Wonderland Park (Texas): Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 35°14′27″N 101°49′56″W / 35.240752°N 101.832090°W / 35.240752; -101.832090
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{{Short description|Amusement park in Amarillo, Texas, United States}}
{{Unreferenced|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox amusement park
{{Infobox amusement park
| name = Wonderland Park
| name = Wonderland Park
| logo = Wonderland Amusement Park logo.webp
| image = Having fun at wonderland.JPG
| logo_size = 200px
| location = US 287 at NE 24th Ave in Thompson Park, [[Amarillo]], [[Texas]], U.S.
| caption =
| location = 2601 Dumas Drive, [[Amarillo, Texas]]
| location2 =
| location3 = United States
| coordinates = {{coord | 35.240752 | -101.832090 | type:landmark_region:US-TX | display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord | 35.240752 | -101.832090 | type:landmark_region:US-TX | display=inline,title}}
| owner = Roads family<br>Borchardt family
| opening_date = 1951
| opening_date = {{Start date and age|1951|08|12}}
| previous_names = Kiddie Land
| status = Open
| season = March–September
| rides = 30
| rides = 43
| coasters = 4
| coasters = 5
| water_rides = 5
| area_acre = 10
| previous_names = {{plainlist|
| owner = [[Roads and Borchardt Development]]
*''Kiddieland Park'' (1951-1966)}}
| general_manager = Paul and Alethea Roads, Paul and Paula Borchardt
| season = May through September
| homepage = {{URL|www.wonderlandpark.com}}
| water_rides = 4
| slogan = WOW!
| homepage = {{url|www.wonderlandpark.com}}
}}
}}
'''Wonderland Park''' is an [[amusement park]] located in [[Amarillo, Texas#Cityscape|Thompson Memorial Park]], [[Amarillo, Texas]].


'''Wonderland Park''' is an [[amusement park]] located in [[Amarillo, Texas#Cityscape|Thompson Memorial Park]], [[Amarillo, Texas]], [[United States]].
== Park History ==
In 1951, Paul and Alethea Roads traveled from their residence in [[San Angelo, Texas|San Angelo]] to Amarillo, Texas to search for a plot of land where they could build an amusement park. They came across a bleak stretch of land in what is now Thompson Park.
“There were no trees, just scrub grass and sand burrs,” Mrs. Roads stated. “It was so pitiful, we started back to San Angelo but only got so far as Canyon before we decided to give the location a second look.”
Mark Miles, the director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Amarillo at that time, let the Roads to build an amusement park, promising improvements to the plot of land that included transplanted trees.
After several months of construction, the park was completed on August 12, 1951, when Kiddie Land opened its doors for the first time. The Park featured three rides, the Hershell Kiddie Boat Ride, the Lil’ Dipper Roller Coaster and the Kiddie Car Ride, which, in fact, was built by Mr. Roads himself.
Although Kiddie Land was an instant success with area residents, Mr. Roads had to take another job to make a decent amount of pay. He worked as a fabricator at the Amarillo Air Force Base while running Kiddie Land. This went on for more than 10 years, until he decided to focus his attention full-time on growing the popular amusement park.
In 1969, several new rides were added that appealed to people of all ages, including a bumper car ride. It was at this time that Paul and Alethea decided to change the name from Kiddie Land to Wonderland Amusement Park. Over the next few years, dozens of rides were added, including Fantastic Journey, which Mr. Roads built by hand.


== Park history ==
Over the years, more coasters were added, further expanding the park. The park is still run by the Roads family.
The park was founded in 1951 by Paul and Alathea Roads. In 1969, several new rides were added that appealed to people of all ages, including a bumper car ride. The park is still run by the Roads family.


The [[COVID-19 pandemic]] shut down the 2020 season from mid-March to mid-June.
[[File:Roller coaster in Wonderland Park.JPG|thumb|200px|right|Looking south towards the Texas Tornado and Shoot the Chute]]
[[File:Roller coaster in Wonderland Park.JPG|thumb|200px|right|Looking south towards the Texas Tornado and Shoot the Chute]]


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* Cotton Candy Booth
* Cotton Candy Booth


