Planet FunFun
Encyclopedia
Planet FunFun was an indoor amusement park located in Kerava, Finland. Originally the park was called Fanfaari but soon after the opening, new owners took over and renamed the park Planet FunFun. Among others the Hollywood director Renny Harlin
was one of the new owners. The new name came partly as a pun from the old name (Fanfaari pronounced in Finnish sounds similar as FunFun in English), but partly it was influenced by the other business ventures of the new owners, especially Harlin's. At the time, Harlin was running a Planet Hollywood
restaurant in Helsinki
, so naming the amusement park Planet FunFun was also influenced by the name of the restaurant.
After few years of operation, it was clear to the new owners too that Planet FunFun was not going to be commercially successful. This happened despite the fact that Harlin was one the most followed Finnish celebrities at the time, and he brought lots of "Hollywood things" to the park, such as film props from his films.
In addition, he and the producer Markus Selin
started the Finnish version of the television show American Gladiators
, called Gladiaattorit
, which was shot in the Planet FunFun. All of these efforts were short-lived and didn't do much to attract people to the park. So in 1995 the park was closed for good and the rides were sold other parks. Planet Hollywood restaurant was also closed and Gladiaattorit television show was cancelled, both around the same time that Planet FunFun closed.
Today not much remains of the Planet FunFun, except for the rides which were sold and relocated. Planet FunFun's only roller coaster is nowadays in Fort Fun Abenteuerland, Germany
and its new name is Devil's Mine. Many people still recognize the name "Planet FunFun" and remember it having been a park run by Renny Harlin - the original park name Fanfaari and previous ownership is not as well remembered, because of Harlin's "celebrity gossip" influence.
The building that housed the park was an old Nokia
rubber factory building that was renovated to amusement purposes. The building is known today as Klondyke-house. After the park was closed, the building was once again suited for new purposes. Today it houses Kerava Art Museum, and parts of the building are used as restaurant space, conference and exhibition space, etc.
Renny Harlin
Renny Harlin is a Finnish-American film director and producer. He is best known for Die Hard 2 , Cliffhanger , The Long Kiss Goodnight and Deep Blue Sea...
was one of the new owners. The new name came partly as a pun from the old name (Fanfaari pronounced in Finnish sounds similar as FunFun in English), but partly it was influenced by the other business ventures of the new owners, especially Harlin's. At the time, Harlin was running a Planet Hollywood
Planet Hollywood
Planet Hollywood, a restaurant inspired by the popular portrayal of Hollywood, was launched in New York on October 22, 1991, with the backing of Hollywood stars Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.-History:...
restaurant in Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
, so naming the amusement park Planet FunFun was also influenced by the name of the restaurant.
After few years of operation, it was clear to the new owners too that Planet FunFun was not going to be commercially successful. This happened despite the fact that Harlin was one the most followed Finnish celebrities at the time, and he brought lots of "Hollywood things" to the park, such as film props from his films.
In addition, he and the producer Markus Selin
Markus Selin
Markus Selin is a television and film producer.-Career:Selin's first feature was conceived in the mid-80s. While attending a party in L.A. he was introduced to fellow Finn Renny Harlin and so became good friends with the aspiring director who was then working as a buyer for a Finnish distribution...
started the Finnish version of the television show American Gladiators
American Gladiators
American Gladiators is an American competition television program that aired in syndication from September 1989 to May 1996. The series matched a cast of amateur athletes against each other, as well as against the show's own gladiators, in contests of strength and agility.The concept was created by...
, called Gladiaattorit
Gladiaattorit
Gladiaattorit was a Finnish competition television program part of the international Gladiators franchise. The show ran 1993-1994, was directed by Hollywood director Renny Harlin, produced by Markus Selin, and filmed at Planet FunFun...
, which was shot in the Planet FunFun. All of these efforts were short-lived and didn't do much to attract people to the park. So in 1995 the park was closed for good and the rides were sold other parks. Planet Hollywood restaurant was also closed and Gladiaattorit television show was cancelled, both around the same time that Planet FunFun closed.
Today not much remains of the Planet FunFun, except for the rides which were sold and relocated. Planet FunFun's only roller coaster is nowadays in Fort Fun Abenteuerland, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and its new name is Devil's Mine. Many people still recognize the name "Planet FunFun" and remember it having been a park run by Renny Harlin - the original park name Fanfaari and previous ownership is not as well remembered, because of Harlin's "celebrity gossip" influence.
The building that housed the park was an old Nokia
Nokia
Nokia Corporation is a Finnish multinational communications corporation that is headquartered in Keilaniemi, Espoo, a city neighbouring Finland's capital Helsinki...
rubber factory building that was renovated to amusement purposes. The building is known today as Klondyke-house. After the park was closed, the building was once again suited for new purposes. Today it houses Kerava Art Museum, and parts of the building are used as restaurant space, conference and exhibition space, etc.