Tivoli World, Amusement Park, Benalmadena, Malaga
Tivoli World has been closed since August 2021 due to bankruptcy of its owners.
The amusement park Over 35 million people have visited since it opened on 20th May 1972. It was constructed by the Danish businessman Bernt Olsen as the first and only amusement park on the Costa del Sol.Named after the famous park in Copenhagen. It was known for having several ferris wheels, the castle of terror, a free fall from 60 meters high and a large open air auditorium which featured top national and international artists.
Tivoli World closed in 2020 during the first (March to June) wave of the Coronavirus Pandemic and reopened in July and August 2020, closing at the end of the high season. The company that runs the park entered bankruptcy with debts of more than 11 million euros and is in full legal litigation. The judicial administrator, Juan Antonio Sánchez, confirms it. "It is quite likely that Tivoli will not reopen,".
Tivoli's problems began when Cordoba businessman Rafael Gómez acquired it in 2004. The sale was estimated at 30 million euros and included a large investment for general remodelling and creation of new attractions to be operated by Compañía Internacional de Parques y Artistas SA (Cipasa); another company owned by Gómez.
Further legal problems after Gomez's arrest in the Marbella Malaya operation and the economic crisis prompted him, in 2007, to sell assets valued at almost 600 million euros. The Tremón real estate group acquired several assets, including Tivoli world. The agreement established the takeover of Tivoli, then expected take place a few months after the deed of sale. This was never carried out.
Tremón started its own bankruptcy process in 2008 and a started a lawsuit against Cipasa for Tivoli World to be handed. In a long judicial case, the Torremolinos court and the Malaga Provincial Court agreed, but Gómez - on probation after entering prison in 2017 - took the case to the Supreme Court.
The bankruptcy administrator has now asked the judge who governs the Cipasa process for authorization to withdraw the case from the Supreme Court.
Judicial administratorSánchez prepared a report on Tivoli that outlines the Cipasa debt of more than 11 million euros, of which almost 10 is owed to the Spanish Tax Agency and Social Security. He also analyzed the accounts of the only two months (July and August) that Tivoli was able to open in 2020 and, despite the drop in tourism and the health context, the income allowed to pay current expenses. "The park is viable, but in the long term its situation is very complicated due to the great existing debt," says the administrator, who insists that after auditing Cipasa, his obligation is the orderly closure of the company and the delivery of the park to Tremon.
Employees are concerned that Tremón seeks to speculate with the land to build houses. The 65,000 meters of plot is valuable in the heart of Benalmádena. To avoid speculation, the city council is worked with Junta Andalucia to modify the classification of the land to cultural and leisure facilities. "Our obligation is to protect Tivoli,"
The 'owners' Tremón have said that they are willing to open Tivili World as long as they are not liable for its historic debt. However in June 2021 the Commercial Court Number 1 of Malaga ruled out the opening of the Tivoli World amusement park while the dispute over its ownership remains. The court has indicated that neither they, nor the bankruptcy administrator of the premises, have the power to start up the facilities.
The Tivoli bankruptcy administrator has insisted from the beginning that it is a decision that the park owner must make and that, as long as the courts do not determine otherwise, the owner is the real estate group Tremón.
Meanwhile, a working group to discuss the future of Tivoli has been convened and meets ocassionally.. It comprises of representitives of employees, Benalmádena Town Council, the Malaga Provincial Council (Diputación) and the Junta de Andalucia.
Many of the employees retured to the site on a voluntary basis in Autumn 2021. Tivoli had become overgrown and they removed the acumulated rubbish, cleared the weeds and undergrowth, and pruned the trees. This ammounted to over 100 lorry loads. They continue to be present providing essential security and maintenance services.
Following the normal process, in early 2022, the bankruptcy administrator applied to the Malaga Mercantile Court for an ERE (Expediente de regulación de empleo) to officially establish the redundancy terms of the employees. This is further complicted as old owners Cipesa had issued an ERE.
In April 2023 the Town Council completed the final step by unamimously voting for the motion to protect the land from residential development. The Tivoli land can only be used as a leisure park and other compatable and associated uses such such as a hotel and/or commercial ventures linked to the park.
In May 2023 local elections the Partido Popular gained a majority of seats (13 of 25) and formed the fisrt ever PP Town Council. By late summer 2023 the situation was largely unchanged. Benelmadena Town Council has been keen to publisise their meetings with the employees. The worker request to the supreme court to anul the Cipesa ERE was rejected. The Supreme Court ruled that the Malaga Mercantil Court must establish this. The ERE is still awited from the Malaga Mercantile Court.
