Kongeparken

58°46′43″N 5°50′26″E Kongeparken (The King's Park) is an amusement park in the village of Ålgård, near Stavanger in Norway. Kongeparken is the biggest amusement park in the south-west of Norway, and the main tourist destination in the county of Rogaland.[1] The park has more than 50 different rides and attractions.[2] and has won multiple awards.[3]

Kongeparken
Kongeparken entrance in 2007
LocationÅlgård, Norway
StatusOperating
Opened16 May 1986 (1986-05-16)
OwnerLund family
Operated byRogaland Fritidspark AS
ThemeBears
Kongeparken in 2005

History

Kongeparken was opened by Gabriel Ålgård in May 1986 and intended to be a park with outdoor activities such as BMX, roller-skating and golf. Construction cost about 220 million Norwegian kroner. Kongeparken had more than 200,000 visitors in its opening year but was bankrupt by July. In 1997, the park was bought by its current owners, the Lund family, who had more than a hundred years experience through the Lunds Tivoli amusement parks. The Lund family added new themes and increased activities, reversing a decline in visitor numbers. Kongeparken is owned and operated by Rogaland Fritidspark AS. Haakon Lund, the son of Bjoern and Veslemoey Lund, is currently in charge. [4]

Bears theme

The Lund family rebuilt Kongeparken around the theme of bears. In the late 1800s, the family had been the first importers in Europe of teddy bears from America. In 1997, a pair of bears, Brumle and Brumleline, were brought to the park. Named the King and Queen of Bears, they are housed in a castle which features one of the park's biggest rides, a roller coaster with spinning gondolas. Other bears in the park are named the Bie Queen, Pysjamas, Tranbamsen, Storm, and the Icebear. The park also has a day spa, the BearBotel, where children can leave their teddy bears.

Rides and adventures

Kongeparken is targeted at children aged from three to 12 years old but also has more challenging activities for older children. The park has more than 50 rides, along with restaurants and other attractions. New rides are introduced each year, such as the Fossen water ride in 2013.[5][6] Other attractions include a bobsleigh track, a do-it-yourself chocolate factory, and a children's fire station.[7]

Christmas in Kongeparken

Jul i Kongeparken (Christmas in Kongeparken) is held in November and December and features fairy lights, Christmas trees, elves, carol singing and family workshops.[8]

