Camelot Theme Park

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Seaphoto (talk | contribs) at 15:33, 15 July 2010 (Reverted addition of dubious unsourced content (HG)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Camelot
File:Camelotthemepark.jpg
Camelot's logo, 2006
LocationCharnock Richard, Chorley, Lancashire, England
Opened1984
OwnerThe Story Group
Operated byKnights Leisure Limited
General managerMark Leader
SloganThe land of great knights, and amazing days
Operating seasonMay - September
Area40 acres
Attractions
Total26 attractions in
Roller coasters5
Water rides2
Websitewww.camelotthemepark.co.uk

Overview

Camelot Theme Park is a resort and theme park located in the English town of Charnock Richard, Lancashire. It is based on the legend of Camelot. The site is owned by The Story Group, and operated by Knights Leisure. The park is home to many rides, taking a target audience of families and younger children, however the park also boasts numerous thrill rides and roller coasters, including Whirlwind (a Maurer Söhne spinning coaster), Knightmare and Excalibur.

The park opened in 1984 and has been operating seasonally since then. In 1986 it was bought out by The Granada Group, and operated by them alongside its now defunct sister parks American Adventure and Granada Studios Tour. In June 1998 the park was subject to a management buyout in which the park went to Prime Resorts Ltd. After Prime Resorts went into receivership on 3 February 2009 the site was sold to The Story Group (not including the on-site hotel). The park is now leased to Knights Leisure Limited who operate the park. Knights Leisure is headed up by some of the same directors as Prime Resorts was.

In February 2009, Prime Resorts announced that the park was in receivership and would not reopen for the 2009 season.[1] However, in April 2009, it was announced that a buyer had been found for the park and that it will reopen in May 2009 - NB: The park was noted to be open on 20 July 2009 .[2][3]

Rides and Shows

Current Rides

  • Knightmare - a custom Schwarzkopf / Zierer roller coaster.
  • Excalibur 2 - a Fabbri Evolution.
  • Whirlwind - a Maurer Söhne Xtended SC 2000.
  • Dragon Flyer - the worlds only diesel powered roller coaster. Manufactured by S.C. Italy, this attraction loops the lower section of the park.
  • Junior Dragon Coaster.
  • Caterpillar Capers - a Pinfari Big Apple MB28.
  • The Galleon - a swinging pirate ship, Zamperla galleon model.
  • Falcon’s Flight - a Zamperla Balloon Ride.
  • Go Karts (extra charge).
  • Pendragon’s Plunge - a three tube water slide.
  • Log Flume.
  • Cup & Sorcerer - a teacup ride.
  • Kingdom in the Clouds - a Ferris wheel.
  • Bertie’s Driving School (extra charge).
  • Playland Express - a train around the park.
  • Junior Galleon - a smaller version of the Galleon ride.
  • Sir Lancelot’s Chargers - a two tier carousel.
  • Jousting Horses - a Zamperla Horse Ride.
  • Human cannonball.
  • Clown around!.
  • Sky divers.
  • Towers of Fun - a soft play area.
  • Jousting Knight Dodgems.
  • Merlin’s Indoor Playland.
  • Dungeons of Doom - a ghost train ride.

Current Shows

  • Jousting Tournament A live joust performed by Camelots own Knights, led by an actor playing King Arthur. Performed in the Avalon Arena. The park hosts the UKs only full time jousting arena.
  • Merlin's Magic Show Performed in Merlin's castle this show demonstrates some of Merlin's magical skills
  • Merlin's School of Wizardry Performed in Merlin's castle, Merlin's School of Wizardry teaches some of Merlin's magic to the audience.

