Rainbow's End (theme park) facts for kids
Current Rainbow's End logo is introduced since 2014
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| Location | Manukau, New Zealand |
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| Coordinates | 36°59′38″S 174°53′02″E / 36.994°S 174.884°E |
| Opened | December 1982 |
| Owner | Rainbow's End Theme Park Limited |
| Slogan | Fun On Demand |
| Operating season | Year-round (except Christmas Day) |
| Area | 9.3 ha (23 acres) |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 21 |
| Water rides | 2 |
Rainbow's End is a super fun theme park located in Manukau, Auckland, New Zealand. It covers about 9.3 hectares, which is like 23 football fields! Rainbow's End is New Zealand's biggest theme park and has a special area called Kidz Kingdom for younger kids aged 8 and under. The park is open all year round, except on Christmas Day, and has a team of up to 300 people working there to make sure everyone has a great time.
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Discovering Rainbow's End: A Look at Its Past
Rainbow's End first opened its doors in 1982, built on what used to be a skate park. Over the years, it has grown and added many exciting rides and attractions. In 2010, the park made a deal to keep operating for another 24 years! As part of this agreement, Rainbow's End promised to invest $3 million every three years into new rides or making existing ones even better.
Key Moments in Rainbow's End History
- 1982 – The park opens with fun rides like Bumper Boats, Mini Golf, and Can Am Cars.
- 1983 – The exciting Cinema 180, Pirate Ship, and a cool Maze are added.
- 1984 – Get ready to splash! The Log Flume and Dodgems (bumper cars) open.
- 1985 – Kiddies Cars and the Space Shuttle Zim Zam Zoo Playground arrive for younger visitors.
- 1986 – The famous Coca-Cola Corkscrew Coaster starts thrilling riders.
- 1992 – The Motion Master, a ride with moving seats, opens.
- 1995 – The Gold Rush roller coaster takes you on a mine-themed adventure.
- 1997 – Castle Land opens with the Dragons Flight roller coaster and a Carousel.
- 1998 – The Log Flume gets a new look and reopens as the Enchanted Forest Log Flume.
- 2001 – The super tall Fear Fall drop ride opens.
- 2004 – The spinning Power Surge and the bouncy Jumpin' Star rides are added.
- 2009 – The Invader, a thrilling Disk'O Coaster, arrives.
- 2012 – Kidz Kingdom, a new outdoor covered area for younger kids, opens with three new rides: The Choco Express, Surf n Swing, and Magic Bikes.
- 2013 – The indoor part of Kidz Kingdom opens, featuring The Fortress of Fun and Enzo's Country Raceway.
- 2014 – Stratosfear, a ride that spins you upside down, opens. It was one of only four like it in the world!
- 2015 – The Cinema 180 closes after 32 years.
- 2016 – The Dodgems ride gets a cool new 1950s drive-in theme.
- 2017 – AA Driver's Town opens, letting kids drive mini cars.
- 2019 – Rainbow's End Playlab opens, offering arcades and virtual reality games.
- 2020 – Spectra, a huge immersive theatre experience, opens.
What to Ride: Current Attractions at Rainbow's End
Rainbow's End has a fantastic range of rides and attractions for all ages. From gentle rides for little ones to thrilling adventures for older kids, there's something for everyone!
Thrill Rides for Adventurous Kids
- Stratosfear – This ride is known as the scariest one at the park! It spins 30 riders high in the air, even turning them upside down. Are you brave enough?
- The Invader – Get ready for a wild ride on The Invader! This coaster slides you back and forth on a W-shaped track, reaching up to 15 meters high.
- Power Surge – The Power Surge is a super exciting ride that spins you in every direction, both horizontally and vertically.
- Corkscrew Roller Coaster – This classic roller coaster is over 27 meters tall and features three inversions, including a loop and a double corkscrew! It's the only one of its kind in New Zealand.
- Fear Fall – Prepare for a massive drop! This 18-story tower lifts riders high up before dropping them at speeds of 80 km/h. Magnetic brakes bring you to a safe stop.
Family Fun and Unique Experiences
- AA Driver's Town – Kids up to 12 years old can drive mini Suzuki Swift cars through a town with real roads, roundabouts, and traffic lights. It's a great way to learn about driving!
- Dodgems – Hop into a bumper car and crash into your friends! These dodgems have a cool 1950s drive-in theme.
- Goldrush – This roller coaster takes you on a journey through a mine, with quick drops and sharp turns. It was specially built by the engineers at Rainbow's End!
- Log Flume – Take a relaxing boat ride through the Enchanted Forest, with a few small drops and one big splash at the end!
- Family Karts/Scorpion Karts – Race your friends and family on these go-karts! There are two tracks, one for families and one for older, more experienced drivers.
- Bumper Boats – Steer your own boat and bump into other guests on the water. It's a fun way to cool down!
Special Areas and Entertainment
- Kidz Kingdom – This special area is perfect for children aged 8 and under. It has seven outdoor rides like the Choco Express and Carousel, plus an indoor area with a play structure (Fortress of Fun) and mini cars (Enzo's Country Raceway).
- Crazy Sideshows – On weekends and holidays, you can try your luck at various carnival games.
- Centre Stage – This covered area hosts exciting shows on weekends and during holidays. It's also a great place to eat.
- Rainbow Playlab – This is a large area where you can play arcade games, try virtual reality experiences, and even play e-sports games.
- Spectra XD Ride – Get ready for an amazing theatre experience with special effects that make you feel like you're part of the action!
Awards and Recognition for Rainbow's End
Rainbow's End and Kidz Kingdom have won many awards for being a great place to visit and work!
- 2013 – Won two "Brass Ring Awards" for their employee programs at an international amusement park event in Florida.
- 2014 – Won the "Marketing Excellence Award" at the Westpac Auckland Business Awards.
- 2015 – Won the "Best of the Best Marketing Award" and a "TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence".
- 2015 – Kidz Kingdom was named the "Top Family Entertainment Centre of the World"!
- 2015 – Won the "Auckland Youth Employer of the Year" award for helping young people find jobs.
- 2016 – Received another "TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence" and was ranked 5th among the top 10 amusement parks in the South Pacific by TripAdvisor.
- 2017 – Awarded a "TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence" again and received the "Qualmark Gold Sustainable Tourism Business Award" for being a responsible and eco-friendly business.
Images for kids
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Rainbow's End Fearfall
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Rainbow's End Stratosfear - Extreme
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Rainbow's End Bumper Boats
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Rainbow's End Log Flume 2019
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Rainbow's End Corkscrew Coaster
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Rainbow's End Kidz Kingdom Outdoor
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Rainbow's End Kidz Kingdom Indoor
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Rainbow's End Goldrush
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Rainbow's End Kidz Kingdom - Parkside
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Rainbow's End Downhill
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Rainbow's End Power Surge
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Rainbow's End Invader and Power Surge
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Rainbow's End Pillars
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Rainbow's End Drivers Town
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Rainbow's End Riki the Raptor
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Rainbow's End Motion Master
