PW NOV08 P64-65 v4.qxd:PW NOV08 P64-65 v4.qxd 4/11/08 10:37 Page 64
Park Profile
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VULQANO PARK
Sky-high in the Andes
High in the Andes Mountains overlooking since they opened, and they remain open year-
Quito, Ecuador, is the world's highest round.
amusement park – Vulqano Park. Part of the We boarded the car and headed up the side of
Teléferico entertainment complex, it opened in the mountain. True, the view was spectacular. The
2005 and remains one of Quito's newest car travelled at fast speed. We walked towards a
attractions. Linda Hill gives Vertigo the heave- path that leads to a higher elevation passing the
ho to bring you these words restaurants, shops and food outlets that were all
closed. There was only one lonely merchant in a
T
o reach Teléferico, six-passenger cable cars small store that had no business. I asked my guide,
transport visitors up the side of Pichincha what happened? Apparently, when the complex first
volcano to an attitude of 13,280ft, in just eight opened it was the new attraction that everyone
minutes. Once at the top, the view of the city and wanted to visit, but due to the high costs, it was only
snow covered mountains is magnificent. At this done once by the locals. If you only earn US$200 a
altitude, however, the air is thin and it’s cold. month and have a family of four or more, you can
At the top there is a modern complex that includes only afford this type of entertainment once. My guide
a restaurant with bar selling flavoured oxygen(!), visited once with her family and ended up costing
high-end shops, souvenirs stands and fast food them over $100. Coffee and cake came to over $80
outlets. The guidebooks say this attraction is for four people.
enormously popular with Ecuadorian families that On the way down on the cable car, Vulqano Park
take the cable car ride and then visit Vulqano Park at came into view. Sacoa Entertainment, an operator of
the bottom, at an altitude of more than 20 FECs in Argentina operates the 4.6-
8,850ft. The 4.6-acre attraction acre attraction. It’s a lovely park with 25 rides and
is operated by Sacoa attractions, a central midway building with a food
Entertainment, which operates court, an arcade and a special events room. Music
more than 20 FECs in Argentina plays throughout the park.
but is probably better known There are two rollercoasters including the 36ft-tall
outside Latin America for its Montaña Rusa, a Pinari ZL42, and Chiquita
Playcard cashless payment Montaña Rusa, a 10ft Zamperla family coaster.
system. Operations manager Sergio Cazes says Montaña
When I visited Quito earlier Rusa is the park's most popular ride because you see
this year and made a trip to children and grandfathers riding together.
Teleférico with a Spanish Other highlights include a high-energy Slingshot
speaking guide, it didn't seem by Funtime, a Chance Sea Dragon ship, Bertazzon
that popular, but then it was only carousel and a variety of other rides from Italian
a Monday. Marketing manager suppliers SBF/Visa, C&S, Preston & Barbieri,
Juan Pablo Hidalgo reports that Zamperla and Sartori. Rides cost about one dollar
Operations manager Sergio Cazes they receive an average of 100,000 visits per month each.
64 NOVEMBER 2008
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