I'll give you a quick history lesson. Back in the early eighties, Flamingoland punched pound for pound with it's fellow new fangled 'theme park' concept with Alton Towers, even to the extent that both parks acquired a state of the art 'corkscrew' roller-coaster. However, while Alton continued to expand at a pace, FL sit idly on it's laurels, and by the early nineties, Both were shadows of their former self - Alton had become the UK's answer to Disneyland, Flamingoland had become a tatty seaside town, in a field. Both had attendances in the eighties approaching 2m visitors, but by the mid nineties, while Alton were touching 3m visitors, FL had slumped to less than 1m.
In short, FL had become a shabby, run-down chore, with superior rides such as the Bullet not even able to lift the sense of malaise about the place. Through tragic circumstances though towards the end of the decade, Gordon Gibb, just 18 at the time, took charge, and the transformation of the park since then has been nothing short of a revelation.
Don't get me wrong; FL isn't perfect. But the thought (even down to the bins painted like zoo animals) put into the park these days leads you to forgive most failings; while these days Alton's own standards have slipped, and seem content to just throw money at 'the next big thing' without any sense of continuity (RITA, anyone...?), Flamingoland's approach is laudable.
This year's Mumbo Jumbo ride is a good example; one degree turn extra over the standard coaster model gives the ride 'record breaker status', and the ride fits the profile of the park perfectly; it may be a 'wild mouse' style ride (albeit on steroids), but it genuinely gives the UK something new. The general response to the ride has also been somewhat more positive than its far more expensive horror themed brethren that opened a few months earlier, further down the country...
Prices are excellent, from the branded food outlets, to entry to the park itself. Staff and cleanliness standards are improving yearly, to the extent that this year they exceed Alton. Rides tho' tend to be what make or break a park, and here's a few highlights...
MUMBO JUMBO **** Fantastic addition, and genuinely scary to ride. KUMALI ***** Nemesis of the north...nuff said VELOCITY **** Similar to Alton's RITA, but better ride, and concept LOST RIVER RIDE *** Zoo trawler-cum-water chute. Again, something different CLIFF HANGER **** Close to Apocalypse at Drayton sheer for Trauma factor.
And much much more besides. Special notice in particular to the wet play area Splosh, with rides 'splash battle' (submarines with water pistols) and Flip Flop (spinning ride over water), The zoo, which now seems like a savannah for it's resident animals, The shows (including seals, parrot, and fire eaters), and any number of rides for those under 1.2m - which is often something parks are guilty of overlooking.
Costs approximately £23 pounds p/p with under three's free. family ticket £82, be aware also that £2 off vouchers are present in the guide leaflets from the Tourist information office, and that there is on site caravan/cabins should you wish a longer visit. Incidentally, a season ticket (£90pp or £300 for a family of four) will also grant access to Flamingoland's 'sister' (although I use the term lightly, as it was clearly adopted...) park, Pleasure Island at Cleethorpes. Group rates are available, but booking must be made well in advance.
Do yourself a favour this year; visit Flamingoland AND Drayton Manor for the price of entry to one of Merlin's 'big four' (Alton, Chessington, Legoland and Thorpe), and get a genuinely better day out to boot. Forget what you remember about the park...actually don't....it'll make you appreciate just what strides have been made over the last few years.
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Jul 12th, 2009
(Jul 23rd, 2009)
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