Santa Park: Difference between revisions

SantaPark
	Entrance to SantaPark in December 2010
Location	Rovaniemi, Finland
Opened	28 November 1998

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Latest revision as of 10:32, 25 April 2024

SantaPark is a Christmas theme park and visitor attraction in Rovaniemi in the Lapland region of Finland. SantaPark was opened 28 November 1998.

Theme[edit]

The park is designed to emulate the cavern residence of Santa Claus on the Arctic circle. Popular culture often depicts Santa Claus (or joulupukki in Finnish) coming from Lapland. Therefore, tourists come every year to Rovaniemi to meet Santa Claus.

During summertime, it is open from the middle of June to the first weeks of August. In winter season the park is open from the late November to the beginning of January. There is an entrance fee for the park.

In SantaPark visitors can meet Santa Claus in his office and take pictures with him. Other attractions include Mrs. Gingerbread’s Gingerbread Bakery, the Ice Gallery, shows, cafeterias, workshops, and the Post Office, where it is possible to send postcards.

SantaPark is part of the SantaPark Arctic World brand, which also includes Santa Claus Secret Forest – Joulukka, Arctic Forest Spa – Metsäkyly, Lapland Luxury, Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, and Rakas Restaurant & Bar.

History and the business concept[edit]

SantaPark was opened on 28 November 1998 as an amusement park.^[1] The concept was created by Santaworld Ltd. (UK) and the cost of construction was 6.7 million Euros. The ownership consisted of Finnish companies such as Finnair, MTV, Sampo, Lasten Päivän Säätiö, Posti. Ministry of Trade and Industry was also involved. As an amusement park Santa Park did not reach its financial goals. Renewal of the concept was attempted in 2002 with a new ownership structure where the municipality of Rovaniemi was involved. The new concept featured Santa Claus, Christmas and Lapland's culture and nature. On 24 March 2009 ownership was transferred to Santa's Holding Ltd. where the majority is held by Ilkka Länkinen and Katja Ikäheimo-Länkinen.^[2]

Currently another owner with shares of SantaPark is Lappset Group Oy. Former owners are Eero Sarin, Lasten Päivän Säätiö, Sampo Oyj, Tapsan Tapuli Oy, TeliaSonera Finland Oyj, MTV Oy and Lappish newspaper Lapin Kansa Oy. New owners Ilkka Länkinen and Katja-Ikäheimo Länkinen have announced that they will focus more in the sales and marketing of SantaPark.^[when?]

Attractions[edit]

The attractions of SantaPark include

Christmas Magic Show
Santa's Office
Post Office
Mrs. Gingerbread Bakery
Magic Train
Elf School
Elf Workshop
Post Office
Ice Gallery
Undercrossing of the Arctic Circle
Arktikum museum

Toy Factory Shopping Area and Kota Hut Cafe also serve customers.

Architecture[edit]

The themepark is located in a cavern inside bedrock where visitors descend via a large portal. The space was originally designed as air-raid shelter.

Location and transportation[edit]

SantaPark can be reached by car along the national highway 4. It is located about 9 km northeast of Rovaniemi and about 2 km from Rovaniemi Airport. Frequent flights from Helsinki and other cities to Rovaniemi are offered throughout the year. The majority of international tourists switch their plane at Helsinki-Vantaa airport. Also in the Christmas time there are many charter flights from Sweden, the United Kingdom and other countries that fly directly to Rovaniemi. Additionally there are Ryanair flights to Tampere which has regular connection to Rovaniemi as well. Finally there are regular bus and train connections to most major cities in Finland. Local transportation is provided by Santa's Express (bus line number 8) from the centre of Rovaniemi to SantaPark and Santa Claus Village. The bus trip to SantaPark takes about 15 minutes.

Notes and references[edit]

^ "Santa Claus' Village". Uppslagsverket Finland. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
^ "Santa Park myytiin yrittäjäpariskunnalle = Santa Park was sold to entrepreneur couple", YLE news

External links[edit]

Official Web Site

66°32′37″N 25°50′40″E / 66.54361°N 25.84444°E / 66.54361; 25.84444

[1] "Santa Claus' Village". Uppslagsverket Finland. Retrieved 22 July 2016.

[2] "Santa Park myytiin yrittäjäpariskunnalle = Santa Park was sold to entrepreneur couple", YLE news

