Great 4 night break in a Platinum Van We just got back from Flamingo Land Resort for a Monday - Friday, stay in one of their Platinum Vans. This was my first trip to Flamingo Land for over 30 years, and I was starting to get a little concerned, having read some of the reviews before we set off. But I needn't have been. We had a fantastic time. So, to address some of the other reviews. We couldn't comment on being a day visitor and any value for money associated, but I did speak to another Dad in a queue, who was full of praise that the Park had allowed him to move his ticketed day, and he was having a great time with his kids. Wasps - yes, there are wasps, just like everywhere at the moment, and yes, they like to hang around sweet food and bins. But they didn't harras us, and the bins were regularly changed to try and reduce them. What else can the park do!? Long queue times - on cloudy days the big rides were about 25-50 minutes, on hotter days 40-65 minutes, like most other theme parks I've been to. I'd seen it suggested that they could improve by letting resort guests in earlier. I found out on the second day that I could enter the park early and join most queues ready to ride by 10, sometimes before. Sik had a single rider line, which some of the older rides would benefit from, but staff always tried to shout down the queue to bring single riders up to fill the rides. There was a good range of things to do to keep our 8 and 10 yr olds happy. Yes, some older parts of the park were starting to look tired and required a bit of TLC, but other theme parks I've visited over the last few years have been the same. There is investment, but in new stuff, rather than general theme maintenance of older bits. The Zoo- I had read some reviews about poor conditions and lack of enrichment. That wasn't my experience. There were again some areas that appeared to require maintenance, but not at the detriment of the animals, and they are investing in new areas, and moving animals to keep the animals engaged and improve enrichment. The keepers were all really knowledgeable, considerate, and had an obvious passion for animals. Accommodation- the platinum van was relatively clean and well stocked, with welcome tea and coffee. We were located in the Hawthorns (right near the evening venue), which worried us, but didn't keep us awake, so no issue there, and only a short walk into the park. We only had a few niggles. The double bed only had a single sheet and duvet on it (this was sorted immediately after we raised it at reception). Some elements of the van lay out are poor. Mirrors on the opposite side of the room to plug sockets (not helpfull for hair driers and straighteners), and lack of hooks, nowhere to hang coats, and nowhere to hang things in the bathroom. Like I say little niggles. Food- again some really poor reviews. We only ate out on the Thursday, at the Coach House. We booked a table, and the food was great. Also the play area outside, kept the little ones occupied whilst we waited. The food wasn't too expensive and the portion was massive, in fact I was too full to have desert. Last of all, a thankyou to all the staff. I saw a lot of criticism online about miserable staff. Yes, we saw some grumpy looking staff, but I can't keep a smile on all day, specially in the heat, so I have no problem with lack of fake Disney smiles. All the staff I engaged with were curtious and friendly, making for a great stay. In particular: Errol in reception was always there to help, and sorted any requests immediately. Aisha, the Zoo Keeper that took us on the 'Walk on the Wild Side', was passionate and professional about her job, as well as being kind, friendly and funny, really making our day. And the guys at the 'Crazy Combat' laser tag, although not employed by the park, we're also awesome. I believe that going in with realistic expectations and being friendly to the staff, will make for a great holiday. Thankyou Flamingo Land, we...
Read moreFlamingo Land Review: A Family Adventure in the Heart of Yorkshire
Flamingo Land, located in North Yorkshire, is one of the UK’s most popular family destinations, combining a theme park, zoo, and resort into one exciting experience. After spending a day at Flamingo Land, here's a comprehensive review of what you can expect.
Theme Park Attractions Flamingo Land offers a wide range of rides and attractions suitable for all ages. For thrill-seekers, rides like the Mumbo Jumbo—a gravity-defying roller coaster with a near-vertical drop—and the Hero, where you experience flight simulation, are sure to get your adrenaline pumping. There are also plenty of family-friendly rides, like the Lost River Ride, which offers a fun water adventure with a splashy finish.
For younger visitors, the park has a great selection of gentler rides and themed areas, such as the Peter Rabbit Adventure, where little ones can enjoy interactive play zones and meet their favorite characters.
Zoo Experience The zoo is a major highlight of Flamingo Land. Home to over 140 species, the zoo offers educational and interactive experiences, from watching the daily animal shows to participating in the Animal Encounters sessions, where you can get up close with meerkats, lemurs, and more. The zoo is well-maintained, and the animals appear healthy and well cared for, making it a pleasant experience for animal lovers.
