ARRIVES AT OAKWOOD

A 12-metre-tall sculpted skull is the latest striking addition to the major new £4m family-themed attraction at Oakwood Theme Park which opens next month.

The giant skull is the centrepiece of the unique new pirate-themed water ride at the Pembrokeshire park.

As part of the ride visitors will emerge out of one of the eye sockets in boats before descending down a spectacular cascading waterfall.

Oakwood Theme Park director, Dominic Jones, said: “The new pirate-themed ride really is unique.

“It’s a combination of a log flume and a dark ride with visitors beginning their voyage on boats which lead them in to the interior of the stone-sculpted skull before emerging back into the daylight via the eye socket for the waterfall descent.

“Our team of themers and ride engineers have been hard at work painstakingly putting the sections of the skull together and I have to say it really does look extraordinary,” he added.

The pirate-themed ride also includes a

“The mix of log flume and dark ride really will make this a pretty unique family ride in the UK and I’m hoping the skull itself will become an iconic symbol of the new area,” added Dominic.

The new area which occupies over three acres in total – the equivalent of more than 10 Olympic-size swimming pools – will also feature a junior coaster, a flying experience, a pirate-themed galleon and a London Taxi ride featuring iconic sights including Big Ben, the Tower of London and Nelson’s Column.

There is also an interactive walkthrough area, outside spaces themed as London parks, a soft play zone, food and retail outlets.

Issued by Oakwood Theme Park. For more information and to arrange interview and picture/filming opportunities please contact Jessica Spooner on 01834 815170.

FILL NEW WATER RIDE

Oakwood Theme Park’s new £4m attraction is set to open on time next month – thanks to the help of Narberth Fire Station.

A crew from the station were on hand to assist the Pembrokeshire park’s mammoth operation to fill their new pirate-themed log flume ride with 175,000 litres of water.

The new ride, which features a giant sculpted skull with visitors emerging in a cascade of water from one of the eye-sockets, is the centrepiece of the massive new development.

The new area which occupies over three acres in total – the equivalent of 14 Olympic-size swimming pools – also features a junior coaster, a flying experience, a pirate-themed galleon and a London Taxi ride featuring iconic sights including Big Ben, the Tower of London and Nelson’s Column.

There is also an interactive walkthrough area, outside spaces themed as London parks, a soft play zone, food and retail outlets.

Oakwood Park Director Dominic Jones said: “I’d like to personally express my thanks to the team from Narberth Fire Station who very kindly agreed to assist us with filling the new ride with water.

“It was a mammoth effort and we would definitely have struggled to fill it in time without their help.

“The fire crew only agreed on the understanding they would have to leave immediately if required so I was a bit nervous but thankfully they did it all in double-quick time and were also able to use it as a training exercise as well,” he added.

Oakwood is planning to allow visitors in to the new area during special ‘preview events’ over the next few weeks prior to staging an official opening later in May.

Issued by Oakwood Theme Park. For more information and to arrange interview and picture/filming opportunities please contact Jessica Spooner on 01834 815170.

MAKERS TRAINING PROGRAMME

More than 100 of Oakwood Theme Park’s staff took part in a training programme based on the one used to prepare the Olympics’ ‘Games Makers’ at the weekend.

The Pembrokeshire park, which re-opens to the public this week, enlisted the help of the same group which delivered training to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games’ ‘Games Makers’.

The WorldHost Ambassador training was delivered by People 1st, the Sector Skills Council for Hospitality, Passenger Transport, Travel and Tourism.

Wales Project Manager John Humphreys of People 1st said: “We were delighted to be able to deliver a tailored customer service training programme for Oakwood, and all the staff that took part responded very positively.

“This was the same training that was delivered to the London 2012 volunteers and Olympic host cities, so Oakwood has shown a clear commitment to strive for the best as it looks forward to greeting its guests in the 2013 season,” he added.

The theme park’s bosses hope the customer training programme will help staff to deliver an ever better level of service to visitors for the 2013 season.

Park Director Dominic Jones said: “Last year’s Olympics really showed how good Britain is at delivering world class service and at Oakwood we wanted to use that skill, expertise and enthusiasm to inspire our own staff.

“All the staff received their WorldHost Ambassador status at the end of the training day and will now continue to develop their skills with their specific departmental development programmes.

