Week 3

 Dystopia

Dystopia is a theme park that depicts our futuristic world after sun flares scorch the earth. Survivors are forced to live in underground bunkers until harmful radiation and gasses clear the air. After 40 years of struggling to survive underground, people finally emerge to find most of what they know has been destroyed including architecture, farmlands, and historical documents. This new generation of people break up into two groups. The Ambit group is determined to rediscover and preserve how the world functioned before the flares, while the Pioneer group aims to develop an entirely new way of living. People who didn’t want to partake in either group are simply called loners. Some loners are peaceful, living and foraging for themselves. However, some loners are savages who will murder for food and shelter.   

The main characters that will great you in the park are the key members of each group. Kegan is the leader of group Ambit. She is a strong willed and intimidating character who lost her family in the flares. She is determined to honor her family by respecting the old ways of life and fights to rediscover and preserve. Kegan’s assistant is Joel. Joel has a kind heart and a quiet character  He is not one to look for a fight, but if one arises he will do everything in his power to protect his group. Pam is the head of the Ambit voyager’s committee. She is the brains behind the group and loves biology. Her knowledge of plants helps the Ambits start the first garden since the flares.

The leader of the Pioneers is Will. Will believes that the devastation caused by the flares could have been prevented if people had taken better care of the planet. He wants nothing to do with the old ways of life and strives to create a new world with his group. Will is very opinionated, but is always willing to make a bargain as long as he gets what he wants in return. Will’s assistant is Rose, a hardheaded, unapologetic fighter who is eager for power. Mason is the head builder of the Pioneers. His carpentry skills give the Pioneers a head start on building their own headquarters. Mason is a very quiet character who normally only speaks if required to. He is six foot eight and three hundred pounds, but most people see him as a gentle giant.

The theme park is designed to look like the ruins of Chicago after the flares. There are broken down, abandoned buildings, rusted over cars, and derailed trains simply frozen in time. Each ride plays along with the story of the Pioneers and the Ambits trying to rebuild or start their own world from the left over ruins. As visitors to the park, you are treated as natives from the arctic regions. You were one of the wealthy few whose families could afford to evacuate there where the flares had the least amount of damage. Now you are on a trip to exchange goods with the Ambits and Pioneers to help their economy grow.

One of the most thrilling rides is the train wreck virtual reality ride by the Pioneers. Mason has been trying to repair the old train for over a year and finally thinks he has it working again. Riders put on virtual reality glasses and climb into the roller coaster. Manson welcomes you to the train and warns you to hold onto your hats and to keep an eye out for loners. The train starts to move and passengers get a realistic view of the outside ruins through their VR glasses. Riders then feel a bump as the rides slows to a stop. “Looks like we’ve run into some loners!” Mason announces. “They don’t like rich folk up in their parts, looks like we’ve got some trouble on our hands!” Up ahead passengers see some loners derailing the tracks in front of the train. Manson puts the train in reverse and the ride starts to speed downhill backwards. After some sharp twists and turns the train slows to a halt over an old bridge. Just when it seems safe there is some rattling under the train. Riders look down to see some loners breaking the beams of the bridge and the train starts to tip towards the ditch below. The train starts to shake as loners climb onto the train and try breaking through the windows. Manson speeds the train forward and the loners fall off. One of the loners throws an old firework into one of the trains wheels. There is a large explosion under the train and it rolls off the track and down a hill into what is left of the river. Riders get splashed and Manson apologizes for the bumpy ride.

For riders who don’t want such an intense ride, there is also the creepy carousel run by the Ambits. The Ambits discovered the carousel and got it working again. However, they had to rebuild most of the animals. Some animals are unrecognizable while others have mismatched heads and bodies. Joel greets you wearing an unusual costume that he believes to be a traditional carousel animal. The ride is a bit shaky at times, but overall a smooth ride suitable for all.

There are also many venders and food stops in the park as well. Stop by Pam’s garden for some vegan and vegetarian options. They are also famous for their fries, which consist of one fried potato that is spiral cut and served on a stick. The Pioneers also have great popcorn and ice cream with many tasty and unique flavor options. Visitors are encouraged to stop by each groups visitors center. At the Pioneer visitor center you are greeted by Will who is always eager to give autographs and take pictures with fans. He will most likely give you a coupon for anything in the store, which includes, Dystopia themed mugs, clothes, and snacks. At the Ambit visitor center you will be welcomed by Kegan who will gladly tell you all that she (thinks) she knows about American history. The Ambit visitor center also has many collectable merchandise as well as historical brochures about the start and progression of life after the flares. There are also many interesting photos that the Ambits found or took themselves. Some are simply old pieces of photos that they pieced together.