| Terra Encantada | |
| Location: | Rio de Janeiro |
| Location2: | Brazil |
| Coordinates: | -22.9866°N -43.3632°W |
| Theme: | Brazil |
| Area: | 200 sq. kilometers |
Terra Encantada was an amusement park in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, It operated from 1998 to 2010.[1] The park, which spanned over an area of 200 square kilometers, was dedicated to the celebration of Brazilian culture and its diverse origins, including indigenous, African, and European influences.
The park was planned to have more than 60 dining options, including a Planet Hollywood location.[2] Investments reached $USD 220 million and the park received funding from the National Bank for Economic Development.[3] Well over 12 thousand people would be employed directly and indirectly, and 20 thousand people were expected to visit the park every day. Revenue was expected to be about $30 million monthly.
The park's opening was delayed twice, from its original date on October 12, 1997, to December 15 and eventually to January 15, 1998. Upon its opening, not all of the attractions were open. The first visitors, disappointed, demanded refunds. While at the park's opening party, actress Isis de Oliveira was injured at one of the main attractions of the park.[4] She subsequently sued the park for damages. Other disturbances included fights between jiu-jitsu entertainers and a strike by employees.
On March 17, 2002, during a party at the park for freshmen at the Estácio de Sá University, a brawl erupted during a performance by rock band Charlie Brown Jr.[5] The brawl started after the singer left the stage, and the park asked the band to continue playing in hopes of mitigating damage. 61 people were injured, shops were destroyed and looted, and stones, chairs, trash cans, and potted plants were thrown everywhere.
In 2005, a 28-year-old man fell from one of the roller coasters, suffering lung perforation and fractures in his skull and cervical spine.
In 2009, the Public Ministry opened an investigation into the park after receiving a complaint about its unsafe condition.[6] However, little action was taken beyond an initial investigation and a report. Another complaint was made in 2009 after employees continued to sell tickets to visitors during a power outage despite the rides and attractions not functioning.
That same year, the park was chosen to be the filming location for the soap opera "Bela, a Feia ", and all of Main Street was changed to resemble the old Rio de Janeiro neighborhood of Gamboa.[7] [8] The location was leased until July 2010.
On June 19, 2010, 61-year-old visitor Heydiara Lemos Ribeiro was thrown from Mount Aurora and died from head trauma.[9] The park continued to operate for several more months while investigations were carried out.[10] The subsequent investigations discovered that the park's rides all had serious structural and mechanical issues, which led to a complete closedown of the park. The park's director and engineers were charged with manslaughter in 2011, although they would be acquitted of this charge in 2013.[11] The park would only be able to reopen when the demands made by the Civil Defense were fulfilled.
The park closed in 2010. There was a fire on the property in 2014, in a building used for movie screenings.[12] Demolition of the site began in 2016.
The main character was Kiara, queen of the park, who was a water goddess inspired by the mythological figures of tiaras and kittens.[13] Tunhã was a golden lion tamarin and Aurora was a Spix's macaw. The character João do Mato prevented deforestation.
Terra Encantada was divided into different thematic areas that depicted the origins of the Brazilian people.
The main street contained bars, restaurants, and most of the shops in the park, all with facades in various styles of Brazilian architecture.
Inspired by European culture.
The area included a small Zamperia roller coaster.
Children's Land had a teacup ride (with water lilies instead of tea cups), a carousel, and a mini roller coaster manufactured by Zamperia. Also present were an ecological-themed playground, a kart racing track, and a house of mirrors.
Honoring the indigenous peoples of Brazil.
The objective of the creation of this thematic area is to show how African culture influenced the formation of the Brazilian people. The main roller coaster in the park, Monte Makaya, was located in this area. It held the record for most inversions in the world (8) for four years, before it was surpassed by Colossus at Thorpe Park.
The area also included bumper cars and a caravel ride.
With plans to open in 1999, the Castle of Waters would have a surprise inside, a roller coaster in the dark. Unfortunately, these projects were discontinued. The roller coaster was relocated to Europe Land as Monte Aurora.
Terra Encantada had three primary dining options:
The park had a musical trio, also called Terra Encantada, which performed songs to promote the park.