Manchester1894
TS Member
As a birthday treat (44 a few days before) our family of me, my wife and two boys aged 10/13, travelled from Manchester, for a first time family visit to Flamingo Land. My wife is Bradfordian and used to visit here as a kid, but it had been that long since she last visited it was pretty much a new park to her as well.
We purchased a family ticket for £168 - there were zero offers on at the time, but a few days before they reduced prices and wouldn't budge on our prebooked full rate (expected that outcome so it is what it is). I think that's the most expensive family ticket in the UK but as I said it was a birthday visit and good to do a new park on a list. The weather was a perfect 22c too. The little town next to the park is a surprise, and looked nice as we passed through and arrived at around 0930. As my wife parked up for free, she did wonder if they could have at least charged us £158 and then charged £10 for parking as it wouldn't have felt as extortionate
There were toilets immediately outside the entrance so after a quick dash we went into the park at 0935, No bag check, just waved through. I got the feeling it's a very relaxed park from the offset. Once in, we realised it wasn't going to be a busy day. No pre-opening queues at any rides yet like you'd see at Merlin/BPB so had a little wander about. The feel of the park is like a seaside park, very similar to Southport in some ways. The lack of theming does hit you, but it has some unique looking coasters and of course a zoo!
0955 Hero. The 'lore of this one draws you in... "coma inducing"... "painful".. "worst coaster I've ridden" are the common themes associated with this one. I thought if it's that bad I want it over and done first ride. First impressions matter in a park, and the staff on this ride were a credit to the park. So friendly, took our bags whilst in queue and were in high spirits - gracefully riding the coaster from dispatch to loading would be me in that type of job. Then as the 3rd train of the day came towards us, it was our turn. Standing in the unusual and uncomfortable "pod" knowing you might be about to shaken to death is a vibe as the kids say these days. I was in the outside left wing taking one for the team as my wife was driving. After the lift hill, off we went and on the first hill I let out a groan as I was subject to a forceful rattle, the rest of the ride was ok to be honest and felt like my brace position was maybe too much. I think there was one other corner that was like the first but this wasn’t as bad as people made out, however I ruled out a re-ride just in case I got lucky with this run. I’ve had good and bad Saw/Colossus/Rita runs and know “one more” can ruin your day if it gives you a headache.
1015 Velocity - Never been on a motorbike launch coaster so was looking forward to this just for a new experience. The launch caught my breath as I didn’t expect it to be that punchy. The rest of the ride was over pretty quickly but the restraints were a bit painful around the lower ribcage as it rattled round the bends so was happy it didn’t go on for much longer tbh. Sikh wasn’t open yet strangely so looked for our next ride.
1035 mumbo jumbo - love the look of this one from the queue line. On ride, some great outer turns, quick snappy fun and the mini hang time is fantastic. However another uncomfortable shoulder restraint left me sore for about 10-15 mins.
1045 Kumali - love an invert but as this was a two seater, thought it might be another Infusion painful one. Not at all. Really nice ride on this one. Though the rest of my family complained it was too rough.
We looked over towards Sik.. it had just run a public train for the first time today so started moving towards it, detouring for…
1100 - Cliff Hanger. Having done Croc-Drop/Detonator/Hurakan Condor I’d never done a tower that shoots you up. Loved it. The firing up in the air was fun, and moving up and down made the cheeks on my face move like a centrifugal force machine on easy mode.
1125 - Sik. Colossus was in my top 3 rides back in 2007 so I was looking forward to this one. Obviously it’s the headliner in the park and the newest ride. I was so confused on the theming though and how you say the ride name. With all the hindu-esque style silks, I thought Sik [s-ee-k], then heard the tannoy saying Sik [S-ick]. Thelower part of the queue line it looked dirty and grubby, dare I say it a bit cheap. It looks like a black and white UK flag that’s been scratched. They might have gone for an edgy “distressed” look but it looks awful. Then I see Lionel Messi on the screen modelling clothing. Googled Sik and found the clothing brand and think it’s bizarre how this brand has a global icon, but is only heard of on these shores in the a queue for an Intamin. Ride-wise, thought it was not as good as I thought it might feel with smoothness. But the heartline roll on the right-hand side was a genuine WTF is happening moment. Elite feeling.
