Post by Stu on Jan 6, 2005 0:55:49 GMT
Pinning down the definition of the term “theme park” is always a topic that will enliven debate, here’s my attempt to try and define the concept of a theme park more clearly, however before I begin it may be worth to note that my writing is biased towards the UK parks.
The term “theme park” is an abbreviation for “themed amusement park” and therefore it is essential that amusement rides are offered.
Some of the first venues in Britain that provided entertainment primarily through amusement rides could be found at seaside resorts. Amusement rides are still an important attraction located at most seaside resorts today, ranging from small temporary collections of rides or “fun fairs” to permanently established parks of all sizes including both historic and modern sites.
However traditionally the concept of a “theme park” excludes the seaside parks and refers exclusively to inland locations that charge an admission fee that allows both access into the venue and the use of the majority of the rides, entertainments and facilities on offer. It’s also expected that the venue is permanently established and doesn’t contain rides which travel as part of a carnival.
The term also contains the word “park” which implies that the venue will mostly be of an outdoor nature.
As well as rides a “theme park” must also offer some attempt at theming, where visitors enter non-natural environments and atmospheres which have been purposely created to offer a particular experience. Whether it’s on the basic level of presenting clusters of rides and amenities grouped by a common topic or subject, or a more sophisticated level of fully immersive artificially created scenery or sets.
A “theme park” must also be of a relatively large scale and include adequate amenities to support day visitors, including catering and retail outlets, as well as guest facilities such as toilets, storage lockers, trained medical staff and cash machines.
To wrap things up, a “theme park” must therefore conform to the following characteristics:
- a relatively large scale attraction capable of hosting day visitors
- primarily of an outdoor nature, located away from seaside resorts
- permanently established
- focused on providing entertainment through amusement rides
- attempt to present themed environments
- make one admission charge which includes access to most of the rides and facilities
Based on these characteristics, I propose that there are 22 fully qualified “theme park” attractions in the UK, which are:
01.] Alton Towers
02.] American Adventure
03.] Blackgang Chine
04.] Camelot
05.] Chessington World of Adventures
06.] Devon’s Crealy Park
07.] Drayton Manor Park
08.] Flambards Village
09.] Flamingo Land
10.] Gulliver's Kingdom
11.] Gulliver's Land
12.] Gulliver's World
13.] Legoland Windsor
14.] Lightwater Valley
15.] Loudoun Castle
16.] New Pleasurewood Hills
17.] Oakwood Park
18.] Paultons Park
19.] Pleasure Island
20.] Sundown Adventure Land
21.] Thorpe Park
22.] Wicksteed Leisure Park
The ones that didn’t quite make it
Robin Hill, Milkyway, Woodlands & Cornwall's Crealy Park – these attractions aren’t concentrating on providing amusement rides, and are more focused on offering more general entertainments.
Knowsley Safari Park & West Midlands Safari Park – the latter especially has a good collection of amusement rides however the amusement sections of both parks aren’t the primary focus of the operations, could be interesting to watch these sites in the future to see how they develop further.
The term “theme park” is an abbreviation for “themed amusement park” and therefore it is essential that amusement rides are offered.
Some of the first venues in Britain that provided entertainment primarily through amusement rides could be found at seaside resorts. Amusement rides are still an important attraction located at most seaside resorts today, ranging from small temporary collections of rides or “fun fairs” to permanently established parks of all sizes including both historic and modern sites.
However traditionally the concept of a “theme park” excludes the seaside parks and refers exclusively to inland locations that charge an admission fee that allows both access into the venue and the use of the majority of the rides, entertainments and facilities on offer. It’s also expected that the venue is permanently established and doesn’t contain rides which travel as part of a carnival.
The term also contains the word “park” which implies that the venue will mostly be of an outdoor nature.
As well as rides a “theme park” must also offer some attempt at theming, where visitors enter non-natural environments and atmospheres which have been purposely created to offer a particular experience. Whether it’s on the basic level of presenting clusters of rides and amenities grouped by a common topic or subject, or a more sophisticated level of fully immersive artificially created scenery or sets.
A “theme park” must also be of a relatively large scale and include adequate amenities to support day visitors, including catering and retail outlets, as well as guest facilities such as toilets, storage lockers, trained medical staff and cash machines.
To wrap things up, a “theme park” must therefore conform to the following characteristics:
- a relatively large scale attraction capable of hosting day visitors
- primarily of an outdoor nature, located away from seaside resorts
- permanently established
- focused on providing entertainment through amusement rides
- attempt to present themed environments
- make one admission charge which includes access to most of the rides and facilities
Based on these characteristics, I propose that there are 22 fully qualified “theme park” attractions in the UK, which are:
01.] Alton Towers
02.] American Adventure
03.] Blackgang Chine
04.] Camelot
05.] Chessington World of Adventures
06.] Devon’s Crealy Park
07.] Drayton Manor Park
08.] Flambards Village
09.] Flamingo Land
10.] Gulliver's Kingdom
11.] Gulliver's Land
12.] Gulliver's World
13.] Legoland Windsor
14.] Lightwater Valley
15.] Loudoun Castle
16.] New Pleasurewood Hills
17.] Oakwood Park
18.] Paultons Park
19.] Pleasure Island
20.] Sundown Adventure Land
21.] Thorpe Park
22.] Wicksteed Leisure Park
The ones that didn’t quite make it
Robin Hill, Milkyway, Woodlands & Cornwall's Crealy Park – these attractions aren’t concentrating on providing amusement rides, and are more focused on offering more general entertainments.
Knowsley Safari Park & West Midlands Safari Park – the latter especially has a good collection of amusement rides however the amusement sections of both parks aren’t the primary focus of the operations, could be interesting to watch these sites in the future to see how they develop further.