History

On June 16, 1900, work began on the access to the summit of Tibidabo, with a tramway (popularly known as the Blue Tramway) and a funicular. At the same time, at the top, work continues with the flattening and construction of terraces and buildings. On October 29, 1901, the official inauguration of the new facilities was celebrated and, paradoxically, the funicular was the first major attraction of the Amusement Park given the innovative nature of this unique means of transport at the time. That year, the first points of leisure also arrive, such as automatic scales and postcard vending machines.

The first decade will be characterized by small amusements such as telescopes and binoculars, swings, Flobert shooting, bowling games, mirrors, automatons, carrier pigeon station... As well as many events of all kinds: Cors d'en Clavé, military bands, orchestras and balloon ascents, among others. In terms of buildings, the Gran Cafè Restaurant Tibidabo and the Restaurant Coll hotel are opened, in addition to the large party hall, where an attempt is made, without success, to open some outbuildings as a casino.

This decade will mean the definitive relaunch of Tibidabo as an amusement park. Thus, in 1910 the Electric Carousel was installed and in 1913 the company hired a Senegalese tribe to exhibit their customs, lifestyles and skills.

On May 22, 1915, the Aerial Railway would be inaugurated, which would give access to the great attractions. This, the first major attraction that invites the sensation of flight to visitors, still continues at Tibidabo.

A year later, some rooms of the Park are enabled to offer a thematic exhibition on the First World War.

In order to increase the imposing panorama that can be seen from the Amusement Park, the construction of a large metal structure called the Talaia, 50 m high, was undertaken, and on December 18, 1921 is inaugurated. Projects also begin to double the capacity of the funicular for the International Exhibition of 1929.

In 1924, the arrival of customers at the fledgling Florida Hotel was made easier by means of a train that allowed for a delicious ride along the entire ridge of the mountain to enjoy the views. In 1925, an African tribe was hired again, this time it would be the Fulah tribe, from equatorial Africa, which would once again create a great sensation among visitors.

In 1927, the first monument was inaugurated in tribute to the founder, Dr. Salvador Andreu i Grau, and the following year, on September 23, 1928, the Avió, which is a replica of the plane that made the first Barcelona - Madrid flight. At this moment, the Amusement Park is already known everywhere, and the magazine Barcelona-Atracción does not hesitate to describe Tibidabo as the eighth wonder.

In these times of social deterioration until reaching the events of 1936 and the subsequent dictatorship, the Amusement Park tries to offer small novelties such as Miniature Golf or battery cars.

The outbreak of war causes the collectivization of the Amusement Park and causes some damage, generally minor.

During the post-war years, "S.A. El Tibidabo" was reestablished, headed by the family of Dr. Andreu, who will devote his efforts to expanding the surface area of the Amusement Park, fixing up the gardens and creating new attractions.

In these years, the Gran Cafè Restaurant Tibidabo and Hotel Coll were renovated, which became "La Masia". In 1947 the summer fairs began to be celebrated with great success, and in 1948 the cypress maze was opened, the first attraction after the Civil War.

In 1951, the Children's Theater was inaugurated, a scene of short-lived life, but which was considered one of the best in Europe, and the expansion and landscaping of the lower part continued.

The Amusement Park will experience a golden age with important improvements, such as the comprehensive reform of the old funicular in 1958. This decade also saw the creation of numerous attractions such as the Cable Car, the Flying Pots, the Miniature Train (replica of the first Barcelona-Mataró railway), the electric cars, the House of Surprises, the Enchanted Castle... Without forgetting, the creation in 1959 of the Tibidabo giants: Doña Atalaya and Don Avión.

The Amusement Park accentuates its family character and is known by the nickname of the Children's Paradise. The numerous attempts to have a roller coaster would become a reality in 1961, and on the esplanades of the Amusement Park new attractions appear such as the Panoramic Wheel, Crash Cars, Battle Plates, the Sunflower, the Coffee Game, etc.

Meanwhile, the offer of indoor leisure spaces is also increasing with attractions such as the Tontilàndia Express, the Palau de la Llum, with its comic mirrors, or the Tibicar.

In 1970, the Amusement Park was expanded with new terraces where the Indianapolis Kart circuit opened and also, years later, the La Miranda restaurant.

Other attractions such as the Cavallets, the Glass House, the Tralla, the Mini-Autopista or the Scalextric gradually appeared. In order to alleviate the parking problem, a parking lot with capacity for 500 cars was built in 1978.

Finally, in 1979 the Blue tram no. 4 as a souvenir shop at the main entrance and the first pet appears, a cute witch named "Pirula".