“With more than £4m being invested in the park this year and the opening of a major new family-themed series of new attractions it is vital our customer service skills keep pace with the ongoing growth and development of our attractions.

“Our aim is to deliver the best visitor experience in Wales and this training is another key element of making that a reality,” he added.

EASTER FUN March 29th – April 1st

Oakwood is pleased to welcome everyone’s favourite hero next door Fireman Sam, who will be starring in a mini show ‘A Pontypandy Welcome’ as well as regular meet and greets.

Plus the Haribo Easter Fun Trail with free sweets and live music throughout the Easter weekend.

• Oakwood Theme Park, Canaston Bridge, Narberth, Pembrokeshire SA67 8DE. Opens March 28^th 2013, Please call 01834 815170 or visit www.oakwoodthemepark.co.uk for more information.

Issued by Oakwood Theme Park. For more information please call Jess Spooner on 01834 815170.

The Pembrokeshire park is working with UK-based KD Theming Technologies to help build a series of magical new ride experiences which include a pirate-theme log flume water ride, complete with a gigantic 12-metre-tall sculpted skull.

The Huddersfield firm’s previous work includes the theming for the Legoland Hotel in Windsor, the Legoland Discovery Centre in Manchester and the SpongeBob Squarepants ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Oakwood Theme Park Director, Dominic Jones, said: “We’re delighted that KD Theming Technologies agreed to help us create our magical new attraction.

“They’re reputation and attention to detail is second to none and, having had the opportunity to get a sneak preview of what they have created, I can’t wait for it to be unveiled to our visitors,” he added.

The exact details of the new attraction is being kept secret, however it will include a London street scene; complete with black cab rides, Nelson’s Column, Big Ben and the Tower of London, along with a series of magical experiences and walkthrough areas and the pirate flume ride.

KD Theming Technologies are world leaders in the design, manufacture and installation of theme park ride decoration, seasonal displays, animation, animatronics and theming.

For over 30 years they have been working with theme parks to provide wonderful, interactive and magical decorations bringing ideas and dreams to life.

Matthew Kitchen-Dunn, Sales and Production Director, said: “It has been a pleasure working with and designing for the team from Oakwood Theme Park and we wish them every success for their opening and for the coming year.”

Set in nearly 90 acres of spectacular countryside Oakwood is Wales’ biggest family adventure with more than 30 exhilarating rides and amazing experiences to discover.

A unique combination of attractions includes world-class roller, tower and sky coasters, spectacular family rides, children’s themed play areas and so much more.

The Pembrokeshire park is creating a major magical-themed area with seven new rides and attractions; including a spectacular water ride alongside a series of children’s play areas and other themed attractions.

The pirate-themed water ride features a giant 12-metre-tall sculpted skull with a waterfall flume cascading from one of the eye sockets.

Visitors will journey through the inside of the massive rocky skull through a series of themed tableaux before their boat emerges back into the outside world via the eye.

Other rides and attractions will include a junior coaster, a mini galleon, a London taxi ride and an interactive walkthrough experience.

Work is already well under way on the new site with key ride features due to arrive over the next few weeks.

Oakwood Park Director Dominic Jones said: “It’s incredible to see how quickly the build process is going. We have got an excellent and highly-experienced team on site who are working really well together.

“When I come in every morning something new has been completed and it’s so exciting to see our plans coming to life before our eyes.

“The pirate-themed skull flume ride will look absolutely amazing and will provide visitors with an awesome new experience which is totally unique,” he added.

Set in close to 90 acres of spectacular countryside Oakwood is Wales’ biggest family adventure with more than 30 exhilarating rides and amazing experiences to discover.

A unique combination of attractions includes world-class roller, tower and sky coasters, spectacular family rides, children’s themed play areas and so much more.

Earlier this year the Pembrokeshire attraction announced plans for a major new family park area – featuring a series of new rides and experiences.

The new development will feature seven new rides and attractions, including a spectacular water ride alongside a series of children’s play areas and other themed attractions.

Park Director Dominic Jones said: “We took the decision to freeze our admission prices in response to feedback we received from visitors – many of them locals – who continue to be affected by the current economic climate.

“It’s highly unusual for a theme park to be making such a major investment without increasing admission prices but I hope it underlines our commitment to the local community and the fact that we listen to what people are telling us.

“Work is now well under way on the new attractions and, despite the recent spell of bad weather, we’re confident it’s all going to plan.

