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SPV Articles
Mini-Hollywood
Mini-Hollywood is a small theme park in Almería built around
an old spaghetti-western film set where some legendary films
were shot, including For a Few Dollars More. Here is
a photo-illustrated feature article of mine.
Elsewhere on the Net
Aqualandia
The least imaginative thing about this aquatic amusement park
in Benidorm is its name.
Bracalandia
A modest amusement park in Braga, Portugal, with a modest
web site in Portuguese only.
Faunia
Having very sensibly changed its name from the dreary "Parque
Biológico de Madrid," Faunia is a combination
of science museum, theme park and zoo, priding itself on the
faithful recreation of entire ecosystems, from polar to tropical.
Its newish website is Spanish only, but very impressive and
entertaining, with information, photos, games...
Isla
Mágica, Seville
It is beyond understanding that this amusement park in Seville
should not have an English-language version of its website.
Madrid
Zoo
Although not strictly an amusement park, Madrid Zoo and Aquarium
are an entertaining visit. The origins of the zoo lie in the
Casa de Fieras, a collection of wild animals begun
by Carlos III in 1770, before the founding of London Zoo.
Great website, with a lot of new information about the animals,
but still in Spanish only.
Monte
Igueldo
In San Sebastian, this is a historic (1912) funfair, with
old-fashioned attractions which will only interest small children.
I have never been, but the views should be good.
Movie
World Madrid - San Martín de la Vega
The town of San Martín de la Vega in the province
of Madrid is now the home of a new theme park, built by Warner
Bros, which opened at the end of March (or was it the beginning
of April), 2002. It is huge (30,000 m2), with areas including
a Hollywood Boulevard, Wild Wild West, Superhero, and so forth.
This is the Spanish-only site of the town council - the official
Warner Bros site is listed and annotated on the next
page.
Movie
World Madrid
This is a fansite for Movie World Germany, with a section
on the forthcoming Movie World Madrid.
Parque
Biológico Madrid
Some photos of what is now called Faunia (see above). No,
make that a lot of photos.
Parque
de Atracciones - Madrid
You wouldn't travel to Madrid for its amusement park alone,
but it is quite good enough if you need to keep the kids happy
for a couple of hours and it is next door to Madrid Zoo and
Aquarium. In summer, it offers free, open-air concerts which
are sometimes surprisingly good. Recently revamped site, still
in Spanish only.
Santillana
del Mar Zoo
This zoo, within walking distance of the very lovely town
of Santillana del Mar, has a certain importance as a conservation
centre for endangered species. Spanish-only site.
Terra
Mítica - the Official Site
There are any number of apparently offcial sites for Terra
Mítica, at least one of which (http://www.tierramitica.com/)
belongs to a company now facing charges (for property fraud).
This park next to Benidorm, Alicante, is said to be "the
only real theme park in Europe." Its theme is the ancient
world - Rome, Egypt, and so forth, and it has recently been
taken over by Paramount. This website is OK, and at least
available in English, unlike this
better, but Spanish-only site.
Terra
Mítica - an unofficial site
A good Spanish-only fansite, with excellent graphics, for
this theme park near Benidorm. For information on other Spanish
parks, try the related parketematiko.com/.
Tibidao
The amusement park on the Tibidado mountain has been through
good times and bad times. Its age, over a hundred years, and
its position overlooking the city make it emblematic. Here
is the official website, in Spanish, Catalan and English.
Tivoli
World, Málaga
An unassuming amusement park in Benalmádena,
Málaga.
Universal
Studios Port Aventura
Port Aventura is an amusement park in Catalonia. A good, very
dynamic site, as you would expect from Universal Studios.
Valencia
Zoo
A not very inspiring or inspired site, in Spanish only. Still,
clicking on "Los animales" brings up a lot of information
and a few photographs of the inmates.
Warner
Bros Movie World Madrid
This theme park opened at the beginning of April, 2002, and
is one of the most important in Spain, if not Europe. It has
areas dedicated to the Old West, Hollywood Boulevard, Cartoon
Village, Movie Studios and Superheroes. The park is actually
some twenty kilometres from the city of Madrid, but with good
road access and a new local railway station. The web site
is OK, if Flash-heavy and not very exciting, but the English
is very sub-standard (considering the resources available
to Warner Bros). "Have knowledge of Warner Bros Park"
is unforgivable, while "How to Come" reminds me
of the old Frankie Goes to Hollywood song - you know the one
I mean.
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