I guess we’re becoming amusement park people? There are a few amusement parks in Finland, but the most famous is Helsinki’s Linnanmäki.
Going even feels a bit virtuous because it’s actually a non-profit organization that raises money for children’s welfare in the country (with €130 million donated to this cause since the park was opened in 1950).
Unlike Prater in Vienna, there are wristbands!! We hemmed and hawed about the different options, but settled on the €49 unlimited option and it ended up being the right decision. We each rode several dozen rides, so these wristbands paid for themselves in no time.
Linnanmäki has been open since the 1950s.
It’s a small and compact but packs a punch. The main roller coaster, Taiga, was ranked the 8th best roller coaster in the world by the Captain Coaster website!!!!
John, Indy and I all did the fun house. It was… fun! (Though smaller than the options at Prater.)
Indy opted to sit the first few roller coasters out, and we snapped this selfie of the three of us heading into the belly of the beast (aka: Taiga). It was a TERRIFYING ride, but also incredibly smooth. You reach speeds of 106 km/h.
Epic!
After that adrenaline rush, we took a break for a scenic train ride around the perimeter of the park. (It doesn’t take long.)
Loved this dandelion fountain.
This is the best picture I could get of one portion of the Taiga roller coaster. Belle must have gone on it a dozen times by the end of the day.
A selfie of the two of us while we waited in line for the front row!
We rode the wooden coaster (Vuoristorata) a few times as well. It’s unusual because it has a brake master (a human who stands at the back of the coaster and controls the braking manually), and is one of only six remaining coasters in the world with brake masters. As wooden coasters go, it was fairly smooth.
Indy took life easy while he and Belle waited for the adults to go on the drop zone.
When we were going up, I had decided in advance I wouldn’t scream. I literally said to myself: I’m not going to scream, I’m not going to scream. And at that exact moment the bottom plummeted out below us and I let out a blood curdling scream. Ha! So much for that intention.
The park is built on the site of two former water towers and one of them has been repurposed into an indoor coaster (Linnunrata). Indy LOVED this thing. He must have ridden it a dozen times. It was short and thrilling and just the right amount of adrenaline.
I usually sat with him, but on the last ride of the night, he opted to take the front row for himself.
I find fun mirrors hilarious! While Belle and John were off doing Taiga together, Indy and I spent a good long time doing silly poses.
This might win for the best tree pose so far on the trip.
This mirror was our favourite!!! The distortion was hilarious.
Back to the dandelion fountain.
And another tree pose; note his improved form.
We went up in the Ferris Wheel.
And here’s a sibling selfie to prove it.
Belle and I were the only ones to do this crazy coaster (Ukko) where at one point you end up going down a 90-degree angle at 105 km/h. I screamed the WHOLE time. I couldn’t help myself. It was guttural and involuntary.
Indy really enjoyed a karting ride, the wooden coaster, the indoor coaster, and a few other rides. By the end of the day, he was feeling ready to tackle Taiga.
Full disclosure: I thought he was going to hate it. It’s an intense ride, albeit smooth. There are g-forces (5) and seat ejections and all sorts of crazy things. But he did great. He was up beside John, and Belle and I were a few rows behind. Of course I couldn’t tell how he was doing during the ride, but when we stopped and he turned around and grinned, I was SO RELIEVED. He ended up riding it twice.
Our very tired (all that adrenaline is exhausting and we criss-crossed the park on foot a lot and ended up walking almost 9 km!) family was also very, very happy. What a great day and a highlight from our trip for sure.
Your turn.
- Roller coasters: yes or no?
- If yes: do you prefer the front, middle, or back?
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Massive no to roller coasters!! You guys make it look fun, but still hard pass.
I listened to the podcast- very nicely done!
Fair! Roller coasters are… a lot. This one was especially fun, but it’s not something I crave, that’s for sure.
(And thanks for such kind words!!)