“There is a huge amount of construction involved in the developments and we will be taking delivery of a number of new rides over the coming weeks – it’s an incredibly exciting time for all of us here and we can’t wait to see visitors’ reactions to all the new additions,” he said.

Full details of the new attraction will be released next month with a planned opening prior to the 2013 summer holidays.

Oakwood Theme Park is making use of discarded pallets and other waste material to create a series of useful new features including bike sheds and flower planters.

The recycling scheme is the brainchild of the Pembrokeshire attraction’s maintenance managers, Matt Abel.

Matt’s woodworking skills have helped him create a giant set of wooden planters in the shape of a train and a bike shed to encourage more cyclists to visit the theme park.

“With such a large attraction we are always looking at ways to reduce our waste and increase the amount we are able to recycle,” said Matt.

“We have a number of old wooden pallets on site which weren’t being used for anything and it seemed a shame to just throw them away so I came up with the idea of creating something useful out of them.

“The train was made up of old plant boxes that were removed from the park last season, we pressure washed to clean them up and made them in to a little train that has been planted with daffodils and other seasonal flowers to greet guests when entering the park

“It was a lot of work but I’m really pleased with the results and I can’t wait to see what the train flower planters look like when the daffodils start to bloom.

“Hopefully the fact that we are able to provide a covered shelter for people’s bicycles will also encourage more cyclists to come and visit the theme park,” he added.

As well as providing visitors with a floral welcome to the park, the wooden train will also act as a barrier to direct guests towards Oakwood’s own miniature railway which travels around the park.

Oakwood Theme Park has announced ambitious plans for a massive new investment programme for 2013.

The Pembrokeshire attraction is to spend more than £4m creating a major new family park area. The new development will feature seven new rides and attractions, including a spectacular water ride alongside a series of children’s play areas and other themed attractions.

Oakwood Theme Park has announced ambitious plans for a massive new investment programme for 2013.

The Pembrokeshire attraction is to spend more than £4 million creating a major new family park area – featuring a series of new rides and experiences.

The attraction will also include a family friendly restaurant and café alongside outdoor play areas and themed retail experiences.

Park Director Dominic Jones said: “This represents by far the largest investment at the park for more than a decade and is a direct response to visitor feedback we have received.

“As well as creating a must-see new destination for families, the development also represents a major boost for the local economy and will create a number of new jobs.

“It will totally transform the visitor experience and provide a magical new series of attractions aimed specifically at the family market.

“As part of the investment we are also creating family-friendly facilities within the themed area as well as baby-changing facilities, high chairs and microwaves.

“This will be the largest new attraction of its kind in Wales and is the first phase in an ambitious and ongoing programme of investment over the coming years,” he added.

The new development will feature seven new rides and attractions, including a spectacular water ride alongside a series of children’s play areas and other themed attractions.

Full details of the new attraction will be released early next year. Work is set to start on site in the next few weeks with a planned opening prior to the 2013 summer holidays.

Set in 80 acres of spectacular countryside Oakwood is Wales’ biggest family adventure with more than 30 exhilarating rides and amazing experiences to discover.

A unique combination of attractions includes world-class roller, tower and sky coasters, spectacular family rides, children’s themed play areas and so much more.

Oakwood Theme Park will announce more information in early 2013. For press enquiries and interview opportunities please call 01834 815170. ]]> http://www.oakwoodthemepark.co.uk/blog/oakwood-announces-4m-investment/feed/ 0 http://www.oakwoodthemepark.co.uk/blog/oakwood-is-now-closed-until-easter/ http://www.oakwoodthemepark.co.uk/blog/oakwood-is-now-closed-until-easter/#comments Thu, 08 Nov 2012 21:52:05 +0000 Oakwood http://www.oakwoodthemepark.co.uk/?p=2453 Read More]]> Oakwood Theme Park is now closed for 2012 and will re-open at Easter. Visit our website in the New Year for details of our opening times and prices.

We’re hard at work over the winter getting the park prepared for our opening in 2013 but we’d still love to hear from you if you’ve got a question or comment. You can get in touch via e-mail to info@oakwoodthemepark.co.uk or on 01834 815170 (offices open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday throughout winter). You can also follow us on Facebook for updates on what we’re up to throughout the closed season – http://www.facebook.com/oakwoodthemepk!

Thank you to all of our amazing guests in 2012 and we look forward to seeing you again next season!