Magic Tracks vehicle substitutes are a creative and affordable alternative to traditional toy cars. These substitutes offer a unique and interactive play experience for children of all ages. One of the main advantages of Magic Tracks vehicle substitutes is their versatility. Unlike regular toy cars, Magic Tracks vehicles are able to bend, flex, and glow in the dark. This allows children to create endless track designs and explore their imagination. They can build loops, twists, and turns, making each race exciting and unpredictable.
Opportunity Village’s Magical Forest celebrates 25 enchanting years
The Opportunity Village Magical Forest turns 25 this year. The wondrous holiday attraction features the Holiday Express party train and hundreds of decorated trees and rides.
By JOHN KATSILOMETES LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL November 20, 2016 - 6:31 pmA look at the Opportunity Village Magical Forest, which opened Friday night and is in operation through New Year's Day. (Courtesy photo)
A look at the Opportunity Village Magical Forest, which opened Friday night and is in operation through New Year's Day. (Courtesy photo)
A look at the Opportunity Village Magical Forest, which opened Friday night and is in operation through New Year's Day. (Courtesy photo)
A look at the entrance of Opportunity Village Magical Forest, which opened Friday night and is in operation through New Year's Day. (Courtesy photo)
A look at the Opportunity Village Magical Forest, which opened Friday night and is in operation through New Year's Day. (Courtesy photo)
A look at the Opportunity Village Magical Forest Enchanted Carousel. The holiday attraction opened Friday night and is in operation through New Year's Day. (Courtesy photo)
A look at the Opportunity Village Magical Forest train station. The holiday attraction opened Friday night and is in operation through New Year's Day. (Courtesy photo)
How time flies, among the railroad ties.
The Opportunity Village Magical Forest turns 25 this year. The wondrous holiday attraction features the Holiday Express party train and hundreds of decorated trees and rides (including the Enchanted Carousel, which is actually, verifiably enchanted). Also on the grounds is nightly entertainment, and a lotta eggnog, cider and frosted noshes.
Located on the O.V.’s West Oakey Campus at 6300 West Oakey Blvd., the Magical Forest again opened for the holidays Friday night. The park is in operation nightly at 5:3o (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas). The cost is $11.99 for adults 13 and older; kids 12 and under are $9.99 (ride tickets sold separately). Adults who want the whole shebang, general admission with rides included, pay $21.99; kids pay $18.99 (for information, hit the Magical Forest website).
To remind, or maybe initiate, Opportunity Village is a grassroots Las Vegas nonprofit organization that serves adults and children who have intellectual disabilities. O.V. provides vocational training and community employment for those with disabilities. Such holiday traditions as the Magical Forest and accompanying Great Santa Run, set for Dec. 3 in Downtown Las Vegas, raise funding and awareness for the organization.
Given that the Magical Forest is marking No. 25 and I happen know 25 cool things about the park (with some assistance from my friends at Preferred Public Relations), we’ll deal a list of 25 Cool Things about The Magical Forest on its 25 th birthday:
25: The first sidewalks at the Magical Forest were installed in 1999, seven years after the attraction opened.
24: The first Magical Forest was decorated by students from Bonanza High School.
23: Santa is flown to the tree-lighting ceremony in a helicopter furnished by Papillion helicopters.
22: Celine Dion, and Andre Agassi and Stefani Graf, are among the Las Vegas luminaries who tour the Forest with their families each year.
21: The Goodmans – Mayor Carolyn and ex-mayor Oscar – host the official tree-lighting ceremony on Friday.
20: More than 400 engineers have navigated the Forest Express choo-choo since the Forest opened.
19: Visitors have consumed nearly 40,000 funnel cakes over the years.
18: Between 75-100 volunteers are needed to staff the Magical Forest during the holiday season.
17: In 2015, more than 7,000 volunteers turned out to run the Forest during its hours of operation.
16: Snow – real snow – has dusted the Magical Forest four times since 1992, most recently in 2013.
