Western Playland - So Many Parks 82 

Thank you!

Thanks a lot! Yeah, the way the setting sun illuminates the Franklin Mountains is just gorgeous, it really complements the park's vibrant atmosphere very nicely. Hope you're able to experience one!

I definitely wish I could have experienced it in its original location, that description with the foliage sounds very nice. That plus the sunsets would honestly provide one of the most stunning views from any theme park I imagine.

Yeah, I definitely agree with you on that point. Western Playland is an amusement park that has tons of potential for some new investment and expansion. To me, if the park would focus on opening new rides and attractions, I’d predict that the New Mexico area will become the place for thrill-seekers, both young and old. Imagine all the fascinating wonders that these changes could make for this park. Now, if I was in charge of Western Playland, here’s a look at what I would do to help make this park look better: - First of all, I’d clean up the park and work on the overall appearance. This is where that I would really show my employees and park guests that positive change is coming. If you’re planning a visit to Western Playland, then you would notice a galore of park improvements. These improvements would include the following: - Updating the park’s building facades to have a more Southwestern-like feel - Replacing the blacktop with fresh, stone pavers - Remove the worst restrooms in the park with brand-new, modern ones - Similar to what Cedar Fair has introduced to the their parks, I predict that the park will add a few new restaurants. With these restaurants, a variety of food options and food types will be added to help expand the food the park offers. - Adding some multiple, covered cool misting sections throughout the park - Improving the park foliage (i.e. planting some trees and grass, making sure the bushes are cut back properly, adding some water features) - Updating the parking lot; which would involve the lot getting re-paved and reconfigured to better the flow of cars entering and exiting the parking lot. - I predict the park’s current entrance area could benefit from a much-needed makeover, giving it a vibe like the ones found at parks like Six Flags St. Louis and Worlds of Fun, but take it up a few notches. - We could see the addition of a new Star Flyer attraction. I think that this type of ride would be a perfect fit for the park and really enhance the skyline. Western Playland could make the new attraction stand 200ft tall and market it as “New Mexico’s Tallest Swing Ride”, since Wind Rider at Cliff’s only reaches a height of 115ft. - Western Playland would create some compelling entertainment that people want to see. It’s usually a great break from the roller coasters or enhances park events. I think that the park would open a new performing arts theater, with air-condition. Shows are a great way to also bring unifying messages to the public, something we need more than ever now. - Since it gets extremely hot in New Mexico during the summer, I predict that Western Playland will open a new waterpark, which would be a smash hit for the locals. The new waterpark will feature a wave pool, lazy river, some water coasters, a few family slides, a splash area for the kids and a modern mat racer. - As a way to expand the operating season, I predict that the park will look to add some new events throughout the year. This would help bring more visitors to the park, during the months that they weren’t normally open. I think that I could go for an international food festival-type event (similar to the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot), a children’s festival, an Oktoberfest celebration, and special events during Halloween and Christmas. - I predict that Western Playland will invest in the addition of multiple flat rides (i.e. Zamperla Nebulaz, Mack Rides Twist and Splash, etc.), which would replace some of the more outdated ones that the park currently has. - Now, as for the new coasters that the park could open, here’s what I would go for: - Gravity Group Family Wooden Coaster (replacing Bandito) - Vekoma Suspended Thrill Coaster (STC) - Zamperla Junior Coaster/Super Flume Ride (similar to the ones found at Luna Park - Coney Island and Adventureland Resort) - B&M Mini Dive Coaster - Intamin Blitz Coaster (similar to Maverick at Cedar Point) - Finally, I predict that the park will open a new interactive, shooting dark ride from the Sally Corporation. This would become Western Playland’s first ever dark ride and really help flesh out the park’s lineup.

Thank you so much for sharing your story! That haunted house sounds fantastic, I can absolutely see it fitting into their lineup.

@@CivilianSatellite I actually went down a bit of a rabbit hole after watching your video. The haunted house ride was called the "Gold Nugget" and its designer (Bill Tracy) only has a few dark rides that are still operating. One of them is the Haunted House ride you rode in Camden Park. The Gold Nugget was just like that ride, it had a similar layout with the same kind of big drop. I remember there being more displays than that ride had though. Anyway, thank you for putting these videos together, they're great!

Oh, that is awesome! I didn't realize that they once had a Pretzel dark ride. I would have loved it for sure, especially with how well done you say it was. Definitely a shame it was lost to a fire, I can really see a classic like that fitting in Western Playland's lineup.

Thanks a lot! 😀

It's definitely a park that looks so much better in person than in pictures.

Lol! I actually had a little bit planned involving the Cliff's spinner and Western Playland's, so I was a little disappointed when I learned they got rid of theirs, haha! But yes, the park's sunset and night life certainly made up for the loss.

Also some trivia did you know that the oldest ride that we have in the park is actually the merry go round?

That's awesome! Those Fireball type rides work great at a park this size. I love a classic carousel. I missed it on this trip, but I'll definitely give it a spin the next time I happen to be in El Paso.

Agreed, it's a very fun ride! I still need to get to SCBB, but I do remember hearing the locals were saddened by Hurricane's departure. At least the ride is able to live on at Western Playland.

@@CivilianSatellite The West Coast might not have much Airtime but it’s got some coasters worth checking out. Both CA Dippers are great but the SCBB has a tad better layout

Both Giant Dippers are on my to-do list. I’ve been dying to get back to the Pacific coast!

@@CivilianSatellite If your in Santa Cruz make sure you check out 4-Mile Beach too I highly recommand during sunset

That sounds incredible, will definitely check that out! Thanks for the recommendation.

Thanks a lot! 😀

With so much space surrounding and in the center of the park, you can certainly go wild with the possibilities.

@@CivilianSatellite I am going to do an RMC Raptor.

If Western Playland were to ever get a high-thrill coaster, I can absolutely see a Raptor being one of their choices.

Thanks! Got a bunch more videos down the pipeline.