From traditional Javanese dances (called ronggeng), to films, cultural shows, cabaret performances and sports matches, Happy World offered affordable entertainment for many Singaporeans. Įven though the other two amusement parks were already well-established before the introduction of Happy World and had mechanical rides such as ferris wheels as attractors, Happy World still managed to attract crowds as it offered a unique fusion of Eastern and Western entertainment concepts. It was later renamed Gay World Park in 1966 when Eng Wah Organization officially took over ownership of the park. This amusement park was originally known to be Happy World when it first started operations in April 1937. Gay World was set up in 1936 by George Lee Geok Eng of George Lee Motors at a cost of $350,000. However, as its popularity began to dip in the 1970s, Gay World Park was eventually demolished in 2000 to make way for residential estates. Gay World Park was an all-in-one complex, where visitors were offered a wide range of entertainment, from films to shopping and games. These amusement parks were especially popular among Singaporeans, as it was the locals' only form of entertainment, before television or shopping malls were introduced.
Together with the other two "Worlds", Great World Amusement Park (1930s–1978) at Kim Seng Road and New World Amusement Park (1923–1987) at Jalan Besar, Gay World Park was hustling and bustling with nightlife during the 1930s to 1960s. It was formerly located between Geylang Road and Grove Road (now Mountbatten Road). Gay World, formally known as Happy World was one of the famous trio of "World" amusement parks in Kallang, Singapore.