Pleasure Island Family Theme Park
Encyclopedia
Pleasure Island Family Theme Park is a Theme Park in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire
, England
. It is commonly known simply as Pleasure Island. The park opened on 27 May 1993 and was originally a subsidiary of Flamingo Land Ltd. Pleasure Island became independent of Flamingo Land in May 2010 and is now owned and operated by DewarSavile Enterprises Ltd.
, Penguins, Racoons, Pelicans, Chimpanzees, a Whale
, African Elephant, Tiger
and an Orangutan
. The zoo subsequently closed in 1977. The site was sold to Pleasureworld, a division of RKF Entertainment, who announced that a new theme park would be built, as a sister park to the Pleasurewood Hills
park near Lowestoft
and bearing the same name. Construction began on the new theme park in the 1980s.
RKF Entertainment went into receivership during the early 1990s and construction of the park was halted. The site was sold to Robert Gibb, the Managing Director of Flamingo Land in Malton, North Yorkshire
. When the opportunity to purchase the Cleethorpes site became available, Gibb decided to continue with the redevelopment of the site as a theme park, which became today's Pleasure Island. Construction of the park was completed by Gibb in 1992 and Pleasure Island Family Theme Park was opened on 27 May 1993. Robert Gibb's son, Gordon Gibb
, later became the Chief Executive of the company and directly runs Flamingo Land, while his sister Vicky Gibb, and subsequently other sister Melanie Wood (formerly Gibb), took the responsibility for the management of Pleasure Island.
In 2010, Melanie Wood, completed her desire to take ownership of the park, separate from the family company. Pleasure Island is now operated by Dewarsavile Enterprises Ltd, directed by Mrs Wood. This marked the end of Pleasure Island and Flamingo Land's association and the two parks are now independent of each other.
website broke news that the park had closed. Staff had turned up for work and were given letters informing them of termination to their employment. Visitors were turned away at the gate. Later stories suggested that the closure was caused by a breakdown in negotiations about the park's ownership. Previously a sister park of Flamingo Land, negotiations were taking place to separate the two parks, with current managing director of Pleasure Island Melanie Wood taking control of the park.
The speculation about the park's future caused a great deal of concern amongst local businesses, staff and visitors, that the attraction was to close permanently.
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North East Lincolnshire
North East Lincolnshire is a unitary authority in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, bordering the unitary authority of North Lincolnshire and the administrative county of Lincolnshire...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is commonly known simply as Pleasure Island. The park opened on 27 May 1993 and was originally a subsidiary of Flamingo Land Ltd. Pleasure Island became independent of Flamingo Land in May 2010 and is now owned and operated by DewarSavile Enterprises Ltd.
History
Pleasure Island Family Theme Park stands on the site of the former Cleethorpes Zoo. Owned and operated by Associated Pleasure Parks, the zoo had such attractions as SealsPinniped
Pinnipeds or fin-footed mammals are a widely distributed and diverse group of semiaquatic marine mammals comprising the families Odobenidae , Otariidae , and Phocidae .-Overview: Pinnipeds are typically sleek-bodied and barrel-shaped...
, Penguins, Racoons, Pelicans, Chimpanzees, a Whale
Whale
Whale is the common name for various marine mammals of the order Cetacea. The term whale sometimes refers to all cetaceans, but more often it excludes dolphins and porpoises, which belong to suborder Odontoceti . This suborder also includes the sperm whale, killer whale, pilot whale, and beluga...
, African Elephant, Tiger
Tiger
The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to and weighing up to . Their most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with lighter underparts...
and an Orangutan
Orangutan
Orangutans are the only exclusively Asian genus of extant great ape. The largest living arboreal animals, they have proportionally longer arms than the other, more terrestrial, great apes. They are among the most intelligent primates and use a variety of sophisticated tools, also making sleeping...