15: Ninety-five percent of the decorations donated to the Forest have been made by Las Vegas-area businesses and residents.
14: The attraction has been featured on Discovery channel and NTV Japan, and has been named one of the top holiday destinations in the U.S. by HGTV.
13: Celebrity visitors and supporters over the years: George W. Bush, Wayne Newton, Penn & Teller, Agassi, Graf, Dion, Clint Holmes, Chippendales, Blue Man Group, David Copperfield, Mac Davis, Louie Anderson, members of “Jersey Boys,” and Human Nature.
12: Daryl Borges, director of the Opportunity Village music program and its O.V. Elvi and The OVertones music performance teams, is also a member of the Bee Gees Gold tribute show.
11: Borges is a huge Prince fan and performs a great impression of the artist.
10: Carlos Santana said his first visit to Opportunity Village’s Englestad Campus in September 2015, during which the The OVertones played a medley of his hits, was “better than Woodstock, better than the Grammys.”
9: In May 2014, Opportunity Village marked its 60th anniversary in Las Vegas.
8: In October 2011, Newton was honored with a statue in the entrance of the O.V. Englestad Campus, a gray-metal piece made by Iowa artist Gail Chavenelle.
7: Opportunity Village’s 1954 launch pre-dates the since-closed Riviera (1955) and since-razed Stardust (1958).
6: More than 3 million lights are used in the Forest.
5: The workers at Opportunity Village – known as Opportunity Village Important People (OVIPs) – bake about 5,000 cookies a day, which are sold to Las Vegas hotels and businesses for their employee dining rooms and buffets.
4: More than 120,000 visitors descend on the Magical Forest each holiday season.
3: Penn Jillette raised a hair less than $1 million for O.V. in his two spins through “Celebrity Apprentice.” His haul in his second appearance, in 2013 when he finished second to country music star Trace Adkins, brought in $698,655.
2: Outgoing O.V. Executive Director Linda Smith, who retired in September, led a fundraising effort that brought in $450 million in her 36 years with the organization.
1: The Scarves of Elvis, which he tossed to his rabid fans at the International and Las Vegas Hilton from 1969-’76, were made at Opportunity Village by its cast of OVIPs. And, in time for the holidays, silk scarves and ties (and shirts and artwork) are still onsale. Hit this link to be fashionably charitable.
John Katsilometes’ column runs Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday in the A section, and Fridays in Neon. He also hosts “Kats! On The Radio” Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and appears Wednesdays at 11 a.m. with Dayna Roselli on KTNV Channel 13. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.
Find a Meaningful Career
A not-for-profit organization that serves people in our community with intellectual disabilities to enhance their lives and the lives of their families, Opportunity Village is rooted in enriching the lives of its employees, too. With a workplace that’s undoubtedly as diverse as you’ll find in the state of Nevada, the collective, steadfast desire to empower the adults with disabilities that we serve and fulfill our mission is unequivocal. And trust us: As you make a difference in their lives, they’ll make a difference in yours just as quickly
Current Openings
They can build loops, twists, and turns, making each race exciting and unpredictable. Another benefit of Magic Tracks vehicle substitutes is their ease of use. The tracks are simple to connect and disconnect, allowing children to quickly modify their racecourse layout.
Upcoming Hiring Events
Saturday, February 10
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
6300 W. Oakey Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89146
Saturday, May 4
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
6300 W. Oakey Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89146
Since 1954, Opportunity Village has been dedicated to helping people with disabilities find the very best version of themselves. Through workforce development, community employment, day services, inclusive housing, arts, and social recreation, they are able to find new friends, realize future career paths, seek independence and community integration, and unleash creative passions. Opportunity Village thrives with the funding from our social enterprises, signature events, and the generous philanthropy of our donors and community partners. Together, we are successfully empowering, employing, and serving people with disabilities – positively impacting lives.