Dining Options Flamingo Land provides a variety of dining options, ranging from quick bites to sit-down meals. The Metropolis Bar & Grill offers a decent menu of family favorites like burgers, pasta, and salads. For those looking for a more unique experience, the Mansion House & Tea Rooms provides a quaint setting for afternoon tea. However, food prices are on the higher side, so bringing your own snacks or picnic might be a good idea.
Accommodation If you're planning to stay overnight, Flamingo Land Resort offers a range of accommodation options, including luxury lodges, caravans, and camping facilities. The lodges are modern, well-equipped, and located within easy reach of the park's attractions. Staying on-site gives you the advantage of early access to the park, which is a great perk if you want to beat the crowds.
Customer Service The staff at Flamingo Land are generally friendly and helpful, contributing to a positive overall experience. However, on busy days, there can be long queues for the most popular rides, which can be frustrating. The park offers a queue-busting system called "Q-Buster," which allows you to reserve a spot on a ride and return later, though it comes at an extra cost.
Value for Money Flamingo Land offers a full day of entertainment for families, but it’s worth noting that the cost can add up quickly, especially with additional expenses for food, fast passes, and souvenirs. However, considering the variety of attractions and the zoo experience included in the ticket price, it offers decent value, especially if you can take advantage of any discounts or special offers.
Final Thoughts Flamingo Land is a fantastic destination for families and thrill-seekers alike, offering a unique combination of theme park excitement and zoo exploration. While it can be a bit pricey and crowded on peak days, the wide range of activities and experiences makes it well worth a visit. Whether you're there for the rides, the animals, or just a fun day out with the family, Flamingo Land delivers a memorable adventure in the heart...
Read moreI'll add downsides at the end
Firstly we LOVED Flamingo Land! I brought my 10 year old son here during the summer holidays, from Friday - Sunday. We stayed over at one of their static caravans, 2 minute walk to the theme park, onsite supermarket and reception. Caravan was spotless with lots of room. Space for your car next to it also.
The rides we went on were great, the height of kids were properly checked before being aloud on. We went on Hero, and although I loved it, it didn't actually feel safe. Waiting times for all rides weren't that bad. Flamingo Land have an app that you can see what the current wait times are. Super helpful!
We were super lucky, one of the nights, they done an Ibiza night at the outdoor stage. They done a huge foam party, fire breathers, loads of live music. It was amazing!
Arcades are great, you buy a bank card type thing, and top it up to use at the arcade, Instead of using coins etc. so much easier.
I know it isn't a ride, but the Outdoor Laser Tag is Well Worth it! So much fun! On the Splash Battle boat, be prepared to get absolutely drenched. You will not have a dry patch left! Trust me! Haha.
Pirates of Zanzibar show was brilliant.
Places to eat that we loved - *The Coach House, food was absolutely gorgeous, decor Inside is stunning and lovely staff. Small and huge kids park right outside the restaurant too. *Metropolis bar & grill, lovely food, great prices *Spudz, more of a food stall, with benches outside to sit at, we fed peacocks from our hand here.
The zoo was great, animals were brilliant to see. Didn't get a chance to see any shows/zoo keeper talks.
The swimming pool was lovely and warm! It has two main water slides which were great, and then 2 additional slides for toddlers. We also booked onto the inflatable swim with a pool obstacle course which my son loved.
Each day to enter the theme park, there was no wait at all. We had special wrist bands, that on entry, they just scan, and let you through
Downsides *The log flume type ride is no longer in action, and hasn't been for some time, frustrating that it is still highly advertised online. *The restaurant called The Diner, was very disappointing and grubby. Food was served cold, we were sat by the window with the window sill covered in thick dust, along with the main counter, where you can clearly see wipe marks around items on the side, instead of properly cleaning. The place in general seems to rely on the gimmick of being an American diner, instead of the food, cleanliness or good staff *We did see the odd litter picker, however, there was more litter around, compared to Alton Towers for example, bit of a shame. *No towels provided in the caravan. *Swimming changing room is large, however it is Unisex. Although there are cubicles to change, I did feel uncomfortable to be honest. *If you have little ones that'd like to go on The Runaway Train, please be aware that it is faster than you think, and due to the track being small, the turns are sharper.
To summarise, we had a...
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