. The zoo subsequently closed in 1977. The site was sold to Pleasureworld, a division of RKF Entertainment, who announced that a new theme park would be built, as a sister park to the Pleasurewood Hills
Pleasurewood Hills
Pleasurewood Hills is a theme park on a site between Corton and Gunton, near Lowestoft, Suffolk. The park contains attractions including three rollercoasters. Its mascot is called Woody Bear, who was given a "sailor" look in 2007...
park near Lowestoft
Lowestoft
Lowestoft is a town in the English county of Suffolk. The town is on the North Sea coast and is the most easterly point of the United Kingdom. It is north-east of London, north-east of Ipswich and south-east of Norwich...
and bearing the same name. Construction began on the new theme park in the 1980s.
RKF Entertainment went into receivership during the early 1990s and construction of the park was halted. The site was sold to Robert Gibb, the Managing Director of Flamingo Land in Malton, North Yorkshire
Malton, North Yorkshire
Malton is a market town and civil parish in North Yorkshire, England. The town is the location of the offices of Ryedale District Council and has a population of around 4,000 people....
. When the opportunity to purchase the Cleethorpes site became available, Gibb decided to continue with the redevelopment of the site as a theme park, which became today's Pleasure Island. Construction of the park was completed by Gibb in 1992 and Pleasure Island Family Theme Park was opened on 27 May 1993. Robert Gibb's son, Gordon Gibb
Gordon Gibb
Gordon Gibb is the CEO of Flamingo Land Ltd and former chairman of Bradford City Football Club.-Personal:Gordon Gibb was born in Strathaven in Scotland, moving to Yorkshire when his father, Robert Gibb, a former professional footballer, set up the family run theme park Flamingo Land...
, later became the Chief Executive of the company and directly runs Flamingo Land, while his sister Vicky Gibb, and subsequently other sister Melanie Wood (formerly Gibb), took the responsibility for the management of Pleasure Island.
In 2010, Melanie Wood, completed her desire to take ownership of the park, separate from the family company. Pleasure Island is now operated by Dewarsavile Enterprises Ltd, directed by Mrs Wood. This marked the end of Pleasure Island and Flamingo Land's association and the two parks are now independent of each other.
Closure
It was as a result of the most recent ownership transfer that on 14 April 2010, the Grimsby TelegraphGrimsby Telegraph
The Grimsby Telegraph is a daily British regional newspaper for the town of Grimsby and the surrounding area that makes up North East Lincolnshire. It is owned by Northcliffe Newspapers. The main area for the paper's distribution is in or around Grimsby and Cleethorpes...
website broke news that the park had closed. Staff had turned up for work and were given letters informing them of termination to their employment. Visitors were turned away at the gate. Later stories suggested that the closure was caused by a breakdown in negotiations about the park's ownership. Previously a sister park of Flamingo Land, negotiations were taking place to separate the two parks, with current managing director of Pleasure Island Melanie Wood taking control of the park.
The speculation about the park's future caused a great deal of concern amongst local businesses, staff and visitors, that the attraction was to close permanently.
Reopening
Pleasure Island Family Theme Park reopened under its new ownership on 1 May 2010 at 10:30 am. The McCormacks Family Bar Reopened 30 April at 7 pm.New for 2011
For 2011 Pleasure Island Family Theme Park has invested in an Aquaspere, the ride has a pool of water in which passengers enter rubber spheres that float on water, it also includes 2 shelters and is situated next to the Astro SlideAreas
The theme park is split into 6 areas:- Africa, themed around AfricaAfricaAfrica is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. and is the largest area of Pleasure island holding 1/7 of the white knuckle rides. - Kiddies Kingdom, home to the rides for especially young children.
- Morocco, themed around the country of MoroccoMoroccoMorocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
. it also holds 3/7 of the white knuckle rides which are the Alakazam, Hydromax and the Hyper Blaster. - Old England, themed around England in the past (possibly TudorTudor periodThe Tudor period usually refers to the period between 1485 and 1603, specifically in relation to the history of England. This coincides with the rule of the Tudor dynasty in England whose first monarch was Henry VII...
times), this area contains the park entrance. and is the smallest area of Pleasure Island. - Spain, themed around SpainSpainSpain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and is nearly as small as Old England, this area is mainly based around things other than rides as it only has 1. - White Knuckle Valley, home to 3/7 of the white knuckle rides these being the Boomerang (a Vekoma Boomerang rollercoaster), the Pendulus and lastly, the Terror Rack.
