Artificial Landscape Features at Amusement Parks

Introduction

Our first post looked at the natural landscaping features at Canada’s Wonderland. This week on Art of Amusement Parks, we are going to look at the artificial landscaping features at Canada’s Wonderland.

Artificial Landscape Features at Canada's Wonderland

As we know, landscaping comes in many forms, including ponds and streams, trees, flowers, shrubs, and even paths. But, what you may not realize is that there are many iconic and notable artificial landscaping features at amusement parks. We are going to take a tour around Canada’s Wonderland to look at some artificial landscaping features throughout the park.

Wonder Mountain at Canada's Wonderland on a beautiful Spring morning.

The Iconic Wonder Mountain

First, let us take a look at the all-mighty iconic Wonder Mountain. Wonder Mountain situates itself at the top of International Street. Wonder Mountain is a 150 foot tall artificial concrete structure that has been an iconic feature at the park since opening year of 1981. Interestingly enough, from 1981 until 1985, visitors were able to walk up the Wonder Mountain walkway capturing a view of the park from above.

Thunder Run's train speeding alongside Wonder Mountain.

The Closure of Wonder Mountain Walkway

The Wonder Mountain walkway closed after the 1985 season to make way for Thunder Run, one of the three roller coasters that operates on Wonder Mountain. In 1991, Wonder Mountain became home to another park favourite roller coaster, known as Vortex. Vortex is a suspended coaster that was manufactured by Arrow Dynamics. Vortex drops off the West side of Wonder Mountain at a height of 90 feet. For the 2014 season, Wonder Mountain’s Guardian debuted, taking visitors on a 4D roller coaster/dark ride experience through the interior of Wonder Mountain. All three roller coasters situate themselves within the International Festival section of the park. Wonder Mountain situates itself between International Street and International Festival.

One of Vortex's trains descending off Wonder Mountain down the first drop that goes under Wonder Mountain's Guardian.

A View of The Past and Present-Day Entertainment

Another interesting feature visitors may not know about is the walkway behind Victoria Falls. This walkway was accessible for visitors and allowed them to catch a view behind the Victoria Falls of Wonder Mountain. This pathway closed after the 1988 season due to safety concerns. Speaking of Victoria Falls, visitors at the park can watch the iconic Victoria Falls High Divers descend off of Wonder Mountain into the water 60 feet below. This spectacular diving show has been a tradition since opening year. It runs daily (weather permitting) from Victoria Day weekend until Labour Day. Although Wonder Mountain is the largest artificial landscaping feature at Canada’s Wonderland, there are some other notable artificial landscape features that definitely deserve some recognition. The next landscape feature we will be looking at is just off of International Street.

The Land of Medieval Fantasy

This iconic artificial landscape feature not only serves as a decorative piece, but also acts as an entrance to one of the most themed sections of the park. The entrance in discussion is the entrance to Medieval Faire. The Medieval Faire entrance truly serves as eye-catching feature that has been a part of Canada’s Wonderland’s landscape since 1981. The Medieval Faire entrance features a large castle-like drawbridge entrance with authentic looking castle spires which adorn at the top. Throughout the majority of the season the entrance sits bare. It is only until October that the park decorates it with Halloween decorations for the annual Halloween Haunt event.

The entrance to Medieval Faire is all covered up with netting and skeletons.

Pieces of the Past

Fascinatingly enough, the Medieval Faire entrance used to be slightly more decorative as it had ropes anchoring down from the pulleys which are seen still intact within the entrance. Despite the removal of this feature, the Medieval Faire entrance still is an attention-grabbing feature amongst the landscape at the park. Since we are at the entrance of Medieval Faire, we might as well head in and check out the rest of the artificial landscaping features found within the section.

The Medieval Faire entrance during the park's first Oktoberfest event.

