A Dream Amusement Park

Though still under construction, the “Mariposa” recreational project at Havana’s Parque Lenin has welcomed more than 130,000 Cubans in its first month of operation.

GABRIEL DAVALOS RAÚL LOPEZ (PHOTOS)

When you see Havana upside down from a height of more than 18 meters (equivalent to a six-store building), it looks completely different. To cover 490 meters in hardly 90 seconds at more than 70 kilometers per hour on the roller coaster seems out of a movie.

AT THE STORYTELLING CORNER, CHILDREN LISTEN TO NARRATIONS AND TALK WITH CULTURAL PROMOTERS ABOUT CHARACTERS AND LITERATURE. CAPTAIN PLIN’S FIGURE SETS THE TONE OF THE THEME PARK.

The “Mariposa” theme park, located at Havana’s Parque Lenin recreational complex, opened its doors this summer when still in the process of completion and adjustment. Nonetheless, Osmel Perez, general director of the complex, said local authorities and Communist Party leaders in the Cuban capital decided to open the park for the summer season to offer a new and attractive recreational option to Havana residents.

More than 130,000 people visited the facility during its first month of operations.

“Although the park opens from Thursdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., sometimes it has been necessary to close it earlier due to its current limited capacity of 5,000 people, although we have received as many as 12,000 in one day. Our aim is to gradually increase capacity,” said the director.

THE FARRIS WHEEL IS 42 METERS HIGH, AND THE COSMONAUT, WHICH GIVES SIX 360 DEGREE TURNS, REACHES TO A HEIGHT OF 18 METERS.

“Those who have visited the park ask why are some rides not working, like the hydrofoil, the roller coaster, and the Farris wheel. Chinese engineers and technicians in charge of assembly are still working at “Mariposa.” Green areas and new visitor paths also need to be concluded. Benches and shady areas are still insufficient since the trees planted are still small. It’s also important that visitors to the park contribute to its hygiene and care,” said Perez.

THE LITTLE CARS ON A FIXED ROUTE ARE VERY ATTRACTIVE TO SMALL CHILDREN.

Soft drinks, sweets and food at reasonable prices are sold at the amusement park. Alcohol consumption is not allowed. Entrance tickets cost one peso (equivalent of US $0.04 cents), and ride prices range from one to six pesos each.

A THEME PARK

“Mariposa was designed to be more than a place with rides. It’s not your usual amusement park. It’s divided into eight worlds in which legendary Cuban cartoon characters play the lead roles, thus contributing to defending the national identity,” said Rafael Guerra Cuello, head of themes.

The Plaza Mariposa, with its vantage point star (42 meters high and 7 minutes for a complete turn), gives access to these legends.

Tocoro Macho recreates the comic strips of Elpidio Valdes, Cuban children’s favorite character.

THE BASEBALL SPIN SPARKS GREAT EMOTIONS IN THOSE WHO GO ON IT.

The merry-go-round, two mini-movie theatres screening his animated films, Bohíos (rural huts), Mr. Jenks sugar-cane juice store, the stable of Palmiche (Elpidio´s beloved horse and friend), a mambí camp (rebels of Cuba’s 1868 uprising against Spanish colonial rule), the trocha (path of those rebels) and a Spanish fort, recreate its atmosphere.

Olympia is the world of sports: bowling, mini-soccer, velocipedes, the baseball spin, obstacle and track and field courses, bumper and racing cars.

Villa Maravilla is the modern city: asphalt and sidewalks, rides with fixed routes for driving or electrical trams for children to go on imaginary trips; dodgem cars for adults.

Pelusin del Monte (named after one of Cuban children’s dearest puppets) has a roller coaster (24 meters high), the flying chairs, and a giant swing.

Zunzun (named after the smallest bird in the world, found only in Cuba), is the site devoted to our island’s flora and fauna, where we find Celia’s Garden (Celia Sanchez Manduley) with 138 plant species, revolving dolphins, the jumping frog and flying elephants.

Cosmopalacio is dedicated to science and technology, with 44 computers with educational games and 8 driving simulators, the cosmonaut (18 meters high) and the children’s roller coaster.

Last but not least is Cocolindo, based on the Coconut Island cartoon story, with its hydrofoil, the pirate ship (15 meters high), the house of balls, the naval trip and the inflatable boat.

In each of these halls cultural promoters carry out participatory activities, read stories, paint and play games with children and adults, to contribute to making their stay more fun and more educational.

Emergency centers, ice-cream parlors and cafeterias, among other facilities complete this new recreational facility.

Perhaps some of you won’t decide to turn and see Havana upside down over and over again. However, at the Mariposa amusement park there are choices to suit all tastes.