This decade is characterized by a modernization of facilities and constant changes. Many attractions are included, such as a Supertobogan and its Trans-Mobile lift, Cinema 180, La Sínia (Panoramic), Super Barca-Xoc, Tibi-Trens, Llits Elàstics, Billagolf, Setidabo, Nau Cosmica, Twister, Moto Schoppers, etc.

This decade also saw exciting acrobatic shows, the creation of the Museum of Automatons and an exhibition of poisonous snakes. On the other hand, from 1986, the Amusement Park is surrounded by a fence and the entrance is charged, until then free, while waiting for a major reform that will take place from 1988 with the purchase of the Amusement Park by businessman Javier de la Rosa, who will later create the Grand Tibidabo holding.

The following year a comprehensive reform was undertaken with the removal of attractions and the addition of other leisure points. Thus, a new Tibidabo was opened in 1989 with the nickname "La Muntanya Màgica" and with the attractions Diavolo, Piratta, Carrusel with two floors or Aladdin, as the star amusements of the site.

The Amusement Park also improves catering services and continues to increase the number of attractions: Tibidabo Express, Alaska, Mysterious Castle, Aeromágic (formerly the Aerial Railway), Barkitos, Hurakan, the Mina d'Or...

Shows such as the Marionetarium or the Passage of Terror, annual parties such as "Un Estiu sense Barreres", "La cançó de Pau", etc., as well as two new mascots: Tibi and Dabo.

Despite everything, at the end of the nineties the company suffered a long crisis, both management and economic, which endangered its existence and even caused its closure during some periods of the year. The situation gradually became unsustainable until the bankruptcy of the society occurred in 1999, the year in which, paradoxically, the centenary of the foundation of the Amusement Park is celebrated.

On January 27, 2000, the General Treasury of the Social Security (TGSS) executed the embargoes on certain land, buildings and installations of the Society, by means of a public auction. On February 11, 2000, the TGSS exercised the right of appeal over the auctioned goods, awarding them in its favour. On February 22, 2000, the TGSS and the Barcelona City Council signed an Agreement on the purchase and sale of assets executed in the Society.

Despite the vicissitudes, five children's attractions are added to the leisure offer of the Amusement Park. From 2002, the study of the future of the Tibidabo Amusement Park began with innovative and creative projects for all audiences, already with the municipal management.

Thus, in 2004, the TibiClub pass was created available to visitors, accessibility was qualitatively improved with new panoramic lifts and the first free-fall attraction in Catalonia was opened, which would be followed by other attractions such as the Globus, the cinema in 4D (called Dididado) or the spectacular Muntanya Russa, unique in Europe.

Also, in 2007, the funicular was renovated and the upper area of the Amusement Park was restored as a free access area, and its limits were extended up to Hotel La Florida. In this space, now called the Panoramic Area, are included the recovered monument to Dr. Andreu (retired in 1996) and new leisure proposals, such as a children's theatre, slides or the Edifici Cel, a room where the history of Tibidabo is projected.

From 2010, the Tibidabo Park experienced a period of renovations and reforms of attractions, such as the reform of the tunnels area of the Embruixabruixes in 2015, the complete rehabilitation of the Avió in 2017, the modernization of the Tibidabo Express in 2017 with the introduction of virtual reality glasses, the first attraction of this type in Catalonia, or the complete reform of Castell dels Contes at the end of 2018.

During these years, new attractions and areas were also installed, such as the new panoramic wheel - the Giradabo - with a basket adapted for people with reduced mobility, the TibiCity, the Interactibi, the CreaTibi (with the Lego area ® Education and the CreaTibi Robotics room) and the free access area of the Interactive Fonts. The main square is also being renovated, levelling the entire space to make it accessible to everyone, and a vertical garden is being incorporated into the facade of the office building.

In addition, in 2015 the new Tibidabo Mascots were born: Ti, Bi, Da and Bo. A bird, a lizard, a fox and a wild boar respectively, which represent the values, the axes (solidarity, education, experiences and sustainability) and the essence of the Tibidabo Amusement Park and which collaborate with UNICEF Comité Catalunya in the promotion of children's rights among children and families.

Tibidabo, a Park that looks to the future, welcomes the 2020s with the stellar inauguration of the new Cuca de Llum funicular. A new futuristic transport that is committed to sustainable mobility. The new funicular allows all visitors to climb Tibidabo in just 4 minutes, becoming the fastest and most sustainable way to reach the mountain. In addition, it offers a unique experience where you can enjoy the views of the city of Barcelona and the Serra de Collserola while ascending to the top.

New experiences are also added to Tibidabo's offer, such as the immersive reality attraction Beyond, the sustainable ice rink in the Christmas season or shows such as the Wilhelm Freak Show in the Halloween season.