Another perk of travel: finding out that you are amusement park people! If you ever came to my part of the world, Cedar Point is a big amusement park that’s near our best lighthouse and the islands, so we could add that to the agenda.
Rollercoasters are a never have I ever thing. The closest that I have been is an IMAX movie and it was terrifying. However, the ferris wheel looks fun, so that’s my next goal in life. Maybe I’ll do the one at Navy Pier in Chicago this weekend.
Roller coasters and lighthouses… you’re bringing out the big guns, Birchie!!
You have never been on a roller coaster. Or a Ferris Wheel? I am amazed and surprised and also can 100% see you becoming a huge fan of roller coasters. Maybe when you finish US Capitol buildings you can start on amusement parks??
So fun!! I love roller coasters, although admittedly as I get older I don’t quite have as much tolerance for them anymore. But the adrenaline rush is very enjoyable!
Was it busy this time of year? And was it chilly to the point of being cold when you’re traveling fast speeds on the coasters?
It wasn’t too bad! We’re going again tomorrow (just for a few rides, we won’t get a bracelet pass) and I’m curious about what the crowds will be like.
It was chilly a handful of times on the fastest rollercoaster. Other than that, no! Thankfully, it was mostly sunny the whole time we were there and that definitely made a big difference.
I used to LOVE roller coasters!!! I haven’t been on one in years though, and I’m afraid it would make me nauseous now (I know- so sad.) It sounds like this park wasn’t crowded at all, which would have been my dream as a kid- going on roller coasters over and over again without having to stand in long lines.
To answer your second question- if I remember correctly, you don’t pick up as much speed going down the big drops if you’re sitting in the front. So I like the back!
I listened to the podcast!!! Well- part of it. I’ll finish it today. It’s fun to look at the photos on your blog and know what your voice sounds like. Don’t ask me why, but I thought your voice would be lower. Now I’m wondering about other bloggers voices! I’ve met SHU, Lisa, Birchie, and I’ve heard Kae’s voice on a podcast (Best Laid Plans.) I wonder who else’s voice I’m imagining incorrectly!
Belle loved to get off the coaster and then IMMEDIATELY get back in line to do it again.
Yes, the back is best if you’re doing steep and sudden drops.
I have a fairly high voice. I wish it was lower FOR SURE! I’ve heard all those voices you mentioned; the only one that surprised me was Birchie. Lisa and Kae sounded mostly like I imagined they would, but Birchie had a lot more of an accent. Now I love reading her blog comments in my head IN HER VOICE. It’s very distinct and I find it soothing 🙂
Big fat NO to amusement parks. The only one we went to when I was a kid was the very mild, very under-developed Knott’s Berry Farm. We went to Magic Mountain when it first opened, and it cemented my dislike. All that asphalt (and it was a hot day), all that noise, the crowds, everything felt fake. Take me to the beach or the mountains any day, but amusement parks are for other people. I do like the views from the top of the ferris wheel, but that is too short lived to really take it in.
I guess I’ve always been a fuddy-duddy.
I would prefer a day at the beach or the mountains. And, also, its fun and exciting and terrifying and something my kids currently LOVE, so that makes it extra special and worth the effort (and money; they are NOT cheap)!!!
Yes to roller coasters! Love them 😊 I love going to theme parks. We’re going to the Efteling again this year, I just need to buy tickets with a discount and then decide on a day to go.
I love sitting at the front, it feels like you get the best view. I don’t like 3D rides though, they make me feel nauseous.
The front is a unique experience for sure (hence the extra long lines for it).
Off to look up Efteling!
I’m going to a theme park in a few weeks with friends, and I’m so excited. It’s one that we used to go to as a “super big treat don’t ask again because it’s not happening” special occasion as a child. So as a parent, and being able to take my son to it, is going to be so exciting! They’ve built all sorts of new rides and things since I last went, including new rollercoasters, so bring it on! My son is like I was as a kid – acts tough, says yes, then freaks out while waiting in line and tries to come up with excuses on why we should skip it. But then absolutely loves it straight after haha.