the castle and later took my kids to Kiddie Kingdom. GREAT!

Great website. Thanks! I worked as a "packer" over a holiday season, and then I helped John Sr. in the shop until getting back on my feet.. The Dispensaâ??s often took care of people â??down on their luckâ?�. I was out of college, had left my first two jobs prematurely, and needed work experience. While bagging toys one day, I saw an old carnie come through the door. John Sr. recognized him, shook hands, and then personally â??pricedâ?� the items in his cart. John Sr. never accepted tips for carrying items out to a car â?? something I never did either. I guess it was my way of giving back for the Dispensaâ??s kindness in taking me in. I heard a lot of carnie stories and learned that the Dispensaâ??s where welcome in every town because of their fairness and honesty. Having learned the language, I can now talk to carnies about heads, sweeps, centrics, and sceneries. Emil told me when I started that I wouldnâ??t be a â??realâ?? carnie until I came home with horseshoes on my shirt â?? nor would he tell me what that meant. Then a week before I was offered my dream job in the aerospace industry I walked into the lunchroom where Emil took one look said I was now a full fledged carnie. My shirt was covered with horseshoe grease stains. (I wonâ??t reveal how I got them). So although I didnâ??t travel with the Dispensaâ??s, nor work in the park when it was open, I feel as if I earned a place among them. In a short 6 months I got a lifetime of education. And although I always felt I would have been more suited to working in the office (and would have loved learning the business side), I was a sponge soaking up everything I could. Now in addition to my regular job I am an author and lecturer in logistics and supply chain management. But I am forever humbled, having worn the red & white stripes of the Dispensaâ??s uniform.

Wow, what memories this brings back! I grew up in Addison and my mother would take us to Dispensa's for toys and can remember when they added the amusement park. The commercials were a staple of Chicago television and the theme song takes me back. I also had wood shop at Addison Trail that was taught by Mr.Dispensa, who was the son of the owners. Thanks for putting together a website for all of us to share. I will be emailing a link to this site to many friends that grew up in this area.

I loved this place as a kid! I remember wanting to go on the Octopus, but was too afraid to go alone, so I'd only go on it when my dad was with us! :D The train ride was a special treat for my sisters and I. We'd only get to go on it if we were behaving ourselves! =)

How sad there is no place to take my kids to a place like this now. I spent my childhood here. How sad that I don't have one picture of me at this place. I know we got one sitting somewhere at my parent's house. My sister took me here as a child. I have so many memories... they closed all my childhood favorite places.... thanks for having this site. It brings back memories that are hard to remember. I remember my sister forcing me to go on the cages. After that I loved it and moved on to the roller coasters at Great america.

This place was AWESOME! So many memories...loved the train, the dark ride called storybook land and the mite mouse roller coaster! :)

I am SO glad to have found this site. My children and I have such fond, wonderful memories of Dispensas Kiddie Kingdom. It was a fabulous place, and we miss it. I wish my grandchildren could go there now!!!!

Every time I drive through the area and see that big huge dark cold building standing where Kiddie Kingdom was, (the building is a monument of corperate greed triumphing over something decent and innocent). I think back to a more pure and innocent time when I would go to Kiddie Kingdom and have fun. It is always about money in life. Does anyone remember the haunted house ride there? The car slammed into the doors that went inside. It sure would be nice if Kiddie Kingdom was still there so I could take my kids there to enjoy. There is a place in Wisconsin called "Little America" it is an amusement park geared towards little kids. Look it up and take the kids there, it is comparable to Kiddie Kingdom or Kiddieland, enjoy.

So many memories, so little time. I worked the food pavilion, I think it must have been the summer of 81 or 82. My older sister's were already there so being a legacy paid off. What fun being a high school kid working with a bunch of college kids for the summer! The rookies ruled or ruined (one of the 2) the pavilion. We fed all those kids fries and hot dogs and then the ride workers got to clean up the fries and hot dogs they tossed! I worked in the castle for one season too - I can't say I liked that at all - I did love getting to go there to buy toys as a kid - loved the draw bridge into the place!

Another Kiddie Kingdom alum here - I worked there from 1981-84. I have great memories of running a bunch of different rides, mostly the big Scrambler. Also worked one Christmas in the toy castle in the doll department. I still remember the Madame Alexander craziness. Great memories of a great time in my life. Thanks!

'82-83 while attending Proviso West HS worked part time at Kiddie Kingdom and Castle of Toys. Since I was the "wet behind the ears" HS kid I was put on the smaller rides such as the German Ride, Spinning Swings, Helicopter Ride, Boat Ride. Quickly learned why the Boat Ride had a 5 gal. bucket nearby. The water was used for a wash down for those that toss one's cookies while on a ride. Depending upon the line if a child approached my ride without a ticket I would sometimes allow them on or remain for an extra spin (to save mom and dad from a child melt down). In the off season it was time for Castle of Toys. Worked check lanes, stocking, and pulled purchases from layaway. Yes, layaway! Who provides that these days to any great degree? Had a chance encounter with Cookie the Clown from Bozo's Circus while working check out. Cookie was doing an in store appearance. Stocking shelves required working after hours. That was fun!! Nerf footballs come to mind. I don't know what took longer. Picking up after ourselves or stocking the shelves. Working for the Dispensa's was a very enjoyable and rewarding experience. However, throwing a football around he store was probably not a good idea. Sorry, Nick!!! While in the Marine Corps I learned of the closing. Very sad. I felt a loss when hearing the news. EXCELLENT SITE! Like the fact that one has the capabilities to zoom in on the pics posted.