Attractions and rides
Opened Name Type Height Limit Status Information Producer
1986 Ormen Lange (The Long Serpent) Bobsleigh 140 cm (90 cm with adult) Renewed 2007 The bobsleigh Ormen Lange is 1000 meter long, making it the longest Bobsleigh in Norway. Wiegand, Germany
1986 Gulliver Climbing structure No limit Was given away in 2013 A themed climbing structure, built in the shape of Gulliver the giant. Hags, Sweden
1986 Kapteinskolen (The School of Captains) Motorized boats 140 cm (90 cm with adult) Currently in use Motorized boats, the children can drive themselves. Engine; Honda, boat; Foster, both from the US.
Before 1997 Plogen (The Plow) Bumpercars 130 cm (90 cm with adult) Sold to Sweden in 2011 Traditional bumbercars Preston & Barbieri, Italy
Before 1997 Gårdsskyting (The Farm shooting) Game No limit Renewed in 2010 A shooting game, with a farm theme. Tornado, UK
Before 1997 Zyklon Roller coaster Removed, sold to France A transportable roller coaster. Pinfari, Italy
Before 1997 Dyrene i Afrika (The Animals of Africa) Carousel No limit Currently in use Rotating animals and vehicles, suitable for all ages. S&W, UK
Before 1997 Gravemaskinene (The Excavators) Mini excavators No limit Currently in use, renewed in 2011 Mini excavators for children and adults. Norway
1997 Grizzly Roller coaster, model ZL42 Removed in 1999 A transportable roller coaster with a loop. Pinfari, Italia
1997 Kakaokoppene (The Cocoacups) Carousel No limit Currently in use Rotating cocoa cups. S&W, UK
1997 Brumletoget (The Bear Train) Mini railway No limit Currently in use A miniature train, with carriages for the children. This was the first attraction bought by the Lund family for the opening of the park in 1997. Zamperla, Italy
1997 Bjørneløypa (The Bear Track) Gocart track 90 cm, max 140 cm Currently in use A gocart track where the children can drive for themselves. Formula K
1997 Humla (The Bumblebee) Troika 120 cm In storage as of July 2023. Norway's largest carousel, originally moved from Alton Towers. HUSS Park Attractions, Germany
1997 Marihøna (The Ladybug) Carousel No limit Removed 2019 Colourful carousel for all ages. Zamperla, Italy
1997 Ballongen (The Balloon) Carousel No limit Removed 2011 Children's ride with colourful balloons. Zamperla, Italy
1998 Freia Sjokoladefabrikk (The Chocolate Factory) Interactive show 90 cm, max 12 years Currently in use, shows throughout the day in the openinghours of the park. The Chocolate Factory: A small chocolate factory, only for children. The children learn about chocolate, its origin, and how it is produced. They get to make their own chocolate to enjoy. Adults can attend the last show of the day. Free tickets in the Bamsebotell in the park. Kongeparken, Norway
1998 Svalbard Ekspressen (The Svalbard Express) Roller coaster 90 cm Currently in use. The first themed roller coaster in Norway. Vekoma, Netherlands
1999 Roller Coaster Zyklon Removed in 2001 A transportable roller coaster Pinfari, Italy
2000 Bamsebotell (The Teddy Bear Hotel) A teddybear hotel and souvenir shop No limit Currently in use A hotel where the teddybears can relax and enjoy while the owners are visiting the park. Also a souvenir shop with a lot of different items and clothing articles, and a lobbystop, that is a kiosk with a lot of different sweets. Kongeparken, Norway
2001 Grizzly 2 Zyklon ZL 42 Removed in 2003 A transportable rollercoaster, with a loop. Pinfari, Italy
2001 Kongeraften (The King's Rafting) Waterslide 130 cm, 90 cm with adults, max 110 kg Currently in use Waterslide where guests sit in a boat down the ride, it is possible to be two people in one boat. Metabau, Germany
2002 MegaSplash (The Big Splash) A jumping boat 140 cm, 90 cm with adult Currently in use A boat that is thrown ut in the air and lands in the water. Heege, Germany
2002 Stjerneskudd (The Shooting Star) A free fall bungy Only in use for the 2002 season In a bungy, two people are dropped in free fall. Fabri, Italy
2002 BrumleBand (The Bear Band) A teddybear show No limit Removed 2019 A teddybear show for the children. Here you meet the local bear Bjørnulf, the singer Ferdinand, the Paris-madam Mimi, the explorer Ranja and The hotel manager Bastian. Currently in storage. Norway
2003 Fabeldyrene (The Fairytale Animals) Carousel 90 cm, max 12 years Removed 2013 Made by the artist Oscar Wiese for the 2003 EXPO in Switzerland. Doppelmayr, Switzerland
2003 Svanesjøen (The Swan Lake) Pedal boats shaped like swans Removed in 2007 Swanshaped boats for the guests to enjoy the waterside.
2003 Luftskipet (The Airship) Carousel 90 cm Currently in use Norway's tallest carousel, which stretches 32 meters in the air Sanoyas Hishino Meisho, Japan
2004 Helspinn (The Full Spinn) Carousel 90 cm Currently in use Spinning cups, where you can decide what speed to rotate. Originally from Sanoyas Hishino Meisho, Japan, bought in France.
2004 Fuji Smil Med Meg (Fuji Smile With Me) Free 3D camera rental No limit Currently in use Free use of 3D cameras from Fuji, the ability to obtain images digitally, or printed directly in the park. Partnership between Kongeparken and Fujifilm Norway
2004 Lag en venn (Make a Friend) Build a bear No limit Currently in use Make yourself a friend, a teddy bear or soft toy, children can decide whether it should be hard or soft, large or small, clothing, eye color and much more. A big heart and a personal birth certificate is also included. Developed by Kongeparken
2005 Storm (The Storm) Tilt a whirl ride 120 cm, 90 cm with adult Currently in use Spinning shells placed in the water, themed around Captain Storms sinking ship.

bought in France.

