Amusement parks and movie theaters are where the public went during the Great Depression to help forget their woes for a few hours. Thrills were cheap at Playland where the entrance fee was a dime for anyone over 12, and rides were 10 cents each. Fun could also be had for free once inside the turnstiles. Flagpole sitting and dance marathons were the fads of the day, and Phare promoted them as he did his first love, the Dipper.
On opening day , seven men crawled up tiny poles for flagpole a sitting contest. Locals challenged the nation's champion sitter, Richard Blandy, for more than a week. He lasted 35 days on the sitters' pole. Americans were still in the dance craze, and public dances could be found at many municipal parks throughout the region, including Playland. Here marathons went on endlessly until the survivors won a few dollars.
Phare put on plenty of other promotions, including fireworks shows he named the "Battle of Jutland" and the "Battle of Shanghai"; special nights for children, for city workers, and for employees of various businesses; and a Memorial Day balloon launching. In park owners constructed an automobile race course called the Aurora Speedway. Its site was on the vast parking lot to the east of Playland across the Interurban tracks and fronting on Aurora Avenue.
The oval track and large wooden grandstand covered ground between N th and N th Streets. World War II brought an influx of war workers and soldiers into Seattle. Many remained or returned after war, settling into new homes built in suburbia. In the post war years Playland thrived. People now had money, and families were looking for a good time.
Importantly, television had not yet become incorporated into the American dream. Despite all this, Playland's days were numbered. The thrills often brought spills. Injuries began to result in lawsuits in the late s. A boy had been killed on the Dipper in , but that was a different age, and no one was willing to close the park then because of the death. After World War II, however, injuries seemed to strike a sour note with many people, and courts began to award damage verdicts against the park owners.
On December 15th, , the Aurora Palladium dancehall, not part of Playland but a nearby neighbor, burned to the ground. Two weeks later Playland's Aurora Stadium Speedway grandstand was destroyed by fire. Loose articles and personal possessions such as electronic devices, keys, hats, glasses, backpacks, purses and stuffed animals should be left at home, kept in a locker or left with a non-rider while at the Park or on rides.
Lockers are provided for a fee, and some rides provide shared bins. Some rides do not allow backpacks, purses or head gear of any kind. Fasten safety equipment and demonstrate appropriate behavior while on the ride and ride lines. Line jumping may result in ejection from the Park with no refund. Be sure to use seat-belts and all safety equipment such as shoulder harness, lap bar or chain. Keep hands, arms, legs and feet inside the ride. Follow the instructions from the ride operator and stay seated at all times.
The Ride Operator will instruct you on how, when and where to exit a ride. No one is allowed to ride alone on Gondola and Ye Old Mill. Dark Rides Parents and guardians should pay special attention to Dark Rides, which are enclosed rides that may contain scary scenes, loud noises and flashing lights.
Parents and guardians should use additional caution and discretion if allowing a child to ride. Only you know your children best. Exceptional Size — For safety reasons, all passenger restraint systems must be positioned and fastened properly to allow guests to ride.
Guests of exceptional size may not be accommodated on some of our rides and attractions. Angry local residents petitioned the Commission to purchase and redevelop the area. Frank W. Darling was president of the L. By then Darling had constructed amusement parks in New Zealand, at the British Empire Exposition in Wembley, and at the Modern Art Exposition in Paris, and was well known as an old amusement man, in experience, but not in years or enthusiasm.
The Adventures in Happyland exhibit is included with Playland passes. As safety is our top priority, masks are strongly recommended while enjoying this walk-through experience. We have general guest information on amenities, directions to Playland, conduct and courtesy guidelines to help your visit to Playland go as planned.
Guest satisfaction is also important to Playland at the PNE and we are constantly trying to improve to better serve our guests. We have always been proud of our high standards; now more than ever, we will be ensuring that our guests and team members feel safe enjoying their time at Playland. We continue to work with our local health authorities through each step of our opening.
Physical distancing, recommended masks and enhanced sanitizing protocols will be just a few of the new standard operating procedures on site. During the limited Playland opening we will be operating at a reduced capacity. We require guests to purchase their tickets in advance to limit the number of people on the plaza and in the park. We ask your assistance in leaving the appropriate space between your family and others while walking in the park, using restrooms, in lines on rides and in food areas.
All team members will be wearing masks on site. Masks are recommended for guests in queue lines, on rides and attractions and recommend while walking through the park.
As our overall queue capacity will be reduced, lines for our attractions may appear to be longer than normal. You will be asked to use alcohol-based sanitizer on your hands as you enter the queue lines and just after you exit the attraction platform or perimeter. Rides will be sanitized pre-opening and periodically through operating times. Queue railings and gates will be sanitized and wiped down frequently during the day.
Playland food locations are using cashless procedures on site.
0コメント