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Weekly Challenge – Morgan’s Wonderland – Due on September 25

Everyone is welcome to play....at any time.....no continuous play requirements.....

From Jeff Elliott
Posted September 19, 2011 at 7:19 AM
Fix-It Weekly Challenge – Morgan’s Wonderland – Due on Sunday, September 25 @ midnight.

Before we leave Texas, there is one more very heartwarming place that we need to visit near San Antonio: Morgan’s Wonderland. Opened in 2010, Morgan’s Wonderland takes credit for being the first theme park designed and built specifically for the enjoyment of people with special needs. Working as a non-profit organization, the theme park is able to allow special needs people into the park for free and charge very small amounts for everyone else. When I say that the park was designed for special needs people, this involved going to the manufacturers of amusement rides and making them wheelchair accessible, not a cheap or easy design change. In addition to a small handful of rides, there is a Sensory Village, a playground, a train that goes around the lake, an amphitheater, carousel, water play area and other things. Your budget is 50 million. Morgan’s Wonderland plus a nearby sporting complex was built with 35 million, if that gives you an idea of what you can do with strategic thinking and a good plan; so it may be a good idea to scout Morgan’s Wonderland a bit to see what they have done. For the sake of budgeting, any rides that are installed at your park will be 50% more expensive than the same exact ride unmodified (so multiple the cost by 1.5), but keep in mind that some rides will not accommodate a wheelchair no matter how much modification is put into it. While Morgan’s Wonderland is complete park in its own right, it looks to me from a distance that it might be a little light on the amount of attractions (which may have been done on purpose). Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to fix it by significantly adding to the park OR pick a different location and create your own special needs park. If you choose to create your own park, the land that it is on plus the infrastructure will be donated by local charities.

Click here to check out Morgan's Wonderland

Submissions are due by midnight on Sunday night.

For a look at the rules, posting hints, and some budget guidance, please check out the introduction thread: Introducing.......The Fix-It Competition


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From Nick Markham
Posted September 21, 2011 at 3:44 PM

SAN ANTONIO, TX - A small park in San Antonio named Morgan's Wonderland has always been a place for anyone, even those in wheel chairs, to be able to have a fun amusement park experience. And while a small park, it certainly has some big plans with a new $50 million dollar expansion coming in 2012.

From Nick Markham
Posted September 21, 2011 at 4:08 PM

New to Morgan's Wonderland in 2012 will be a brand new land titled "The Land of Giants". Within the land will be three new attractions along with a brand new nighttime spectacular, "Stand on the Shoulders of Giants" which will play nightly on the lake, featuring nearly 100 different water jets that can spray 50 ft. into the air and two giant, 30 ft. tall water screens along with music, lasers, and some fireworks!

From Nick Markham
Posted September 21, 2011 at 4:26 PM
The star attraction of the Land of Giants will be WonderWheel, a $20 million dollar Giant ferris wheel that stands 200 ft. tall. The ferris wheel built by Intamin. While not the world's tallest, it will be the world's most technologically advanced, as each car will feature a specially designed system that allows two wheel chair riders per car (4 regular riders). When the rider enters the car in their wheel chair, the ride will lock onto the wheels to keep it from rolling back. There will be a special control on the handrail that allows the rider to move 360 degrees on the platform to get a full view of the park and the greater San Antonio area from 200 ft. in the air.

The next attraction, Jack and the Beanstalk: The Ride, is a special, KUKA-arm simulator ride with enclosed cars to keep riders in. While riders cannot remain in their wheelchairs. A special device will lift them from their wheel chairs (along with the help of a person) and into their seat on the ride, which is specially designed to keep the rider veyr comfortable. The ride is themed to Jack's journey up the benastalk and his encounter with the giant. The ride will cost a total of $15 million.

From Nick Markham
Posted September 21, 2011 at 4:29 PM
The third and final attraction will be The Giant, a 110 ft. tall B&M wing rider. The ride is a regular coaster but will feature the same system on Jack and the Beanstalk that will lift the rider from their wheel chair and into the roller coaster car. The car features special leg and head support along with the traditional, over-the-shoulder restraint system. B&M is always known for making smooth rides which will make it much easier on a disabled person. The ride cost will be roughly $12 million.

Here is a map as well as the final costs:

WonderWheel: $20 million
Jack and the Bean Stalk: $15 million
The Giant: $12 million
Stand On The Shoulders of Giants: $3 million (15 minute show)

From Jeff Elliott
Posted September 22, 2011 at 6:16 AM
I thought your logo said Gland of Giants....lol!

From Nick Markham
Posted September 22, 2011 at 6:22 AM
Yeah, I noticed that when I put it on. I guess I was just so set on making the "G" so big I didn't think about the consequences... :D

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