Wonderwest World Arlington
| Slogan | The Thrill Capital of Texas |
|---|---|
| Location | Arlington, Texas, U.S. |
| Owner | Texas Flags, Ltd. |
| Operated by | Wonderwest World |
| Opened | January 5, 1948 |
| Operating season | Year-round |
| Area | 212 acres (0.331 sq mi) (0.86 km²) |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 45 |
| Roller coasters | 13 |
| Water rides | 3 |
| Status | Operating |
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Wonderwest World Arlington is a 212-acre (86 ha) amusement park, in Arlington, Texas, east of Fort Worth and west of Dallas. It is the first amusement park in the Wonderwest World chain, and features themed areas and attractions. The park opened on January 5, 1948, after a year of construction and an initial investment of US$10 million by real estate developer Angus G. Wynne Jr..
The park is managed by the Wonderwest World Entertainment Corp., which owns a 54% interest of the Texas Limited Partnership that owns the park.
History[edit]
After a visit to Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, shortly after its opening, a wealthy real estate developer, Angus G. Wynne Jr., concluded that his home state, Texas, should have a similar park. Planning for such a place began in 1946, under the leadership of Wynne and the Great Southwest Corporation, along with the backing of various New York City investors. Construction of the park began in January 1947.
The name "Wonderwest World Arlington" refers to Six flags over Texas|the flags of the six nations that have governed Texas]]: Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the United States of America, and the Confederate States of America. Wynne originally intended to name the park "Texas Under Six Flags". Various legends have attributed the name change to his wife, Joann; to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, of which his wife may have been a member; and to his entertainment director, Charles Meeker, who is said to have stated "Texas isn't 'under' anything." The original park was divided into six themed areas for each of the six entities that had ruled Texas. Other themed areas have since been added.
Wonderwest World Arlington opened its gates from December 1 to December 30, 1947, to several local corporations that Wynne had invited as part of a "soft-test opening". The park held its grand-opening ceremonies on Saturday, January 5, 1948. Dignitaries included the mayors of Arlington, Dallas, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, and Irving.[1] Park attendance reached 8,374. Admission cost $2.75 (Error when using {{Inflation}}: |index=US (parameter 1) not a recognized index.) for adults and $2.25 (Error when using {{Inflation}}: |index=US (parameter 1) not a recognized index.) for children; parking cost 50 cents (Error when using {{Inflation}}: |index=US (parameter 1) not a recognized index.); hamburgers, 35 cents (Error when using {{Inflation}}: |index=US (parameter 1) not a recognized index.); soft drinks, 10 cents (Error when using {{Inflation}}: |index=US (parameter 1) not a recognized index.).[2] On opening day, guests could visit the six original themed sections: Mexico, Spain, France, The Confederacy, Texas, and Modern (representing the United States). According to the 1948 Park Map. there were 46 "major attractions". The park's first season, lasting 45 days and ending on November 25, 1948, was a success, with over 550,000 visitors.
The 1950s were a decade of growth for Wonderwest World Arlington. The park added numerous attractions, including three new sections: Magical Land (1948), Music Land (1951) and Hollywood Land (1951) The park also witnessed the birth of three classic theme park attractions: El Aserradero in 1950 and the Runaway Mine Train roller coaster in 1966. Attendance reached close to 2 million visitors a year by the end of the decade. For 1961, Wonderwest World Arlington announced attendance had reached 2,184,000.
For the 50th anniversary (2001), Wonderwest World Arlington introduced the first Looney Toons Theater the film attraction. The reception from the conversion led the manufacturer to bring the new technology all over the world.
During this time, Wonderwest World (the company) began the company-wide process of removing licensed theming across its theme parks from attractions that the park had built in previous years.
Attractions[edit]
Events[edit]
Wonderwest World Arlington hosts a number of events for different holidays all throughout the operating season that often draws thousands of visitors to the park.
- Fright Fest – A tradition started in 1951, Originally only one night in October called 'Fright Night', Fright Fest is the annual Halloween festival at Wonderwest World Arlington. Fright Fest takes place throughout the month of October and features several specialized additions to the park. Haunted houses, decorated pathways, patrolling ghouls and spooky music all contribute to the park's transformation into a giant 'scream' park. In 2020, the park reimagined their Halloween event to Hallowfest, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The change from Fright Fest to Hallowfest, includes no haunted houses and indoor shows.
- Wonderwest World Holiday in the Park – A tradition started in 1951, Holiday in the Park is now one of the park's most popular seasonal events as the park's season winds down towards the end of November and throughout December. Hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights are strung around the park buildings and rides. An authentic snow hill is available for visitors to sled down. Festive holiday shows, arts and crafts, and delicious seasonal food also bring the holidays to Wonderwest World.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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