Height restrictions
The minimum heights are colour coded as follows:- Red, 1.4m.
- Purple, 1.3m.
- Blue, 1.2m.
- Green, 1.2m unless accompanied by an adult.
- Yellow, 1.1m unless accompanied by an adult.
- Pink, children only.
- White, no restriction.
Current rides
| Ride name | Height Restriction |
Zone | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alakazam | Purple | Morocco | HUSS Flyaway HUSS Park Attractions HUSS Park Attractions is a company specialising in the development and manufacture of amusement rides, and is based in Bremen, Germany. HUSS have designed over 35 different types of amusement rides installed worldwide.-History :... |
A variation of the HUSS Enterprise Enterprise (ride) The Enterprise is an amusement ride, manufactured primarily by HUSS Maschinenfabrik in 1972. The ride was an adaptation and improvement of a design produced earlier that year by Schwarzkopf, with an increased passenger capacity. Despite not owning the original incarnation of the ride, HUSS was... ride, riders lie face down in a harness and are spun through 360 degrees. This ride is the only Huss Flyaway in the UK and can now spin backwards 360 degrees. |
| Aquasphere | White | White Knuckle Valley | Aquasphere | A pool filled with water in which rubber balls containing passengers float on top of. |
| Astra Slide | White | White Knuckle Valley | Slide | A traditional fair-ground slide with riders sitting in a sack to protect clothing and increase speed down the slide. |
| The Boomerang | Purple | White Knuckle Valley | Vekoma Boomerang Boomerang (roller coaster) Boomerang is a model of roller coaster built by Vekoma, and named after the hunting implement based on the traditions of the Indigenous Australians... |
A shuttle Roller Coaster Roller coaster The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885... incorporating a vertical loop and a cobra roll. It drops riders through inversions twice, both forward and backward. It produces a maximum g force G force The g-force associated with an object is its acceleration relative to free-fall.It may also refer to:* G-Force , a 2009 film by Disney** G-Force , a 2009 video game based on the film... of 5.2g, higher than any other roller coaster design operating in the UK |
| Carousel | White | Kiddies Kingdom | Carousel Carousel A carousel , or merry-go-round, is an amusement ride consisting of a rotating circular platform with seats for riders... |
A traditional fair-ground Carousel ride |
| Century 2000 | Green | White Knuckle Valley | - | A flying car ride, themed around spaceships. It was originally situated in Africa where the Obliterator is now before being moved to the edge of White Knuckle Valley next to the Hydromax and has been re-colored red instead of white with blue and red cars instead of different colored cars |
| Clown Slide | Pink | Kiddie's Kingdom | Slide Slide -Fiction:*Slide, a fictional creature in the Sword of Truth book series-Music:*Slides , an album by Richard Harris *Slide , an album by Lisa Germano*Slide , a single by the Goo Goo Dolls... |
A clown-themed slide. |
| Cycle Monorail | Red | Spain | Cycle Monorail | A monorail Monorail A monorail is a rail-based transportation system based on a single rail, which acts as its sole support and its guideway. The term is also used variously to describe the beam of the system, or the vehicles traveling on such a beam or track... powered by the pedalling of the riders and a set of bicycle-like pedals. |
| Dodgems | Red | Morocco | Dodgems | - |
| Electric Monorail | Green | Kiddie's Kingdom | Monorail Monorail A monorail is a rail-based transportation system based on a single rail, which acts as its sole support and its guideway. The term is also used variously to describe the beam of the system, or the vehicles traveling on such a beam or track... |
An electrically powered monorail which takes riders over Kiddie's Kingdom and parts of White Knuckle Valley. |
| Shrieksville | Over 7's | Africa | Ghost train Dark ride A dark ride or ghost train is an indoor amusement ride where riders in guided vehicles travel through specially lit scenes that typically contain animation, sound, music, and special effects.... |
A new ghost train-style ride, with six themed areas, including a Graveyard and a Quarry. |
| Falls of Fear | Yellow | Africa | Water Slide Water slide A water slide is a type of slide designed for warm-weather or indoor recreational use at water parks. Water slides differ in their riding method and therefore size... |
