Associated parks:
Gröna Lund, Stockholm, Sweden
I have just had a long weekend in Stockholm and of course, Gröna Lund was a must. Before I get to that though, I have to say that Stockholm is the most beautiful city, the people were friendly and there is so much to see. Definitely one to add to the list if planning a European trip. Gröna Lund is on a peninsula near the Abba Museum (a must for fans of the group) with water on both sides.
This was the first weekend of opening for the season, and whilst Saturday looked busy, helped by a concert by Swedish band Kaj, on Sunday barring a few gangs of teenagers and some families, the park was quiet. Gröna Lund has had a bit of a rough few years; their Jetliner coaster had a fatal accident and has been removed which is a shame as it looked great, but that also means that the Wild Mouse and breakdance ride have been temporarily removed too to make way for the construction of a replacement. As a result the middle of the park felt empty but this should be rectified next year. Overall though, the number of attractions squeezed into a tiny space was remarkable. The designers have used the vertical space superbly with 4 tower rides, an Intamin Zac Spin and rides on top of others. The park was clean and well run, if you bought the unlimited wristband you also got two free Jet Passes to use on whichever rides you wanted. Given that the park was so empty I didn't need this, but it was a nice touch.
I didn't feel overly tall in Sweden but my height meant I was too tall for the Zac spin (Insane), but also the Intamin freefall and their sky drop Ikaros (although this was shut on the day of my visit) all with a 195cm upper limit and what looked like very restrictive restraints. I just about squeezed onto Monster, an awesome B and M inverted coaster with an underground station resulting in a unique brake run drop back in at the end. This started with a dive over the water then a sequence of tight rolls and helixes. Loads of near misses made this one of the best of the type that Ive done. I did this twice, once from the back and then from the front.
Twister: A GCI wooden coaster which was small but packed a punch with airtime and head choppers galore. Great fun, but I feared for my head at a few points. This was a much longer ride that I expected and kept its pace right to the end.
Kvasten was a Vekoma family suspended coaster, being so close to the buildings around made this feel extra fast. Nothing startling about this but great fun.
I had two rides on Eclipse, their 250ft Starflyer as the view over the city and the water was superb and worth doing just for that.
I did manage to squeeze onto Katapulten, an S and S combo tower. The hold at the top allowed for great views as this was right at the waters edge, just not as relaxing as Eclipse! I also rode the wave swinger, again right by the water, and Blackfish, a Schwarzkopf Polyp ride which due to a very unevenly weighted car span wildly all the way round!
There were loads of other attractions to try but by this point i'd had enough. But overall I had a great time.
This is now the 3rd Scandinavian park Ive done, I would say Tivoli in Copenhagen is the one to go to if you want the history and a bit of magic (especially at night), Liseberg in Gothenburg with Balder and Helix headlining has the best ride line up, but Gröna Lund has more than enough to recommend it if you are in Stockholm. Time it right and you also get a concert with some big names playing over the summer. The ticket price rises for this but not by as much as you'd expect. Great rides and a glorious setting make this well worth a visit.
I am 198cm and was able to ride Ikaros (nobody checked my height), I guess I was lucky! That was probably the most nervous/scared I have been on a ride in my life... Those are something else when you tilt face down, but the view was absolutely stunning. I was questioning my choice to the ride the thing when those seats tilted down.
No issue riding anything else there, although I didn't even try to ride Insane as the S&S freespins are literally the worst rides on earth so I have zero desire. When SFMM still had theirs they didn't allow me to ride it due to my height, but the other half got off and looked like she was in trauma.
Gröna Lund itself is just a gem of a park. We both preferred it over Tivoli, although we loved it there too obviously. Liseberg though might be my favorite out of the four parks we visited (Kolmarden included, which I thought would be 'better' as we love visiting both zoo's and amusement parks, but was just OK overall as a zoo). Liseberg though with Helix, Balder and even Valkyria which is a very good B&M dive compared to most... Add in the beautiful location and other rides, just such a phenomenal park to spend a day in. Gothenberg was a really nice city, too... Which believe it or not, had incredible, proper NY style pizzeria that would make NYC proud: https://maps.app.goo.gl/s9R...SWasYhSn97
We absolutely want to get back to Sweden sooner than later and explore more of it!
Im about 196 but also quite a big build, but also well over 50 and not as flexible for contorting into seats as I used to be! I find being held in so tightly makes me nauseous very quickly so need to pace things.
I would agree that Liseberg is the favourite, but all are worth the visit. I love how close all the parks are to the city but feel like you are in another world when you are in them. There's such a great mix of coasters, flat rides and quirky dark rides or attractions; I didn't really explore the dark rides or fun house at Grona Lund but will definitely do so on a return visit.
Agree, the views within Liseberg are quite unreal. Had a dusk/night ride on Balder and going up the lift and seeing the city all lit up and the rest of the beautiful park was a surreal ride. Have not had a ride like that in a LONG time.
Also, Helix is one of the best out there for sure. Easily in my top 3 steel, it's SO good.
You must be logged in to post