In October 2023 the Deputy Mayor of Benalmadena, Presi Aguilera, anounced that a foreign investment fund was 'very interested' in the park and that the Town Hall was mediating in the negotions between fund and the owners Tremón.
Page Updated 29th October 2023
Tivoli world when it was open
Tivoli World was the largest family entertainment theme park on the Costa del Sol. It is located in the heart of Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmadena and is easily to reach by car, train, bus or taxi.
Family fun at Tivoli World
The setting is a wonderful combination of tropical gardens, beautiful plazas, luminous fountains, exiting fair ground rides, theatres, restaurants and much more. There are over 300 rides and attractions. Some of the best Flamenco shows are held here and many important musical artists appear in concert every season. The fabulous outdoor theatre can seat up to 3,000 people and the atmosphere is often electric. For variety and as a contrast to the Spanish Flamenco theatre, there is also a fabulous Far West corner, where you enter the world of the cowboy can even find out your skills as a bucking bronco rider! Tivoliandia is a new section, which has recently been added to the Park, offering 11 rides for the youngest members of the family. So, from small children to grandparents, Tivoli World has something for everyone.
Artists and groups who regularly appear at the Tivoli Theatre are famous Spanish Singers, Rocia Jurado and Isabel Pantoja, as well at the Moscow Ballet Company.
Other type of shows you can expect, include:
Tivoli World entertainer.
In the Plaza
Folklore Dancing, Flamenco Dancing and Classical Flamenco
In the Wild West Plaza
Circus, Wild West Show, Stars on Broadway and A night with the Moulin Rouge
In the Theatre
Teletubbies and Friends (Free), Golden Abba (6 Euros) and Elvis, the Legend (6 Euros)
Over 30 restaurants, bars and snack bars.
The warm summer evenings in this part of the world lend themselves to a totally enjoyable family afternoon or evening out, with enough to do to keep all ages mesmerized and happy for hours. Whether you go to see a specific show or music concert, or to let the children have fun on the Tunnel of Fear, Twister or Carrousel - or both, it's worth checking out the prices. Like in Disney, Tivoli World has its own currency in the form of 'Tivolinos'. Buying a blanket entrance ticket can be more economical than paying individual rides and entrance to some shows. (See prices below).
One of the rides not for the children is a thrill-seekers delight, a tower with a free fall of 60 metres! Another warning is to be sure you take some dry clothing for after the log flume if you are visiting in cooler months.
Opening Times Throughout the Year
March and April: Saturdays and Sundays 12.00 to 19.00 hrs.
Easter Thursday to Easter Sunday: 12:00 - 19:00 hrs.
May: Thursday to Sunday 12.30 to 19,30 hrs.
Lat May to Mid June: Thursday to Sunday 17.00 to 00:00 hrs.
Mid June end June: Daily 17.00 to 00:00 hrs.
July and August: Daily 18.00 to 01:00 hrs.
September to mid september: Daily 17.30 to 00:30 hrs.
Mid September to end October: Saturday and Sunday 12:00 - 19:00.
How to get there
By Car:
Take the exit number 222 from the main A-7 Autovia. There is ample parking.
By Train: Local train line (RENFE Cercanias) coming from Fuengirola or Malaga. Stop at Arroyo de la Miel station. Tivoli World is just 100 meters walk.
By Bus:
The Arroyo de la Miel-Benalmadena bus routes stop right at the entrance to Tivoli World. Lines M-103, M-112, M-121, M-124, M-125, M-126.
By Taxi: You only need to say Tivoli World, Arroyo de la Miel and the driver will know where to go. Phoning for a taxi: Radio Taxi, Benalmadena: 952 441 545 Radio Taxi, Torremolinos: 952 380 600. Radio Taxi, Fuengirola 952 471 000.
Prices
7,95 Euros (over 1.0m tall) Entrance to the gardens and walkways, some free shows and access to bars and restaurants.
22,95 Euros This is the price of the 'Supertivolino', which includes over 35 rides
There are also special group rates and lower prices for students and senior citizens. There are restrictions on height and age on some of the rides, with safety in mind.
Location
Avenida Tivoli, s/n 29632 Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmadena Tel. +34 952 577 016 / Fax +34 952 445 045