Hongkongers braved long queues at Ocean Park Tuesday for one last ride on the park’s most iconic attractions before they were set to retire for good.
The shutting of the Mine Train, Raging River and Abyss, which have decades of history at the park, mark an end of an era for the city’s collective memory.
Even as rain fell, many lined up for an hour for a final go on the attractions. Among the crowds were secondary school students and families with young children.
“I’ve ridden on this many times since childhood,” one father said of the Mine Train. “Since it’s being torn down, I wanted to bring [my kids] to experience it once.”
Ocean Park first announced in January this year that it would be discontinuing a number of rides to make way for an overhaul, which will see the establishment of a free-to-enter shopping and entertainment area and entrance fees scrapped.
Among the three rides that retired Tuesday, Raging River has had the longest run, having operated for 37 years since 1984. Mine Train, the scenic roller coaster overlooking southern Hong Kong island, and the vertical drop tower Abyss, have both been in service for 20 years.
Amid the nostalgia, some park goers acknowledged the inevitable changing of the times. “Ocean Park is [part of] our childhood memory. [I’m] honored and happy to experience this legacy for one last time,” one man told Stand News.
As the park retires the iconic attractions, new adventures await: the long-anticipated Water World will open to the public on Sept. 21, featuring water slides and an all-weather indoor wave pool.
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