Wonderland - Old School Amusement Park - Amarillo, TX

[@ToxicKittiSP]

Never lived in Amarillo , but my grandma lived close to it so every summer I went here! Always had a blast every time , and even when I got older (14-15) i went on stuff like Texas tornado and the drop tower they had

[@stevieterry3321]

I live in Amarillo and it's so cool to see how someone else enjoys the park I have been going to for the past 30 years. The truck that flashes it's lights at the end of the Fantastic Journey used to have the loudest horn. I'm not sure when they stopped

[@BigTexan7]

It gave everyone a heart attack from what I remember!

[@stevieterry3321]

@@BigTexan7 yep. It was my least favorite part about that ride lol

[@stevieterry3321]

@gibberish there's been a full bar since at least the 80s

[@treymatthews5425]

Yea it was super scary my first time threw lmao

[@jasmineaviles9558]

It just broke and nobody wanted to fix it 😂

[@MrBROTHERFELDER]

The “Cyclone” is very similar to the old “Wild Mouse” ride. Surprised to still see them considering all the accidents this caused throughout the years. Love this!

[@Noakwolf247]

As a native to Amarillo, seeing this video pop up in my feed really shocked me! Awesome video!

[@tomnewman7586]

Same here! I was raised in Amarillo. Live in Canyon.

[@iSprayRice]

IKR! Small city and need more views hehe

[@theshadow9482]

Me too

[@anahigarcia9648]

Fr it's weird too see Amarillo on my feed especially when Amarillo is not big at all or famous

[@Zach-ii7ij]

Ssme

[@joshuaedwards5855]

Born and raised in Amarillo!!! I've been going to wonderland ever since I was a little boy and love it!!!

[@eastonstocker6110]

Came here my entire life, great memories. Threw up on the Rainbow, got scared on the fantastic Journey as a little kid

[@novelynflippo5890]

My hometown! Have been to Wonderland every since I was a little kid. Took my daughter when she was little. Great place for family fun.

[@OutdoorsWithShawn]

Best thing about the small amusement parks is the classic and one-off rides that you'll never see anywhere else.

[@librarianontheloose]

I seriously love the 1950s "any of these rides could kill you at any moment" aesthetic in old amusement parks.

[@badad0166]

Everything looks under-built and sparse on safety. And tired. You would definitely hold on tighter than today's plushly padded rockets.

[@nobaddaystravel6855]

badad0166 we’ve been to this park and yes we definitely held on tighter lol.

[@dedepyle7046]

I have been on those rides my entire life at that Amusement Park and have never had anything go wrong. I'm 52 years old and still go there.

[@djx1479]

I've been to this park also its not as bad as it seems

[@shadowthefox8715]

A lot of the schools in this area use this place as a field trip for 2nd-5th grade 🤷‍♂️ we loved it because of the little thrills we got out of being thrown around 😂

[@keikomanson9603]

I live in Amarillo! Wonderland is my favorite 🤩 I go every year

[@steph5208]

Grew up going there, worked there and still love Wonderland. I am glad you got to experience a part of Amarillo's history.

[@shaylynnfulkerson5116]

I live in Amarillo! We used to go to Wonderland at least once or twice every summer. We'd ride our favorites first then go try new ones. It's one of the best things about Amarillo, Texas.

[@reginabusboom9776]

Thank you for posting! I worked there for 3 seasons as a teenager. It brought back so many fun memories!!

[@kaiphouchane3880]

So weird how I’ve been watching your vids because KZbin recommends them to me and now you are in my home town

[@claireketterlin7024]

I live in Amarillo! It’s so cool to me that you did a video on Wonderland. I appreciate your video a lot!!

[@carolinelister6479]

That Fantastic Journey is my favorite ride when I was growing up. Some of the stuff has changed inside but not all. The room with the clown before you go outside, used to have orange and green stripes and the outside , had a dip, then go back inside. The circles in the beginning have been there for years and probably still has that weird smell when you first go in

[@corncobness]

Yes! And wasn’t there a man in an electric chair?? The crack of the electricity was alway one of the things that made me jump!

[@Prophet_of_War]

Born and raised in Amarillo (:

[@erinmefford8041]

Jonathan Yarbrough great town I love it here unfortunately me and my mom are moving Saturday to Colorado to be closer to my sister

[@lisapan9387]

Awesome I live here too

[@rileygardner1650]

@@lisapan9387 same :)

[@yellow534]

Bro same

[@karliequynn4279]

Samw

[@braxed]

I grew up in Borger (small town north of Amarillo), and I would spend my birthdays at Wonderland. At the end of the Fantastic Journey ride, I remember that bus/truck blaring its horn when the headlights come on, which makes it more startling. Great memories. Thanks for the vid.

