DiogoJ42
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- The Metropolitan Line
During a recent business trip, I was "lucky" enough to spend a couple of days in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. You know me, I can't go anywhere without seeking out the local credits...
Westerners have little to no freedom in North Korea (although still much more than the locals do). I was accompanied at all times by Ae Sook, my translator, as well as a uniformed "security" officer. So unfortunately I was unable to take photos of things in a dilapidated state. But bear in mind, that what I was able to photograph are the things they are proud of!
We arrived at "Magic Happy land of the People" in the middle of a tropical storm. This was the sight that greeted us:
The admission price worked out to about 30p in GBP. Suck on that Merlin!
Once through the gate, you are presented with the following vista:
At the end of the avenue sits "Ride Turning", a rather patriotically decorated Tilt-A-Whirl.
Ae Sook was quick to point out the park's one and only lavatory,
"Dear Leader has bless this toilet for convenience of people!", She exclaimed happily.
Errr, riiiiiiight......
Our first credit of the day was The kiddy coaster, "Children Gift". I've no idea who made it, but I'm going to guess it's a Golden Horse attempt at cloning something or other.
Next we headed to what is quite possibly the most unsettling ride I have ever been on, "Rat Flying":
I don't even want to know who made it. Probably some local concentration camp inmates.
At the opposite end of the plaza sits the star attraction, "Twice Loop Fun Ride". I guess it does have a certain imposing charm from this angle.
Getting closer, there is certainly no doubt as to who is in charge round here.
What can I say about this? It's a Togo, which makes it the safest, most comfortable ride in the park. Bet you never thought you'd see someone say that, eh?
This left only one coaster left to ride. unfortunately "Speedy Train" was not operating due to the rain. I took a couple of snaps...
It was now lunch time, so I decided to risk the local food while we waited for the rain to pass. The menu on park consisted of rice. A bowl of rice. That is the only food available to visitors. Well, when in North Korea...
At least no one cares about a guy lighting up a post-food ciggie over there.
After lunch the storm passed, so I took a few photos in the sunshine to see if things looked any less dire.
"Children Gift" again:
Rat Flying" Honestly, this thing makes the Blackpool Wild Mouse look like a B&M.
"Umbrella Turning":
The station of "Wet Boat":
Some more views of Twice Loop Fun Ride"
The Ferris Wheel is called "Tall Circle". Gotta love these names.
Ooh, "Speedy Train" is open now!
Hmm, it still looks like a death trap. But a credit is a credit.
Very odd layout on this. It looks like it should be individual mouse cars, not a long train. As for "speedy".... NOPE
Just as I was thinking about getting a second ride on the Togo, my security escort said something to Ae Sook. Apparently I had been here long enough and it was time to leave. I wasn't happy, but you don't argue with these guys!
I grabbed a last couple of shots on my way out.
Some parts of this place look quite charming when you think about it.
Goodbye Magic Happy Land of the People.
I wouldn't wast your time looking this place up on RCDB, by the way. It lists the park, under coasters just says "unknown" 4 times. Though oddly enough, it does have these two aerial photos. The must be official, as I don't think private helicopters exist in the DPRK!
This one gives a good idea of the layout of "Twice Loop Fun Ride":
And this one is a shot of the whole park. I think it must have been taken for propaganda.
Well, there you have it. It's not often someone from our hobby gets to visit such an obscure park in such a god-awful corner of the globe. So it's the least I could do to share it with you. It was an interesting day out to say the least. I hope you enjoyed my TR. I went there so you don't have to!
Westerners have little to no freedom in North Korea (although still much more than the locals do). I was accompanied at all times by Ae Sook, my translator, as well as a uniformed "security" officer. So unfortunately I was unable to take photos of things in a dilapidated state. But bear in mind, that what I was able to photograph are the things they are proud of!
We arrived at "Magic Happy land of the People" in the middle of a tropical storm. This was the sight that greeted us:
The admission price worked out to about 30p in GBP. Suck on that Merlin!
Once through the gate, you are presented with the following vista:
At the end of the avenue sits "Ride Turning", a rather patriotically decorated Tilt-A-Whirl.
Ae Sook was quick to point out the park's one and only lavatory,
"Dear Leader has bless this toilet for convenience of people!", She exclaimed happily.
Errr, riiiiiiight......
Our first credit of the day was The kiddy coaster, "Children Gift". I've no idea who made it, but I'm going to guess it's a Golden Horse attempt at cloning something or other.
Next we headed to what is quite possibly the most unsettling ride I have ever been on, "Rat Flying":
I don't even want to know who made it. Probably some local concentration camp inmates.
At the opposite end of the plaza sits the star attraction, "Twice Loop Fun Ride". I guess it does have a certain imposing charm from this angle.
Getting closer, there is certainly no doubt as to who is in charge round here.
What can I say about this? It's a Togo, which makes it the safest, most comfortable ride in the park. Bet you never thought you'd see someone say that, eh?
This left only one coaster left to ride. unfortunately "Speedy Train" was not operating due to the rain. I took a couple of snaps...
It was now lunch time, so I decided to risk the local food while we waited for the rain to pass. The menu on park consisted of rice. A bowl of rice. That is the only food available to visitors. Well, when in North Korea...
At least no one cares about a guy lighting up a post-food ciggie over there.
After lunch the storm passed, so I took a few photos in the sunshine to see if things looked any less dire.
"Children Gift" again:
Rat Flying" Honestly, this thing makes the Blackpool Wild Mouse look like a B&M.
"Umbrella Turning":
The station of "Wet Boat":
Some more views of Twice Loop Fun Ride"
The Ferris Wheel is called "Tall Circle". Gotta love these names.
Ooh, "Speedy Train" is open now!
Hmm, it still looks like a death trap. But a credit is a credit.
Very odd layout on this. It looks like it should be individual mouse cars, not a long train. As for "speedy".... NOPE
Just as I was thinking about getting a second ride on the Togo, my security escort said something to Ae Sook. Apparently I had been here long enough and it was time to leave. I wasn't happy, but you don't argue with these guys!
I grabbed a last couple of shots on my way out.
Some parts of this place look quite charming when you think about it.
Goodbye Magic Happy Land of the People.
I wouldn't wast your time looking this place up on RCDB, by the way. It lists the park, under coasters just says "unknown" 4 times. Though oddly enough, it does have these two aerial photos. The must be official, as I don't think private helicopters exist in the DPRK!
This one gives a good idea of the layout of "Twice Loop Fun Ride":
And this one is a shot of the whole park. I think it must have been taken for propaganda.
Well, there you have it. It's not often someone from our hobby gets to visit such an obscure park in such a god-awful corner of the globe. So it's the least I could do to share it with you. It was an interesting day out to say the least. I hope you enjoyed my TR. I went there so you don't have to!
