Deep South Dixie

Let me start by saying I originally decided to go down to my 20th High School reunion in New Orleans, but after experiencing how lame it is to see people you really didn't care about back then and how fat, ugly, bald and boring they are now,I decided I needed to salvage this trip and get what little coaster time in that's left in the state of Louisiana. First things first, Louisiana in the summer is the WORST place you could ever be. I currently live in Vegas, which is currently an oven, and now I am in New Orleans, which is a sauna. I really need to move someplace cooler.

 

Anyway, off to the trip report. Storyland, which is located deep in the heart of New Orleans' City Park, is a small, fairy tale themed childrens park containing oversized play structures right out of the fairy tales. For those of you in the know, their used to be many of these parks all over the country. Its a very beautifully done park, nestled tightly into large 200 plus year old Oak Trees. The backside of Storyland borders Carousel Gardens, the small amusement area of the park containing several rides, both for adults and children, including a small coaster and a beautiful, 100 year old carousel. Both parks were heavily hit by Hurricane Katrina. Many of the rides were damaged or destroyed, but the management has done a wonderful job to get the park back on its feet. New rides as well as the old rides, have helped to make this a great compliment for Storyland itself.

 

Next up is Dixie Landing/Blue Bayou. Blue Bayou is located in baton Rouge, off the I-10, about 90 miles north of New Orleans. The family which owns the park, also owned a The Fun Fair park, which was located a few miles away. About ten years ago, they closed Fun Fair and moved the rides to Blue Bayou on adjacent land and opened it as Dixie Landing.

Now, BB itself has grown substantially over the past 20 years. I was really blown away with the size of the water slides they now have there. My one dislike though is that in the rush to expand the water park, they have neglected the proper shading structures needed as well as the theming in which they were originally very good at.

 

Dixie Landing has none, if any, theming and very little trees much left shading structures. The park really seems to have just been thrown down, not really thought out the best, with a confusing main walkway threw the park. A Boomerang, a spinner(closed due to a recent death), a galaxi and a small kiddie coaster round out the typical amusement park collection of rides. Anyway, enough of my talk.....off to the pictures.

Carousel Gardens entrance

Water Structure dates back to the W.P.A.

Titlt-A-Whirl greets you first.

The Live Oak Ladybug roller coaster

ERT for whoever that was....the park was VERY empty on Sunday.

I love the Oak trees

The bumper Cars....building hasnt changed in 30 years at least.

The Carousel...the crown jewel of the park

The interior

the new Ferris Wheel which replaced a beautiful old Eli Bridge wheel damaged by Katrina

Fun Slide

Scrambler

Drop Tower

New for 2010!

one of the kiddie rides

this Hampton I believe has been there since I was a child

a rockin' tug

another kiddie ride

the trains in the station....

one of what looked to be three of the antique cars left after the ride was destroyed by Katrina

the welcome sign says it all....again...this part of the park was empty as well today....

Cinderella

the Dragon Slide

little mermaid...exposed!

Peter Pan and Captain Hook

scary alligator....

Mother Goose has been flying thru those trees since I was a little boy....probably much longer as well...maybe since the park opened in the late 50's

the whale use to have a fish tank in his mouth, but was taken out long time ago...still one of my faves!

this used to be the entrance into the park....at least the backside of the entrance.....the little old woman who lived in a shoe.

Captain Friday or one of those king dudes...

cow jumping over the moon I guess

and I will end this part of the TR with the Jack and Jill slide....now off to Blue Bayou and Dixie Landing

the first major water slide that greets you upon entering from the back entrance to Blue Bayou

the Water Moccasins....been at the park for awhile now...still one of my faves

this is a fairly new edition I believe....basically replacing an older version that had just two slides.

the wave pool area

sorry...didnt get the names of all the slides.....this is fairly new as well, I believe...at least within the past ten years

one of my faves....atomic wedgies everytime

the Lazy River

I believe this is a new record setter.....

dont remember this one from the past....all in all, of the slides were really good....nice and fast....not oo crowded....10-15 min wait at most to ride any of the major slides....

the Ragin Cajun....Vekoma goodness...ACTUALLY, of the eight boomerangs I have been on...this is by far THE SMOOTHEST one yet....and I have no idea why!

The Loco Loco...by the way...we are at Dixie Landing now....connected too Blue Bayou

another Scrambler...meh

Spider.....

log ride.....got nice and wet

more log ride...will be better when the trees grow in more of course

Ragin Cajun

somehow, this thing was actually very good!

the Extreme....closed due to the accident.

thought these Rainbows had all but disappeared

have never enjoyed these myself.

Extreme thru the trees

the best pic I could get of the Galaxy...this was originally at Pontchartrain Beach Amusement Park in New Orleans, which closed in 1983

I really never knew these buses said this.

and finally...the back side of Extreme...hope you have enjoyed my TR of a few little known parks in southeast Louisiana....have a few more pics of the kiddieland at Dixie Landing coming soon. If your ever in this area...the parks ARE worth the time for your enjoyment!

I linked your PTR and a few photos to the Park Index.

 

By chance if you have any pictures of any of the following from Dixie Landing please poet:

Cajun Collison (Bumper Cars), Gasoline Alley, Giant Wheel, Gumbo YoYo, Grand Carousel, Manchac Railroad, Hot Shot

 

thanks again

Heres a few more pics from the park.

The Train

Loco Loco

Loco Loco station

Fouchon Flyer

Ferris Wheel

Kiddie land

kiddie airplane ride

Antique Car ride

Carousel