Mickey Mouse brings Disney diplomacy to Iran theme park

By Barry Neild, for CNN

Updated 1126 GMT (1926 HKT) November 3, 2011

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Mickey Mouse welcomes visitors to Tehran's Eram Park.
Photos: A tour of Iran's leisure landscape
Iran's theme parks – Mickey Mouse welcomes visitors to Tehran's Eram Park.
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The Seven Dwarves urge theme park vistors to enjoy themselves.
Photos: A tour of Iran's leisure landscape
Iran's theme parks – The Seven Dwarves urge theme park vistors to enjoy themselves.
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Theme park expert, Stefan Zwanzger, wearing his trademark roller coaster hat, sits next to some young Iranian women.
Photos: A tour of Iran's leisure landscape
Iran's theme parks – Theme park expert, Stefan Zwanzger, wearing his trademark roller coaster hat, sits next to some young Iranian women.
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According to Zwanzger, Eram Park's soda can-themed roller coaster leaves a lasting pain in the neck.
Photos: A tour of Iran's leisure landscape
Iran's theme parks – According to Zwanzger, Eram Park's soda can-themed roller coaster leaves a lasting pain in the neck.
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Riders grimace as the soda-can roller coaster negotiates a tight loop.
Photos: A tour of Iran's leisure landscape
Iran's theme parks – Riders grimace as the soda-can roller coaster negotiates a tight loop.
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Zwanzger says this roller coaster is possibly the worst he has ever experienced.
Photos: A tour of Iran's leisure landscape
Iran's theme parks – Zwanzger says this roller coaster is possibly the worst he has ever experienced.
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A Segway club is among the more unexpected sights in Tehran's leisure landscape.
Photos: A tour of Iran's leisure landscape
Iran's theme parks – A Segway club is among the more unexpected sights in Tehran's leisure landscape.
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Even Shrek pops up to help sell tickets for Tehran's funfair rides.
Photos: A tour of Iran's leisure landscape
Iran's theme parks – Even Shrek pops up to help sell tickets for Tehran's funfair rides.
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The Velayat indoor amusement park in southern Tehran.
Photos: A tour of Iran's leisure landscape
Iran's theme parks – The Velayat indoor amusement park in southern Tehran.
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A family prepares to tackle the slides at Eram Park.
Photos: A tour of Iran's leisure landscape
Iran's theme parks – A family prepares to tackle the slides at Eram Park.
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Riders take the first plunge on one of Eram Park's "rusting" roller coasters.
Photos: A tour of Iran's leisure landscape
Iran's theme parks – Riders take the first plunge on one of Eram Park's "rusting" roller coasters.
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An aerial view of Tehran's Eram Park.
Photos: A tour of Iran's leisure landscape
Iran's theme parks – An aerial view of Tehran's Eram Park.
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A children's train ride at the Velayat theme park.
Photos: A tour of Iran's leisure landscape
Iran's theme parks – A children's train ride at the Velayat theme park.
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An unfinished water park. Zwanzger speculates construction may have been halted on moral grounds.
Photos: A tour of Iran's leisure landscape
Iran's theme parks – An unfinished water park. Zwanzger speculates construction may have been halted on moral grounds.
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