Kongeparken

About

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. The park has more than 50 different rides and attractions. and has won multiple awards.

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.

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.

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. Other attractions include a bobsleigh track, a do-it-yourself chocolate factory, and a children's fire station.

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

- In 2012: The Children's Fire Station (Barnas Brannstasjon) won the THEA Awards for best new attraction!.

- 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 2004: Brass Ring Award for best print advertising in a park with 250 000 visitors. The prize is awarded in the U.S.