Flamingo Land facts for kids
| Previously known as Yorkshire Zoo, Flamingo Park | |
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| Location | Kirby Misperton, North Yorkshire, England |
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| Coordinates | 54°12′35″N 0°48′30″W / 54.2097°N 0.8082°W |
| Status | open |
| Opened | 1959 |
| Owner | Gordon Gibb |
| Slogan | "Wild Animals, Wilder Rides" |
| Operating season | Theme Park March – November Zoo Year-round The Club March – November Accommodation Year-round Parkland Golf Course Year-round The Splash Zone Year-round |
| Area | 375 acres (152 ha) |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 52 |
| Roller coasters | 9 |
| Water rides | 2 |
Flamingo Land is a super fun theme park, zoo, and holiday resort! You can find it in Kirby Misperton, North Yorkshire, England. It's a place where you can see amazing animals and ride thrilling roller coasters.
Contents
History of Flamingo Land
How it all started
Flamingo Land began in 1959. A man named Edwin Pentland Hick used money from selling his cinemas to buy a country club. He wanted to turn the land into a zoo. It was first called The Yorkshire Zoological Gardens. Some of the first animals to live there were beautiful flamingos.
In 1963, the zoo welcomed the UK's first captive bottlenose dolphins. One of them was even named Sooty, after a famous TV puppet! In the 1960s, a small funfair started up at the park. In 1968, the park changed its name to Flamingo Park Zoo.
Later in 1968, the park got a killer whale named Cuddles. Cuddles was the first killer whale in the UK! But Cuddles became a bit too playful with the dolphins and trainers. So, in 1971, Cuddles moved to another zoo.
Adding rides and new owners
By the 1970s, amusement rides became a permanent part of the park. Flamingo Land was the first place in Europe to have both a zoo and rides in one spot!
In 1974, the park was losing money. It got a big makeover and was renamed Flamingo Land. They focused more on making it a great "day out" with rides, a haunted castle, and a jungle boat ride. Even with celebrity visits, the park still struggled.
In 1978, Robert Gibb bought the park. He wanted to make it a national attraction. He invested in more exciting amusement rides.
Sadly, Robert Gibb passed away in 1995. His son, Gordon Gibb, who was only 18, took over running the park with his two sisters, Vicky and Melanie.
Awesome Attractions at Flamingo Land
Flamingo Land has many exciting rides and areas for you to explore!
Top Thrill Rides
- A brand new 10-inversion roller coaster is coming in 2021! It cost £20 million to build.
- Hero – This is a cool flying roller coaster that opened in 2013. You feel like you're flying!
- Pterodactyl – A giant swing ride that lifts you high into the sky. It was added in 2012.
- Mumbo Jumbo – Opened in 2009, this roller coaster once held a world record for having the steepest drop!
- Flip Flop – This ride swings you over a lake, with cool ship funnels on the sides.
- Kumali – A super fast roller coaster with loops and twists, installed in 2006.
- Navigator – This was the very first 'Mega' "Disk 'O'" ride ever built, added in 2005.
- Velocity (rollercoaster) – Built in 2005, this was the first "booster bike" ride in the UK. It's also the tallest and fastest of its kind in the world! It cost about £7 million.
- Cliff Hanger – Opened in 2002, this is the first and tallest "S&S Combo Tower" in the UK. It drops you really fast!
Besides the rides, there's also a gym, a leisure centre, a spa, and a golf course. You can even stay in log cabins or caravans!
Past Connections: Pleasure Island
Flamingo Land used to own another theme park called Pleasure Island Family Theme Park in Cleethorpes. It opened in 1993. In 2010, it became its own park, separate from Flamingo Land. Pleasure Island closed down in 2016.
Amazing Animals at the Zoo
Meet the Animals
Flamingo Land is home to over 120 different kinds of exotic animals! You can see:
- Camels
- Brazilian tapirs
- Zebras
- Vicuñas
- Hippopotamus
- Giraffes
- Meerkats
- Baboons
- Chimpanzees
- Lions
- Rhinoceros
- Tigers
- Sea lions
- Parrots
- Peafowl
- Cheetahs (new in 2019!)
The park also helps animals by taking part in special breeding programmes. In 2010, they even started building a new home for penguins.
Animal Friends and Family
Flamingo Land works with other zoos to help animals. For example:
- One of their elephants, Jangoli, had babies at Chester Zoo.
