In the Tunnel of Love earliest incarnations, riders were taken by two-passenger boats through dark passages. There were two major themes: a relaxing romantic ride encouraging the couple to cuddle, or a spooky horror ride encouraging the couple to cling to one another. The darkness provided a degree of privacy and the frightening scenes offered a socially acceptable “excuse” for the physical contact at a time when public affection or even holding hands was considered inappropriate.
With the development of other socially acceptable opportunities and less stigma for unmarried couples to engage in physical contact, these rides have became less popular and were either re-themed into children’s attractions or torn down completely.
Gröna Lund park in Sweden still contains a tunnel of love ride.
The tunnel of love was a favorite source of amusing scenes in Hanna-Barbera television series such as The Flintstones, The Jetsons, and Scooby-Doo, among others. The tunnel of love has also been used in Disney cartoons, mainly a jealous Donald Duck storming the tunnel by foot and ruining the ride for a rival suitor and Daisy Duck.
In 1980, Dire Straits released a single entitled “Tunnel of Love” from their album Making Movies. Bruce Springsteen recorded an album called Tunnel of Love in 1987 and a song of the same name.