A water slide set inside dark tubes where the riders slide down in rubber boats. |
| Flying Chairs | Yellow | Old England | Chairoplane Chair-O-Planes The Chair-O-Planes is a fairground ride that is a variation on the carousel in which the chairs are suspended on chains from the rotating top of the carousel... |
A traditional Chairoplane ride. It is also the first ride seen in the park as it is right next to the entrance, Pleasure Island have also increased the speed of the ride for the 2011 season. |
| Frog Hopper | Pink | Old England | - | A smaller version of the Hyper Blaster with a frog theme, specifically for children. It used to be in located in Africa before being moved to Old England next to the Flying Chairs |
| Galleon | Blue | Morocco | Pirate Ship (ride) Pirate ship (ride) A pirate ship is a type of amusement ride, consisting of an open, seated gondola which swings back and forth, subjecting the rider to various levels of angular momentum.... |
A swinging pirate ship. The park was previously home to a ride of the same name which rotated passengers upside down through 360 degrees. It was replaced with a smaller ride that swings passengers through an almost 90-degree curve, located on a site formerly occupied by a 1001 Nights swinging gondola ride. |
| Go-Gator | Pink | Africa | Roller Coaster Roller coaster The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885... |
A very small children's roller coaster with a cartoon alligator theme. |
| Go-Karts | Red | Go-Karts | Go-Kart Go-kart thumb|A [[Kart racing|racing kart]] at the [[Commission Internationale de Karting|CIK-FIA]] European Championship 2008A go-kart is a small four-wheeled vehicle... |
Two riders get into one of two cars and race around a track. |
| Gravitron | Blue | Morocco | Gravitron Gravitron The Gravitron is an amusement ride, most commonly found as a portable ride at fairs and carnivals. The Gravitron first appeared at Morey's Piers in 1983 and quickly became a fixture at amusement parks in many countries. It is a modification of an earlier ride called the Rotor... |
A spinning spaceship-themed ride that uses centrifugal force to hold riders against the walls. It was originally situated at Alton Towers Alton Towers Alton Towers is a theme park and resort located in Staffordshire, England. It attracts around 2.7 million visitors per year making it the most visited theme park in the United Kingdom. Alton Towers is also the 9th most visited theme park in Europe... under the same name and is the only Gravitron Gravitron The Gravitron is an amusement ride, most commonly found as a portable ride at fairs and carnivals. The Gravitron first appeared at Morey's Piers in 1983 and quickly became a fixture at amusement parks in many countries. It is a modification of an earlier ride called the Rotor... in the UK. |
| Hydromax | Purple | Morocco | Booster Booster Booster may refer to:In science and technology:* Booster , a motor-generator set used for voltage regulation in direct current electrical power circuits... |
A FarFabbri Booster ride with a turning set of seats on each end of a long spinning arm. This ride was designed by two youngsters, Jonathan Smith from Chesterfield and a young girl, Emily Beatson from Worksop, and was also featured on ITV Yorkshire Yorkshire Television Yorkshire Television, now officially known as ITV Yorkshire and sometimes unofficially abbreviated to YTV, is a British television broadcaster and the contractor for the Yorkshire franchise area on the ITV network... 's Calendar Calendar (News) Calendar is a regional television news and current affairs programme, produced by ITV Yorkshire at its studios in Leeds, serving Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and parts of the North Midlands and North West Norfolk... . Not only that, but it is probably the most popular ride in the park for thrill seekers and is thought to have come from Blackpool Pleasure Beach as one of the 2 Spin Doctors. |
| Hyper Blaster | Red | Morocco | S&S S&S Power S&S Worldwide is a company known for its pneumatically powered amusement rides and roller coaster designing.-History:S&S Worldwide was founded by Stan Checketts as S&S Sports, Inc. S&S Sports manufactures bungee jumping and trampoline equipment. S&S Sports was sold in 1996... Double Shot tower Double Shot (ride) Double Shot is a type of amusement ride manufactured by S&S Power.The ride is a drop tower type attraction that uses compressed air to rapidly propel riders up the tower then gently lower them with a series of air-cushioned bounces back to the loading platform.The ride is very similar to the Space... |
