New Rides in the Old World

Did you know that Walt Disney modeled the Magic Kingdom after the century old Tivoli in Copenhagen? In the space of a couple of city blocks, old fashion carousels are layered with modern and stomach turning roller coasters and rides. They are interleaved with parks, a concert hall, an aquarium, an amazing variety of quality food places and ice cream parlors. As  we spent last summer in southern Sweden, my kids insisted our replacing our annual trip to Six Flags Great America with a trip to Tivoli. With “Puls Pakke” tickets (entrance, rides and one meal) for 329 DKR ($60) bought online, we set out to enjoy ourselves for the day (and night). As an extra bonus, Friday rock concerts are included in the ticket price and 30 Seconds to Mars did a great concert that June night.

Rides

The rides are layered and interleaved. It saves on endless walking and makes it easier to manage kids who want to go on different rides. But it does make it hard to find a place to shoot interesting photos. Here are some of the fun rides we tried.

Tivoli Odin Express is not as innocent as it might look. It's fast paste and surprising turns are beyond the expected.
Tivoli Odin Express is not as innocent as it might look. It’s fast paste and surprising turns are beyond the expected. The back seat is the best (worst).

Star Flier at Tivoli, 80 meter (260ft) tall gives you a great view of Copenhagen at 70 km/h (45 mph). Decoration on top is a nod to Tycho Brahe, a Danish astronomer in the 16th century.
Star Flier at Tivoli, 80 meter (260ft) tall gives you a great view of Copenhagen at 70 km/h (45 mph). Decoration on top is a nod to Tycho Brahe, a Danish astronomer in the 16th century.

Bumper cars are always fun and when the cars are this richly decorated it is even fun to watch the kids go a second round.
Bumper cars are always fun and when the cars are this richly decorated it is even fun to watch the kids go a second round.

Architecture

Buildings are carefully designed to fit in and although the space is tight, they have managed to create an airy feel. Both old and modern ones have interesting details, reminiscent of their time. The stylized green and yellow leaves decorating the wall of the Tivoli Concert Hall give away that it was build in the 1950’s. The railing carries the tune of the popular Champagne Gallop by Hans Christian Lumbye, the first music director and widely popular in-house composer for Tivoli.

The Tivoli Concert Hall is decorated with Lumbye's Champagne Gallop.
The Tivoli Concert Hall is decorated with Lumbye’s Champagne Gallop.

Detail of Tivoli Glass Hall
Detail of Tivoli Glass Hall

The Woodhouse built in 1997 for the Valhalla Castle ride, today used for a restaurant. Designed by architect Søren Robert Lund.
The Woodhouse built in 1997 for the Valhalla Castle ride, today used for a restaurant. Designed by architect Søren Robert Lund.

Copenhagen sky is still bright past 10 pm on midsummer eve.
Copenhagen sky is still bright past 10 pm on midsummer eve.

OMG, the blog post quickly got very long, so let’s save some yummy food, music and everything else we wanted to show you for another time.
So long & hav en dejlig dag!
Elisabeth

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