A planned $4 billion amusement park on the outskirts of Moscow that would be a sort of Russian Disneyland has gotten the ultimate stamp of approval — from President Vladimir Putin.
The park will be built on the border between the Kaluga and Moscow regions, on about 220 acres of land that authorities have secured for for the project. A journey through centuries of Russian history, the park will also include what aspires to be the world’s largest aqua park.
In essence, it will be Russia’s version of Disneyland and will be called ‘The Magical Kingdom of Russia.’
Anatoly Artamonov, the Kaluga Governor and the man behind behind project, said in a meeting with the president that, “you will be able to physically stay in the complex to find out a lot about Russia and the world.” According to the governor, the $4 billion will be funded through private investors rather than the government. However, these investors want to, “be sure in the fact that the project is approved.”
Putin replied with, “Of course, with great pleasure.”
Some Twitter users had less favorable thoughts on the park, which has sparked outrage among both Russian and English speaking users.
Some linked the Disneyland to Russia’s involvement abroad in Georgia 2008 and Ukraine’s territory in since 2014:
#Abkhazia, #SouthOssetia, #Transnistria, #Donetsk aren't enough?#Putin Supports Construction of Russian Disneyland https://t.co/ENoRfGSXAy
— Sijbren de Jong (@Sijbren_deJong) June 10, 2016
Putin supports creation of a "Russian Disneyland" near Kaluga costing $4 billion. Thought they did that in Donbass. https://t.co/IEfSbyBSAP
— X Soviet (@XSovietNews) June 9, 2016
Yay! Russian Disneyland! We all know Tinkerbell was already Russian Anyways! https://t.co/34wlSL95zq
— Inspector Skeleton (@Insp_Skeleton) June 9, 2016
Ride ideas for the new 'Russian Disneyland,' including 'The Falling Ruble' <3
https://t.co/jk9Jgc9A8b— Katie Davies (@katiedavies91) June 9, 2016
Others were skeptical about the apparent lack of governmental funding and linked the building of this amusement park to Prime Minister Medvedev’s recent trip to Crimea. During the trip Medvedev declined the elderly’s request to increase pensions saying “there is no money.”
Putin supports the idea of a Russian version of Disneyland for $4 billion. Medvedev: "There's no money. Have fun!" https://t.co/fHLJ6P9HED
— Vladimir Suchan (@SuchanVladimir) June 9, 2016
Пенсионеров будут выпускать в Диснейленд на поиски пропитания и устраивать шоу голодные игры https://t.co/sgTFSny4aP
— ложный вакуум (@sertm_) June 9, 2016
“They will release the pensioners into Disneyland to search for food and recreate the hunger games”
Публицист.ru – В бюджете РФ на пенсионеров денег нет. 4 миллиарда долларов на калужский Диснейленд – не деньги! https://t.co/70LMd5o5Af
— Дмитрий Сергеев (@SergeevSever) June 10, 2016
“In the budget of the Russian Federation there is no money for pensioners. $4 billion dollars for a Disneyland – isn’t money.”
Никогда не слышала, чтобы внутри Диснейленда строили еще один Диснейленд. Да в нищей стране, да за такие денжищи.
— Роза Моисеевна (@ANAKOYHER) June 9, 2016
“Never heard of one Disneyland being built inside of another Disneyland. And in a poor country and for that amount of money.”
– Россияне, я построю вам Диснейленд! pic.twitter.com/Gixv2OxgKf
— Мысли Перзидента (@VVP2_0) June 9, 2016
“Russians, I will build you a Disneyland”
Some also cited the Putin’s favorite cello player, involved in the Panama Papers, as being one of the main attractions of the amusement park.
Диснейленд за 4 млрд $ в Калуге откроет Ролдугин мелодией
"Родные мои офшоры"… pic.twitter.com/N7CMh9OMyW— Догоняй! Е7Ы09 (@mix_voronezh) June 9, 2016
“The new Disneyland for $4 billion in Kaluga will be opened by Roldugin with a song called, ‘My Native Offshores'”
Парк "Волшебный мир России", а почему тогда журналисты называют его – Русский Диснейленд? https://t.co/w4YeT2X6t3
— Светлана Журова (@szhurova) June 10, 2016
One of the only supporters of the park, Duma representative Svetlana Zurova, questioned why the media called this park ‘Russian Disneyland’ instead of by its real name, ‘The Magical Kingdom of Russia.’
"Волшебный мир России".
Путин одобрил строительство в Калужской области самого уникального развлекательного парка с Российской спецификой.— Эрнест Макаренко (@ErnestMakarenko) June 9, 2016
Meanwhile Ernest Makarenko said, that this will be the, “most unique amusement park that is specifically Russian.”
