Japanese Village and Deer Park

Coordinates: 33°52′13″N 118°00′35″W / 33.8703361°N 118.009603°W / 33.8703361; -118.009603

The Japanese Village and Deer Park is a defunct amusement park formerly located in Buena Park, California.

History

The park first opened in 1967^[1] at 6122 Knott Ave.^[2][3] It was a Japanese-themed amusement park that featured shows and traditional Japanese buildings in an environment where deer roamed free (inspired by Nara Park). The park's gate featured a torii.^[4]

The park closed in 1975 when it was sold with the Movieland Wax Museum. Facing mounting red ink, the owners began giving the park's deer lethal injections, claiming the animals had tuberculosis. Almost 200 deer were euthanized before authorities ended the practice.^[5]

List of attractions

• Koi ponds
• Japanese Garden
• Classic Tea House
• The Dove Pavilion
• Dolphin feeding
• Home of the Fuji Folk
• Pearl divers

Enchanted Village

After the park closed, a second amusement park, called Enchanted Village, opened on the site on June 18, 1976.^[6] Animal trainer Ralph Helfer was a partner and served as chair. The park was, for a time, home to Oliver the "human" chimp. Prior to the park's closure, the park's signature stunt and animal show was changed to incorporate themes and story lines from the 1977 film The Island of Dr. Moreau.

The 32-acre (13 ha) park was South Pacific-Tiki themed and featured trained animal shows (Helfer's influence), a traditional-styled Polynesian show, and a few ride attractions.

Enchanted Village closed in fall 1977.

List of attractions

• Bridge of Enchantment
• Lost Island Theater
• Amazon Cliff Divers
• The Island of Dr. Moreau Stunt Show
• Wilderness Theater
• Noah's Ark
• The Gentle Jungle Theatre

Current use

The area has been developed into a business park and nothing remains of the ponds and locations of the both successive parks except George Bellis Park.

References