Michael Jackson's ‘Neverland’ Comes to Life For One More Day

My proof that I was there! (Click to embiggen)

I originally moved to Las Vegas because I was in the amusement industry, and amusement rides were at the time very big here. It was Vegas' misguided push to become "family friendly." Since then, the slogan has become the very adult, "What happens here stays here," of course. And my amusement industry career came to an unceremonious end almost 15 years ago. But I was in the industry for about eight years, and got to work at and for several parks and fairs, across the country.

By far the most interesting was Michael Jackson's Neverland Valley Ranch. See, one of the guys I worked with--and shared an apartment with--back in Ohio had been inspecting the rides at Jackson's spread for years, and was eventually hired away. For one of the many events the ranch held, Big Al Scanlan (everyone calls him Big Al) invited me and a few other former co-workers and friends to come to the ranch as ride operators. I got to run the (awesome) bumper car ride, and my friends ran the swinging ship and carousel for the event. Many months later, there was an "employee appreciation" event held, and we were invited to that as well! On that trip, we got to take a tour of the grounds, and even of Jackson's house. Both visits were extraordinary experiences.



Big Al on the Neverland Valley
Steam Train



If you've only heard of Jackson's park, you could be forgiven for thinking that it was a ridiculously lavish and ostentatious extravagance of a pampered star's ego. Maybe it was, a bit. But it was also one of the coolest places I've ever been. If I lived or worked there, I'd never want to leave. Now, for one more day, Neverland will come back to life at Disneyland. And Big Al will be there.

[Excerpt]

‘Neverland’ Comes to Life For One More Day



. . .“The Amusement Park, along with the rest of Neverland, was built to bring a magical day; a joy filled memory into the lives of all those sick and less fortunate kids who visited Neverland,” Scanlan said. “The impact that a day at Neverland had on the inner city children and the children who were dealing with life threatening illness was beyond belief. To represent Mr. Jackson and to help make his dream come true for those children, to be part of that magical day and the memory those children will hang onto was a blessing. . .”
 
Read more at: MJFanClub