- Their lions came from Longleat Safari Park to start a new family at Flamingo Land.
- A sea lion named Clive used to live at Chessington World of Adventures.
- In 2017, a new black rhino named 'Baringo' arrived as part of a European breeding project.
African Animals Zone
The park has a special focus on its African animals. You can find them in the Lost Kingdom and African Plains areas. The Lost River Ride takes you on a safari-like journey. You'll float past giraffes, ostriches, zebras, antelopes, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, tigers, and lions. The Forgotten City Lion Reserve is right in the middle of this ride!
Holiday Village Fun
Flamingo Land has a big holiday village. It has static caravans and log cabins where you can stay. There's also a leisure centre with a swimming pool and a café.
For guests staying overnight, there's The Club and Zoo Bar. This is a big entertainment place that can hold over 1000 people! It has a large stage with live shows and visiting performers. There's also a small supermarket if you need to buy supplies.
Theme Park Areas
Flamingo Land has different themed areas, each with its own unique feel.
- River Side One
This area opened in 2014 and is open to all visitors. Here you'll find The Club, places to eat like the Pizza Pie Takeaway Shop and Gourmet Grill, and rides like Frog Hopper and Eleven. There's also the American Diner. River Side One is also home to the outdoor concert stage for their popular "Party In The Park" events. These happen once a month in summer and feature famous artists and bands!
- Metropolis
Metropolis has places to eat like the Metropolis Bar and Grill, gift shops, and game stalls. The Mia and Mylo Show and the "Farewell Show" moved here. Plus, there's the Pirates of Zanzibar, a live show on a giant pirate ship! This area also has the thrilling rides Velocity and Navigator.
- Flamingo 1
This area is all about racing and cars! Its main attraction is Flamingo 1 Cars, a small go-kart track. You'll also find Cliff Hanger here, which is the UK's highest drop tower. There are places to eat like the Upper Deck fish and chip restaurant, Jolly Sailor2Go, Fortune2Go (a Chinese takeaway), Cool Fuel, and the Fuel Stop Cafe. The Hero roller coaster, Fabrizio's Ristorante and Pizzeria, and the Vortex ride are also in this area.
- Splosh!
Introduced in 2007, Splosh! is a water play area with squirting jets and water-dropping palm trees. Splash Battle is a submarine-themed ride where you can shoot water cannons at targets and other riders!
- Dino Stone Park
Step back in time in this dinosaur-themed land! It has five rides, including the tall Pterodactyl swing ride and the spinning family coaster called Twistosaurus, which opened in 2013.
- Muddy Duck Farm
This area is mostly for younger children. It used to be called 'Little Monsters Den of Mischief'. You can find attractions like Little Monster's Wacky Races and Mischief Mansion. It's slowly changing to a farm animal theme, with rides like the Tractor Ride where kids "drive" tractors past animal pens. This area is part of the small Children's Planet zone.
- Lost Kingdom Reserve
This area has rides like Lost River Ride, Kumali, and Voodoo. When it was built in 2009, Mumbo Jumbo had the steepest drop of any roller coaster in the world! The Daktari Express train ride circles this area, taking visitors on a journey like an African express train.
- African Plains
This is an animal-only area with different animal paddocks. It's a peaceful part of the zoo. You can get a great view of the animals from the monorail or from an elevated pathway that goes over a small lake to the Penguin Coast.
- Children's Planet
Opened in 2011, this area combines fun play zones with animal enclosures, perfect for kids.
Party In The Park Events
Since 2014, the River Side One area has hosted "Party In The Park" events. This area has a covered outdoor stage that can hold over 2000 people! There's also the R-Bar cocktail bar, a pizza shop, a gourmet grill, an American Diner, and arcades. These shows are super popular, with thousands of visitors enjoying a 3-hour live concert. They feature live acts, bands, acrobats, dancers, and even celebrity guests! Famous performers like Tinchy Stryder, Scouting for Girls, Heather Small, and the Venga Boys have headlined these shows. The "Sailaway Show," featuring acrobats and the park's mascots Mia & Mylo Meerkat, now takes place on the pirate ship stage in Plaza Square. In 2018, Flamingo Land even held auditions for Britain's Got Talent!
