Charming Landscaping of Fantasy Island

Introduction

This week on Art of Amusement Parks, we are going to take a look at the charming landscaping at Fantasy Island of Grand Island, New York. Before we begin to look at this wonderful landscaping, let us first get acquainted with the Niagara Falls area family amusement park. Fantasy Island opened in 1961 as a 12 acre family amusement park. In 1974, the park grew to its current day size of 85 acres. Throughout the years, Fantasy Island continues to entertain and thrill children and adults alike through their immersive collection of rides and attractions. Some of Fantasy Island's attractions consist of the Silver Comet wooden coaster, the Crazy Mouse, and a water park.



Although the rides are the major attraction of Fantasy Island, the landscaping is just as attractive and unique as you will discover throughout this article. Before we go on to the photos, I would like to thank Logan Benjamin of The Amusement Parkrats for kindly sending his photos my way for the use of this article.

Indian Village at Fantasy Island

There are many charming landscaping scenes to be found at Fantasy Island. Starting off in the Indian Village section of the park, visitors can see teepees, life-sized Native American figurines, and totem poles.  Visitors can experience the landscaping of the Indian Village while taking a paddle on the canoes or riding the relaxing Iron Horse Train that travels throughout the park. They can also just stroll through the Indian Village on a nearby path on a beautiful summer day.

A totem pole on display in the Indian Village at Fantasy Island. Photo credit: Logan Benjamin.

The Whimsical Kiddie Land

Another charming collection of landscaping at Fantasy Island can be found in the Kiddie Land section of the park. Kiddie Land features many nursery rhyme and fairytale characters. The characters take older visitors a trip back in time to their childhood. They also allow younger visitors to create new, memorable experiences as they explore the section of the park, dedicated to children of all sizes. Many of the characters found throughout Kiddie Land section date back to when Fantasy Island’s early days. Also, some newer ones have been added over the years only to enhance the experience for the youngest of visitors.

Interactive Landscaping Fun

Children can also take a slide down a shoe, or taking a peer into the iconic whale mouth. The youngest of visitors can even find Humpty Dumpty and Jack and the Bean Stalk (featuring the giant and Jack; climbing the beanstalk) while in Kiddie Land at Fantasy Island.

The giant awaits for Jack's arrival atop the beanstalk in Kiddie Land section of Fantasy Island. Photo credit: Logan Benjamin.

Humpty Dumpty waiting for a photo opportunity in kiddie Land. Photo credit: Logan Benjamin.

The Shoe slide and the iconic whale attracting children of all ages throughout the years. Photo credit: Logan Benjamin.

Other Charming Landscaping Features

Throughout the rest of Fantasy Island, visitors will immediately notice many other landscaping features which are beautiful. Trees found around the park, including some very fascinating small trees make up the additional landscaping. Once they do bloom in the late spring, they make way for a picture perfect opportunity. Historic features at Fantasy Island make way for an excellent rustic sensation. These features consist of fences and even an old train tunnel, to remind visitors of the park’s wonderful past.

Chain link fence with brown privacy patches. Photo credit: Logan Benjamin.

A look down the formal train tunnel at Fantasy Island. Photo credit: Logan Benjamin.

The beautiful trees in the springtime that dot the landscape at Fantasy Island. Photo credit: Logan Benjamin.

Conclusion

That wraps up the look at Fantasy Island’s amazing landscaping features. This park may be small, but it sure is has many highly attractive and charming landscaping features that perfectly compliment the rides and attractions. I would like to thank Logan Benjamin for sending his great photos of Fantasy Island our way! In the meantime, be sure to check out the latest news of Fantasy Island by making your way over to The Amusement Parkrats website!

A Sneak Peek at Early Season Landscaping

Introduction

This week on Art of Amusement Parks, we are going to take a look at some early season landscaping at Canada's Wonderland. Season Pass Sneak Preview Night is an event held for Season Pass Holders to visit the park before the general public on opening weekend. Season Pass Sneak Preview Night also allows us to see some amazing landscaping efforts early in the season.

Wonder Mountain standing tall after a cold Winter during Season Pass Sneak Preview Night.

International Street Sneak Peek Springtime Landscaping

After a long winter season, Wonder Mountain continues to stand tall overlooking the Royal Fountains. It is a beautiful sight to see, especially as the trees on International Street begin to grow their leaves. Not only do the leaves on trees begin to grow, but so do the leaves on the shrubs that line the beautiful Royal Fountains. This all makes way for a picture perfect moment, especially once the darkness of the night rolls around later in the evening. But, before darkness rolls around, visitors should look at the prettiness of the pansies that sit in place of the Floral Canadian Flag early in the season.

New Landscaping of International Festival

As we venture off of International Street, into International Festival, a new ride known as Soaring Timbers awaits. Along with a new thrill ride, comes some very amazing and stunning landscaping. Soaring Timbers operates where the Pro Putt Mini Golf had operated for 23 years. As many park goers know, willow trees surround the area, which creates tons of shade during the hot summer months. With the removal of some of the older willow trees to make way for Soaring Timbers, new willow trees were put in place nearby. But, it’s not only the willow trees that surround Soaring Timbers. A beautiful water fall formation, along with spectacular cedar rail fences were added in front of Soaring Timbers to relate to the theme of the ride. Also, Soaring Timber’s sign is a piece of the landscape as well as it is held up by strong cedar timbers.

The all-new for 2017 Soaring Timbers. Here you can see the spectacular waterfall feature in front of the ride.

The Soaring Timbers sign supported by cedar posts.

The Old Yet Highly Attractive Landscaping

As we venture around Wonder Mountain, more shrubs sprawl throughout International Festival. The smaller shrubs grow along side the paths nearby Klockwerks, complementing the wooden German themed fences. There are also more shrubs around Wonder Mountain to give it a ‘natural appeal’ while making the park highly attractive. The smaller shrubs truly start to grow once the temperature begins to rise as the summer season nears.

Here are the shrubs standing beside Klockwerks in International Festival.

Nighttime Landscaping Spectacular

As the sun begins to set for the evening, some landscaping features come to life as they illuminate at night. This is especially true with International Street as it becomes a magical world of illumination for all visitors to see. The Royal Fountains are truly spectacular as they rise and lower in the multi-coloured light show. International Street is a magical place as the attractive lights string around many trees along the paths.

A beautiful sunset provides an orange glow on the beautiful landscape at Canada's Wonderland.

A view of International Street at night looking from the entrance to Medieval Faire.

Here are the Royal Fountains glowing blue and some semi-lit pansies on International Street.

The Royal Fountains sporting red lights.

Landscaping to See at Night

But, it isn’t just International Street that is a spectacle to see when catching thrills at night. The Medieval Faire fountain located in front of Wonderland Theatre illuminates with red lights causing for an eye-catching display. When you venture to Planet Snoopy during this evening, you will notice the attractively illuminated water fountains. These are just a few of the highly attractive landscaping features which are prominently visible while spending an evening at Canada’s Wonderland.

The Medieval Faire Fountain illuminated by red lights at night.

A fountain fully illuminated at night nearby the Planet Snoopy bridge.

Conclusion

That ends an evening of Season Pass Sneak Preview Night. I hope you enjoyed taking a peek at the amazing landscaping efforts put together by Canada’s Wonderland’s landscaping crew. Visiting the park in the evening will amaze you as the landscape appears in spectacular illumination. Until next time, be sure to check out more photos of Season Pass Sneak Preview Night at Canada’s Wonderland thanks to Amusement Views.