Rainbow's End (theme park)

Rainbow's End
Rainbow's End
Location	Auckland, New Zealand
Website	www.rainbowsend.co.nz
Owner	Rainbow's End Theme Park Limited
Opened	1982
Operating season	Year-round
Rides	15 total; 3 roller coasters; 2 water rides;
Slogan	N.Z's Premier Theme Park

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Rainbow's End is a 9.3 ha theme park in Auckland, New Zealand that opened in December, 1982. The park, wholly owned subsidiary of New Zealand Experience Ltd, is currently New Zealand's largest theme park. The park currently employs between 50 and 200 staff both full time and part time depending on the time of year.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] History

Opened in 1982, the park recently (2010) has extended its lease for another 24 years (after 5 years of discussions with Manukau City Council), though it will have to reduce its size by 0.4 ha from 9.3 ha to allow for new construction at the nearby law courts (being compensated for the land lost). The agreement with Council also commits the company to re-invest $3 million every three years into new rides or upgrades.^[1]

[edit] Rides and attractions

Its main attraction is New Zealands only Corkscrew Roller Coaster. A new ride, called The Invader, opened on December 11, 2009. It is located next to the Power Surge and opposite the Corkscrew roller coaster.

The Invader - The latest of the rides of the park, The Invader is a Disk'O Coaster from Zamperla in Italy which utilises gravity to move across a 15 metre high, 80 metre long w-shaped track.
Power Surge - The Power Surge is a thrill ride that can spin on both a horizontal and a vertical axis.
Cinema 180 - The C180 is a dome cinema providing a 180 degree field of view. Guests stand inside the dome in front of the screen and watch a 12 minute movie.
Dodgems
Cadbury Land Castle - A themed area targeted at younger guests. Attractions can be rented out for birthday parties, including kids rollercoaster Dragon's Flight, Space Shuttles, Car Wash Convoy, Carousel and The Jumpin' Star.
Corkscrew Roller coaster -a roller coaster who's track was built in Beachlands, New Zealand and the cars built overseas. It is the only one of its kind in the country. It is over 90 feet (27 m) high, and contains three inversions, a vertical loop and a double corkscrew.
Goldrush - A mine themed roller coaster ride consisting of short drops and sharp corners. This ride was custom built by Rainbow's End engineers
Log Flumes - The Enchanted Forest log flume is one of park's best rides, with 2 minor drops and a larger drop at the end with an onride picture booth.
Fear Fall - An 18 storey tower. Riders are lifted up the tower and dropped at speeds reaching 80 km/h, with the ride vehicle being stopped by magnetic braking.
Family Karts/Scorpion Karts - A Go kart attraction with two levels of suitabiltity- one for families, one for older guests.
Pirate Ship - A giant swinging ship.
Bumper Boats - Guests are seated in Bumper Boats and are free to drive around 'bumping' into other guests.
Motion Master - A motion simulator attraction. Currently showing Journey to the Centre of the Earth 4D, based on the movie of the same name.
Crazy Sideshows - A range of carnival rides open on weekends and holidays.
Centre Stage - A large covered stage and eating area with shows on the weekends and the holidays.
Interactive arcade - A large arcade with lots of interactive games and gifts.

[edit] Accidents

On 10 February 1990 Thomas Wayne Hemi, 19 years old, fell from a bungy jump at the park. The jump master failed to secure the bungy cord to Hemi's feet. Hemi initially survived the fall, but subsequently died from his injuries.^{[citation needed]}

On 21 June 1998 at 3:30pm a fire struck the Log Flume ride. Over 75% of the ride was destroyed and two offenders were arrested. After that, the Log Flume was reconstructed and re-themed.^{[citation needed]}

On 2 February 2008, Michael Ross Stuart, a 21 year old park worker died while carrying out maintenance work on a ferris wheel, located in the Cadbury Land Dream Castle attraction. The worker became trapped between one of the carriages and the frame of the ride, and had to be cut free by firefighters, but died at the scene. The accident, which occurred before the park opened for the day, caused the park to be closed down for two days because of "unforeseen circumstances". Stuart had been working at the park since 2005.^[2]^[3]