Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen. (or: What inspired Walt.)

Monday, July 9, 2012.  Copenhagen, Denmark.

Welcome to Tivoli Gardens!

Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen.  Opened in 1843, it is the second oldest theme park in the world!

Today was an embarkation day on the Silver Whisper.  This meant that half of my free time was spent doing a task like greeting guests as they arrive on the curb, checking them in and handing them their room keys, or directing them towards reception on deck five.  So even though we were pressed for time, we decided to hop on the red Hop On Hop Off bus, and take a trip to Tivoli Gardens.

Copenhagen salutes Tim Curry

About 100 feet or so from the entrance is this elevated bust.  I think it's in dedication to the founder.  So, for us Disney freaks, this is their Walt statue.  You know, about Walt.  It's said that he got much of his inspiration for Disneyland from his visit to Tivoli Gardens.  And after having been myself, I can see it too.

I rike, you rike?

Originally, the theme park had many attractions that gave off the feeling of a mystical orient.  Though the themes of the park are ever evolving, the theme of the mystical orient of the past still remains strong.
















Oh, hello!  Instead of face characters or furries, Tivoli proudly uses animal labor.  Here Marcy is greeted by a peacock!

No union.  Works for peanuts.

I feel pretty.

Oh, so pretty.

Sadly, the peacock senses it's time for its break, so it packs up its feathers and heads off.

Perfect Palatial Camouflage

Marcy's dog matches the peacock.

So, how about some rides, eh?  Unlike the Disneyland we know and love today, rides cost tickets.  This worked out to our advantage because we only had about three hours in the first place, and the general admission is low.  So, we ended up saving money.

I got a golden ticket!

But which ride do you go on when there are so many to choose from and you only have time for one?

The up and down?

The Vomit Sticks?

The round and round?

We dig dig dig dig dig dig dig dig...?

Yes!  An E-Ticket Ride!

Photo of our photo

And then we found this gem.  It's a carousel playing "I just can't wait to be king," from Disney's The Lion King in Danish (Walt, we've come full circle).  Too bad we just spent all of our tickets on the Dæmonen.

Having checked off our ride, we explore the rest of the park.  And what do we find?  More birds.

Inside Birds

Outside Birds

And "Don't Feed the" birds.

Oh, and more cool themed buildings!  Oh, wait.  That's just regular Copenhagen behind the walls of the park.

Silly American.  That's normal Copenhagen.

With Tivoli Gardens crossed off our list, there's only one more thing left to do in the city before boarding the ship, and that is the little mermaid statue.  Fortunately for us, the statue is on the water, and it's right next to the ship, which is why we left it for our last thing.  Here it is, the giant little mermaid statue!

Look at this stuff, isn't it neat?

Actually, it's the little little mermaid statue.

Betcha on land, they understand, bet they don't reprimand their daughters.

So what's all the hubub about the little mermaid statue?  Why is its picture on every brochure of the city when the city has hundreds of other statues?

Well, it's a few things actually.  First of all Hans Christian Andersen is their local hero of an author and this is one of his stories.  Secondly, it's one of the only statues in the entire world to be erected on a rock in the water.  And lastly, it's less than a five minute walk from your ship.

And that's it for now from Copenhagen, Denmark!  What do you think?