1135 Pterodactyl - Another great staff member on duty. He knows people hate these rides due to the height and feel like he jokes with the queue line to take their mind off it or he just likes a laugh, either way a 10/10 to him. Even told off a couple of older lads who forgot they were saying “f***” every other sentence
On-ride. I hate heights, and this goes on forever so I wasn’t happy. I just get through trying to find a focus point. Enjoyed it though. My wife however had turned green and looked like she might be revisiting breakfast any minute. We were going to do another spinny ride but halted that due to her sea-legs.
1200 Runaway Train. Creds are creds. Squeeze into this one. Zippy and had a rough last corner.
1215 Zooom. Creds are creds but sometimes you have to suffer embarrassment that you're in a queue-line of under 7’s and buggy pushers. Nice layout and these rides get you thinking that they really should do more like this in other parks.
1220 Twistosaurus. My wife had recovered from the spinning(just), and Twistosaurus was kind to her. We had balance as a 4, whereas the carriage with 2 was spinning wildly… I was a bit jealous but also thankful she wasn’t vomiting.
We were looking for that train that goes around the park so we could eat a packed lunch on it. Just ended up walking anti-clockwise around the park past the gorgeous giraffes, the fat hippo, and… Flamingos on Land (when in Rome etc)!
1250 Voodoo. I do do Voodoo, do you do Voodoo? Standard small pirate ship. Nicest setting in the park, lovely and green, next to the lake with swans about - just nice. Offered a re-ride but passed as wife was still not quite right. Lol
1315 Kumali re-ride. Still good for me. Wife passed on it. Busiest part of the day but no queue was that bad. The park next to FL had a football tourney so the park benefitted from teams coming into the park which made the atmosphere better. It would have been a ghost town otherwise.
1340 Mischief Mansion. The worst throughput awards must have this listed. Painful wait. A couple of light laughs, but leaving empty carts off track and parts in the ride area is a bit poor.
Went for an ice cream. Generous servings all round. Either that or a staff member is serving double portions wrongly.
1425 Sik re-ride. Better than my first ride and did the heartline roll on the left hand side this time. Thought I going to leave my seat and end up on Velocity. Exiting the ride, we did a U-turn via the bizarre shop. There’s very little coaster merch but it’s more a SikSilk store really. Thought why are they not selling Messi hoodies front and centre. It’s so odd. As we went to leave the shop a member of staff stopped us. Sik [S-ick] had gone down again.. Sigh [S-eye]
1440 - Velocity re-ride. Front row. Avoided the earlier rough ride by bracing at the points that hurt last time. I do think they should add something to this like tunnels or something.
1515 Cliff Hanger re-ride. Staff member was a bit rude to our son for sitting on a wall in the part where you enter the queue. It was on the ride side but safe enough distance. He politely moved but think signage should be in place to prevent this experience. Or some clear glass/plastic if it’s a H&S risk. At this point I noticed nowhere is there signage you’d see at a Merlin Park like “DO NOT ENTER THIS AREA”.. Over at mambo jumbo the ride is close to the public area. One fence hop and there is an accident. Anyway not impacting our day so we did the tower facing the other way this time. Good views of the countryside/park
1545. Flamingo 1. I won. But it kept breaking down and stopped half of our family mid-lap whilst I sped off. Think we just wanted to re-live Blackpools Grand Prix though.
1620. munbo jumbo re-ride. In the queue-line notices some rockery down near the queue line had a hole in it like it was made of fiberglass and not rock. The wooden fence posts in the queue line were wobbling dangerously as the concrete holding them has some major cracks. Sad to see parts of the park in disrepair. A better ride than earlier.. Tiredness was setting in now so we moved towards our final ride near the exit.
1640. Sik re-ide. We got our second wind as soon as we got on again. It was running really well now and getting better with every ride. I remember why Colossus was so good 18 years ago now. Knowing the layout and antipating the turns moves this ride from an 8/10 to a 9/10 ride.. I hate to harp on but the heart-line rolls with this version of the lapbar is genuinely up there with the best element experiences you can get in the UK and I get why people hold it in high esteem on best coaster lists. It's a lot of fun.
1655 Sik re-ride. Everyone in the queue-line had the same idea to lap but it was quiet and by far the best ride in the park.
1708 Sik re-rde. Last train of the day and a perfect way to end the day.
Went to find a fridge magnet. Nothing.
Went to find some chips before the drive home. Nothing either.
Overall, had a good day with 21 rides done at a leisurely pace in great weather and guests were all in good spirits with no issues like queue jumping or anti-social behaviour.. A new park with some creds ticked off too.. The park does need some TLC, music, theming (even if it’s just all animal based) etc. The cost is too high though, and with the majority of rides being good to do albeit a little rough It’s a one and done for us sadly. Good luck to the park’s future, it deserves to be more prominent in that part of the UK and hope it can go onto bigger and better things.