An S&S 90 ft Double Shot tower attraction which launches riders 90 feet into the air with huge amounts of air time. |
| Major Orbit | Pink | Africa | - | A ride based around space that rotates as it tilts higher. |
| Mini Mine Train | Yellow | Africa | Vekoma Roller Coaster Vekoma Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V. is a roller coaster and thrill ride designer with its facilities based in the Netherlands. The company was founded in 1926 by Hendrik op het Veld under the name "Veld Koning Machinefabriek" and had first manufactured agricultural machinery and mining equipment... |
A Vekoma roller-skater coaster themed on an African mine which runs around the track twice. |
| Obliterator | Red | Africa | Evolution Ride Evolution (ride) Evolution is a large thrill ride manufactured by FarFabbri in Italy.It consists of four inclined pillars which support a revolving arm. On one end of the arm are some counterweights and on the other is a rotating hub which holds 10 cars. The minimum height requirement is 48 inches or taller.... |
Similar to the Pendulus but the seats turn on a horizontal axis in addition to the turning and swinging movements which forces the ride to go upside down straight-away. The ride opened at the beginning of the 2008 peak season after being moved from Flamingo Land. |
| Para Tower | Green | Kiddies Kingdom | - | A vertical tower ride in which the riders stand in a metal basket which is then winched up into the air, and then dropped after a delay. |
| Paratrooper | Yellow | Africa | Paratrooper Paratrooper (ride) A Paratrooper also known as an "Umbrella Ride" is a type of fairground ride based on cars suspended below a wheel which rotates at an oblique angle. The cars are free to rock sideways and swing out under centrifugal force and the wheel rotates. Invariably, the cars on a paratrooper have an umbrella... |
A suspended spinning and rising ride. |
| Pendulus | Red | White Knuckle Valley | Frisbee Ride Frisbee (ride) The Frisbee is an pendulum-motion amusement ride designed by HUSS Maschinenfabrik. The term is often used to describe similar rides built by other companies.-Design and operation:... |
A very fast spinning and large swinging gondola attraction built by Huss Rides, themed around the swinging pendulum of a clock with numbers 1–12 printed on the bottom of the gondola, the only HUSS Frisbee ride in the UK |
| Razzle Dazzle | Green | White Knuckle Valley | Trabant | A mexican hat style ride which spins before rising and falling in a wavelike fashion. |
| Lake Boats | Green | Morroco | Pedal Boat | Pedal boats. These are ridden around the lake in the centre of the park and were formerly known as the swan boats. |
| Terror Rack | Red | White Knuckle Valley | Top Spin Top Spin (ride) The Top Spin is a thrill ride developed by HUSS Maschinenfabrik, and is the generic name for a series of rides from other manufacturers that follow the same principle. The ride consists of a passenger platform suspended between two counterweighted arms... |
A Fabbri Top Spin double-sided ride with no water fountains but suspends riders upside down much more than the normal HUSS Top spins and lasts longer upside down. Also it is notable that the ride was originally situated at Fantasy Island called the "Topsey Turvey" before being sent to Pleasure Island in 1997. |
| Tommy Tinkaboo's 'Sweet Adventure' Water Ride | White | Spain | Lazy River Lazy river A lazy river is a water ride found in many amusement parks or water parks. They are also found at some resorts and recreation centers. It usually consists of shallow pool that flows similarly to a river.... |
An indoor water adventure-themed around a sweet factory, featuring the park's mascot, Tommy Tinkaboo. Revamped by Rex Studios. |
| Whirly Twirl | Yellow | Africa | Tilt-A-Whirl Tilt-A-Whirl Tilt-A-Whirl is one of the best-known flat rides, designed for commercial use at amusement parks, fairs and carnivals in which it is commonly found. The rides are manufactured by Sellner Manufacturing of Faribault, Minnesota... |
A Waltzer style ride, where riders sit in 'shells' that spin around freely. |
Former Rides
- Condor. A HUSS Condor Stood on the site of Kiddies Cove, before being sold at auction.
