Steve Dobbs, an engineer and grandfather, always loved tinkering with the kids’ toys and making them awesome train tracks, so he decided to go all out and build an amusement park in his backyard.
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Dobbsland, as he called the miniature theme park, was created by Dobbs himself and nine of his senior engineering students, and even includes a roller coaster.
Okay, so it’s top speed is 12mph and it’s not exactly top of the list for thrill-seekers, but for his little grandkids it’s perfect.
“My younger grandkids are nuts about Disneyland,” says Steve, “I wanted to give them a reason to come over to my house to spend time with me, and Disneyland is tough to compete with.”
Steve spent 30 years working as an aerospace engineer for Boeing and says he’s always been fascinated by the mechanics of amusement rides. This was his dream project.
So Steve even included Disney-themed rides for the kids, with a Finding Nemo submarine made from trash bins, a Sleeping Beauty castle, and Frozen merchandise galore.
Steve started the project three years ago, adding new rides as the grandkids got tired of older ones, and just recently finished the rollercoaster.
“We couldn’t even fathom how it all worked out,” said family friend Sunny, “How he did it was so creative. The kids love it even more than they love the one at Disneyland.”
And it looks like when the grandkids are away, Steve himself has a whole lot of fun in his own personal theme park…