[@Nihyre]

This reminds me of a Roller Coaster Tycoon park. There’s like no theming, just rides placed all around.

[@TECfan1]

You mean...an amusement park? Lol.

[@derrickmagallanes]

the "mouse trap" ride reminds me of RCT1

[@tristinsalazar9082]

Derrick Magallanes I live in Amarillo and the mouse trap has killed 4 people 🤧

[@Joshua-bp9nl]

@@tristinsalazar9082 I know of 1 been here 40 years. Don't know everything though.

[@davidcook5705]

I went to Wonderland many times when I was a kid. Had a lot of fun there.

[@tomnewman7586]

Thank you so much. It was a trip down memory lane.

[@carolynmadewell4302]

I lived in Amarillo for a lot of years. Every Sunday after church and a wonderful dinner at Grandmothers we would go to Wonderland park. Just great memories. This was in the 50’s and next to Thompson Park which had a swimming pool where we took swim lessons. Thank you for some great memories. So glad you liked it!

[@tazzmaniadevil7963]

Love wonderland born and raised and still live in Amarillo texas

[@jessebrantley8851]

The Cyclone Coaster came from Funtown Amusement park in Atlanta that closed in the 1960's. I rode it one time then.

[@Dr170]

A very merry unbirthday to you, Mr. Bagger!

[@vv9600]

Thanks for sharing this! I lived near the area growing up and went here at least once a summer. I even had nightmares from the Fantastic Journey when I was little. Tip- if you ever find yourself in Texas and wanting to ride the cyclone, go ahead and put on a neck brace beforehand 😂😂

[@felseyjr71]

I have lived in Amarillo since I was born. 53 years. I haven't been to wonderland in a good while, but just watching this video so much has changed from the last time I went.

[@Allie14Xoxo]

Maaaan, my childhood amusement park, being from Amarillo it’s great to see that park through a different perspective. been watching the channel for a while and it’s nice to see what the Fantastic Journey looks like again 😂

[@cstoner421620]

Do you remember the bus horn going off or is that just me

[@erinmefford8041]

Allison Renee remember when the himilayin went backwards and forwards

[@BigTexan7]

It used to blare and it was loud.

[@cstoner421620]

@@erinmefford8041 good I was starting to think I found my Mandela effect

[@anicholeRL9861]

I used to love these rides so much! Everything looks much older now. I didn’t see the Pipeline Plunge. Is that still there? It isn’t as old as the other rides I don’t think.

[@scottrousseau496]

The painting in the Journey ride is pretty awesome. What a fun little park!

[@rosettaquartz5072]

As a tall kid i too touched the branches with my feet, losing a flip flop to the rooftop. Very nostalgic! 10/10

[@oldskoolraver1079]

These old parks and rides should be protected. They are so unique. I'd rather visit this than some six flags

[@thrashpandaentertainment7013]

This place is sooooo undermaintained. Half the rides get shut down weekly for "technical issues"

[@rileygardner1650]

Oh believe me it is not as fun as it seems. Rides break down constantly

[@paulwright9516]

The cost is almost as high!

[@walnut_raisin2621]

Trust me m8, way cooler oldstyle amusement parks our there. This one is pretty jank and gets boring after a couple hours. More of a one time visit- and hopefully not the last park you visit. The rides are pretty shoddy

[@UnpersonDoublethink]

Fantastic Journey has a LOT of similarities to Phantasmagoria - a dark ride from the now demolished Bells Amusement Park in Tulsa Edit: I found a website detailing the history of the ride and apparently Bells collaborated on this ... 😭 nice to know my fave ride has a sibling alive and well

[@oatfist]

I was thinking the exact same thing. I was wondering if they bought it from Bells.

[@stickyfluff347]

@@RabidRaeBeez lol. I remember the bus. HOOOONNNK!!! About scared the hair off my head.

[@natedallas6238]

I grew up going to Bell’s and thought the same thing when I saw Fantastic Journey!

[@edsmith7485]

Bill Tracy designed whacky shack design haunted house. One at Joyland in Wichita back in the day.

[@Izzy_Edward]

These old school amusement parks have a special charm.

[@AdventureswithBeck]

What an awesome little place! These types of parks are my favorite because they just have so much character.