The Kiddie Kingdom song started going through my head in the shower yesterday. Don't ask me why. I had to go looking to see if I could find a video of the commercial. Thanks for the memories.

As everyone is saying this site is amazing and brings back a ton of memories. I worked for the family in the summers of '70 and '71 as a ride operator and again in '74 at the Kiddie Kingdom. I was the Rock-o-Plane operator at all the carnivals and was on the Merry-Go-Round set up crew with Paul Jr., Rich Doria and Ken Shriver. Ken was the Merry-Go-Round operator during this time and Ken and I went into the Navy together in Oct. '71. One time while driving one of the heavy carnival truck rigs up to Montgomery Days on I294, I was stopped just past the Franklin Park Rail Yards and kicked off the tollway because I coudn't get the old truck past 49mph. My brother Jeff Stibal reminded me we had borrowed the old pickup shown on the site to take my stuff down to U of I in the fall of '70. Jeff is about 12 years younger than me and he worked at the Kingdom while he went to Bradley in Peoria. I met my first wife, Jan Schaub (nee Less) at the Glen Ellyn Carnival in "71. When I started working for Dispensas we were still using the old garage then later we started using the Sears Warehouse for the trucks - what a change. When I went into the Navy in '71, Johnny Jr. bought my motorcycle which I had bought from Sears in Oakbrook Center. Great memories, great family - Hello to all! I graduated from York in '68 and am now living in Arizona - gschaub@gmx.com

We just sent you a message, after learning that Dispensa's had a website. My wife is interested if you are a member of the family. One of the photos seems to show Johnny and Randy in it. Would appreciate it if you could reply. Tannks.

Well done, my young cousin! If I have anything I can add, I will send it on for your already excellent site. Judging from the guest book entries, Dispensa really did rule the carnival world in Illinois. It was a great life, glad I was a part of it. By the way, I think that's me running the wheel. Can't tell for sure. Might be your father. Hell, we all used the same techinque, could have been any of us.

Grew up in Lombard. I remember sitting in the car as a child and seeing the castle from Roosevelt Road. It was the most beautiful thing to me. I have very fond memories Thanks for this site. While playing the commercials, my daughter kept asking me if we could visit this weekend. She doesn't understand why anyone would tear it down.

What a blast from the past!! I grew up in OBT and have great memories of going to the "Castle" and the amusement park. I remember meeting Ray Rayner there, and the huge Henry dog in the doorway. What a great website!!

I remember the Dispensas at the New York Toy Fair in 1963. John and his wife walked into the Strombecker showroom. It was my first Toy Fair and very quietly, since they were unannounced, unknown, and without an an appointment, they were politely passed on to a younger salesmen. I was brand new to the scene and given the privilege of working with this delightful couple. They laid down one of the biggest orders of the day and in cash. This was unknown at that time.. Within the next few hours word spread throughout the 200 Fifth Avenue Toy building and I don't think there were many showrooms that ever again received them without some kind of fan fare. My memories John and Nick, his mom and the whole Dispensa family has always brightened my thoughts in recall. A wonderful honest family and it was a pleasure to have worked with them for so many years until the Castle was no more.

The four new videos additions are great (any ride $0.25). Yes, a gallon of gas was also just $0.25. Keep up the good work by helping recreate my memories.

Tahnk you so much . My Grand parents and parents took me here every weekend as a kid. I had 10 wonderful years. I loved the train and everything else . I remember the gian stuffe solider in the entrance of the best toy store that was ever around. It was truly heart breaking when it closed. Everytime till this day I think of all the fun time shared there. Bring it back!!!

Thanks for putting up this site. I've tried to describe this to my kids and now they can see it. It's great.

I loved finding the commercials at YouTube! 2 weeks later, both jingles are still playing in my head all day! It makes me feel like a 10 year old living in Villa Park again! Thanks!!!

I lived in OBT all my life. When I was 7 or 8 my friends and I would sneak across Rt83 at 16th (it was 4 lanes with a stop sign) we would ride our bikes, buy1 ticket for the ferris wheel and buy a bag of cotton candy. I bought all my model trains at the castle. And I remember meeting the Banana Splits there! Thanks!

Hey, awesome job putting this together. I am so impressed. I went through the whole website. That was a great time back then. It brought back memories especially seeing the commericial and hearing the tune.

This is a great website. I loved the Castle of Toys and Kiddie Kingdom. Thanks for the memories