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Short description|Theme park in Rovaniemi, Finland}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
+{{More references|date=April 2024}}
 {{Infobox amusement park
 | name            = SantaPark
@@ Line 31: / Line 32: @@
 ==Theme==
+{{unreferenced section|date=April 2024}}
 [[File:Santa Park (5307457814).jpg|thumb|Illuminated underground tunnel in Santa Park]]
 The park is designed to emulate the cavern residence of [[Santa Claus]] on the [[Arctic circle]]. Popular culture often depicts [[Santa Claus]] (or ''[[joulupukki]]'' in Finnish) coming from Lapland. Therefore, tourists come every year to Rovaniemi to meet Santa Claus.
-SantaPark is a Christmassy theme park known as Santa Claus’s own home cavern. During summertime, it is open from the middle of June to the first weeks of August. In winter season the park is open from the late November to the beginning of January. There is an entrance fee for the park.
+During summertime, it is open from the middle of June to the first weeks of August. In winter season the park is open from the late November to the beginning of January. There is an entrance fee for the park.
 [[File:Santa Park (5307458332).jpg|thumb|An ice sculpture at the park]]
-In SantaPark visitors can meet Santa Claus in his office and take pictures free-of-charge with him. In addition, it is possible to visit in Mrs. Gingerbread’s Gingerbread Bakery, see Ice Princess in her Icy kingdom called "Ice Gallery" and send postcards from the Post Office. Also, Candybar, Magic Train, Kota Café, Shopping area, Elf School and Handicraft’s area are included in the entrance ticket's price. On the main stage acrobatics show – Magic Christmas, is performed 3 times a day.
+In SantaPark visitors can meet Santa Claus in his office and take pictures with him. Other attractions include ''Mrs. Gingerbread’s Gingerbread Bakery'', the ''Ice Gallery'', shows, cafeterias, workshops, and the Post Office, where it is possible to send postcards.
-SantaPark is a part of SantaPark Arctic World – brand, which also includes Santa Claus Secret Forest – Joulukka, Arctic Forest Spa – Metsäkyly, Lapland Luxury, Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, and Rakas Restaurant & Bar.
+SantaPark is part of the ''SantaPark Arctic World'' brand, which also includes ''Santa Claus Secret Forest – Joulukka'', ''Arctic Forest Spa – Metsäkyly'', ''Lapland Luxury'', ''Arctic TreeHouse Hotel'', and ''Rakas Restaurant & Bar''.
 ==History and the business concept==
-SantaPark was opened on 28 November 1998 as an amusement park.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uppslagsverket.fi/sv/sok/view-103684-SantaClausVillage|title=Santa Claus' Village|publisher=Uppslagsverket Finland|language=English|accessdate=22 July 2016}}</ref> The concept was created by Santaworld Ltd. (UK) and the cost of construction was  6.7 million Euros. The ownership consisted of Finnish companies such as Finnair, MTV, Sampo, Lasten Päivän Säätiö, Posti. Ministry of Trade and Industry was also involved. As an amusement park Santa Park did not reach its economical goals. Renewal of the concept was attempted in 2002 with a new ownership structure where the municipality of [[Rovaniemi]] was involved. The new concept featured Santa Claus, [[Christmas]] and Lappish culture and nature. On 24 March 2009 ownership was transferred to Santa's Holding Ltd. where the majority is held by Mr. Ilkka Länkinen and Mrs. Katja Ikäheimo-Länkinen.<ref>[http://yle.fi/uutiset/alueelliset_uutiset/lappi/2009/03/santa_park_myytiin_yrittajapariskunnalle_635583.html "Santa Park myytiin yrittäjäpariskunnalle = Santa Park was sold to entrepreneur couple", YLE news]</ref>
+SantaPark was opened on 28 November 1998 as an amusement park.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uppslagsverket.fi/sv/sok/view-103684-SantaClausVillage|title=Santa Claus' Village|publisher=Uppslagsverket Finland|language=English|accessdate=22 July 2016}}</ref> The concept was created by Santaworld Ltd. (UK) and the cost of construction was  6.7 million Euros. The ownership consisted of Finnish companies such as Finnair, MTV, Sampo, Lasten Päivän Säätiö, Posti. Ministry of Trade and Industry was also involved. As an amusement park Santa Park did not reach its financial goals. Renewal of the concept was attempted in 2002 with a new ownership structure where the municipality of [[Rovaniemi]] was involved. The new concept featured Santa Claus, [[Christmas]] and Lapland's culture and nature. On 24 March 2009 ownership was transferred to Santa's Holding Ltd. where the majority is held by Ilkka Länkinen and Katja Ikäheimo-Länkinen.<ref>[http://yle.fi/uutiset/alueelliset_uutiset/lappi/2009/03/santa_park_myytiin_yrittajapariskunnalle_635583.html "Santa Park myytiin yrittäjäpariskunnalle = Santa Park was sold to entrepreneur couple", YLE news]</ref>
-Currently another owner with shares of SantaPark is Lappset Group Oy. Former owners are Eero Sarin, Lasten Päivän Säätiö, Sampo Oyj, Tapsan Tapuli Oy, TeliaSonera Finland Oyj, MTV Oy and Lappish newspaper Lapin Kansa Oy. New owners Ilkka Länkinen and Katja-Ikäheimo Länkinen have announced that they will focus more in the sales and marketing of SantaPark.
+Currently another owner with shares of SantaPark is Lappset Group Oy. Former owners are Eero Sarin, Lasten Päivän Säätiö, Sampo Oyj, Tapsan Tapuli Oy, TeliaSonera Finland Oyj, MTV Oy and Lappish newspaper Lapin Kansa Oy. New owners Ilkka Länkinen and Katja-Ikäheimo Länkinen have announced that they will focus more in the sales and marketing of SantaPark.{{when|date=April 2024}}
 ==Attractions==
@@ Line 84: / Line 86: @@
 {{coord|66|32|37|N|25|50|40|E|display=title}}
 {{Finnish amusement parks}}
+{{Christmas}}
-[[Category:Santa Claus]]
+[[Category:Amusement parks based on Santa Claus]]
 [[Category:Rovaniemi]]
 [[Category:Amusement parks in Finland]]

v t e Amusement parks in Finland
Major amusement parks	Linnanmäki Helsinki Nokkakivi Laukaa PowerPark Kauhava Särkänniemi Tampere Tykkimäki Kouvola
Theme parks and other smaller parks	The Dudesons Activity Park Seinäjoki Jukupark Kalajoki and Turku Kesämaa Savonlinna Moomin World Naantali Puuhamaa Janakkala Santa Claus Village/Santa Park Rovaniemi Serena Waterpark Espoo Smart Park Eckerö Vauhtipuisto Oulu Visulahti Mikkeli
Travelling funfairs	Suomen Tivoli Tivoli Sariola Tivoli Seiterä
Defunct parks	Wasalandia Vaasa