The History of Fantasy Island in Ingoldmells: A 30-Year Legacy of Family Entertainment
Nestled on the east coast of Lincolnshire in the charming seaside village of Ingoldmells, near Skegness, Fantasy Island has been delighting families and thrill-seekers for three decades. What began as an ambitious project on a disused car park has blossomed into one of England's most beloved theme parks, offering a unique blend of white-knuckle rides, family attractions, and year-round entertainment. This is the story of how Fantasy Island became a cornerstone of British seaside tourism.
The Visionary Beginning: John Woodward's Dream
The story of Fantasy Island begins with John Woodward, an entrepreneur with a bold vision for transforming the Lincolnshire coastline. After more than three years of meticulous planning and construction work, Fantasy Island was officially unveiled in May 1995 by HRH the Duke of Gloucester. The opening ceremony was met with tremendous excitement from both locals and tourists, marking the beginning of what would become a cherished institution in the region.
Woodward's original concept was distinctive from the outset. Rather than following the traditional open-air theme park model, he incorporated a striking steel pyramid structure as the centrepiece of the resort. This architectural choice would become Fantasy Island's signature feature, housing an indoor entertainment complex that allowed visitors to enjoy attractions regardless of the famously unpredictable British weather.
In the early days, the park's offerings were modest but carefully curated. Upon its initial completion, Fantasy Island boasted just the Pyramid complex and a single rollercoaster, the Rhombus Rocket. However, this simplicity belied Woodward's grander ambitions for the site. His dedication to creating a world-class family destination would drive Fantasy Island's evolution over the following years.
John Woodward's contribution to the region was formally recognised in 2005 when he was awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to tourism. Tragically, Woodward passed away in 2010, but his lasting impression on Ingoldmells lives on through the incredible selection of attractions and rides that continue to entertain visitors today.
The Rhombus Rocket: A Firm Favourite
The Rhombus Rocket, a WGH Transportation powered coaster, has the distinction of being Fantasy Island's first rollercoaster. Originally named the Rhombus Express when it opened in 1995, this family-friendly coaster quickly established itself as a beloved attraction for visitors of all ages.
The ride's enduring popularity is testament to its timeless appeal. Recognising the need to keep the attraction fresh, the park invested in a major overhaul in 2007, refurbishing the train, track, and station to modern standards. Not content to rest on their laurels, Fantasy Island redesigned the Rhombus Rocket once again in 2019, giving it a striking new appearance with a gold track, brown supports, and updated station colours.
The fact that this original coaster remains operational and popular nearly 30 years after the park's opening demonstrates Fantasy Island's commitment to honouring its heritage whilst ensuring the experience remains exciting for each new generation of visitors.
The Millennium: Ushering in a New Era
As the 20th century drew to a close, Fantasy Island prepared to celebrate the new millennium in spectacular fashion. On 22 May 1999, the park unveiled the Millennium rollercoaster, marking a significant milestone in its development. This was Fantasy Island's first rollercoaster to feature an inversion, boasting a loop at over 100 feet high.
The Millennium represented a bold step forward for the park, signalling its ambition to compete with major theme parks across the country. This Vekoma looping coaster reaches exhilarating speeds of 55.9 mph and features three fast-paced, thrilling loops. The ride's layout circles around the iconic Pyramid building, creating dramatic narrow escapes that leave every rider's heart racing.
The addition of the Millennium coaster transformed Fantasy Island from a modest family attraction into a destination that could satisfy even the most demanding adrenaline junkies. It remains one of the park's most popular rides today, definitely not for the faint-hearted.
Expanding the Experience
The late 1990s and early 2000s saw Fantasy Island continue to diversify its offerings. In 1998, the Volcano launch tower was added, providing another thrilling attraction for brave visitors. The year 2002 brought the Odyssey, a Vekoma suspended looping coaster that further enhanced the park's reputation as a premier destination for rollercoaster enthusiasts.
Beyond the headline attractions, Fantasy Island developed a rich variety of family rides and children's attractions. The Magical Seaquarium, a water dark ride that opened with the park in 1995, offered a gentler experience for younger visitors. Toucan Tours, a monorail dark ride subtitled "The Secret of Fantasy Island," provided an immersive journey through themed environments. The park also added Jellikins, a children's roller coaster, in 1996.
The indoor pyramid complex became home to an impressive arcade featuring both retro and contemporary games, ensuring that visitors had entertainment options even during inclement weather. The addition of a bowling alley and what the park claims to be Europe's largest seven-day market further diversified the Fantasy Island experience beyond traditional theme park attractions.
The Mellors Group Era: A New Chapter
Fantasy Island's journey has not been without challenges. Originally developed by Blue Anchor Leisure, the park was later sold to Conduit Skegness Ltd. When that company entered administration in 2014, the future of this beloved attraction hung in the balance.
Fortunately, in 2016, the Mellors Group stepped in to acquire Fantasy Island for an undisclosed sum. The Mellors Group brought significant experience in the entertainment industry and a fresh vision for the park's future. Their acquisition marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter, with substantial investment in new rides and refurbishments designed to create the ideal family day out.
The Mellors Group's stewardship has been characterised by continuous improvement and innovation. In 2021, three major attractions joined the Fantasy Island lineup: Starflyer, Magic, and Firebowl. These additions complemented existing favourites such as the Log Flume, Fantasy Mouse, Twister, Seaquarium, and Dodgems, creating an even more diverse range of experiences.
The park's commitment to customer service and quality has been recognised through nominations for prestigious awards, including the East Lindsey Business Awards (ELBA) for Customer Service Award and Best Holiday Park.
A Modern Family Destination
Today, Fantasy Island offers something for everyone through its thoughtfully designed wristband system. The Little Explorer wristband caters to the youngest visitors under 0.9 metres tall, whilst the Adventurer wristband suits anyone 0.9 metres and above, providing access to both Adventurer and Little Explorer rides. For those seeking the ultimate experience, the Discovery wristband is available for anyone 1.1 metres and above, granting access to all rides in the park, including the most thrilling attractions.
In 2022, the park added Harrington Flint's Island Adventure, an interactive dark ride that demonstrates Fantasy Island's continued commitment to innovation and storytelling. The park's reputation for quality family entertainment was further validated in 2024 when the website Outdoor Toys listed Fantasy Island among the top 10 theme parks for children in the United Kingdom.
A Lasting Legacy
From its humble beginnings with a single coaster and a pyramid to its current status as one of England's premier family attractions, Fantasy Island has remained true to John Woodward's original vision whilst constantly evolving to meet the expectations of modern visitors. Whether you're seeking adrenaline-pumping thrills on the Millennium or Odyssey coasters, family fun on the Log Flume, or simply browsing Europe's largest seven-day market, Fantasy Island offers a distinctly British seaside experience that has captivated visitors for 30 years.
As Fantasy Island continues to build on its rich heritage, one thing remains certain: this Lincolnshire gem will continue to create cherished memories for families and thrill-seekers for many years to come.
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