We purchased a family ticket for £168 - there were zero offers on at the time, but a few days before they reduced prices and wouldn't budge on our prebooked full rate (expected that outcome so it is what it is). I think that's the most expensive family ticket in the UK but as I said it was a birthday visit and good to do a new park on a list. The weather was a perfect 22c too. The little town next to the park is a surprise, and looked nice as we passed through and arrived at around 0930. As my wife parked up for free, she did wonder if they could have at least charged us £158 and then charged £10 for parking as it wouldn't have felt as extortionate
There were toilets immediately outside the entrance so after a quick dash we went into the park at 0935, No bag check, just waved through. I got the feeling it's a very relaxed park from the offset. Once in, we realised it wasn't going to be a busy day. No pre-opening queues at any rides yet like you'd see at Merlin/BPB so had a little wander about. The feel of the park is like a seaside park, very similar to Southport in some ways. The lack of theming does hit you, but it has some unique looking coasters and of course a zoo!
0955 Hero. The 'lore of this one draws you in... "coma inducing"... "painful".. "worst coaster I've ridden" are the common themes associated with this one. I thought if it's that bad I want it over and done first ride. First impressions matter in a park, and the staff on this ride were a credit to the park. So friendly, took our bags whilst in queue and were in high spirits - gracefully riding the coaster from dispatch to loading would be me in that type of job. Then as the 3rd train of the day came towards us, it was our turn. Standing in the unusual and uncomfortable "pod" knowing you might be about to shaken to death is a vibe as the kids say these days.
I was in the outside left wing taking one for the team as my wife was driving. After the lift hill, off we went and on the first hill I let out a groan as I was subject to a forceful rattle, the rest of the ride was ok to be honest and felt like my brace position was maybe too much. I think there was one other corner that was like the first but this wasn’t as bad as people made out, however I ruled out a re-ride just in case I got lucky with this run. I’ve had good and bad Saw/Colossus/Rita runs and know “one more” can ruin your day if it gives you a headache.1015 Velocity - Never been on a motorbike launch coaster so was looking forward to this just for a new experience. The launch caught my breath as I didn’t expect it to be that punchy. The rest of the ride was over pretty quickly but the restraints were a bit painful around the lower ribcage as it rattled round the bends so was happy it didn’t go on for much longer tbh. Sikh wasn’t open yet strangely so looked for our next ride.
1035 mumbo jumbo - love the look of this one from the queue line. On ride, some great outer turns, quick snappy fun and the mini hang time is fantastic. However another uncomfortable shoulder restraint left me sore for about 10-15 mins.
1045 Kumali - love an invert but as this was a two seater, thought it might be another Infusion painful one. Not at all. Really nice ride on this one. Though the rest of my family complained it was too rough.
We looked over towards Sik.. it had just run a public train for the first time today so started moving towards it, detouring for…
1100 - Cliff Hanger. Having done Croc-Drop/Detonator/Hurakan Condor I’d never done a tower that shoots you up. Loved it. The firing up in the air was fun, and moving up and down made the cheeks on my face move like a centrifugal force machine on easy mode.
1125 - Sik. Colossus was in my top 3 rides back in 2007 so I was looking forward to this one. Obviously it’s the headliner in the park and the newest ride. I was so confused on the theming though and how you say the ride name. With all the hindu-esque style silks, I thought Sik [s-ee-k], then heard the tannoy saying Sik [S-ick]. Thelower part of the queue line it looked dirty and grubby, dare I say it a bit cheap. It looks like a black and white UK flag that’s been scratched. They might have gone for an edgy “distressed” look but it looks awful. Then I see Lionel Messi on the screen modelling clothing. Googled Sik and found the clothing brand and think it’s bizarre how this brand has a global icon, but is only heard of on these shores in the a queue for an Intamin. Ride-wise, thought it was not as good as I thought it might feel with smoothness. But the heartline roll on the right-hand side was a genuine WTF is happening moment. Elite feeling.
1135 Pterodactyl - Another great staff member on duty. He knows people hate these rides due to the height and feel like he jokes with the queue line to take their mind off it or he just likes a laugh, either way a 10/10 to him. Even told off a couple of older lads who forgot they were saying “f***” every other sentence
On-ride. I hate heights, and this goes on forever so I wasn’t happy. I just get through trying to find a focus point. Enjoyed it though. My wife however had turned green and looked like she might be revisiting breakfast any minute. We were going to do another spinny ride but halted that due to her sea-legs.