Past Rides

  • Tower of Terror was a steel sit-down roller coaster manufactured by Schwarzkopf. It was removed in 2000 to make way for a Vekoma Invertigo, and also due to cost issues as the ride was leased along with the original Excalibur from the Bembom Brothers. However, planning permission was denied for this ride so the park was forced to replace the ride with a Pinfari ZL42, "The Gauntlet" (since closed). While the ride was being taken down, a polystyrene castle which was part of the rides theming was burned down when some sparks from a saw hit it. The ride itself was unscathed and after a brief period at Dreamland Margate it is now operating as Twist N' Shout at Henk Bembom's Loudoun Castle.
  • The Rack a Vekoma Canyon Trip. the only split level ride in Europe, in 2010 it was removed due to increased maintenance costs and repeated downtime.
  • Excalibur Was a Weber Dreamboat (Traumboot) and was removed with the Tower of Terror. It stood originally on the site of the Whirlwind, however the space the Tower of Terror originally took up was more than enough space for the replacement Gauntlet Pinfari roller coaster and the Excalibur 2 (Fabbri Evolution). This left a site vacant, which was later used for the Whirlwind
  • Venom was a steel powered dark-roller coaster. It was removed in 2005 due to increasing safety regulations with indoor roller coasters. While operated, the ride was enclosed inside a building and kept in the dark. When first opened, the ride was originally called "The Beast" and kept inside a mountain themed building. This building was removed in 2001 to make way for an extension to the Castle Camelot entertainment centre, which would have created an extended indoor entertainment centre including replacement ride. However, when it became apparent the park could close within the next few years the plans were largely scaled back, leaving room for the ride to stay. The building and ride were then rebuilt, but was themed as a snake, in a snakes lair. The ride is now owned by Williams Amusements and the castle was extended to include the new indoor entertainment centre and firstly a Rollerquest (Lasertag) attraction, and then Dodgems ride.
  • The Sorcerer was a roller coaster manufactured by Pinfari. It was installed in 1995 however removed in 1997 to make way for The Quintain. The park also considered it too small a roller coaster and it was not as popular with guests as the park hoped. Its presence was faded by the ever popular Tower of Terror.
  • The Quintain was a Huss Flipper and was removed before the 2006 season started and was replaced by a carousel. It was thought by many guests that the ride was not suitable for the target audience of the park.
  • The Gauntlet, a Pinfari ZL42 Looping Rollercoaster. During 2002 and 2003 the ride experienced considerable downtime. After refurbishment of the trains and braking system the ride had 2 very good seasons. To further improve the ride a new train was purchased in 2005. The ride was then moved to make way for the Knightmare ride. The ride then operated at New Pleasureland in Southport for a short time. It has now been refurbished and rebuilt in the Marina Park, Varna, Bulgaria.
  • Carousel, the smaller of the two Carousels in the park was removed after the 2006 season due to its age and being shaded by the much more extravagant carousel located close by. The Junior Galleon has been moved to the front of the Playland building to occupy the Carousel's central spot.
  • Leverets, A small children's ride located at the side of the Rack (previous locations include: the side of the original Excalibur, and at the front of the park - under a different name). It was removed after the 2006 season due to the cars and track becoming unreliable. The ride was often closed when the park was open, and has not been replaced.
  • Mad Monastery a dark funhouse ride, situated at the back of the Playland area.

Past Shows

  • Cats Of The Round Table A animatronic show that was near the front of the park.

Accidents

  • On 22 October 2001, a park employee was struck by The Gauntlet roller coaster and was killed.[4] The park was fined £40,000 as the park had no written safety procedures for its staff.[5]
  • On 18 April 2004, a boy was hit by a bus in the theme park's car park and was killed.[6] The driver was charged with death by dangerous driving,[7] the case was later dropped due to legal arguments.[8]

Declining attendance

Camelot has seen a downturn in attendance in recent years. In 1995, Camelot's attendance was 500,000 visitors throughout the season.[9] In 2005 Camelot's attendance was only 336,204 visitors.[10]

Closure

Camelot Theme Park closed on the 3 February 2009 after its owners, Prime Resorts, put the park into receivership.[11] A buyer was found for the hotel, and shortly after the theme park, which was said to be reopened on 23 May. Once permission for housing has been granted these plans will go ahead. However, the park's Chief Executive states that this is a long way off, and they are still putting all their energy into the theme park.

2010 season

It was announced on the local radio news that Camelot Theme Park are recruiting 200 members of staff for the summer season.[12]

Criticism

In a 2006 survey of healthy food available at leading tourist attractions in the UK, Camelot came joint bottom scoring only one point.[13]

References

  1. ^ "Theme park goes into receivership". BBC News. 2009-02-03. Retrieved 2010-04-28.
  2. ^ "Short-term rescue for theme park". BBC News. 2009-04-01. Retrieved 2010-04-28.
  3. ^ http://www.camelotthemepark.co.uk/opening_times/
  4. ^ "Death at theme park". BBC News. 2001-10-22. Retrieved 2007-01-22.
  5. ^ "Theme park fined over ride death". BBC News. 2003-09-23. Retrieved 2007-01-22.
  6. ^ "Camelot bus death boy is named". BBC News. 2004-04-20. Retrieved 2007-01-22.
  7. ^ "Bus driver facing death charges". BBC News. 2004-09-16. Retrieved 2007-01-22.
  8. ^ "Driver's death charge is dropped". BBC News. 2004-12-10. Retrieved 2007-01-22.
  9. ^ "Visits to Tourist Attractions in Lancashire, 1995-2004". Lancashire County Council. Retrieved 2006-09-19.
  10. ^ "Major Attractions in the Northwest". NWDA Research Team. Retrieved 2006-09-19.
  11. ^ "Theme park goes into receivership". BBC News. 2009-02-03. Retrieved 2009-02-03.
  12. ^ http://www.jobisjob.co.uk/chorley-lancashire-pr7/camelot-theme-park/ride-operator/job-offer-mr6i3rrcwu6jh7xdxgp6imo3le
  13. ^ "Tourist attractions 'unhealthy'". BBC News. 2006-08-25. Retrieved 2006-09-19.

Links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Camelot_Theme_Park&oldid=373643004"