Tweet Long before Disneyland or a Walt Disney World thrilled this earth, a charming amusement park and gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark opened on August 15, 1843. Tivoli Gardens (or simply Tivoli) is the second oldest amusement park in the world. Having an eclectic mix of exquisite gardens, dining areas, performance venues and amusement park rides, Tivoli brought in 3.9 million visitors in 2011. It is the second most visited seasonal theme park in the world. Founded by Georg Carstensen, Tivoli has always included a variety of attractions. Carstensen was granted 15 acres to build his amusement park from King Christian VIII. He proposed to the king that “when the people are amusing themselves, they do not think about politics”. “Escapism” through the enjoyment of an amusement park had been born. Carstensen built his amusement park with exotic Oriental-imagined buildings, theatres, band stands, restaurants and cafes, flower gardens and mechanical amusement rides. A merry-go-round and primitive scenic railway were two of the most popular attractions. In 1844, Carstensen was quoted saying a most familiar sentiment, “Tivoli will never, so to speak, be finished.” He lived by his promise to keep Tivoli evolving without losing its original charm or traditions. Ironically, Mr. Walt Disney visited Tivoli almost a century later. [...]