1200 Runaway Train. Creds are creds. Squeeze into this one. Zippy and had a rough last corner.
1215 Zooom. Creds are creds but sometimes you have to suffer embarrassment that you're in a queue-line of under 7’s and buggy pushers. Nice layout and these rides get you thinking that they really should do more like this in other parks.
1220 Twistosaurus. My wife had recovered from the spinning(just), and Twistosaurus was kind to her. We had balance as a 4, whereas the carriage with 2 was spinning wildly… I was a bit jealous but also thankful she wasn’t vomiting.
We were looking for that train that goes around the park so we could eat a packed lunch on it. Just ended up walking anti-clockwise around the park past the gorgeous giraffes, the fat hippo, and… Flamingos on Land (when in Rome etc)!
1250 Voodoo. I do do Voodoo, do you do Voodoo? Standard small pirate ship. Nicest setting in the park, lovely and green, next to the lake with swans about - just nice. Offered a re-ride but passed as wife was still not quite right. Lol
1315 Kumali re-ride. Still good for me. Wife passed on it. Busiest part of the day but no queue was that bad. The park next to FL had a football tourney so the park benefitted from teams coming into the park which made the atmosphere better. It would have been a ghost town otherwise.
1340 Mischief Mansion. The worst throughput awards must have this listed. Painful wait. A couple of light laughs, but leaving empty carts off track and parts in the ride area is a bit poor.
Went for an ice cream. Generous servings all round. Either that or a staff member is serving double portions wrongly.
1425 Sik re-ride. Better than my first ride and did the heartline roll on the left hand side this time. Thought I going to leave my seat and end up on Velocity. Exiting the ride, we did a U-turn via the bizarre shop. There’s very little coaster merch but it’s more a SikSilk store really. Thought why are they not selling Messi hoodies front and centre. It’s so odd. As we went to leave the shop a member of staff stopped us. Sik [S-ick] had gone down again.. Sigh [S-eye]
1440 - Velocity re-ride. Front row. Avoided the earlier rough ride by bracing at the points that hurt last time. I do think they should add something to this like tunnels or something.
1515 Cliff Hanger re-ride. Staff member was a bit rude to our son for sitting on a wall in the part where you enter the queue. It was on the ride side but safe enough distance. He politely moved but think signage should be in place to prevent this experience. Or some clear glass/plastic if it’s a H&S risk. At this point I noticed nowhere is there signage you’d see at a Merlin Park like “DO NOT ENTER THIS AREA”.. Over at mambo jumbo the ride is close to the public area. One fence hop and there is an accident. Anyway not impacting our day so we did the tower facing the other way this time. Good views of the countryside/park
1545. Flamingo 1. I won. But it kept breaking down and stopped half of our family mid-lap whilst I sped off. Think we just wanted to re-live Blackpools Grand Prix though.
1620. munbo jumbo re-ride. In the queue-line notices some rockery down near the queue line had a hole in it like it was made of fiberglass and not rock. The wooden fence posts in the queue line were wobbling dangerously as the concrete holding them has some major cracks. Sad to see parts of the park in disrepair. A better ride than earlier.. Tiredness was setting in now so we moved towards our final ride near the exit.
1640. Sik re-ide. We got our second wind as soon as we got on again. It was running really well now and getting better with every ride. I remember why Colossus was so good 18 years ago now. Knowing the layout and antipating the turns moves this ride from an 8/10 to a 9/10 ride.. I hate to harp on but the heart-line rolls with this version of the lapbar is genuinely up there with the best element experiences you can get in the UK and I get why people hold it in high esteem on best coaster lists. It's a lot of fun.
1655 Sik re-ride. Everyone in the queue-line had the same idea to lap but it was quiet and by far the best ride in the park.
1708 Sik re-rde. Last train of the day and a perfect way to end the day.
Went to find a fridge magnet. Nothing.
Went to find some chips before the drive home. Nothing either.
Overall, had a good day with 21 rides done at a leisurely pace in great weather and guests were all in good spirits with no issues like queue jumping or anti-social behaviour.. A new park with some creds ticked off too.. The park does need some TLC, music, theming (even if it’s just all animal based) etc. The cost is too high though, and with the majority of rides being good to do albeit a little rough It’s a one and done for us sadly. Good luck to the park’s future, it deserves to be more prominent in that part of the UK and hope it can go onto bigger and better things.