About Us

Frederick Luna is the mastermind behind ThemeParkBrochures.net, the world’s largest database of theme park, zoo, and water park maps. His passion for preserving theme park lore was sparked by several significant historic events and personal experiences that shaped his love for these magical places.

Early Years and First Spark: Frederick Luna’s fascination with theme parks began in the late 1950s when he was just a young boy. His parents took him to Disneyland shortly after it opened in 1955. The memory of meeting Walt Disney himself during a special park event in 1959 left an indelible mark on Frederick. Walt’s vision for Disneyland as a place where families could create lasting memories resonated deeply with him.

Growing Passion in the 1960s: In the 1960s, Frederick’s family moved to Florida, where they often visited Cypress Gardens, the first theme park in the state. The park’s botanical gardens, water ski shows, and Southern Belles in hoop skirts enchanted Frederick. The tragic fire at the park in 1969, which destroyed much of its historical documentation, inspired Frederick to start collecting and preserving park memorabilia. He began with a modest collection of park maps and brochures.

The 1970s – A Decade of Discovery: The opening of Walt Disney World in 1971 was a pivotal moment for Frederick. He was present on opening day and vividly recalls the excitement and awe he felt as he explored the Magic Kingdom. This experience solidified his commitment to preserving theme park history. Frederick started traveling across the country, visiting new parks like Kings Island (opened in 1972) and Six Flags Great Adventure (opened in 1974), collecting maps and documenting his visits.

The 1980s – A Growing Collection: During the 1980s, Frederick’s collection grew exponentially. He was particularly moved by the opening of EPCOT Center in 1982, with its focus on innovation and global culture. Frederick saw the importance of preserving these moments for future generations. He started attending industry events and connecting with park employees, historians, and fellow enthusiasts to expand his collection and knowledge.

The 1990s – From Hobby to Mission: In the 1990s, Frederick’s passion became a mission. The closure of iconic parks like Opryland USA in 1997 and the transformation of Knott’s Berry Farm after being sold to Cedar Fair in 1997 made him realize the fragility of theme park history. Determined to preserve these memories, he launched ThemeParkBrochures.com in 2001 as a small online repository for his collection. His goal was to ensure that the memories and histories of these parks would never be lost.

The 2000s – Digital Transformation: The digital revolution of the 2000s allowed Frederick to expand his website into a comprehensive database. He digitized his entire collection and started accepting contributions from enthusiasts worldwide.

In 2005, he rebranded the site to ThemeParkBrochures.net to better reflect its growing scope and community. The closure of popular attractions like the Back to the Future ride at Universal Studios in 2007 and the gradual transformation of Disney’s California Adventure from its 2001 opening version into a more thematic park inspired Frederick to document not only maps but also the stories behind these changes.

Legacy and Impact: Today, ThemeParkBrochures.net is the world’s largest database of theme park, zoo, and water park maps, thanks to Frederick Luna’s lifelong dedication.

Though he no longer runs the site (it has passed to Rhett, the Heir to the Mapdom), his work has garnered attention from major media outlets such as The Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, and Rent.com (Summer Things to Do in Charlotte), which have all featured his extensive collection and efforts to preserve theme park history. This recognition has made his site an invaluable resource for historians, enthusiasts, and families looking to relive their favorite park memories.

Frederick continues to travel, collect, and provide maps to the collection, driven by the same sense of wonder he felt as a young boy meeting Walt Disney.

Frederick Luna’s journey from a young boy enchanted by Disneyland to the curator of ThemeParkBrochures.net is a testament to the enduring magic of theme parks. His dedication to preserving these memories ensures that the joy and wonder of theme parks will be cherished by future generations.