Opportunity Village also offers a wide array of additional benefits including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement savings accounts, training and development opportunities and much more! You’ll find the experience rewarding in every sense of the word, both professionally and personally. To learn more about our culture of care and values, THE OV WAY see what some of our amazing employees have to say about working at Opportunity Village.
Mission Moments from Team Members
Providing innovative programs and services for people with disabilities since 1954.
Opportunity Village Ralph & Betty Engelstad Campus
6050 S. Buffalo Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89113
Office: 702-880-4086
The Linda Smith and Christopher Smith Family Campus / Magical Forest
6300 W. Oakey Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89146
Office: (702) 259-3700
Opportunity Village Ralph & Betty Engelstad Campus
6050 S. Buffalo Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89113
Office: (702) 262-1550
The Linda Smith and Christopher Smith Family Campus / Magical Forest
6300 W. Oakey Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89146
Office: (702) 259-3700
Opportunity Village Ralph & Betty Engelstad Campus
6050 S. Buffalo Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89113
Office: (702) 262-1550
The Linda Smith and Christopher Smith Family Campus / Magical Forest
6300 W. Oakey Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89146
Office: (702) 259-3700
Since 1954, Opportunity Village has been dedicated to helping people with disabilities find the very best version of themselves. Through workforce development, community employment, day services, inclusive housing, arts and social recreation, they are able to find new friends, realize future career paths, seek independence and community integration, and unleash creative passions. Opportunity Village thrives with the funding from our social enterprises, signature events and the generous philanthropy of our donors and community partners. Together, we are successfully empowering, employing, and serving people with disabilities – positively impacting lives.
Opportunity Village is exempt from federal income tax under 26 U.S.C. Section 501(c)(3), and is a non-profit organization eligible to receive tax-deductible donations pursuant to the provisions of section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. § 170(c).
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This simplicity also makes it easy to clean up after playtime, as the tracks can be easily stored in the provided storage bag. Magic Tracks vehicle substitutes are also designed with safety in mind. The tracks are made from a durable and flexible material that is resistant to breakage, ensuring that children can enjoy hours of play without worrying about damaging their toys. Additionally, the cars are designed to be lightweight and easy to handle, making them suitable for children of all ages. In terms of educational value, Magic Tracks vehicle substitutes offer numerous benefits. Playing with these toys can help children develop their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness. Additionally, racing the cars can teach children about concepts such as speed, momentum, and cause and effect. Overall, Magic Tracks vehicle substitutes provide a unique and engaging play experience for children. Their versatility, ease of use, safety features, and educational value make them an excellent choice for parents looking for a fun and educational toy for their children..
Reviews for "Changing the Game: How Magic Tracks are Redefining Transportation"
1. Amanda - 1/5 stars - I was really disappointed with the Magic tracks vehicle substitutes. They were so flimsy and didn't stay on the tracks properly. They kept derailing and my kids got frustrated within minutes of playing with them. The quality was very poor and they broke easily. I wouldn't recommend these substitutes at all.
2. John - 2/5 stars - The Magic tracks vehicle substitutes just didn't live up to my expectations. The design was not compatible with the tracks we already had, even though they were advertised as substitutes. The vehicles were also not very durable, as one of them broke after just a few uses. The concept of having different vehicles for the Magic tracks is great, but these substitutes didn't deliver.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was excited to try out the Magic tracks vehicle substitutes, but unfortunately, they didn't work well for us. The vehicles didn't move smoothly on the tracks and often got stuck. They also required a lot of force to get them to move, making it difficult for my young children to play with them. Overall, I was not impressed with the functionality of these substitutes.
4. Michael - 3/5 stars - I have mixed feelings about the Magic tracks vehicle substitutes. While the vehicles themselves were decent, they didn't work well with the Magic tracks we already had. The connectors didn't fit properly and we had a hard time getting them to stay on the tracks. The quality of the vehicles was okay, but the compatibility issues were a letdown. I probably wouldn't buy these substitutes again.