Originally from Sanoyas Hishino Meisho, Japan, bought in France together with Helspinn.
2005 Redningssentralen (The Rescue Center) Cable car 125 cm, max 100 kg Currently in use Cable car where you are thrown out over the pond. Heege, Germany
2005 Borte Vekk (The Long Gone) Climbing structure No limit Currently in use Climbing structure and playground for the children. Haags
2006 Nordavinden (The North Wind) Gravitron-Starship 125 cm Currently in use, Themed around the story of the boy who went to the North Wind to regain his flour. The guests are exposed to 2G, and everything happens in a tremendous speed.[9], Closed in 2020 - 2021 for infection control measures. Kongeparken, ARM (Wisdom Rides [10])
2007 Høydeskrekk (Scared of heights) Climbing trail 130 cm, max 100 kg Currently in use Climbing Trail running up to 13 meters above the ground. Children and adults can challenge themselves and climb through the suspension bridges and go walk on lines. One of a kind in northern Europe. Kongeparken
2007 Redningsskøyta (The Rescue Ship) Carousel 130 cm, 100 cm with adult Currently in use Themed carousel, fits 2 people, the passenger can steer the boat while the carousel goes around. Zierer, Germany
2008 Bukkerittet (The Buck Ride) Spinning Mouse, Rollercoaster with rotating gondolas [11] 120 cm Currently in use2 Themed roller coaster with spinning gondolas, this is unprecedented in Norway. Can attain a speed of about 70 km / h and the guests are exposed to nearly 2.5 G. Reverchon Industries,France.
2008 Bamsehulene (The Bear Caves) Play area for the children, outside No limit Currently in use First launched as Growing up green in 2008, during Stavanger as the European Capital of Culture project in 2008.[12] Kongeparken and landscape architecture students from all over Europe[13]
2009 Vepsen (The Wasp) Boomerang, original Frisbee (ride), Pendulum ride 130 cm Currently in use A pendulum type attraction where both the gondola and shuttle goes around, 360 degree rotation, 15 meters above the ground, 3.5 G. Fabbri Group, Italy
2009 Lorta-Lars[14] Animated person who tells the local dialect No limit Currently in use Lorta-Lars is situated in the front of Jærgården. His monologues are written by the Jæren author Tobias Skretting, and the voice is borrowed from Ingar Lode. Kongeparken, Norway
2010 Tiltetårnet (The Tilt Tower) Tilt tower [15] 125 cm, 110 cm with adults Currently in use Tilt Tower where you get shot in the air and dropped down again. The first of its kind in Scandinavia. ABC Rides, Switzerland
2010 Sverd i Sten (Sword in the Stone) Interactive show, outdoors No limit Currently in use One of a kind attraction, pull out the sword from the stone and you'll be king for a day. Closed 2020 - 2021 for infection control measures. Kongeparken
2010 Kongen på haugen (The King on the Hill) A climbing mountain for children No limit Currently in use Climbingmountain built over the restaurant Den Glade Rustning Metabau, Germany
2011 Barnas Brannstasjon (The Children's Fire Station) Interactive show 90 cm, max 12 years Currently in use The Children's Fire Station: Interactive show where kids learn fire safety in the home and can attempt to put out a fire, the attraction was awarded the THEA awards in 2011, for the world's best attraction with a limited budget.[16] Concept and production developed by Kongeparken. Other suppliers: Metallbau Emmeln, GW Group, Visiual Terrain, Kool Fog, Sigma Services & Alcorn McBride Kongeparken
2011 Bamsespinn (The Bearspinn) Carousel No limit Currently in use Original name: The Bear Affair, spinning, giant Bears, suitable for everyone. Sellner Manufacturing, US
2011 Brannbåtene (The Fireboats) Remote controlled boats No limit New in 2011 Themed as fire boats, remote controlled, launched together with the Children's Fire Station in 2011. Tornado
2011 Kræsjebilene (The Crashcars) Bumbercars 130 cm, 90 cm with adult Replaced Plogen in 2011 Themed bumper cars, designed specifically for Kongeparken. Design of cars and houses by Kongeparken
2012 Spinnvidle (The Crazy Spinner) Swing ride 120 cm, 100 cm with adult Currently in use First swing ride in Norway with double seating. Zierer, Germany[17]
2013 Fossen (The Waterfall) Log flume (ride) 140 cm, 90 cm with adult Currently in use First of its kind in Scandinavia, with gondolas shaped like bathtubs. A 4 minutes long water ride where you get really wet if you sit in the wrong place in the bathtub. Here it goes forwards and backwards down wild rapids[18] Kongeparken, ride structure: ABC Engineering[19]
2014 Sætra
2015

Source: Kongparken, Errors might occur.

