MAR 14 RUSSIAN AMUSEMENT PARK 'DREAM ISLAND' OPENS

MAR 14  RUSSIAN AMUSEMENT PARK 'DREAM ISLAND' OPENS

The sudden closure of Disneyland due to Coronavirus precautions has enormous ramifications. The happiest place on earth NEVER closes! Don't panic, readers! Coincidentally, a new amusement park, specifically designed to compete with Disneyland, opened last week in Russia. So let's take a virtual tour of DREAM ISLAND!

THE NAME. Built on an enormously flat island on the Nagatinskaya River, Dream Island is a whopping 30 hectares big. Since it's in Moscow, that means it's going to be freezing for six months a year. (Nothing amusing about that!) Hence, the vast majority of the park in indoors. The center part lies under an impressive glass dome, which is now the largest in Europe. It's modeled after the one in Paris' Gallaries Lafayette, which is now the second largest glass dome in Europe.

THE LAYOUT. It's no secret that Dream Island is Russia's answer to Disneyland...the similarities are everywhere. For example, Dream Island is divided into nine separate lands...just like Fantasyland, Tomorrowland and Adventureland. There's even a version of Epcot Center called the City Promenade. Here you can stroll down four of the world's favorite streets: Barcelona's Las Ramblas, London's Hyde Street, Rome's Via Veneto and Rodeo Drive...all amazingly re-created under a dome in Russia.

THE SPONSORS. Part of Disneyland's magic is being greeted by a costumed Micky, Minnie or Pluto upon arrival To duplicate this feeling, Dream Island searched the globe for similarly beloved characters to serve as 'Greeters.' Here's who they partnered with: For toddlers, there's the Smurfs. Boys get the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, while girls can flock to Hello Kitty. There's also some Russian fairy tale characters for the locals.

THE CASTLE. Sleeping Beauty's castle dominated the original Disneyland. Walt came up with the ideal when he visited Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria. It follows that Dream Island should also be centered around a Fairy Tale castle. They chose the Snow Queen. Although it looks similar to the castle in the Disney movie Frozen, both are based on a Scandinavian folk tale. It's more palace than castle, but still impressive.

THE FUTURE. On hand for the Dream Island Opening Ceremony was none other than Vladmir Putin himself. With Moscow mayor Sergei Soyanin by his side, they strolled through the gardens and galleries...but didn't go on any of the 27 rides. Putin noted that Dream Island costs much less than Disneyland. It's just 11,000 Rubles ($163) for a family of four. Despite coronavirus fears that shuttered Disneyland, Dream Island will remain open to the public.