The Life Within Medieval Faire

When you enter Medieval Faire and go past Wonderland Theatre, you will come to notice the castle towers that stand tall nearby the station of Dragon Fire. These castle towers appear to be in disrepair as they add to the medieval landscape within the Medieval Faire section of the park. But, they are actually quite stable and sound as they have been since the grand opening back in 1981. As we move further along the path, you will come to notice the entrance to Spinovator. The entrance to Spinovator truly reflects and compliments the medieval landscape situated throughout the section. It may appear to visitors as a medieval timed residence that was once occupied long ago as it has the authentic wooden shingles. Many buildings throughout Medieval Faire, as well as other sections of the park feature wooden shingles, causing the buildings to appear older than they actually are.

Spinovator at Canada's Wonderland on a warm summer day.

The World of White Water Canyon

As we move throughout Medieval Faire and head up the path through International Street, we come across White water Canyon. The section of White Water Canyon is where visitors can feel the most seclusion while at Canada's Wonderland. White water Canyon opened in 1984, with a water ride of the same name. The White Water Canyon river rapids ride is home to some spectacular artificial landscaping features. These artificial landscaping features consist of the rocks that line the ride’s water channel, tunnel, and the waterfalls nearing the end of the ride. The waterfalls of White Water Canyon not only serve as a decorative landscape piece, but as a soaking experience for those lucky (or unlucky) passengers of White water Canyon.

The drenching waterfalls of White Water Canyon.

The Remnants of a Saw Mill

Another humble landscape feature amongst White Water Canyon is the water pump building located across from the revolving station platform. The water pump building looks as if it is an derelict building amongst an old saw mill as it presents a worn sign, with old styled light hanging above. It truly sets the mood for an adventurous river rapids ride, in conjunction with the surrounding trees.

A Step Back in Time

As we travel along the path connecting White Water Canyon and Action Zone, with Splash Works in between, we arrive in Action Zone. Once in Action Zone, you will come to notice some interesting artificial landscape features throughout this section of the park. One of the most noticeable artificial landscaping features is viewable nearby the flying coaster, Time Warp. At the entrance of Time Warp are some rather interesting pieces of the surrounding landscape.

The Warriors of Action Zone

On display are some ancient Egyptian warriors who guard the entrance to Time Warp. Interestingly, Time Warp was previously known as Tomb Raider: The Ride, in relation to the movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. The ride has been known as Time Warp since the 2008 season as Canada’s Wonderland’s second owner, Paramount sold their parks to current owner, Cedar Fair in 2006. Time Warp currently presents a highly level of landscaping despite the mass reduction over the years.

The entrance to Time Warp with its decorative display.

A Global Standpoint

Before we end our tour, let’s take a look at a couple final artificial landscape features found within Action Zone. When visitors approach International Street from Action Zone, they will notice a couple of decorative spectacles. These spectacles are in proximity to Xtreme Sky Flyer and include the giant globe of the World and the Moroccan themed building. The giant globe has been a feature at Canada’s Wonderland since opening day on May 23^rd, 1981. It originally symbolized the original theme of Action Zone, which was The Grande World Exposition of 1890. The Grande World Exposition of 1890 featured many Asian, African, European North American, and Central American culture. The giant globe was originally more neutral in colour, receiving a more vibrant paint scheme in more recent years.

Moroccan Is All The Rage

The All the Rage gift shop across the way features a Moroccan style building. It has also been a feature at the park since opening year. All the Rage gift shop was previously known as the Moroccan Bazaar, featuring gifts and trinkets of Moroccan style. The building still prominently features an extent of its heritage, only beautifying the surrounding landscaping efforts of Action Zone.

All the Rage gift shop's tower lit up on Season Pass Sneak Preview Night 2016.

Conclusion

With that, comes a close to the look of artificial landscaping features at amusement parks. I hope you  enjoyed looking at the artificial beauty that can be found throughout Canada's Wonderland! Next week we are going to take a look a look at the walls and fences at amusement parks. In the meantime, be sure to check out Been Here Done That's view of the landscape at Canada's Wonderland.