Playland (Vancouver)

Infobox Amusement park
name = Playland at the PNE


location = Vancouver, British Columbia
location2 = Canada
location3 = flagicon|Canada
opening_date =
season = April – October
area =
rides = 28
coasters = 4
water_rides = 1
owner = Pacific National Exhibition
slogan = "Come and join the fun!"
homepage = http://www.pne.ca/playland

Playland is an amusement park at in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It is located in Hastings Park and is the oldest amusement park in Canada.

Every year the park will replace one or two rides with new ones and the attendance of the park is always near capacity during the annual fair. It is the home of the famous 1958 wooden roller coaster. Some of the newer rides at the park are The Hellevator and Hell's Gate, whose marketing campaign angered a few Christian groups.

At the end of August, Playland and its renting partner Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) collectively host an annual fair for the local residents of Greater Vancouver. Talent shows, Animal Races, Demolition Derbies, Monster Trucks and many foods/snacks are a few of the many interesting events found at the fair. During this time, they also rent some rides from West Coast Amusements.

The city of Vancouver has long debated about whether the PNE and Playland will stay at or move from its current location. However, it has been decided that they would stay where they are for some time to come.

Playland's regular season operates from the beginning of April to the end of September every year.

Attractions in Playland

Roller coasters

Children's attractions

These rides are located at a section of the park called "Kids Playce at Playland!" All rides there have a height restriction (90 cm/36") and the maximum height is 150 cm (60") unless otherwise noted.
*Dune Buggies
*Flying Elephants - Circular elephant ride.
*KC's Raceway - Motorized car ride.
*Helicopters - Ten helicopters, with names such as Zippy, move in a circular motion while the riders may control the helicopters to go up and down. No 150 cm (60") limit.
*Kiddie Swings - Smaller version of the Wave Swinger.
*Merry-Go-Round - Classic carousel ride. No 150 cm (60") limit.
*Paddle Wheelers - Boats on a small shallow circular water channel.
*Raiders - Large themed jungle gym set.
*Stunt Cycles - Motorcycles move in a circular motion.

Other attractions

*Demons Of The Dark and House Of The Dead - (New for 2007) Two haunted houses for the price of one with real people/monsters lurking inside. There is an additional charge for this attraction (except during Fright Nights).
*Climbing Wall - A 10 m (35 ft) tall climbing wall with three climbing stations, two for beginners and one for experts. This attraction is free with admission during the regular operating season, but there is an additional cost to go on it during PNE days.
*Glass House - A maze constructed of transparent walls.
*Mini Golf - A small 18 hole miniature golf course.'
*Basketball Courts - 2 basketball courts for guests to use.

Annual events

Fright Nights

Since 2003 [http://www.canada.com/holidays/halloween2005/story.html?id=cf008019-5a18-402a-a803-fc1713780901] , Playland organises a special Halloween event in the park called Fright Nights [http://pne.ca/fright-nights/] . In addition to haunted houses and other exclusive scary attractions, the majority of the main attractions are open. Many specially employed monsters are scattered around the park, roaming and scaring the patrons.The Haunted Houses are owned and managed by ScreamWorks Inc., a Calgary based company.

For 2007, Fright Nights is open from October 12-31.

Gallery

History Gallery

External links

* [http://pne.bc.ca/playland/ Playland Web site]
* [http://rcdb.com/pd81.htm Playland] at the Roller Coaster DataBase