Splash Planet
| Previously known as Fantasyland[1] | |
 | |
| Location | Hastings, New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 39°38′39″S 176°51′49″E / 39.644041°S 176.863649°E |
| Opened | Opened as Fantasy Land in 1967, Splash Planet in 1998 |
| Slogan | Hawke's Bay's Number One Family Attraction! |
| Operating season | Water rides-Summer (September–April) Other rides-All year round[2] |
| Area | 6.5 hectares[3] |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 12 |
| Water rides | 7 |
| Website | www.splashplanet.co.nz |
Splash Planet is an amusement park and water park located in the city of Hastings, New Zealand. The park was opened in its current form in 1998.
Fantasyland
Fantasyland first opened in Easter of 1967.[4] It contained several attractions, including a miniature railway, mini-golf, a steamboat ride, play structures, and flat rides. By the 1990s, the park was beginning to show its age, and the Hastings District Council proposed that it be redeveloped into a waterpark. At the time of its conception the council had decided that the park would be a money spinner and was certain that it would supplement the taxes that local residents paid. The park was also hoped to attract people from outside the region to visit the region and spend money not only at the park but also at local business within the city.
Referendum
Before Splash Planet left the drawing board the Hastings District Council put the decision on whether or not Splash Planet would be built to public referendum. The referendum outlined a number of policies in an attempt to gain the locals' confidence. These policies included the fact that Splash Planet would be self-sustaining and would not cost the taxpayers any money.
Attractions
The park contains several wet and dry attractions.
"Wet" attractions
- Master Blaster - A heated enclosed water slide
- Sky Castle Screamer - A pair of racing water slides
- Sky Tunnel / Super Cruiser - Water slides
- Never Ending River - A lazy river
- Bumper boats
- Indoor pool
- Pirate Ship and Pirate Fortress - Water play structures
- Double Dipper - Water slides
"Dry" attractions
- Fantasyland Express - A miniature railway ride originally built as part of Fantasyland
- Formula Fun - Go-karts
- Jungle Jeeps
- Tiny Town - A children's play area
- Mini golf
- Beach volleyball
- Pétanque
References
- ^ Ramsay, Heather (2008-04-07). "School holiday hints to keep all the family happy". The New Zealand Herald. p. 2. Retrieved 2010-04-16.
- ^ "New Zealand Hawke's Bay Hastings Family Attractions Splash Planet". Hawke's Bay. 2008-01-30.
- ^ "All About Hawkes Bay - Splash Planet...fun... wet and wild". Hawke's Bay. 2008-01-30.
- ^ "Community Link May 28, 2005". Hastings District Council. 2005-05-28.