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Christmas Wonderland Completes Second Season at Miami's Tropical Park
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Located in Miami, Fla., Christmas Wonderland at Tropical Park drew large crowds throughout its run, but never so chaotically as on its first preview night, November 14th. Preview night found visitors so eager to experience the holiday scene that they waited in line for entrance even as the park ended up closing after it reached capacity.

Christmas Wonderland described the preview event as having “unprecedented demand” and stressed their commitment to keeping the event safe. While there were disgruntled would-be visitors, over the course of the exhibition's run from November 14 through January 5, attendance continued to be high, but without the chaos.

The year's exhibition was Christmas Wonderland's second successful iteration, and it's first at Tropical Park, replacing another city Christmas event at that location, Santa's Enchanted Forest, which is no longer operating.

Christmas Wonderland featured light shows, holiday displays, and amusement park rides. According to Tony Albelo, president of Loud and Live, which puts on the event and contracts the amusement rides, enthusiasm for the event is high this year, as is their commitment “to ensure that the mix of traditional, cutting edge and culturally relevant experiences make every visit a special one.” New shows were added this year while retaining “All of the holiday magic that thrilled our guests, the innovative holiday moments and festive memory-making experiences,” Albelo said.



Albelo previously produced the Wynwood Life Festival, but he relates that he based his planning for the Miami holiday fest on the interests of his two 14-year-old daughters. His plans for next year already include adding more interactive elements to the event, “Integrating technology…that is personalized” throughout. He describes the impetus for the holiday extravaganza overall as the fact that the city of Miami itself is a world-class destination, and as such, “deserved a world-class holiday destination,” too. He terms the event a “a harmonious blend of time-honored traditions and avant-garde elements that celebrate the essence and diversity of Miami-Dade County,” as well as being the “pinnacle of holiday experiences, all in one place.”

This year, guests began their holiday event experience with a trip through The Wonder Portal LED arch, followed by a half-mile walk down the Tinsel Trail, with holiday displays and photo ops as well as light show experiences. Attendees passed through six different holiday worlds, each with their own themes and activities.



These included the Town Square, a holiday classic location with a tree farm, story time with Mrs. Claus, and old-time Main Street vibes; Holidade, which celebrated the diverse cultures and neighborhoods of Miami-Dade County, including offering photo op favorites like a Gingerbread Lifeguard tower. The popular board game CandyLand was re-envisioned with bright color and jumbo candy in the Sweet Street area, while in the Toy Town section, giant toys and kiddie rides were the main attractions. In the Arctic Delight area, attendees ignored the balmy Florida air while passing through a wall of snow and winter-themed activities played out. Finally, there was Santa's Village, replete with live reindeer, active character elves, and a visit to Santa for a commemorative photo.

Every hour, Tinsel Trail became the place to be for the Light Up the Night light show that illuminated and featured each of these six holiday themed worlds in an immersive experience as it unfolded.

Stepping out of the trail, event goers could enjoy unlimited rides, included in the price of admission, on the Magnificent Midway. The Midway featured over 50 carnival rides including the largest Ferris wheel traveling the U.S., the 156-foot-tall Midway Sky Eye. Owned by Biggest Wheel LLC, the 200-ton wheel requires 12 trailers to transport it. Built by Netherlands' Lamberink, the Midway Sky Eye makes appearances at the Florida State Fair, Oklahoma State Fair, the North Carolina State Fair, Wisconsin State Fair, and the Minnesota State Fair among others.



Other midway rides included thrillers such as a Cyclone Coaster, the Himalaya, Rockstar, Orbiter, Crazy Mouse, and Full Tilt, along with family rides that included the merry go round, Dizzy Dragon, Circus Train, bumper cars, a fun slide, and the Expo Wheel. Kiddie rides included a pirate ship ride, kids' boats, and kiddie motorcycles. The midway was furnished by Michael's Amusements, Rockwell Amusements, Wood Entertainment, and several other owners and operators.  Also a part of the midway activities: the IG'loo 360-Dome, which housed an animated immersive 3D experience.



New shows were part of the festivities this year, including Santa's Sky Shot with human cannonball performer Leo Garcia, clad as Santa as he leapt into the air and soared over the carnival itself twice nightly.



The new Wheel of Wonder show featured the character of Lucky the Elf in an action-packed adventure that took place on a spinning wheel. And in the Sleigh and Sway Spectacular show, the star was the character of Santa's reindeer keeper Charlie, performing acrobatics.

Returning was The Christmas Ball of Thrills show, featuring a giant “Christmas ball” filled with stunt motorcycle riders, the Fearless Flores Family.

Contributing to the holiday spirit was the return of a popular event from 2023, a collaboration with Miami-Dade Animal Services for a pet adoption event.

Food choices ran the gamut from gingerbread cookies to popcorn and ice cream to holiday-themed adult beverages at a bar location in the Arctic Delight section of the Tinsel Trail.

Online ticket pricing started at $29 for children ages 3-10, $39 for those ages 11 and older, with free admission for tots aged 2 and under. Parking was free. The event also included giveaway promotions on certain days from nutcracker kits for kids to Christmas ornaments. There were also package promotions including a family pack of 4 tickets for $99.

While the shows and carnival rides were included in the price of admission, games, food, merch, and extra experiences such as the Hampster Wheel and Bungee Jump were additional out-of-pocket costs for attendees.
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