===Main rides===
===Roller coasters===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
* Bumper Cars
|-
* Fantastic Journey
! Name !! Year Opened !! Type !! Manufacturer !! Comments
* Fiesta Swing
|-
* Himalaya
|[[Texas Tornado (roller coaster)|Texas Tornado]]
* Pirate
| 1985
* The Rainbow
| Custom Steel Looping Roller Coaster
* Scrambler
| [[Hopkins Rides|Hopkins]]
* Sky Ride
|
* Sky Rider
|-
* Tilt-A Whirl
|Hornet
* Wonder Wheel
| 2009
* Texas Intimidator
| Custom MK-700
* Drop of Fear
| [[Vekoma]]
* Balloons
| Formerly operated at [[Boblo Island Amusement Park]] in [[Amherstburg]], [[Ontario]], [[Canada]], and [[Six Flags AstroWorld]] in [[Houston]], [[Texas]].
|-
|Mouse Trap
| 1975
| Zyklon (Z64)
| [[Pinfari]]
|
|-
|Cyclone
| 1968
| Wild Mouse
| [[E&F Miler Industries|Miler Manufacturing]]
| Formerly operated at Springlake Park in [[Oklahoma City]], [[Oklahoma]], and Funtown in [[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]].
|}


===Water rides===
===Major rides===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
* Thunder Jet Racers
|-
* Big Splash Log Flume
! Name !! Year Opened !! Manufacturer !! Type !! Comments
* Pipeline Plunge
|-
* Rattlesnake River Raft Ride
| Drop Of Fear
* Shoot The Chute
| 2004
| [[Moser's Rides]]
| Drop Tower
| Purchased from a traveling carnival group based out of the Florida Everglades.
|-
| Fantastic Journey
| 1974
| Paul Roads
| Dark Ride
|
|-
| Texas Intimidator
| 2009
| [[Moser's Rides]]
| Flipping Action Arm
|
|-
| Old Tymer
| 2021
| Gould Manufacturing
| Antique Cars
|
|-
| Fiesta Swing
| 1979
| [[Chance Rides]]
| Yo-Yo
|
|-
| Bumper Cars
| 1970
| Soli of Italy
| Bumper Cars
|
|-
| Himalaya
| 1988
| [[Reverchon]]
| Himalaya
|
|-
| Sky Ride
| 1960
| [[Hopkins]]
| Chairlift
|
|-
| Sky Rider
| 1960
| [[Hopkins]]
| Monorail
|
|-
| Pirate Ship
| 1990
| [[Intamin]]
| Swinging Ship
|
|-
| The Rainbow
| 1990
| [[HUSS Park Attractions|HUSS]]
| Rainbow
|
|-
| Scrambler
| 1989
| [[Eli Bridge Company]]
| Scrambler
|
|-
| Balloons
| 1985
| Bradley & Kaye
| Balloon
|
|-
| Tilt-A-Whirl
| 1999
| Wood Amusement Rides B.V.
| Tilt-A-Whirl
|
|-
| Wonder Wheel
| 1980
| S.D.C.
| Ferris Wheel
|
|-
|}


===Roller coasters===
===Water rides===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
* [[Texas Tornado (roller coaster)|Texas Tornado]]
|-
* Mouse Trap
! Name !! Year Opened !! Manufacturer !! Type !! Comments
* Cyclone
|-
* [[Hornet (roller coaster)|Hornet]]
| Rattlesnake River
| 1988
| [[Hopkins Rides]]
| River Rapids
|
|-
| Thunder Jet Racers
| 1980
| [[Hopkins Rides]]
| Two-man Raft Ride
|
|-
| Pipeline Plunge
| 1986
| [[Hopkins Rides]]
| Duel Raft Slide
| Currently Standing But Not Operating
|-
| Big Splash Log Flume
| 1980
| [[Hopkins Rides]]
| Log Flume
|
|-
|}


===Children's rides===
===Children’s rides===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
* Boats
|-
* Cars
! Name !! Year Opened !! Manufacturer !! Type !! Comments
* Helicopters
|-
* Froghopper
| Helicopters
* Merry Go Round
| 1977
* Train
| Venture Manufacturing
* Kiddie Bumper Cars
| Helicopters
|
|-
| Boats
| 1951
| [[Allan Herschell Company]]
| Boat Ride
|
|-
| Frog Hopper
| 1999
| [[S&S Power]]
| Frog Hopper
|
|-
| Kiddie Bumper Cars
| 2002
| Duce
| Kiddie Bumper Cars
|
|-
| Umbrella Car Ride
| 1970
| Hampton
| Umbrella Ride
|
|-
| Merry-Go-Round
| 1951
| [[Philadelphia Toboggan Company]]
| Carousel
|
|-
| Train
|
|
| Train ride
| Contains an air whistle, electric powered swinging bell and smoke maker.
|-
|}


