Wannado City558

Wannado City is permanently closing its doors on Jan. 12, 2011

What kid wouldn't want to experience what it's like to be a policeman, fireman, airplane pilot, or doctor? That's the idea behind Wannado City, where kids can do what they "wannado" at the first role-playing theme park.

Located at the Sawgrass Mall, "kidizens" walk through a miniaturized town made up kid-sized buildings and choose different job experiences located in each one. Each job features its own uniform and kid-friendly versions of the equipment necessary to accomplish tasks associated with each job. WannaHelpers help kids with questions they may have about their specific job.

Over 120 different jobs are available. In addition to the usual suspects, kids can also act on stage, in a movie, or television show; work at a supermarket; make a pizza; or learn to be a circus clown. One of the most dynamic jobs is that of a firefighter, and children not only ride on a working (kid-sized) firetruck, they help put out a pretend fire with real water.

A complete map of the town is available on Wannado's website, and the park is large. But one of the most unique features of Wannado City is the electronic finder system; a boon for groups with children of multiple ages and interests who won't stay together. Each guest receives an electronic bracelet and their names are programmed into the computer system. By visiting any finder kiosk in the park and scanning your bracelet, the screen can show you where other members of your party - by name - were last seen, down to the second. Very cool, and a huge help for parents.

Wongas, the currency of choice at Wannado, can be deposited at the town bank and withdrawn later at ATMs. By keeping your ATM card and Wongas in the bank, kidizens can return again and again, and choose to work to earn money or enjoy a leisure day, by, for example, using their Wongas to get prettied up in the beauty parlor.

This is an all-day experience where kids can move from job to job as often as they wish. A parent or a guardian must accompany kids under the age of eight. Parents and guardians may choose to chill out in the Eagle's Nest, a comfy lounge featuring free WiFi and high-speed internet computer stations, digital cable TVs, and coffee and snacks.

A food court offers all kinds of food, including burgers, pizza, and salads.

A number of all-inclusive birthday party packages are available. Visit the website for more details.

Photographers snap family photos at the entrance, and capture kids in the act of solving a crime, digging for artifacts, or preparing for "surgery" ... all images can be purchased when leaving, or online post-visit.

Annual passes are available.