Gulliver's World

Gulliver's World is a theme park located in Warrington, England, loosely based on the world of Lilliput from Gulliver's Travels. It consists of the themed areas Land, Gully Town, and Safari Kingdom. The park's attractions were designed for children between the ages of 2 and 13. Splash Zone and Blast Arena are two indoor attractions located next to the main theme park. A hotel opened on the site in 2012.

Gulliver's World Theme Park Resort
LocationGulliver's World Resort, Warrington, Cheshire, England
Coordinates53.406°N 2.618°W / 53.406; -2.618
StatusOperating
Opened1989 (1989)
Operated byGulliver's Theme Parks
SloganGiant Adventures for Families
Operating seasonSelected dates across the year
Websitewww.gulliversworldresort.co.uk

Gulliver's World has sister parks at Matlock Bath (Gulliver's Kingdom), Milton Keynes (Gulliver's Land) and Rotherham (Gulliver’s Valley).

History

Gulliver's World was opened in 1989 and is the second Gulliver's theme park to be built in the UK, with the first being Gulliver's Kingdom located in Matlock Bath. The park has expanded since then with additional attractions, bigger rides and with the opening of The Gulliver's Hotel to provide short breaks. Gulliver's have focused specifically on families with younger children across their four theme parks.

Significant rides at the park include The Antelope, Desperado drop and Apache Falls. Play areas are provided both indoors and outdoors for younger children.

Incidents

On 13 July 2002, a 15-year-old girl with Down syndrome fell 30 feet (9 m) from a Ferris wheel. She was taken to hospital, and died two days later from her injuries.[1] The park were fined a total of £80,000 for failing to ensure a person's safety, and not carrying out risk assessments.[2]

On 15 September 2018, The Crazy Train rollercoaster broke down after 2 wheels fell off during the ride, leaving 21 people trapped on the ride 50 feet above the ground for three hours. No one was injured.[3]

Rides and attractions

Gulliver's World has many rides.

Roller Coasters

The Antelope Rollercoaster
NameYearOperational StatusManufacturerDescription
Antelope1995OperatingAllott and LomaxA Figure Eight Wooden Coaster.
Wriggler2013OperatingPinfariStandard Wacky Worm-type coaster. It was relocated from Camelot Theme Park after its closure, where it was known as Caterpillar Capers.
Grand Prix Racers 2023 Operating SBF Visa Group A family roller-coaster in the new "Gears" area.

Water Rides

Togo Tower Ride
NameOpenedManufacturerDescription
Adventure Canyon2001Gulliver'sLazy River-style boat ride.
Alpine Log Flume1989Big Country MotioneeringA Log Flume.
Apache Falls2016Gulliver'sA River Rapids ride.
Togo Tower2017Gulliver'sA set of Dinghy Waterslides.

Tracked Rides

NameOpenedManufacturerDescription
Dino Safari Tours2003ZamperlaTracked convoy ride with a Dinosaur theme.
Gilly's Princess Ride2014Gulliver'sA tracked dark ride.
Gully Grand Prix2013Gulliver'sRacing themed dark ride.
Gulliver's Railroad1989Big Country MotioneeringNarrow Gauge Railway.
Temple Raider2000I.E. ParkTemple themed Dark Ride.
Tractor Ride2007SBF Visa GroupTractor themed track ride.
Veteran Cars1989SBF Visa Group / Supercar LeisureA Classic Car ride.

Flat/Other Rides

NameOpenedManufacturerDescription
Dodgems1989SoliStandard Bumper Cars ride.
Flight of the Pteranodon2003ZamperlaKite Flyer ride.
Galleons1989Modern ProductsRoundabout ride.
Hatchery2000'sMozer RidesA Crazy Daisy ride.
Ladybird Ride1990sModern ProductsA ladybird-themed Roundabout ride.
Mad Hatter's Tea Party1993I.E. ParkStandard Teacups attraction.
Pirate Ship1995ZamperlaStandard Pirate Ship attraction.
Pirate's Cove2011ZamperlaPirate themed Disk'O ride.
Safari Swings2006SBF Visa GroupStandard Chair-O-Plane ride.
Toy-town Ride1993Gulliver'sRoundabout Ride.

