• ℹ️ Heads up...

    This is a popular topic that is fast moving Guest - before posting, please ensure that you check out the first post in the topic for a quick reminder of guidelines, and importantly a summary of the known facts and information so far. Thanks.

Drayton Manor Park

It's great to see all that work being done, it's been overdue for a long time.

I guess they have no choice but make sure it's looking it's best when the rapids eventually re-open.
 
jon81uk said:
I would agree its looking great, probably as good as 1993 but the theme is different, in the 90s it was bare wood and a "realistic" western feel. Now they have gone cartoony with the bright colours so its hard to compare.
There was always some bridges to the centre
Splash Canyon | Page 9 | Drayton Talk
page-9
Click to expand...
I agree. Shockwave's new station looks good, although parts of it which are clearly supposed to be colorful 'seaside building' patterns look more like hazard signs and might give a misguided theme, when the attempted theme is to integrate Shockwave with the new Adventure Cove area. And lets not also forget that most of this retheme works around keeping the original stuff but replacing old wood and dilapidated structures and frames. The original buildings from 1993 and 1994 were definitely a better fit in that sense, as the buildings were more accurate to the wild west industrial theme.

There's no changes to the concrete trough on Splash/reopening rapids ride. But the ride system itself has clearly undergone an entire overhaul, right down to the lift hill at the end of the ride, the pumps, and pretty much everything else. The new boats look safe and suitable for the ride layout too. Which is great news of course.

This isn't a bad job at all. The master plan for the wider area is looking good also. Considering the state that the park was in this time last year it's certainly a start. Does that mean it is exceptional? No. I don't think we're seeing the large scale originality that we saw in 1990s Drayton Manor that put the park on the map (I think the same can be said for nearly all UK parks in fairness), but it's a start in my opinion. Look forward to seeing my local park go onwards and upwards from here :)
 
Sauron97 said:
clearly supposed to be colorful 'seaside building' patterns look more like hazard signs and might give a misguided theme,
Click to expand...

I disagree personally in that point above, but agree with the rest. I think the hazard signs fit quite well into the whole 'seaside / rescue theme' seeing as Storm Force 10 is across the way and literally themed around sea rescue and a strong storm, and Maelstrom, themed to a storm again, I think the hazard signs fit in very well in that respect. No confusion when the rides surrounding it are themed around storms and sea rescue. You would associate hazard signs with that sort of thing. As it is all going to be the same area, the storms theme from the other two rides would be relevant to Shockwave too.
 
Last edited:
I just clocked it as a kool pattern. The colour scheme works nicely by the looks.

This sort of thing couldve gone wobbly and we're all used to repainted buildings being passed off as 'new areas' in other UK parks. But this looks like some thought and good thinking has gone into it. Not as textured as before but it works!

The original theme looked great new but better to take a fresh approach for the whole park now, now that it isn't really themed areas anymore. Im not sure it ever suited Shockwave being themed to the 'area', unless the coaster itself had been themed. 'Shockwave' wasn't really a theme, just a coaster brand.

I hope the fun animations and things around the rapids still there and reworked somehow?
 
Is Maintenance a issue at West Midlands Safari Park and Pleasure wood Hills? Maelstrom still is unavailable and I wonder if they sorted out any of the stand up drop sides on Apocalypse? I notice as soon as a Thomas land ride goes back maintenance is on the scene in mins.
 
Themeparksandy1981 said:
Is Maintenance a issue at West Midlands Safari Park and Pleasure wood Hills? Maelstrom still is unavailable and I wonder if they sorted out any of the stand up drop towers. I notice as soon as a Thomas land ride goes back maintenance is on the scene in mins.
Click to expand...
Maybe they’re just waiting for a part or something? I’m sure if the maintenance team could get it back open, they would have done as soon as.
 
Themeparksandy1981 said:
Is Maintenance a issue at West Midlands Safari Park and Pleasure wood Hills? Maelstrom still is unavailable and I wonder if they sorted out any of the stand up drop sides on Apocalypse? I notice as soon as a Thomas land ride goes back maintenance is on the scene in mins.
Click to expand...

If it is big parts that need replacing they take time to arrive and fit. It is simple as that.

It is quite ironic though. That 3 large Intamin rides are all having work at the same time.
 
^ one of my customers (palace pier) has said that this time of year to get parts for their rides is impossible. They go on a month long shut down. They have had rides down for a couple of months waiting for parts to be delivered. Now theses manufacturers are from Italy but possibly inatmin do the same
 
shawnoc said:
^ one of my customers (palace pier) has said that this time of year to get parts for their rides is impossible. They go on a month long shut down. They have had rides down for a couple of months waiting for parts to be delivered. Now theses manufacturers are from Italy but possibly inatmin do the same
Click to expand...
Yes, every single person in Europe takes all of April off work.
 
Sam said:
Yes, every single person in Europe takes all of April off work.
Click to expand...

This is a thing. The heavy manufacturing and construction industry coordinate a shutdown period where their staff take leave. Its a good idea really, as rather than individual links in the chain slowing down others who maintain capacity they all drop their capacity together.
 
Last edited:
Rick said:
wrapped-in-the-covers-alanis-morissette-ironic.gif


No, it's not ironic. It's Intamin.
Click to expand...

That made me laugh more than it should. Maybe it is the rum I have been drinking...

Very true Rick!

As for the shutdown comments. Drayton are currently actively getting rapids boats delivered. Indicating Intamin are still working.
 
I know what you are saying but it is not in house. The ride was never condemned by HSE. So aslong as they are complying with the updated legislation and ADIPS have signed them off. I would have thought it would be good to go.

The ADIPS inspections are done to the H&S spec and legislation anyway. So I would assume once they have given them that certificate. The ride can open.
 
HSE don't sign things off, they tend to do occasional routine inspections to make sure legislation is being complied with, but only tend to get involved otherwise when the brown stuff hits the fan.
One of my gardening punters was a senior HSE executive, he did the Camelot inspections for years.
 
HSE found Drayton Manor park guilty of lack of CCTV around the circuit with only 50% of the course covered. So I guess they will get that right this time.
They also putting in a couple more bridges across the channels so staff can get across the site quicker. Also I think they could have staff around the circuit just in case anyone does stand up.
There will be water aids all around the circuit and on the platform and all staff getting trained up and tested with the cctv and the control room facing towards the ramp.
 
rob666 said:
HSE don't sign things off, they tend to do occasional routine inspections to make sure legislation is being complied with, but only tend to get involved otherwise when the brown stuff hits the fan.
One of my gardening punters was a senior HSE executive, he did the Camelot inspections for years.
Click to expand...

This is true, but you do have to get an ADIPS certificate, which needs to be signed off after an inspection.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top