JOIN USIn the good old days, as the sun set and evening approached, every child waited eagerly for the distinct noise of a metal rod clanging with a chain which would bring a contraption called the merry-go-round closer. Brought on creaky wheels by none other than the local jhulewala, it was a signal for every kid to rush out of their homes for a joyride - costing a penny or less.
The concept of swings has since travelled and found its base in sophisticated amusement parks mushrooming in and around Delhi. From Giant Wheel to Columbus, the parks have them all - under one roof. What Appu Ghar began many decades ago with My Fair Lady and the Big Splash, has given way to power packed rides, swimming options in mand made lakes, water rides, free falls. The parks also offer hold your breath - accommodation and fine dining.
Rides have become scarier and more dangerous with separate sections for different ages in some of them. Worlds of Wonder in Great India Place Mall (Noida), is one place where international rides have been introduced. There include separate zones for kids, teens and family so that every age group can have fun. Archana Browne, vice president, WoW says, “We try to make it a destination for family entertainment. If the teen zone has more adventure rides then the family zone is a mixed bag where rides suit everyone.” She admits that to keep it as an attraction, one can’t make many changes but keep “adding exciting features to it.” The park, for instance has recently added a man-made lake, purportedly the biggest in Asia. They also plan to start a water park by March next year.
But water parks in Delhi already exist. In places like the Fun‘n’Food Village, Aapno Ghar and Splash Water Park. Located on the older Delhi-Gurgaon Highway, Fun‘n’Food is a popular option for water babies. It has 22 water slides, a huge wave pool, 21 amusement rides, rain dance facilities, water play for kids, snow park during winter and many more attractions. It draws bigger crowds during summer holidays though. “I have been to a number of amusement and theme parks but if I have to go out with friends then I prefer Fun ‘n’ Food,” says Supriya Dutta, an HR manager who feels that, “amusement parks in Delhi are very colourful.
The good thing is that we used to see such big rides in Hollywood movies and US but now we can experience them in Delhi as well.”
Speaking of rides one cannot miss Adventure Island in Rohini. It is the first theme park of the Capital and has a collection of 26 imported rides which are at par with parks of Disney, Universal Studios and Six Flags. With rides like Freefall and Demolition Derby, Adventure Island also has an H2O zone, MAD theatre and HQ which make it quite popular.
So what are you waiting for? Plan the coming weekend and get set to experience an amusement park!