Mickey Mouse brings Disney diplomacy to Iran theme park

By Barry Neild, for CNN

Updated 1126 GMT (1926 HKT) November 3, 2011

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.