Wonderwest World Minnesota

Wonderwest World Minnesota
Slogan	Thrill Capital of Minnesota
Location	Taconite, Minnesota, U.S.
Operated by	Wonderwest World
General Manager	Chris Thorpe
Opened	May 16, 1948; 76 years ago
Visitors per annum	1.5 million
Area	1,200 acres (4.9 km2)
Attractions
Total	45
Roller coasters	8
Water rides	10
Status	Operating

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Wonderwest World Minnesota is a 1,200-acre (4.86 km²) amusement park and resort located in Taconite. Wonderwest World Minnesota features a theme park, water park, campground and lodging. It is owned by EPR Properties and operated by Wonderwest World.

History[edit]

Wonderwest World Minnesota opened on Saturday, May 16, 1948

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 New York announced attendance had reached 2,184,000.

For the 50th anniversary (1998), Wonderwest World New York 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.

Current rides and attractions[edit]

Events[edit]

Wonderwest World Minnesota 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.

Other on-site entities[edit]

Campgrounds[edit]

The campground and picnic area offers campsites, approximately half of which are equipped with park-owned RVs and cabins opened in 1971.

Darien Square[edit]

Located within the campgrounds opened in 1977 which includes; a General Store, 2 restaurants, a gift shop, arcade and lounge, laundry and the campground Office.

Darien Lake Performing Arts Center[edit]

The Darien Lake Performing Arts Center is an outdoor music venue on the park grounds opened in 2002.

Ignite the Night COLORBLAST[edit]

Concerts were formerly held at the Laser Stage, also known as the Lakeside Amphitheater. A pool was added in front of the stage as part of the Ignite the Night laser show.