The South America Trip Report

[MrenataShe turned me into a donkey! I got better...]

Parque de La Ciudad


Parque de La Ciudad was planned during Argentina's Military Government, around 1975. They wanted to build a large amusement park with all new rides, and money wasn't an issue. They contracted a company named Interama Parks S.A. to be in charge of everything, and this company contracted Intamin AG to built a giant observation tower, and to provide the park's major rides, including the only steel racing coaster in the world at that time.

They planned two major rollercoasters, Vertigorama, Intamin's steel racing coaster, that cost US$10.000.000 and Aconcagua, a Schwarzkopf model pretty much like Nessie, without the looping. Is was South America's highest coaster for a long time, and it cost was around US$6.500.000.

When the park opened it's doors in 1982 it had 62 attractions. Vertigorama wasn't one of those, since it's electrical parts never came to place.

The return to the democratic government, along with a long recession period were some of the factors that contributed to the closing of the park in 2003 when Buenos Aires' mayor decided to close the park claiming that he wanted to refurbish all the rides. The park remained closed for 4 years. In 2007 it reopened with just a few attractions, but it was closed again in 2008, when the city government claimed that the park's rides were not safe.

Nowadays the park is partially open. People are allowed in the center areas, where the picnic tables, lake, restrooms and green areas are. The observation tower, called Torre Espacial reopened last year, but I'm not sure wether it's still working or not, since it was closed on the day of my visit.

I was always amazed by abandoned parks, so this visit to Parque de La Ciudad was very, very special to me.

In 2013 there's going to be a huge music concert at Parque de La Ciudad, so I'm afraid they'll remove the rides for good. If you have the opportunity to visit this park while the rides are still there, please do, it's really amazing!

When you enter Parque de la Ciudad you'll see this long path that leads you to the observation tower. This is one of the areas where visitors are allowed.

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The green areas are all accessible to the public. There are a few fences and "no trespassing" signs indicating where you can't go.

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But it's not rocket science do go past those signs and enter the rides area

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Everything is still there, none of the rides have been removed

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It's so pretty and so creepy at the same time

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Vertigorama, Intamin's racing coaster

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The loading station was never built, even though the trains were all in place

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don't call me crazy, but I think this is prettier than a regular working coaster

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Amazing

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Being able to enter the ride area and walk around was something out of this world

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Pretty much like a dream, or a scary movie

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Souvenirs!

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The cable chairs

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More creepy/amazing rides

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Everything is exactly the way it was back in 2007

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They didn't even close the control pannel

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Nessie, without the looping

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Admit it, you've always wanted a pisture like that

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A kiddie coaster

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more creepy pictures

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A Schwarzkopf Wild Cat

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[XIII prefer to mate with donkeys over humans!]

Great Photo TR. I love seeing photos of parks that you don't see very often and these South American Parks certainly look like a lot of fun.

[DCodyHave I mentioned how awesome donkeys are?]

Fantastic pictures! What a cool opportunity to visit those grounds. Makes me sad to see a Herschell Skywheel and a Hurricane abandoned though.

[ernierockerWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

Wow, I had no clue that Intamin built a racing steel coaster! Really cool TRs.

^Which I presume never ran?

[ernierockerWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

^Nope! Vertigorama would of made a great "Guess Which Coaster I am thinking of" coaster!

[MechanicCan you see the donkey in my toast?]

It seems a shame that the park has fallen into such disrepair. It's very cool that you got to check it out up close though. Vertigorama and Aconcagua look like they could still be made operational with some TLC.

[mattnzDonkey eat mullet pump.]

WOW - fascinating, and a little sad, to see the state of Parque de la Ciudad. Would love to see Aconcagua saved - South America is the land of Anton Schwarzkopf after all, right?

[thrillerman1Can you see the donkey in my toast?]

Really stunning photos of all these South American parks - especially Parque de la Ciudad. Thanks for sharing!

[simon8899I wish they would make Street Fighter Donkey.]

Especially the Zierer Waveswinger looks like you only need to flip the powerswitch...