Vidám Park (Amusement Park)

Frommer's Review

Popular with Hungarian families, Vidám Park (literally "Happy Park"), unlike Disneyland or Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens, is eminently affordable. Two rides in particular are not to be missed: the merry-go-round and the Ferris wheel. The 100-year-old merry-go-round (Körhinta), constructed almost entirely of wood, was recently restored to its original, delightful grandeur. The riders must actively pump to keep the horses rocking. Authentic Wurlitzer music plays, and as the carousel spins round and round, it creaks mightily. The Ferris wheel (óriáskerék) is also wonderful, although it has little in common with the rambunctious Ferris wheels of the modern age. A gangly, bright-yellow structure, it rotates at a liltingly slow pace, gently lifting you high into the sky for a remarkable view. Vidám Park also features Europe's longest wooden roller coaster.

Note: Parents must pay for a ticket for themselves and one for their child when accompanying a child who is too young to go on a ride by him- or herself. Next door is a toddlers' amusement park (Kis Vidám Park), although several rides in the Vidám Park are also suitable for toddlers.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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