[@mcwatersd]

I can see why you liked this park. They let you on the Ferris wheel alone. Actually it does seem to be a lovely family park . The dark ride was really cool. Thanks for taking us along. Keep Safe❤Keep Well❤

[@tabasco9477]

I live here in Amarillo and been there quite a few times. In the fanatic journey there used to be a spinning tunnel inside. I'm sad it hasn't been working lately though. I went last month lol

[@jonathanfortenberry1581]

Welcome to amarillo texas. One fact i thought i would share is that our city has a contract with wonderland not allowing any other amusement parks or water parks.

[@rileygardner1650]

Seriously? We need a water park in Amarillo too😂

[@lexysalas6070]

Is that why splash got shut down?

[@jonathanfortenberry1581]

@@lexysalas6070 yes. After splash shutdown wonderland is the only remaining park. The contract they signed with amarillo is a 100 year lease/contractual agreement. Kind of like with westgate mall, that is also a 100 year lease.

[@tishawb93]

Lived in Amarillo my whole life. Wonderland was always fun! Should have ridden the Himalaya! The city is about build a 7-8 million dollar water park right next to wonderland. Using “emergency” funds to do it too.

[@mdlcrochet]

Wrong it does not have that contract. I have dug into it for a college assignment and that contract does not exist. People just think that because there is nothing else here. The actual agreement they have with them is the land and that is it.

[@pretzelrides3748]

The Dark Ride was a Bill Tracey installation and a very common facade that the Pretzel Ride Company built during Traceys tenure there. Lake Winnie still uses the fiberglass cars and track from Traceys design. The Castle facade was very commonly used in a great many defunct Jersey shore rides too.

[@saguaro2231]

wow, nice background info Pretzel...thank you!

[@TheAmerz1]

You should make videos! I came here for some facts!

[@kristajones5067]

On the fantastic journey ride, a long time ago probably 30 years when you go to second floor it used to be a large dip, and then go right back up. Like a roller coaster. Just thought I'd throw that in.

[@kimberlyshalaby1134]

This was a family fun filled Amusement park with all kind of rides for all ages. Very inviting!

[@army300tj]

Born and raised in Amarillo. Welcome and enjoy!!

[@camdeezzy]

That truck at the end of the fantastic journey used to honk at you. It was awesome

[@jmorgan5252]

The old school carousel is incredible! Great video Jacob

[@cm21961]

Wow you're in my hometown! Awesome

[@erinmefford8041]

cm21961 he even went to jack Sizemore travelland museum before this

[@cm21961]

Yes he did, yes he did. Kind of makes me reminisce back home Amarillo . Are you from there?

[@erinmefford8041]

cm21961 yes for now me and my mom are moving to Colorado to be closer to my sister Saturday

[@cm21961]

@@erinmefford8041 have you lived there long in AMA?

[@lisapan9387]

I wonder if they still open during this pandemic...

[@michtm7118]

Been in Amarillo for a little over a year and its a friendly place

[@harleyrider1205]

I love these old school parks!!

[@ayyeeyoobull]

I love Amarillo Texas I moved here from PA 2 years ago and wouldn’t trade it

[@ayyeeyoobull]

I loooove old school wonderland

[@amaris594]

Fantastic journey looks almost exactly like whacky shack at waldameer. Especially the exterior, almost identical.

[@Justanotherfan2]

Been there many of times as a young kid. So fun seeing rids I’ve ridden over 25 years ago still there! :)

[@royalrealm13]

I just started working there about a week ago! I glad you visited. Also I believe the Skyrider is a monorail not a rollercoaster.

[@wichitarichard]

Wow! That definitely is a wacky shack! The facade of it reminds me of the defunct one back home. RIP Joyland.

[@islandofmisfittrains5114]

As a train guy, that is always the first ride to go on when you go to an amusement park

[@davidstorey226]

Thank you so much for traveling to all of these tourist stops. My family would travel in our trailer every summer across America in the late 60’s early 70’s. As a kid I loved all of these stops. It’s great to know there’s still some of them out there. As a kid I lived for these and Stuckey’s. I think Stuckey’s is long gone.😢. David Storey

[@janiworthen]

Traveling through Amarillo once, we saw as far as the gate to the park. (It was closed when we were exploring the town.) Thank you for sharing. Fun video!

[@TheKurtsPlaceChannel]

Very nice video. I miss being allowed riding the Ferris Wheels alone by myself. That alone is really special .Thanks for posting and have a nice day too.

[@Cold417]

Doesn't look like it's changed much in 20 years, except for the addition of that micro-monorail thing. It was always nice going in the evenings/night because it had more of a carnival feel than a huge theme park. Plus the Texas heat during the day isn't too enjoyable.

[@lisapan9387]

I like the mini golf ⛳️

[@angelamessenger4621]

It actually has, there is a whole section in the back of the park with newer rides and attractions.

