Tivoli Gardens - 27 Photos

[Tom Chaney]

While I catalog and assemble the rest of the photos of our recent cruise through the Baltic Sea, I've gone ahead and put together a group of pics from our visit to Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. Walt drew some inspiration from Tivoli while designing Disneyland. I think you'll find some of the similarities fascinating. It's also a very beautiful and fun park in its own right. Established in 1843, it's much smaller than Disneyland and was quite crowded on the day of our visit. Tivoli is located in the center of a very urban area and is bound by several authentic old buildings. Our time was short so we only got a chance to have a quick lunch, stroll the park once around and ride a single ride: The Demon. Here are the photos and some comments:

The entrance to Tivoli Gardens. Admission is 68 kroner... about $11. Ride tickets are separate and cost 10 kroner each... about $1.50... and you'll need 1-4 tickets per ride.


Our first stop was for lunch at the Groften Restaurant. It is one of the oldest restaurants in Copenhagen, though the patio you see here is relatively modern.


We were joined by friends we met on the ship, Roy and Barbara. She ordered herring three different ways and it came on the elaborate stand. The waiter was "Disney-friendly." Just as we finished lunch, it poured rain for about 5 minutes, then cleared again.


An interesting "fountain." Those are glass tubes filled with water and bubbles rise up inside them.



A large open-air stage at the center of the park.


Corn dogs, anyone? Actually, this familiar-looking vehicle was selling balloons!



The Spinning Top. Each individual top has four ride vehicles attached. The entire ride spins, each top spins and each vehicle spins. Whoa!


A pretty little themed restaurant area.

The Odin Express is one of the oldest roller coasters at Tivoli. It's a runaway train that reaches speeds of about 30kph. BTMRR, Danish style!

Our first view of "The Demon"


Look closely on the table and you'll see a sign advertising "shots." Yes... shots of real booze you can sip while enjoying Tivoli!


More reminiscent of Knott's than Disneyland, the Vintage Cars first appeared at Tivoli in 1959. Not quite Autopia, but still fun.


The Golden Tower. 63 meters tall exerting -1g as you drop.


The Demon, the biggest roller coaster in Denmark, reaches 80 kph.


The load area. The coaster runs two trains. While one train makes the circuit, the other is being loaded. The train doesn't leave the station until the other one reaches a full stop behind it.



Of course we bought the photo!


The Temple Tower. 12.5 meters tall, you haul yourself up to the top by pulling on ropes! You have to make at least 7.5 meters before it will let you down. It's one of the more unique "ride" ideas I've ever seen.



The Dragon boats are driven by air pressure and aren't on tracks. Not quite the Motor Boat Cruise, but close. By now you've probably noticed heavy Asian theming in much of the park. There is really a great mix, though, of traditional European, Asian and whimsy.


The Rivers Of Denmark? This sight made me just a little homesick.


A good long view of The Demon across the lake.



The sailing ship, which appeared to be only for looks, had this cute launch attached. Topped with a golden crown, it's a vessel fit for a Disney or a Danish princess.



An ice cream stand directly across from the sailing ship. I was struck by the name... only a coincidence.



Yes... there are gardens at Tivoli and they are beautiful.



As we left, a band was playing on the stage.


I saw these cute little trams in several places, but never anyone riding. Perhaps they're for tours.



An elaborate Asian-themed stage near the front entrance to Tivoli.





After too short a visit, it's time to go back to the ship. The hour was getting late and we didn't have enough time to walk back. We would have to take a taxi which would cost about 70 kroner. Fortunately, while we were standing under The Demon earlier, the coaster roared overhead and a 100 kroner note came floating down right at our feet! This was our lucky day... and the taxi driver got a 30 kroner tip!

[Olympicnut]

Beautiful pictures!! I hope to get there someday.

[Morrigoon]

Amazing! Thanks for posting photos!

I'd SO go there!

[Cuzco-topia]

Beautiful images! Sounds like you had a wonderful trip!

[Scarecrow]

This park is truly a gem. I had the privilege of going there when I was a child, then a few years ago on my own.

It breaks just about *every* rule that American Theme Park designers praise.

It has more restaurants than rides, a low admission price, a casino (!), and liquor in the park.

And yet, its still beautiful and safe. And most of the shows and outdoor entertainment are free.

And its funny, when I asked about merchandise with their logo on it, they only had a very few items. When I asked if that was it, they looked at me funny and asked why I would want items with the Tivoli logo (or other Tivoli related info) on them???

They're DEFINITELY not in the same game as our themers.....

-Scarecrow.

[JesterMn]

Looks like a stunning park. Actually, many of its pictures remind me very much of BGW (Busch Gardens Williamsberg). That park is just as stunning!

BTW, they have a version of the Temple Tower drop ride (where you pull yourself up on the rope) at Legoland California. It's actually fairly easy to pull yourself up, and the drop down is very slow. Still, fun and unusal! Anything to get Americans to work out.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Thanks for sharing these! I had always wondered what the place looked like.

[pixie chick]

thanks for sharing the pics. we went there about 6 years ago right after our honeymoon. my fil is from denmark & we went to visit friends & family. they had some fun rides there, but some of them look new. if i remember right, i think the odin express is the one that barely slows down enough for you to jump on & off...too funny!!

[desertdweller]

Appreciate all the good photos, Tom! I haven't been there in 40 years.

I clearly remember The Tivoli Gardens being mentioned all the time in DL marketing releases and press notices as its "Sister Park" back in the '50s and '60s. I think Walt had a great fondness for it and the inspiration it gave him to do an American version.

[MTNGIRL]

Thanks so much for the pictures. The park is lovely.

[SpeMarX]

I was at that park a few years ago with my Choir (I even sang there!).

I had the most wonderful time! I remember, it wasn't that busy, as such, they kept the thrill rides running longer. It made some of my friends sick, but I had a blast and a half! I have a major soft spot for that park and the wonderful Copenhagen as well. I highly recommend visiting it.

[Glad Game Guy]

Beautiful and green. Love the cultural differences. Hope to go someday!

[Tom Chaney]

Thanks for your comments. I'm glad everyone is enjoying the photos. I really wish we had more time there. Since we were on a cruise, we only had the daylight hours to see Copenhagen. (The ship sails during the night to the next port of call.) Victoria and I always like to see the cities by foot. You can really see the details of a place this way. It sometimes means that we can only spend a limited time, however, at any one place. The walk from the ship to Tivoli was about 1 hour. We stopped for a beer and sightseeing along the way. By the time we got to Tivoli, we had only 2 or 3 hours before we had to head back to the ship. Next trip we'll spend more time. Even though Tivoli is much smaller, imagine trying to see Disneyland in 4 hours!

[Nemo]

When did you take your cruise? I went on a 7-day Baltic Sea cruise out of Copenhagen on 7/10 (onboard the Costa Atlantica), and went to Tivoli Gardens (which was a great park) the day before.

[Tom Chaney]

When did you take your cruise? I went on a 7-day Baltic Sea cruise out of Copenhagen on 7/10 (onboard the Costa Atlantica), and went to Tivoli Gardens (which was a great park) the day before.

We just missed each other... by a couple of weeks and a different ship! We sailed out of Amsterdam July 25 on Holland-America's MS Prinsendam for 14 days in the Baltic.