Roller Coasters
| # | Name | Type | Opened | Manufacturer | Themed Land | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Velocity | Motorbike | 2 July 2005 | Vekoma | Flamingo 1 | A motorbike-style coaster that launches you to 54 mph (87 km/h)! It's 2109 ft long and 57 ft high. You need to be at least 1.37 m tall to ride. |
| 2 | Kumali | SLC/Inverted | 2006 | Vekoma | Lost Kingdom | This inverted coaster reaches 55 mph (88 km/h) on a 2203 ft track and goes 118 ft high! It has 4 inversions (loops and rolls). You need to be at least 1.37 m tall. |
| 3 | Mumbo Jumbo | El Loco/ Sit Down. | 4 July 2009 | S&S Worldwide | Lost Kingdom | The UK's steepest roller coaster! It reaches 41 mph (66 km/h) and is 98 ft high. You need to be at least 1.21 m tall. |
| 4 | Hero | Volare/Flying | 16 July 2013 | Zamperla | Flamingo 1 | A flying coaster that makes you feel like you're soaring above the park. |
| 5 | unknown | Sit Down | 2021 | Intamin | A new, exciting coaster coming soon! It will have a steeper drop than some other famous rides. | |
| 6 | Zooom | Air Force/ Suspended | 2011 | Zamperla | Splosh! | A fun, aeroplane-themed suspended coaster for younger riders. |
| 7 | Twistosaurus | Spinning. | 25 May 2013 | Zamperla | Dino Stone Park | A family spinning roller coaster that twists and turns through the "Jurassic jungle." |
| 8 | Runaway Mine Train | Family Gravity/ Sit Down | 2007 | Zamperla | Splosh! | A junior mine-style coaster for children. You need to be at least 1 m tall. |
| 9 | Dino Roller | Family/ Sit Down | 1988 | Cavazza Diego | Dino Stone Park | This coaster was re-themed in 2013 to fit the Dino Stone Park area. |
| 10 | Go Gator | Miner Mike/ Sit Down | 1982 | Wisdom Rides | Muddy Ducky Farm | A very small coaster, perfect for the youngest visitors. |
Thrill Rides
| # | Name | Opened | Manufacturer | Themed Land | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Cliff Hanger | 2002 | S&S Worldwide | Flamingo 1 | The UK's only S&S combo drop tower ride! It's themed like a lighthouse. You need to be at least 1.3 m tall. |
| 11 | Navigator | April 2005 | Zamperla | Flamingo 1 | The very first 'Mega' "Disk 'O'" ride ever built! You need to be at least 1.21 m tall. |
| 12 | Flip Flop | 2007 | Fabbri | Splosh! | A giant swing ride over a man-made lake with cool water effects. You need to be at least 1.37 m tall. |
| 13 | Pterodactyl | July 2012 | Zamperla | Dino Stone Park | A 151 ft (46m) tall spinning swing tower that lifts you high up! You need to be at least 1.21 m tall. |
Water Rides
| # | Name | Opened | Manufacturer | Themed Land | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Splash Battle | 2007 | Preston & Barbieri | Splosh! | The first interactive water ride in the UK! Ride in submarine-themed cars and shoot water cannons at targets to soak your friends. You need to be at least 90 cm tall. |
| 15 | Lost River Ride | 2004 | BEAR GmbH | Lost Kingdom | A 335 m water ride that gently floats you through animal areas with rhinos, hippos, giraffes, and lions. Then, get ready for an 18 m high plunge into a pool of water! No height limit if with an adult, or 1.2 m alone. |
Other Rides and Fun Attractions
| # | Name | Opened | Themed Land | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Voodoo | 2003 | Lost Kingdom | A swinging Pirate ship ride! You need to be at least 1.07 m tall. |
| 17 | Mischief Mansion | 2001 | Muddy Duck Farm | A spooky but fun ghost train for families, with friendly monster characters. |
| 19 | Balloon Race | 1987 | Riverside one | A gondola ride themed like hot air balloons. |
| 20 | Rotataur | 1980's To 1998 & 2006 To Present Day | Dino Stone Park | A Ferris wheel with a wheel theme, originally called Wagon Wheel. |
| 21 | Tractor Ride | 2006 | Muddy Duck Farm | Drive your own tractor around animal pens! You need to be at least 1.07 m tall. |
| 22 | Gallopers | 1984 | Metropolis | A classic carousel ride. |
| 23 | Vortex (formerly Rockin' Tug) | 2005 | Flamingo 1 | A rocking boat ride. You need to be at least 90 cm tall. |