[@kaysmith1666]

I sure do miss going there I remember going with my parents love and enjoyed it

[@DJ-Krimson-Steele]

A fun note. At the very end of the Fantastic Journey, the bus used to have a loud horn blare as the final jump scare, before the ride ends. When I was a kid, it used to be a school bus with a skeleton driving. The headlights would flash, and then the horn would blare. Thanks for the video. This is a nice nostalgic ride through memory lane.

[@seanconnell7272]

Those are some childhood memories right there. And fun fact they change the fantastic journey ever year they put different things and different places. And they bus at the end used to have this loud horn that would go off when the light turn on. Last thing great content and glad to see you enjoyed wonderland

[@elizabthharris6741]

That is a great park!! Love the big slide and little blue roller coaster. And mini golf! And the scrambler!,

[@brooklynngreer0803]

I live in Amarillo and I can definitely say I have only been on the fantastic journey 3 times lol

[@mz7715]

I bet you had a lot of fun , sorry hi how are you?

[@garyevans3421]

I live 2 hours from Amarillo and get my tv from stations there, so I am aware of Wonderland Park. Just never been there. It’s got more than I would’ve guessed. Glad you enjoyed your visit!

[@larryirwin3161]

Carpetbaggar, My Dad went there all the time and so did my brothers Jerry Irwin,Randy Irwin and my younger Sister Karen Irwin and of coarse Myself back in the early 1970's with numerous Nieces and Nephews at Wonderland Amusement inside Thompson Park in Amarillo Texas.. I sure do miss that place since I've gotten much Older but I do still have an 81-year Old Uncle that lives on Soncy Road in Amarillo Texas.. Thank You for sharing this my friend..

[@TheLonghairedfreeq]

Fantastic journey takes me back to the old phantasmagoria from bells amusement park in Tulsa, OK.

[@JPFalcononor]

Actually, because of Social Distancing, you should be able to ride Ferris Wheels by yourself, all the time.....

[@57Banjoman]

Takes me back to a lost time-thanks, Jacob!

[@christopherregister2838]

A podcast that I listen to mentioned the Sant Cruz mystery spot, so I looked it up on KZbin, your video came up so I gave it a watch. Later I see a recomended video that you're in my town at my amusement park. What a coincidence. I enjoyed an outside perspective of something that I grew up with and take for granted.

[@lmtoad1397]

I loved this. Reminded me so much of the old Pavilion park in Myrtle Beach. It even has the Rainbow ride! I'll have to head to Amarillo at some point.

[@amyyoshikawa7698]

Hi Jacob awesome vlog at Amarillo, Texas and the fun vintage rides. Stay well and safe👍🏻

[@chrisschott8841]

Dude, I love your videos and want you to make them for years to come. So, please, wear a mask.

[@maureensalcido105]

Oh yooh were in my hometown i love wonderland as many times as i go lol will never get old

[@UweJMeyer]

High Jacob,every vlog is amazing and an adventure.I say it once again, you are the real ambessedor of your great nation.You do it with a little smile and your ordiance presuade it.Your vlog is a daily part of our tv consumtion and you are lightyears better than the German tv.Thanks for it and greatings from Germany.

[@dankincaid6142]

Enjoyed your vlog, nice to look things that times past.

[@jsmalls9575]

This is in my hometown. It was a pretty big deal in the summer. You’d get a hand-stamp and ride everything. For a few extra bucks you could go through the haunted house, which we would do so we could make out in a dark ride. Our folks dropped us off and we roamed free for a whole Saturday. It seems so very small now.

[@kristinabeam5181]

It’s a Wacky Shack Dark ride.There used to be several parks very similar to this one all throughout the south. Bell’s amusement park in Tulsa ( it was in the Expo center right by the golden driller ) was very similar and there was a park like this in Memphis Tennessee next to the Liberty Bell Stadium. A lot of these kind of parks no longer exist. I see they have added a few more modern rides which is awesome!!

[@ltrich50]

Fantastic Journey is a dead ringer for Phantasmagoria at the old Bells Amusement Park in Tulsa.

[@TheRamblingG]

A badger meets a white rabbit and go down the rabbit hole and thru the looking glass to wonderful wonderland :)

[@karenstraw7301]

The Dark Ride was Definitely my Favorite. I Really Love the Old Classic Style Theme Park Great Video Really Enjoyed Watching this

[@terrymartin6500]

I went to wonderland yesterday july 17th 2021 and this amusement park is fun.the rattlesnake river is fun and the fantastic journey is dark and fun.

