PW Aug 09 P28-29.qxd 7/29/09 12:22 pm Page 28
Park Profile
www.parkworld-online.com
Over a 15-year period from 1990 to 2005, entertainer Michael
Jackson operated a personal amusement park on his California
ranch with a ride arsenal that, at the time, would have been the
envy of several smaller park operators. He also had a zoo,
petting zoo, reptile barn and alligator pond to entertain guests.
Park World takes an exclusive look at Neverland Valley
I
was Michael Jackson's personal ride consultant and developer
for the private Neverland Valley Amusement Park at his 2,600
acre ranch near Los Olivos, California," says Rob Swinson, who
at the time was national sales manager for Chance Rides, Wichita,
Kansas. "Phase 1 of Michael's amusement park project commenced
in June 1990 when the site for the new park was 'bare dirt' and we
worked closely together to June 1993 developing this long-time
dream. Since the age of 17, Michael had dreamed of building his
own private amusement park for 'the children of the world' –
especially underprivileged, handicapped and terminally ill children –
Michael Jackson's “personal ride thus Neverland Valley Park!"
consultant” Rob Swinson switches
"Michael wrote a personal note to me in May 1992 on an
hats with the “king of pop”
amusement ride catalogue – ‘To Rob, The Maker of Dreams. Love
(Robert E Swinson Private Collection) Thanx Michael Jackson.' Few were involved inside Mike's trusted and
personal 'inner circle' of close associates and friends that included
Neverland
Marlon and Miko Brando, Elizabeth Taylor, David E Nordahl and
Norma E Staikos, Michael’s former executive administrator. I was
blessed and very fortunate to have shared personal moments with all
of them."
Allan "Big Al" Scanlon was the director of maintenance at
Michael Jackson’s playground
Neverland Ranch. He bought many of the rides at Michael's
direction and was responsible for their operation. Jackson
eventually bought 18 rides between 1990 and 1997. They
included six from Chance including a Carousel, Sea Dragon, two-
mile-long CP Huntington train, Wipeout and two Zippers (in 1987
and 1990 respectively). There were also four Zamperla rides
including a Turtle Train, Lolli Swing, Samba Balloon and
Dumbos/Dragons. An Eyerly Spider arrived from Roger Jourdan's
Michigan Adventure. There was a Ferris wheel from Eli Bridge, a
Slide by Manco, a Zierer Wave Swinger, a bumper car building by
Majestic Manufacturing with 20 cars, Hampton/SBF Jeeps, SBF
Western Train, the Dragon Wagon kiddie coaster from Wisdom and
a refurbished mile-long Crown steam train named Katherine after
Jackson's mother.
“Michael Jackson’s personal favourite was the Chance Zipper
because it was wild," recalls Lance Brown, Jackson’s ranch manager
from 1989 through to 1993. "Michael liked spinning at the top up
to three times if he hit it just right. Michael’s most popular ride with
the kids was the Sea Dragon because they could ride it together.
(Robert E Swinson
Private Collection)
28 AUGUST 2009
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48