STR8FXXXINEDGE Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 I'm so excited to see another TR from you! I loved following your Europe trip thread, and seeing this new one has made my night. I give you tons of credit for having the courage to do all of this traveling by yourself. I wish I had half the courage that you do. Looking forward to seeing more from you, and thanks so much for sharing your trips! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disneyfan1313 Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 Wow! Awesome to see such unique parks and great photos of the non-park stuff as well. What are fortune teller birds? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrenata Posted May 31, 2012 Author Share Posted May 31, 2012 Thank you so much guys!  If you're ever thinking about visiting South America please let me know and I'll do my best to help you with everything!   This is how the fortune teller birds work:  They open one of those drawers and randomly pick a paper with a fortune on it and handle it to you  Those fortune teller birds were very popular in South America during the 60's and 70's, but you don't see them anymore. This guy in Luján says they are the only ones left in the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 The only other park where I've seen one of these simulators still working is Dutch Wonderland. Â Â Thanks for this look at South America. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meteornotes Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 The photos of you with the lions and tigers are amazing. I'd love to do that. Â dt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrenata Posted June 1, 2012 Author Share Posted June 1, 2012 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.  The green areas are all accessible to the public. There are a few fences and "no trespassing" signs indicating where you can't go.  But it's not rocket science do go past those signs and enter the rides area  Everything is still there, none of the rides have been removed   It's so pretty and so creepy at the same time   Vertigorama, Intamin's racing coaster    The loading station was never built, even though the trains were all in place  don't call me crazy, but I think this is prettier than a regular working coaster    Amazing  Being able to enter the ride area and walk around was something out of this world  Pretty much like a dream, or a scary movie   Souvenirs!   The cable chairs  More creepy/amazing rides     Everything is exactly the way it was back in 2007  They didn't even close the control pannel  Nessie, without the looping     Admit it, you've always wanted a pisture like that   A kiddie coaster  more creepy pictures  A Schwarzkopf Wild Cat    Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XII Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCody Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Fantastic pictures! What a cool opportunity to visit those grounds. Makes me sad to see a Herschell Skywheel and a Hurricane abandoned though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernierocker Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Wow, I had no clue that Intamin built a racing steel coaster! Really cool TRs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 ^Which I presume never ran? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernierocker Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 (edited) ^Nope! Vertigorama would of made a great "Guess Which Coaster I am thinking of" coaster! Edited June 1, 2012 by ernierocker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mechanic Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattnz Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrillerman1 Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Really stunning photos of all these South American parks - especially Parque de la Ciudad. Thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon8899 Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Especially the Zierer Waveswinger looks like you only need to flip the powerswitch... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tmcdllr Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Sad to see a Schwarzkopf just sitting there rotting away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gutterflower Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 I've read reports that Vertigorama did open briefly in the 90s but it was rough as hell and closed down soon after. I've looked for years for proof of this but so far just have peoples written words. I guess it's a bit of a coaster Urban Legend. I just wonder which is better... Vertigorama or Orphan Rocker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottBrown Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Sad to see a Schwarzkopf just sitting there rotting away. Â Sad to see two Schwarzkopf Coasters and at least one Schwarzkopf flat rotting away I hope RD doesn't see this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thri!!er Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Sad to see a Schwarzkopf just sitting there rotting away.  Sad to see two Schwarzkopf Coasters and at least one Schwarzkopf flat rotting away I hope RD doesn't see this  You both are so true .  Really sad to see, among other things, the Non-Loop-Coaster (but nevertheless with the classy and original headrests) "Aconcagua" in these conditions...  Anyway, thank you for your nice and interesting (and report) pictures, Mrenata! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrenata Posted June 2, 2012 Author Share Posted June 2, 2012 I've read reports that Vertigorama did open briefly in the 90s but it was rough as hell and closed down soon after. I've looked for years for proof of this but so far just have peoples written words. I guess it's a bit of a coaster Urban Legend. I just wonder which is better... Vertigorama or Orphan Rocker   In fact Vertigorama never opened, since it's electrical parts never came to Parque de La Ciudad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Sad to see a Schwarzkopf just sitting there rotting away.  Sad to see two Schwarzkopf Coasters and at least one Schwarzkopf flat rotting away I hope RD doesn't see this  I think he did, and is now in seclusion, mourning quietly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milst1 Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 What an amazing report! Love it. Thanks so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simaticable Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Awesome report! I've always been intrigued by the parks from around the world especially parks that we don't hear about everyday. Can't wait to see more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alilstronger Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Awesome reports!!! I need to just travel more like you to parks. You inspire me to want to travel on my own to parks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freefallbestrideever Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 I'd more likely fire up that blue coaster and catch a ride on it than pet a tiger and kiss a lion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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