[@toniebranch3084]

This was nifty to see on my feed. Amarillo is my hometown and finally moved a couple of months ago. Not many KZbinrs show Amarillo so thank you! Also I'm a little surprised at the end of the haunted house there is usually a LOUD honk that never stops. I hated it for years 🤣 Be sure to check out route 66, Palo duro, and some of the local restaurants! And Cadillac ranch isn't bad, we now have some more business downtown so that would be good to check out as well. For the Cadillac ranch take some spray paint cans and you are good to go!

[@Stormy_Skye22]

Haha, I was born here. This is a trip to watch. Lol

[@briannarobertson9621]

I miss living there. Every summer me and my grandparents would go to wonderland but the problem was I’d always come out with bruises from the cyclone roller coaster. My favorite was the train because it was slow and calming

[@melissawinstead8701]

Awesome park! Watching you ride the coasters cracks me up lol

[@ViciousAlienKlown]

I live in Amarillo and this is a nice little park.

[@tannerjackson6780]

Those witches rocking used to be a guy being electrocuted in an electric chair.

[@scottthomas6202]

That looks like a great way to spend a summer day...a classic old school amusement park..

[@robertnewberry5108]

Always welcome to come back to my neck of the woods

[@Rubi.Otero.]

Been to WL park to many times as a child the fantastic journey did change a lot back in the time at the entrance the first thing seen was 4 skeletons riding bikes in a Marry go round form and at the end that big red light flashed and sounded like a train

[@arcanian14]

seeing that damn bus at the end flash its lights gave me PTSD, the horn on that thing was like a train horn. Also the Himalaya use to be really awesome when it went backwards, they stopped doing that after someone fell out if i remember correctly.

[@JesusOrtiz-ow7zu]

Also they used to play badass Rock music went a couple weeks back they were playing Katy Perry messed up the whole ride for me

[@gibberish7186]

Reminds me when I went there, it was completely great but at the Texas Tornado, there was only a seatbelt to hang on to so I was terrified lol

[@eratime2686]

I live in the wonderful town of Amarillo and I went to wonderland yesterday

[@briannarobertson9621]

I was born and raised in Amarillo for a little bit and every summer my grandparents took me to wonderland. So many fun memories but what I didn’t enjoy was the cyclone coaster cos I’d come off of it with a sore back and bruised arms and legs and they made me go double seated with my sisters which made everything more painful for me but other than that I loved it and the food was really good

[@frostythecat9811]

I also live in Amarillo

[@erinmefford8041]

Era same till Saturday lol unfortunately me and my mom are moving to evergreen Colorado where my sister lives

[@Devthemichigander]

I just love your videos you have inspired me to vlog myself , but when I feel down and feel like quitting I watch your videos to lift me up and keep going! thanks Carpetbagger Stay safe out there!

[@paulwright9516]

I'm from Amarillo. I am disappointed that the grand finale on fantastic journey did not work. The bus is supposed to honk an air horn and scare the crap out of you! It must be broken. Happy you had a good time!

[@lolasanchez2232]

Cool video I haven’t been since I was a child and hiding behind my sisters back on the dark ride! Fun fact the last part where you see the truck that flashes it’s lights , it use to blare a loud crazy horn ! Gave you me a heart attack every time haha, it’s questionable why it’s removed! Being a native still thanks for inspiring my next date night! Love your videos

[@TracyT5150]

Thank you for bring back some child hood memories ♥️

[@mikel8367]

Did they sanitize the handles on the rides before the next rider got on?

[@feloniousbutterfly]

Doesn't look like they're even having people wear masks, so I doubt it.

[@nobaddaystravel6855]

Sweet Meats we live in Texas 1 hr 40 minutes south of Amarillo it’s required that all businesses’s employees wear masks and 98% of our businesses are requiring customers to wear masks.

[@mikel8367]

@Bart 1519 indyfiretx Lol🤣

[@VietnamAndKoreanFlashbacks]

No I just got in from California, and went there. They have kids basically running the place, and they have sanitizer bottles at every ride. None of the employees ever sanitized the handles the while time I was there

[@X-Gen-001]

Man what a classic gem. I hope that place is always in business. It's like a functioning museum. I'm guessing it's priced very reasonably too especially compared with today's modern amusement parks where you have to sell a vital organ to show your family a fun time.

[@deborahformusa9846]

Awww what a great video, reminded me of Geauga Lake in Northeast Ohio before it was ruined by the corporate amusement companies. Happy that least a few of these parks have survived for local communities.

[@tashihaley8524]

I love that train ride. Use to ride it all the time. I just love trains anyways

[@Texastrailrider]

3:16 Highest point in Amarillo

[@lilmarker1197]

Yub seems about right