Alpine Village - Mountains & Castles

One of the most popular lands at Wonder World was Alpine Village. This colorful land featured quaint shops and eateries, and was the home to three major attractions...The Rumbling Ridge Bobsleds, The Wizard's Castle, and the Seven Seas Boat Cruise. Whereas I has created one custom scenery set each for Circus Center and Expo 3000, it took three large scenery sets to re-create Alpine Village to be as true to the model as possible.

The Park Inspector welcomes guests to the newly refurbished Alpine Village.

Alpine Village is a fictional, mountainside town, strongly influenced by Swiss, German, Austrian, and Bavarian architecture. Atop a hill overlooking the village, sits a mysterious castle.

Surrounded by mountains and built alongside a river, Alpine Village is a very picturesque town. It features many unique shops and eateries, typical of what one might find in small, European hamlet. We'll begin our tour in the village, and then on to the land's major attractions.

The Clock Shop

The Cheese Shop

 Ice Cream Stand

Alpine Village Cafe

Dining outside the Alpine Village Cafe.

The Crafts Cottage and Restrooms

Chocolate Shop

The Wine Cellar

Wine Cellar Interior

The Wizard's Castle is an indoor spinning coaster which takes guests on a wild ride through spooky scenes. The exterior of the castle, along with the interior queue area, were updated with new custom scenery. The actual ride was never updated though.

Pumpkin Head entertains guests from atop the castle walls.

This way to the Wizard's Castle.

The queue to the Wizard's Castle winds its way up the mountain and alongside the base of the castle.

The entrance to the Wizard's Castle.

The refurbished castle interior creates a spooky atmosphere.

Exploring the creepy interior of the castle.

A caged hell hound looks out at the front parlor.

The ride features spinning pumpkin-shaped vehicles. Here, a trio of witches are brewing a magical concoction in their cauldron.

Passing by strange and menacing plants inside the wizard's greenhouse.

Fire Spewing Gargoyles

Could these be the remains of previous guests?

Oh look. A pumpkin patch. Or are those baby ride vehicles?

I hope these peeps are strapped in securely. At least the guy with the blonde afro has the sense to hold on to the lap bar.

We must be getting close to the Wizard's laboratory.

The wizard seems to be following in Dr. Frankenstein's footsteps.

We bid a fond "farewell" as we exit the ride.

Guests head down the pathway, back to village.

A final, nighttime view of the Wizard's Castle. If you missed the video, you can check it out in the first of the Wonder World articles, HERE.

The next major attraction is the Rumbling Ridge Bobsleds.

The Rumbling Ridge Bobsleds boarding station.

Another view of the boarding station, with Rumbling Ridge rising high above Alpine Village.

The Rumbling Ridge Boblseds is a family-style coaster which takes guests on a wild ride over the mountain tops of Rumbling Ridge and deep into its underground caves.

Excitement builds as guest begin the ascent up the mountain.

Approaching the summit of Rumbling Ridge.

This aerial shot of the pre-custom scenery version of the park gives a great view of the Rumbling Ridge Bobsleds attraction.

Peeps watch from the queue as a bobsled careens down the mountain. (Could those peeps below be the Mophead sisters?)

Crossing the stone bridge and into the dark recesses of the mountain.

 A nighttime view of the Rumbling Ridge Bobsleds boarding station with the Wizard's Castle in the backgorund.

This video was taken from the pre-custom scenery version of the park. There were plans to update the ride, but that never happened. So, get ready to strap yourself in, and keep your hands and arms inside the vehicle at all times. Also, due to some sharp turns past VERY low rock formations, you may want to keep your head down as there's a very strong possibility that you could lose it. ;)

I leave you with this nighttime view of Alpine Village. In the next article, we'll take an in-depth tour of the land's final major attraction, the Seven Seas Boat Cruise.