==References==
==References==
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{{Commons category|Wonderland Park (Texas)}}
{{Commons category|Wonderland Park (Texas)}}
* {{Official website|www.wonderlandpark.com}}
* {{Official website|www.wonderlandpark.com}}
{{Amarillo, Texas}}

[[Category:Culture of Amarillo, Texas]]
[[Category:Culture of Amarillo, Texas]]
[[Category:Economy of Amarillo, Texas]]
[[Category:Economy of Amarillo, Texas]]

Latest revision as of 13:01, 12 February 2024

Wonderland Park
Previously known as
  • Kiddieland Park (1951-1966)
Location2601 Dumas Drive, Amarillo, Texas, United States
Coordinates35°14′27″N 101°49′56″W / 35.240752°N 101.832090°W / 35.240752; -101.832090
StatusOperating
OpenedAugust 12, 1951; 72 years ago (1951-08-12)
OwnerRoads family
Borchardt family
SloganWOW!
Operating seasonMay through September
Area10 acres (4.0 ha)
Attractions
Total43
Roller coasters5
Water rides4
Websitewww.wonderlandpark.com

Wonderland Park is an amusement park located in Thompson Memorial Park, Amarillo, Texas, United States.

Park history[edit]

The park was founded in 1951 by Paul and Alathea Roads. In 1969, several new rides were added that appealed to people of all ages, including a bumper car ride. The park is still run by the Roads family.

The COVID-19 pandemic shut down the 2020 season from mid-March to mid-June.

Looking south towards the Texas Tornado and Shoot the Chute

Attractions[edit]

  • Amusement Park Rides
  • Miniature Golf
  • Arcade/Games
  • The Food Booth
  • Drink Booth
  • Cotton Candy Booth

Roller coasters[edit]

Name Year Opened Type Manufacturer Comments
Texas Tornado 1985 Custom Steel Looping Roller Coaster Hopkins
Hornet 2009 Custom MK-700 Vekoma Formerly operated at Boblo Island Amusement Park in Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada, and Six Flags AstroWorld in Houston, Texas.
Mouse Trap 1975 Zyklon (Z64) Pinfari
Cyclone 1968 Wild Mouse Miler Manufacturing Formerly operated at Springlake Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Funtown in Atlanta, Georgia.

Major rides[edit]

Name Year Opened Manufacturer Type Comments
Drop Of Fear 2004 Moser's Rides Drop Tower Purchased from a traveling carnival group based out of the Florida Everglades.
Fantastic Journey 1974 Paul Roads Dark Ride
Texas Intimidator 2009 Moser's Rides Flipping Action Arm
Old Tymer 2021 Gould Manufacturing Antique Cars
Fiesta Swing 1979 Chance Rides Yo-Yo
Bumper Cars 1970 Soli of Italy Bumper Cars
Himalaya 1988 Reverchon Himalaya
Sky Ride 1960 Hopkins Chairlift
Sky Rider 1960 Hopkins Monorail
Pirate Ship 1990 Intamin Swinging Ship
The Rainbow 1990 HUSS Rainbow
Scrambler 1989 Eli Bridge Company Scrambler
Balloons 1985 Bradley & Kaye Balloon
Tilt-A-Whirl 1999 Wood Amusement Rides B.V. Tilt-A-Whirl
Wonder Wheel 1980 S.D.C. Ferris Wheel

Water rides[edit]

Name Year Opened Manufacturer Type Comments
Rattlesnake River 1988 Hopkins Rides River Rapids
Thunder Jet Racers 1980 Hopkins Rides Two-man Raft Ride
Pipeline Plunge 1986 Hopkins Rides Duel Raft Slide Currently Standing But Not Operating
Big Splash Log Flume 1980 Hopkins Rides Log Flume

Children’s rides[edit]

Name Year Opened Manufacturer Type Comments
Helicopters 1977 Venture Manufacturing Helicopters
Boats 1951 Allan Herschell Company Boat Ride
Frog Hopper 1999 S&S Power Frog Hopper
Kiddie Bumper Cars 2002 Duce Kiddie Bumper Cars
Umbrella Car Ride 1970 Hampton Umbrella Ride
Merry-Go-Round 1951 Philadelphia Toboggan Company Carousel
Train Train ride Contains an air whistle, electric powered swinging bell and smoke maker.

References[edit]

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wonderland Park (Texas).
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