Flamingo's Ride Clear Out

[Stu]

Cue dodgy commercial radio voice . . .

[glow=red,2,300]It’s time for the summer clearance madness at Flamingo Land, it’s a once in a life time sale with massive reductions on our end of line stock, with prices slashed to an all time low, we need to clear space for our new season lines, everything must go . . . . [/glow]

. . . yeah Flamingo Land have a double page advert in Worlds Fair, the following rides are up for sale

Bullet – Schwarzkopf shuttle launch coaster
Magnum Force – Schwarzkopf triple loop coaster
Thunder Mountain – Pinfari Z40 coaster
Top Gun – ride trade / intamin flight trainer
UFO – huss ufo
Flamingo Star - huss tristar
Formula K – go karts currently in storage

Joyland Books have noted that “Flamingo Land has embarked on a development programme to replace temporary travelling rides with permanent theme park-style attractions” sounds exciting

[in2ob1ivion]

I'm surprised they are getting ride of UFO, it always seems very popular and doesnt have much down time (at least it's always operated when I visited), the only downside I can think of is because Flamingoland are slowly themeing all the park, it may not have a place in any of their areas, unless they plan a space themed area (oh, how original!!)

[Stu]

thats very true, they do have fairground rides like terroriser which are more unreliable than ufo,

maybe their hoping that somebody will buy all the rides together and thats the only chance they have of selling ufo!?

[in2ob1ivion]

I tell you something Stu, I am taking a very keen interest in Flamingoland at the moment, more so than Alton and their proposed or rumoured Bike coaster (as much as I would love to see that built). I think my interest in FL is because I consider it a local park and I also think it's about time that one of the smaller parks started to give the big parks some punches, in my opinion, the big guns are getting a bit big for their boots, Flamingoland are the perfect underdogs!!

[Stu]

i couldn't agree more mate,

the thing is, flamingo land do have a lot of common sense as a company, they really must have "something" planned to compensate for removing these rides, particularly bullet and magnum, which are the two most important rides in the park.

before magnum force was added attendance figures were down to around 750,000 people, so its seen as the coaster that saved the company really, the figures for the last 2 seasons were, 2002: 1.6million, 2003: 1.4million.

i think those figures are more than Thorpe Park! It’s definitely more than Drayton Manor (around 1million) and Oakwood (400k) which are seen as the other big players in UK after Legoland, Blackpool and Tussauds. personally I’d watch Fantasy Island as well.

as the holiday village expands too, its going to help keep those numbers up and in turn to make sure people want to have a holiday at flamingo land the park itself needs to be on top form

i think personally there needs to be a lot of changes to the internal culture, attitudes and management of the company, if it were to give 110% as a good attraction, but perhaps it doesn't effect the majority of the guests who have a trouble free day

however if they make all these fantastic changes and keep their value for money pricing policy (think its very likely) they're certainly going to give alton towers a run for its money, i only hope it doesn't impact too heavily on lightwater valley, as it would be a shame to loose that park.

[Graeme]

in2ob1ivion said:

I tell you something Stu, I am taking a very keen interest in Flamingoland at the moment, more so than Alton and their proposed or rumoured Bike coaster (as much as I would love to see that built).

So am I. As nice as the Alton Booster Bike looks, a large woodie is categorically more exciting! Plus there's all the other implications of Flamingo Land selling so many rides.

Flamingo Land is by no means local to me, but it's the park that I'm most excited about at the moment. I think recent investments have shown that Tussauds can't be everything to us, and we need a good rival. Flamingo Land is just the park to do that job.

[drbesty]

Heh different forum, same posters I'm pretty sure we won't see anything truely exciting till 2006, although judging by the Lost River fiasco they should start installing rides right now to be ready on time.

[Stu]

well it seems the park are adding a Disc 'O ride, and a 60ft giant version at that, seems strange they didn't go for a Half Pipe or Hammerhead Stall if they wanted a ride of this type and scale may as well have gone for a coaster, (perhaps thats a coaster loving bias on my part)

though will this giant disc o be classed as a coaster? Sure they'll be a few more arguments to what is a coaster when this gets built.

Heh different forum, same posters

lol, i think we all post on crazy gangs too, still manage to find different things to say on each board though

to be honest i hadn't planned on a forum been a major part of my site, just a little something extra to offer people, that's why didn't go for one of those posh fancy ones like crazy gangs or thorpeparkguide use

i'm really flattered and greatful that you guys are using it , but what do you honestly think of it? lol

[in2ob1ivion]

stu said:

well it seems the park are adding a Disc 'O ride, and a 60ft giant version at that, seems strange they didn't go for a Half Pipe or Hammerhead Stall if they wanted a ride of this type and scale may as well have gone for a coaster, (perhaps thats a coaster loving bias on my part)

though will this giant disc o be classed as a coaster? Sure they'll be a few more arguments to what is a coaster when this gets built.



lol, i think we all post on crazy gangs too, still manage to find different things to say on each board though

to be honest i hadn't planned on a forum been a major part of my site, just a little something extra to offer people, that's why didn't go for one of those posh fancy ones like crazy gangs or thorpeparkguide use

i'm really flattered and greatful that you guys are using it , but what do you honestly think of it? lol

Good point Stu about the Disk-O, at that height it will be more like a coaster. You could have the same kind of arguement about the booster rides though, they are of course classed as flat rides, but surely they could be classed as upright coasters?? its a track with a car that runs on wheels!! so why not!!

I think this forum is great, to be honest Stu I am becoming a bit bored of some of the other forums, I wont mention names but they are full of people who are more concerned about how many posts they have made and dont put any effort or valid points in their posts. This one and the URC board are just my cup of tea, straight talking and sensible posts with some humour which doesnt get silly, thrown in for good measure. This forum could maybe do with one or two more people, I think there could be a danger that with just 4 of us, we could end up repeating ourselves abit, in my books a good variety of opinions is what makes a forum
I must compliment you on your website, it really is one of (if not) the best around, your humour is excellent, I love the AIR feature and especially the opening paragraph relating to 'Assume the position', that made me laugh!!! ;D
Keep up the good work.

[drbesty]

I'd agree with in2obl1vion, it's nice to have a forum where people post valid points in a mature way, rather than people who post any old shit (ahem Coasterforce). I think the level of disscussion on the boards (UC and this one) is great. Excellent website aswell, one of the best I've seen for a long time.

[Graeme]

in2ob1ivion said:

Good point Stu about the Disk-O, at that height it will be more like a coaster. You could have the same kind of arguement about the booster rides though, they are of course classed as flat rides, but surely they could be classed as upright coasters?? its a track with a car that runs on wheels!! so why not!!

If I recall correctly, Pleasure Island do indeed call their S&S Double Shot a "vertical coaster" or something like that. I can't really remember, but I thought I heard it in one of their audio tracks they have playing by the rides.

Good point about the Disk'O. I hadn't thought of them as like coasters until I pulled up at Southend and saw theirs. It really does look like the 'valley' part of a coaster. The larger version may look even more like a coaster.

I suppose whereas an Intamin halfpipe is a launched shuttle coaster, a Disk'O could be considered a powered shuttle coaster, in the same vein as a Runaway Mine Train or the Flying Fish. After all, they coast in parts; so does a Disk'O, so why should it be considered less of a coaster than a full-circuit powered coaster? Very interesting points!