Awards

Kongeparken has won many awards in Norway and internationally.

  • In 2012: The Children's Fire Station (Barnas Brannstasjon) won the THEA Awards for best new attraction!.[20]
  • In 2012: Kongeparken got top score (6/6) by the Norwegian newspaper VG.
  • In 2011: Kongeparken got top score (6/6) by the Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet.[21]
  • In 2010: Kongeparken was the biggest attraction in Rogalands, Norway, with 215 303 visitors.
  • In 2009 and 2010: Kongeparken got a score of 5/6 by the Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet.
  • In 2008: Kongeparken was named one of the two best amusement parks in Norway by the national newspaper Dagbladet.
  • In 2006: Spirit Award for the best leadership training program. The prize is awarded in the U.S.[22]
  • In 2005: Rogaland Travel Award.[23]
  • In 2004: Brass Ring Award for best print advertising in a park with 250 000 visitors. The prize is awarded in the U.S.[24]
  • Pony Award. The prize is awarded in Italy.

Visitors

1986: 215,000 visitors

1997: 40,000 visitors

2009: 199,451 visitors

2010: 215,203 visitors

2011: 203,673 visitors

2012: 213,365 visitors

2013: 230,434 visitors[25]

2014: 254,629 visitors

2015: 259,113 visitors

2016: 251,340 visitors

2017: 246,313 visitors

2018: 248,467 visitors

References
  1. Region Stavanger: Kongeparken Archived 2 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine Published 2012, visited 21 October 2013
  2. Kongeparken: Published 2012, visited 21 October 2013
  3. NRK: Kongeparken vant bransje-"Oscar" Published 16th of Mars 2012, Visited 21 October 2013
  4. Ålgårds Historie, Ålgård Rotary, Press: Ålgård Offset AS, 2009
  5. Kongeparken. "Bamseposten". Archived from the original on 2 November 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
  6. Mjeldheim, Anette (3 July 2013). "- Vått og knallkjekt i Fossen!". Ung i Sandnes. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
  7. Rubin, Judith. "Barnas Brannstasjon (Children's Fire Station, Kongeparken) to be honored at Thea Awards Gala March 17 in Anaheim". Themed Entertainment Association 2012 Summit & Thea Awards. Archived from the original on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
  8. "Er du i gang med pepperkakehusbaking?".
  9. "2G i Kongeparken | rogalandsavis.no". Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  10. "Welcome!".
  11. "Bukkerittet - Kongeparken (Ålgård, Rogaland, Norway)".
  12. http://www.hfwu.de/de/sp/aktuelles/news-detailansicht.html?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=928&cHash=0189026849
  13. "ECLAS - European Council of Landscape Architecture Schools - News Details". Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  14. "Lorta-Lars i Kongeparken". Archived from the original on 15 December 2021 – via www.youtube.com.
  15. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  16. "TEA Connect error page". Archived from the original on 2 May 2012.
  17. "ZIERER Karussell- und Spezialmaschinenbau GMBH: Home". Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  18. "Velkommen til Kongeparken: Verdens villeste stryk!". Archived from the original on 2 November 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
  19. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  20. TEA: Thea recipients Archived May 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Published 2013, visited 28 October 2013
  21. Dagbladet: Hit slipper du ikke inn om du er større enn en Oompa-Loompa Published 10 August 2011, visited 21 October 2013
  22. Coaster Buzz: IAAPA 2006: IAAPA gives awards for HR programs Published 14 November 2006, visited 28 October 2013
  23. Rogaland Fylkeskommune: Rogaland Reiselivs produktpris 2005 Archived 2013-10-29 at the Wayback Machine Published 16 December 2005, Visited 28 October 2013
  24. Aftenbladet: Kongeparken vant pris i USA Published 20 November 2004, visited 28 October 2013
  25. Evensen, Mari Rollag (24 October 2013). "Beste Kongeparken-år siden 1986". NRK.
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