LAKEVIEW HEIGHTS
Well folks, here we go. I thought I'd be the first this time round. 48 hours early, but I feel I've done all I can for this challenge without adding things for the sake of it. Hope you enjoy my attempt at something unique and a little different.
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The first thing our park needed was an access point to the beach from the top of the cliff. Why build one, when you can build three? Our lucky guests have the following options:
1) Walk down a zig-zag scenic path, taking in wonderful views across the lake. The walk back up isn't as fun, though!
2) The Lakeview Heights Funicular Railway (LHFR), which really does put the "fun" in funicular! For a modest ticket price, guests can board at the cliff top, and emerge opposite the beach and boardwalk.
3) Perhaps the most innovative way of getting down to the beach, but the laziest, is in the lighthouse themed elevator, which buries down into the groundrock. At the bottom, guests emerge from a tunnel onto the beach. There is also a viewing platform atop the lighthouse to look over the lake, or back across the park. A worthwhile experience!
(Edit: all three routes are fully functional! Alas, I don't have a working elevator or funicular railway, but the path enters the building at the top on both occasions, and then tunnels through the cliff to emerge through the station building door(s) at the bottom. Guests can use all three routes if they so wish).
Image 1Here you can see the funicular railway station on the left, and the start of the zig-zag pathway beyond the scenic floral plaza.
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Image 2Taken from the lighthouse viewing platform, you can see the precarious path to the top of the elevator on the left, itself offering great views. The zig-zag path can be seen in the centre, and the funicular railway can be seen on its way to the beach on the right hand side.
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Image 3The beach has had a small development built since our last visit. Some bookable chalets can be seen on the right, with a small car park behind them which is accessed along the beach roadway. These each come with a lounger, which can be seen on the sand in front of them. Also found on the beach is a modest boardwalk, with two restaurants (Subway and Harry Ramsden's Fish and Chips), along with restroom facilities. Behind can be seen the funicular railway station, the entrance to the elevator, and the zig-zag pathway.
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Image 4"It's coming home, it's coming home, it's coming... football's coming home". World Cup Fever has hit the resort, with a fanpark being constructed on the beach so that the many visiting England fans could watch their team beat Sweden in the quarter-final. Security will have to be upped for the following screening, as two red smoke bombs were smuggled in, set off as Harry Maguire put England 1-0 up...
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Image 5The park itself hasn't been forgotten. Here is a simple, yet functional, second entrance, found near the entrance to the elevator on the cliff top. The path to the left, under the arches, takes visitors around the perimeter wall to the main car park, so that they can access the beach without entering the park. The ticket booths can be seen on the right hand side, under the canopies, and of course the main entrance can be seen in front.
Of particular interest is the carousel horse on a pedestal. This, as the plaque in front of it explains, was an original horse from the original 1922 carousel at the old Lake Planco amusement park, long dismantled but never forgotten. It has been restored and sits proudly as a reminder of the past.
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Image 6Finally - we have one new ride. With a hot air balloon adorning it, and white mist effects, "Journey Through the Clouds" is a fun ride, just thrilling enough for thrillseekers to enjoy, but not too fast to turn families away. In the foreground is a park favourite - the giant checkers board! Guests can enjoy a game while taking a break from the rides.
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Well - that's your lot! Had so much fun with this challenge. Really looking forward to seeing what everyone else has done!