- 1001 Nights, replaced by The Galleon.
- Dream Boat, Stood where the Hydro Max is now.
- Big Splash, A unique water ride replaced by The Falls of Fear.
- Crazy Loop, A PinfariPinfariPinfari is an Italian brand of portable roller coasters found at travelling fairs. The Pinfari company was founded by Daniel Pinfari in Mantua. The brand has been especially known for compact models with small footprints, such as the popular ZL42. Pinfari was liquidated on 15 July 2004, due to the...
Double-Looping Roller Coaster that also previously operated at Flamingo Land under the same name. It is now located in Brean Leisure ParkBrean Leisure ParkBrean Leisure Park is an amusement park in the coastal resort of Brean, near Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, England. It covers an area of .Open from March to October every year, the leisure park has also been a concert venue for artists such as DJ Casper,...
as "Shockwave". - 4 Man Bob, A small Schwarzkopf Bobsleigh Roller Coaster which was replaced by Crazy Loop.
- Pony Rodeo, A small monorail like rollercoaster themed around riding a horse
Shows
- Masai Warriors Show, introduced during ownership by Flamingo Land as a copy of their highly successful Bongo Warriors Show (Africa)
- Parrot Show, parrotParrotParrots, also known as psittacines , are birds of the roughly 372 species in 86 genera that make up the order Psittaciformes, found in most tropical and subtropical regions. The order is subdivided into three families: the Psittacidae , the Cacatuidae and the Strigopidae...
s performing tricks. (Spain) - Sea Lion Show, sea lionSea LionSea lions are pinnipeds characterized by external ear-flaps, long fore-flippers, the ability to walk on all fours, and short thick hair. Together with the fur seal, they comprise the family Otariidae, or eared seals. There are six extant and one extinct species in five genera...
s performing tricks. (Morocco) - Tommy Tinkaboo Musical Extravaganza. (Morocco)
- The Basil BrushBasil BrushBasil Brush is a fictional anthropomorphic fox raconteur, best known for his appearances on daytime British children's television. He is primarily portrayed by a glove puppet, but has also been depicted in animated cartoon shorts and comic strips...
Laughter Show. (Africa) - High School Summer (Set As The Movie 'High School Musical 1 + 2) (Morocco)
Restaurants and eateries
- Food Court. (Spain)
- McCormack's Family Bar, a family themed restaurant and bar, selling Traditional British Pub meals. (Old England)
- Lakeside, selling Chilled Drinks, and Hot and Cold Snacks.
- Tommy's Kiosk and Cafe, selling Chilled Drinks, and Hot and Cold Snacks.
- Fatimas Fish & Chips, a Fish and Chip shop.
- Sinbads Ice Cream Parlour, an Ice Cream shop, selling Ice Creams, Lollies, and chilled Drinks.
- Carousel, a Snack Bar located in the Carousel building.
Shops
- Tinkaboo Sweet Shop, a sweet shop at the exit of Tommy Tinkaboo's Sweet Adventure. (Spain)
- Gift Shop. (Old England)
- Shrieksville Shop Of Horrors (Africa)
Others
- Ali Baba's Arcade. (Morocco) a Small Arcade located next to the Gravitron and next to the Spain area, it also hosts some toilets
- Kiddies' Cove. A play area for young Children including swings and a few benches etc. It is located next to the Seal Show and Century 2000