Humanized Version
Do you ever think back to a place that felt like pure magic, somewhere that let your imagination run wild and free? For many youngsters growing up in the Fort Lauderdale area, particularly around Sunrise, Florida, that special spot was a truly one-of-a-kind indoor amusement park called Wannado City. It was a place where children were not just visitors, but rather the main actors in their own little world, a whole city built just for them to explore and, well, do whatever they wanted to do. This particular spot, located within the sprawling Sawgrass Mills Mall, gave kids a chance to try out all sorts of grown-up jobs and experiences in a really fun and safe way.
This unique attraction was, you know, pretty huge, actually. It spanned over 140,000 square feet, which is, to be honest, a lot bigger than most of the department stores you would find in that very same mall. Think about that for a moment: a space larger than some of the places adults go to shop, all set up just for children to play and learn. It offered a kind of play that went beyond simple rides or arcade games, giving youngsters a chance to step into different roles and pretend to be anyone they wished to be, a bit like a tiny town where kids were in charge of everything.
For a good while, this place was a truly popular spot, drawing in families from all around the greater Fort Lauderdale region and even further out. It was a destination for birthdays, school trips, and just regular weekend fun, a place where memories were, you know, really made. But, as with many good things, its story eventually came to an end, leaving behind a lot of fond recollections for all the kids and families who got to experience its rather special charm.
Table of Contents
- A Place for Young Dreamers
- What Made Wannado City So Special?
- The Sheer Size of Wannado City
- A Personal Connection to Wannado City
- How Did Wannado City Inspire Kids?
- The Business Side of Wannado City
- What Happened to Wannado City?
- Remembering Wannado City
A Place for Young Dreamers
Wannado City was, in some respects, a dream come true for many children. Its main idea, or slogan as they called it, was "where kids can do what they wanna' do," and that was, you know, pretty much the whole point. This was not just a place with rides that spun you around or games where you won small prizes. Instead, it was an entire small city where children could actually take on different roles, pretend to be grown-ups, and get a feel for what various jobs might be like. You could be a firefighter, for instance, or a chef, or even a doctor helping toy patients. It was, quite literally, a place that allowed young minds to play at being adults.
The way it worked was really quite clever, actually. Kids would pick an activity, get some simple instructions, and then, you know, they would get to work. They could earn a pretend currency by doing these jobs, which they could then spend on other activities or little treats inside the park. This system, in a way, taught them a bit about how the real world operates, about earning and spending, but all in a context of fun and playful learning. It was, basically, a chance for them to explore different career paths and interests without any real-world pressure, just pure, unadulterated play.
So, you could find children dressed in little uniforms, acting out scenarios that mimicked adult life, from delivering mail to working in a pretend hospital. The whole setup encouraged imagination and creativity, letting kids truly step into different shoes. It was a place where, apparently, the most important decisions were made by the kids themselves, giving them a sense of control and independence that they might not always experience in their daily lives. This unique approach made Wannado City stand out quite a bit from other places children might go for entertainment.
What Made Wannado City So Special?
What truly set Wannado City apart, you know, from your average family fun spot, was its core idea of giving children agency. Most amusement parks are about being a passive participant, riding along, watching things happen. But here, children were the active ones, the doers, the decision-makers. They were not just playing at a job; they were, in a way, running their own little world. This focus on allowing kids to make the "important" choices, as the information suggested, was a pretty big deal and a rather unique selling point for the place.
It was a place where a child could, say, decide to be a police officer one hour and then, just a little later, switch to being a news reporter. This freedom to choose and change roles meant that every visit could be a totally different adventure, which, you know, kept things fresh and exciting for repeat visitors. The whole setup really encouraged children to think about what they might want to be when they grew up, giving them a safe and playful environment to test out various interests and skills. It was, in short, a place that fostered a sense of purpose, even if it was all just for fun.
The entire environment was built with children in mind, from the scale of the buildings to the types of activities offered. It felt like a city scaled down just for them, where they could walk around and feel like they belonged, like they were truly part of something. This thoughtful design, combined with the emphasis on active participation, made Wannado City a very memorable experience for many. It wasn't just about entertainment; it was, in some respects, about giving kids a taste of independence and responsibility in a playful setting, which is that kind of thing you do not find everywhere.
The Sheer Size of Wannado City
When you think about Wannado City, one of the things that really stands out is, you know, its sheer size. This place was truly expansive, covering over 140,000 square feet. To put that into some perspective, that's a space that was actually bigger than most of the large retail stores you'd find in the Sawgrass Mills Mall itself. Imagine a whole city, or at least a very substantial part of one, built indoors, all under one roof, and all just for kids. It was, basically, a huge playground with a serious purpose, a rather impressive feat of design and planning.
This vastness meant that there was a tremendous amount of space for different "establishments" and activities. You weren't just limited to one or two options; there were, in fact, many different areas representing various parts of a real city. There was a fire station, a hospital, a TV studio, a bakery, and so much more. This expansive layout allowed for a great variety of experiences, ensuring that every child, no matter their interests, could find something that truly appealed to them. It was, quite honestly, a place where you could spend hours and still feel like you had not seen or done everything.
The scale of Wannado City also added to the feeling of being in a truly separate world. When you stepped inside, you were, you know, completely immersed in this miniature urban setting. The large area meant that kids could spread out, explore, and really feel like they were in a bustling place, even though it was all contained indoors. It was, in a way, a little universe created just for the young ones, allowing them to roam and discover at their own pace, which, you know, is pretty cool when you think about it.
