In a heartwarming tale from California, a grandfather has transformed his backyard into an enchanting theme park, reminiscent of Disney, to draw his grandchildren over. This whimsical space, aptly named “Grandpa Land,” features an impressive 100-foot roller coaster, a castle inspired by fairy tales, and even a unique ride dubbed “Wacky Whirl.”
Meet Tony Johnson
Meet Tony Johnson, a 68-year-old retired aerospace engineer and longtime Disney enthusiast. “My fascination with Disney began at a young age. I lived just a couple of miles from Disneyland, and I watched it come to life on my bike rides,” he shared with local news outlets. “In my youth, I was fortunate to sneak into the park during quieter times, which made it feel like my own backyard.”
Now, Tony’s grandchildren are creating their own magical memories in this backyard wonderland. The imaginative park includes rides like the “Sleeping Beauty” castle and a pirate-themed attraction reminiscent of “Pirates of the Caribbean.” “I wanted to give my grandkids a reason to visit me, especially with Disneyland being such tough competition,” he explained.
The Inspiration Behind Grandpa Land
The inspiration for this backyard adventure came about eight years ago when Tony realized he could only entertain his grandkids for short bursts. His daughter, Lisa, recounted how he began crafting small pirate ships from cardboard and designed ping pong shooters to serve as cannons. This ingenuity led to the creation of a homemade ride that sparked even more ideas. “He never intended to build a theme park; it just evolved as more grandkids arrived and the fun kept growing,” she said.
While still teaching at a local university, Tony enlisted the help of his students to construct the “Madderhorn Roller Coaster,” which, despite its PVC piping, boasts a speed of 12 miles per hour. “He had it certified as a real roller coaster,” Lisa noted, proudly. “He’s always dreamed of building a ride at Disneyland, so he thought, ‘Why not create one in my own yard for my grandkids?’”
The Joy of Creation
It’s no surprise that the grandchildren are thrilled with this magical creation. “They think he’s the most inventive person ever,” Lisa remarked. “This was never about him; it’s all about the joy he gets from seeing them happy.”
In true Disney fashion, Tony is continually working on new attractions, including spinning teacups, an airplane learning station, and a submarine reminiscent of “Finding Nemo.” “He even made some elements glow in the dark,” Lisa added with excitement.
Visit Grandpa Land
So the question remains: when can we take a trip to Grandpa Land? You can catch glimpses of the family enjoying rides in the video below.
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In summary, Tony Johnson’s backyard transformation into “Grandpa Land” not only fosters family bonds but also inspires creativity and adventure in his grandchildren, making it a treasured family destination.