Former

NameOpenedClosedManufacturerDescription
Aladdin's Circus Ride20022011SartoriA Junior Railway.
Balloon Ride19962016SBF Visa GroupA Balloon-themed Ferris Wheel.
Barrel Ride19922017Gulliver'sJunior Teacups ride. Was relocated to Gulliver's Valley in preparation for its 2020 opening following removal.
Chair-O-Plane1995N/ASBF Visa GroupStandard Chair-O-Plane ride. Has gone through various owners in the UK fairground circuit since then.
Crazy Train20152018PinfariSit Down Coaster. It was purchased from Codonas Amusement Park in 2015 and was completely dismantled for the 2019 season following an incident. The park later sold the coaster to Pleasureland Southport for the 2021 season.
Cycle Monorail19942009Sharand EngineeringStandard Cycle Monorail ride. Was scrapped following its removal.
Fire Brigade20072014ZamperlaStandard Fire Brigade ride. Placed in Storage following its removal and was later relocated to Gulliver's Valley in preparation for its 2020 opening.
Flying Elephants20022013I.E. ParkStandard Flying Elephants ride. Placed in Storage following its removal and was later relocated to Gulliver's Valley in preparation for its 2020 opening.
Giant Slide19902006Harry Steer EngineeringStandard Slide ride. Was scrapped following removal.
Leonard's Flying Raft20032019ZamperlaA Junior Miami ride. Was relocated to Gulliver's Valley in preparation for its 2020 opening.
Joker20072021Moser RidesA Junior Drop Tower. Sold to Blackgang Chine and relocated to the park for the 2022 season.
Music ExpressN/A2013SBF Visa GroupRoundabout ride. Placed in Storage following its removal and was later relocated to Gulliver's Valley in preparation for its 2020 opening.
Runaway Mine Carts20062019ZamperlaMini Wild Mouse ride, similar to its bigger alternative Wild Mine Ride. Was relocated to Gulliver's Valley in preparation for its 2020 opening.
Runaway Train19892003Big Country MotioneeringSmall Family Coaster. It was soon sold to private owners who sat the coaster at Tir Prince Fun Park for the 2004 season, and later travelled through the Asian fairground circuit before returning to the UK at Billing Aquadrome since 2013.
Runaway Mine Train20042005ZamperlaSteel Family Coaster with theming. It was sold to The American Adventure Theme Park for the 2006 season and following the park's closure it was sold to Flamingo Land in 2007.
Wild Mine Ride19992015L&T SystemsWild Mouse Coaster with minecart cars. Sold to Funland Hayling Island for the 2016 season.

The Gulliver's Hotel Warrington

Opened in 2012, the Gulliver's Hotel forms part of Gulliver's World Resort. Accommodation is primarily designed for families, with relevant facilities and attractions nearby. Accommodation types include:

  • Themed Family Suites
  • Executive Suites
  • Accessible Accommodation
  • Interconnecting rooms

Themed rooms include the Swizzels Sweetie Suite and NERF Zone Suite.

The Gulliver's Hotel

Designed around a woodland theme, selected suites have a balcony area and all have en-suite facilities.

Splash Zone

Gulliver's World has expanded to include additional indoor attractions that are available throughout the year. Splash Zone is their first major indoor venue on the site, consisting of multiple water based features such as slides and sprays. There are sessions on selected term time dates that are just for pre-school children. These 'Splash Tots' sessions have been introduced in recent years due to the high demand from parents with toddlers.

In summer 2017 Splash Zone was relaunched with 6 additional waterslides.

Splash Zone Warrington

Blast Arena

Designed for children aged 6 and over, this indoor attraction has been a popular choice for birthday parties and group visits in Warrington. The Blast Arena provides participants with a chance to gain experience in the target range and then enter the main NERF Arena. NERF Blasters, goggles and target vest are provided for each session. There are two more NERF Zone venues operated by Gulliver's Theme Parks, they are located at Gulliver's Land Resort and Gulliver's Kingdom Resort.

NERF Zone

RAF Burtonwood Heritage Centre

The Gulliver's World site was once part of the RAF Burtonwood air base. The official RAF Burtonwood Heritage Centre was established and built on the theme park so that visitors could explore the history of the site in further detail. The centre features various collections including RAF memorabilia alongside numerous displays.

References

  1. "Girl Dies after Fairground Fall". BBC. 15 July 2002. Retrieved 23 September 2009.
  2. "Fine For Safety Breach Theme Park". BBC. 22 November 2006. Retrieved 22 September 2009.
  3. "Gulliver's World: 21 trapped on rollercoaster". BBC News. 15 September 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
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