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Kongeparken overview, mid-2005.
Kongeparken is an amusement park in the village Ålgård, near Stavanger, Norway. Kongeparken is the biggest amusement park in the southwest of Norway and Rogaland's biggest tourist attraction. The park offers over 60 different rides and adventures for the entire family and has been awarded several times for good service and innovative attractions.
History[]
Kongeparken was opened by Gabriel Ålgård May 16, 1986, and was intended to be a park with outdoor activities such as BMX, roller-skating, arcades, golfing etc. The building came to a total of 220 Million Norwegian Kroner. Kongeparken had over 200 000 visitors opening year, but already in July 1986 the park was bankrupt. In 1997 the park was bought by its current owners, the Lund Group, who has over a hundred years experience through Lunds Tivoli. The park is owned and operated by Rogaland Fritidspark AS. The son of Bjoern and Veslemoey Lund, Haakon, is the leader of the park today. The Lund Group did some major changes in the park, such as adding new concepts and put a larger focus on activities. After years of toil, the family was able to reverse the trend of few visitors in the park.
Theming: Bears[]
The Lund-family gave Kongeparken the theme of bears. They were the first in Europe to import teddybears from America, and started the import in the late 1800. Kongeparken is the only amusement park in the world that holds the theme of bears. In 1997 the bears Brumle and Brumleline moved into the park. The King and the Queen of Bears lives in the castle of Kongeparken. In the castle you'll find one of the biggest rides in the park – a roller coaster with spinning gondolas named Bukkerittet.
The park has a "BearBotel" where your teddybear can check in for a spa treatment, while you enjoy the park.
Brumle, Brumleline, the King and the Queen of Bears, The Bie Queen, Pysjamas, Tranbamsen, Storm and the Icebear is some of the bears you can meet in the park. In the Freia theater you can watch the bears of BrumleBand or make chocolate with the bears in the Chocolate Factory.
Christmas[]
Jul i Kongeparken (Christmas in Kongeparken) is an event happening on selected dates in November and December. Kongeparken focuses on a good old traditional Christmas celebration with decorations of fairy lights, Christmas trees, you can meet the elves and sing carols. The entire family can participate in the many activities and workshops on offer.
Roller Coasters[]
Present (2)[]
Bukkerittet, 2010
| Name | Manufacturer | Type | Opened |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bukkerittet | Reverchon | Spining Coaster | 2008 |
| Svalbard Ekspressen | Vekoma | Junior Coaster / 207m | 2000 |
Past (1)[]
| Name | Manufacturer | Type | Opened | Closed | Relocated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grrizly | Pinfari | Zyklon /ZL42 | 2004 | 2004 | Wesole Miasteczko Family Park as Roller Coaster F1Southport Pleasureland as Roller Coaster |
Other rides[]
Aside of coasters, Kongeparken has over 50 rides and adventures besides the restaurants and the other things you expect to find in an amusement park. The park has an expansive renewal program and introduces new rides every year. In 2013 the waterride "Fossen" was introduced – which has been the biggest news since the parks opening in 1986.
Kongenparken's Entrance, 2007.
Kongeparken is an amusement park aimed at children between 3–12 years, but also offers adventures for children of all ages, the focus is on the family. As a guest you can sled down Norway's longest (1000 meter) bobsleigh track, which was built by Wiegand, learn about and make your own chocolate in Freia's Magical Chocolate Factory or lend a digital 2D or 3D camera. In the Children's fire station the children can learn about fire safety, drive the fire trucks and help put out a fire. After finishing they graduate as fire inspectors. In 2013 the waterride "Fossen" (The waterfall) was added, this is an experience for the whole family. The park is full of exciting rides for the entire family.
Awards and Criticism[]
Kongeparken has won a lot of awards, both local, national and international.
- In 2012: The Children's Fire Station (Barnas Brannsasjon) won the THEA Awards for best new attraction!.
- 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.
- 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.
- In 2005: Rogaland Travel Award.
- In 2004: Brass Ring Award for best print advertising in a park with 250 000 visitors. The prize is awarded in the U.S.
- Pony Award. The prize is awarded in Italy.