A Personal Connection to Wannado City
For many, Wannado City was not just some place you heard about; it was, you know, a very real part of their childhood. I, for one, actually loved Wannado City a whole lot and went there, like, a dozen times while growing up. It was a place that created so many good memories, the kind you hold onto for a long, long time. The fact that it was an indoor park also meant that it was a perfect spot to visit no matter what the weather was doing outside, which, you know, is a big plus in Florida.
Living about 45 minutes away, getting there was always a bit of a trip, but it was absolutely worth it every single time. It was the kind of place that made those longer car rides feel like part of the adventure. I went there for all sorts of reasons: on camp field trips with a whole group of friends, for birthday celebrations that felt extra special because of the setting, and just, you know, with friends on a regular day when we wanted to do something really fun. Each visit brought new experiences and different things to try, which was part of its lasting appeal.
The memories of being there, of pretending to be a grown-up and trying out different roles, still stick with me. It was a place that, in some respects, shaped some of those early ideas about what the world was like and what possibilities existed. That personal connection, that feeling of having been a part of something truly unique, is what makes Wannado City more than just a closed amusement park; it is, basically, a cherished memory for a lot of people who were lucky enough to experience it during its time.
How Did Wannado City Inspire Kids?
So, how did Wannado City, you know, truly inspire the children who spent time there? Well, it went beyond just simple fun. By allowing kids to "do what they wannado," it sparked their imaginations in a truly powerful way. Think about a child who always dreamed of being a doctor; here, they could actually put on a little white coat and pretend to care for patients. This kind of active, hands-on play is, basically, very different from just watching a show or playing a video game. It made the dreams feel, you know, a little more real.
The concept also fostered a sense of independence and problem-solving. When a child had to figure out how to, say, deliver a package in the pretend city, or how to put out a "fire," they were using their minds and making decisions. This process, in some respects, helped them develop skills that are useful in the real world, like teamwork, communication, and thinking on their feet. It was a place where kids could, you know, experiment with different roles and see what felt right, without any actual consequences if they made a mistake.
Moreover, the whole experience of earning and spending the pretend money taught them a bit about how value works and the effort involved in getting things. This practical lesson, delivered through play, was a pretty clever way to introduce basic financial ideas without it feeling like a chore. Wannado City, therefore, was not just an amusement park; it was, in a way, a place of playful learning, where children were encouraged to think, create, and interact with their surroundings in a meaningful way. It was, you know, truly an inspiring environment for young minds.
The Business Side of Wannado City
Behind all the fun and games, Wannado City was, you know, a business, just like any other. It was, in fact, a property of Grupo CIE, a company that manages various entertainment ventures. Like any business, it faced its own set of challenges, particularly when it came to its location within a large shopping mall. Malls, as you know, often have pretty high rental costs, and those costs can go up over time. This became, apparently, a significant factor for Wannado City.
The information mentions that as the rent prices for Wannado City went up, its attendance went down. This is, basically, a tough situation for any business. If the cost of operating increases, and fewer people are coming through the doors, it becomes, you know, very difficult to keep things going. It's a simple economic reality that even a place as special as Wannado City could not escape. The balance between what it cost to run the place and how many people were coming to visit just got, in some respects, out of whack.
This kind of situation shows that even the most beloved places need to be financially sound to keep their doors open. The rising costs likely put a lot of pressure on the operators, making it harder and harder to maintain the park while also making enough money to cover expenses. So, while it was a place of joy for children, it was also, you know, a venture that had to contend with the practicalities of operating in a commercial setting, which, you know, can be quite challenging.
What Happened to Wannado City?
Sadly, like many places that bring so much happiness, Wannado City eventually faced its final days. The once very popular children's attraction, you know, announced that it would be closing. This news came out, apparently, about a month before its actual closure, which must have been a real disappointment for many families who loved visiting the place. It's always a bit sad when a beloved spot that holds so many memories has to shut down for good.
To make matters a little more difficult, the closing date at Sawgrass Mills Mall was, in fact, moved up. This kind of change can be, you know, pretty unsettling for people who might have planned one last visit or who were just hoping to have a bit more time with the place. For parents, especially, it meant a quicker end to a place their children loved, a spot that offered a lot of unique fun and learning. It was, basically, a sign that the business side of things had reached a point where continuing was no longer an option.
The closing of Wannado City was, in some respects, a quiet end to a very loud and active place. It left a void for many families in the greater Fort Lauderdale area who had come to rely on it for entertainment and unique experiences for their children. The reasons behind it, as we've discussed, seem to point to the increasing operational costs and, you know, a decrease in the number of people coming through its doors. It's a common story for many businesses, but it doesn't make it any less sad for those who cherished the memories made there.
Remembering Wannado City
Even though Wannado City is no longer open, its memory, you know, lives on for many who experienced its rather special charm. It was a place that truly lived up to its slogan, giving children the freedom to be anyone and do anything within its walls. From the sheer size of its 140,000 square feet, which was, in fact, bigger than many department stores, to the unique concept of kids making the "important" decisions, it was a truly unique indoor amusement park located in the Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise, Florida, part of the greater Fort Lauderdale area.
For those who grew up in the region, like myself, it was a regular destination for camp field trips, birthday parties, and fun outings with friends, often involving a drive of about 45 minutes. The idea of a place exclusively for children, from toddlers upwards, where they could role-play and explore different jobs, was, basically, a truly innovative concept. It offered a kind of play that encouraged imagination, creativity, and a bit of real-world understanding, all wrapped up in a fun and engaging environment.
While the rising rent prices and a decrease in attendance eventually led to its closure, announced just a month before its final day, the spirit of Wannado City, that is, "where kids can do what they wanna' do," remains a cherished memory for many. It stands as a reminder of a time when a large, indoor city was built just for the dreams and aspirations of children, allowing them to explore and pretend in a truly grand way, leaving behind a legacy of joyful childhood moments for all who got to visit.
