Kiddieland, we hardly knew ye

It's sad enough Kiddieland is closing forever this fall. But it would have been tragic had Tiffany not invited us to come along with her and her Goddaughter, Juliet. Given that I likely wouldn't have acted on the impulse to go, the kiddos would have missed what was truly a wonder-filled day.

To know Will is to know he has a healthy dose of chicken in him, courtesy of me, no doubt. He was all sorts of unsure about the carousel horses (circa 1925). Turns out they don't gallop off into the sunset, a la Mary Poppins.
Partly taking advantage of rides with no lines (yet), partly ramping up to the bigger rides, the kids tried out the little ferris wheel (circa 1951). The girls and Will rode aboard the blue car, and dug the idea of a ride just their size.
'Round and 'round on the dune buggies (circa 1971), with Juliet in pursuit in her purple car!
Ahoy, mateys!
Ham. ;)
One of Will's two favorites was the Flash Gordon skyfighters. Nothing like a little aerial gunfight between friends (Ellie was right behind Will, shooting at Juliet).
I'm sure this space capsule was once very high tech. All but a relic now!
Tiff and Juliet coming in for a landing on (Will's other favorite, believe it or not) the real ferris wheel!
We rode the admittedly a little freaky Galleon, the Raceabout cars the kids steered themselves (!) and the Kiddieland Limited train that circles the park. And Kiddieland's original Roto Whip (since 1939!).
The girls were fast friends, and I think Will left the park holding his head high after pushing his limits just a little. Unfortunately, Juliet and Tiff didn't make it to Petersen's for ice cream afterward—Juliet passed out in the car. Ellie followed suit on the way home. ;)

Given Will's tears that night about Kiddieland's closing, I think we'll try to visit one more time this fall.