| 24 | Frog Hopper | 1990's or 2010's | Flamingo 1 | A junior drop tower ride. You need to be at least 90 cm tall. |
| 25 | Helitoys | 2001 | Muddy Duck Farm | A helicopter ride for kids. You need to be at least 90 cm tall. |
| 26 | Fun Slides | 1990's | Muddy Duck Farm | Exciting slides for kids to enjoy. |
| 27 | Swoosh Air | 1980's | Splosh! | Airplane-themed ride. You need to be at least 90 cm tall. |
| 32 | Pedaloes | 1980's (SBNO as of early 2020) | Lost Kingdom | Pedal boats for fun on the water. You need to be at least 1.21 m tall. |
| 33 | Wacky Races | 1985 | Muddy Duck Farm | Ride in cool Ford T-model cars on a track. You need to be at least 1.07 m tall. |
| 34 | Jungle Carousel | 2007 | Muddy Duck Farm | A fun carousel ride. |
| 35 | Flying Clowns | 1980's | Splosh! | A suspended roundabout ride. |
| 36 | Crazy Combat laser battle | 2011 | Splosh! | A laser battle game you can pay to play. |
| 37 | Cable Cars | Lost Kingdom | Take a chair lift for amazing views of the park. Each car is shaped like a different African animal! No height limit if with an adult, or 1.4 m alone. | |
| 38 | People Mover | 1990 | Flamingo 1 | A ride that transports guests from one area to another. No height limit if with an adult, or 1.3 m alone. |
| 39 | Daktari Express | 1970's or 1980's | Lost Kingdom | A train ride that takes visitors around the zoo. No height limit if with an adult, or 1.3 m alone. |
| 40 | Zoo Monorail | 1984 | The Zoo | Get a bird's eye view of the animals from this monorail! No height limit if with an adult, or 1.3 m alone. |
| 41 | HMS Bouncy | 2011 | Flamingo 1 | A fun indoor play area. |
| 42 | Pink Elephants | 1980's or 1990's | Flamingo 1 | A classic roundabout ride. |
| 43 | Playground | 2011 | Children's Planet | A fun play area for kids. |
| 44 | Reptile Encounter | 2011 | Children's Planet | Get up close with cool reptiles! |
| 45 | Sand Play | 2011 | Children's Planet | A fun area to play in the sand. |
| 46 | Splish Splosh | 2007 | Splosh! | A water play area for splashing fun. |
| 47 | Otter Water Play | 2011 | Children's Planet | A water play area with an otter theme. |
| 48 | Cyclosaurus | 2013 | Dino Stone Park | A small cycling roundabout ride. |
Shows to Enjoy
- Bird Show – See amazing exotic birds at the Zoo.
- Sail away Show – A fun children's show in the Plaza.
- Sea Lion Show – Watch clever sea lions perform at the Zoo.
- Pirates of Zanzibar – An exciting live action pirate show in the Plaza.
Flamingo Land in the Media
TV Shows and Documentaries
- Theme Park on ITV: This TV show went behind the scenes at Flamingo Land. The first series in 2001 showed the building of the 'The Little Monsters Den of Mischief' area. In 2004, the show followed the creation of the new water ride, The Lost River. The 2006 series showed how the new roller coaster, Kumali, was built.
- Zoo Vet at Large: The park's animals were featured in this show. It followed vet Matt Brash as he cared for the animals at Flamingo Land.
- ChuckleVision: The famous Chuckle Brothers visited Flamingo Land in an episode called "Romany Days." They rode the Crazy Loop roller coaster!
Other Media Fun
- ITV Weather Sponsorship: Flamingo Land sponsored the weather forecasts on ITV Yorkshire and ITV Tyne Tees for several years.
- Udzungwa Forest Project (UFP): Flamingo Land supports a project in Tanzania to help protect the tropical rainforest and teach villagers about sustainable fuel.
- Sports Sponsorship: Flamingo Land sponsored the football teams Hull City A.F.C. and Middlesbrough's for the 2015–16 Championship season.
- Flamingopics: This is a fan website for Flamingo Land Resort, with over 2500 photos and 50 videos!
Images for kids
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Mumbo Jumbo
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Velocity
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Kumali
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Lost River Ride
