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Paultons Park: General Discussion

Cyclonator was Paultons' first foray into rides that could be considered 'thrill'. It seems to be well-received by riders whenever I am there, so a more intense coaster like Mahuka could easily be popular, and would also attract more thrill-seekers to a park that is often considered by people who have never visited as just for children.
 
Zeock said:
Cyclonator was Paultons' first foray into rides that could be considered 'thrill'. It seems to be well-received by riders whenever I am there, so a more intense coaster like Mahuka could easily be popular, and would also attract more thrill-seekers to a park that is often considered by people who have never visited as just for children.
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Every time i've ever been to Paultons Cyclonator has been either walk-on or worst case one cycle wait. According to Queue Time its average is 7 minutes but then the most popular rides are 20 minutes so that doesn't mean it is unpopular per se. It does rank towards the lower end though.

I don't think that indicates anything either way towards the potential popularity of more intense rides at the park though. Rollercoasters are typically the most popular theme park attractions, especially the more exciting variations.

If you build it, they will come.
 
rctneil said:
I think Intamin also uses columns into the footers these days. I think they did on Mahuka and Gold Rush
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Yes they do seem to be doing so with the hot racer and more family models, but they still use the traditional footers on big thrill coasters they have built in the last year or so.

So this is either Gerst/ Maurer or it’s an Intamin family coaster or hot racer…..
 
Bowser said:
Every time i've ever been to Paultons Cyclonator has been either walk-on or worst case one cycle wait. According to Queue Time its average is 7 minutes but then the most popular rides are 20 minutes so that doesn't mean it is unpopular per se. It does rank towards the lower end though.
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The ride experience is also waaaay different. Cyclonator feels like astronaut training. The sustained G-force made me come off white as a sheet when I came off, no rides for me for an hour.

Compare this to Nemesis, Ninferno, Smiler and even Eejinika (which I did feel a bit shaken up after, queasy? No) just giving me a light 2 min headache after; I think it’s clear the ride experience is different enough. I understand everyone is different, but less people will tap out on a coaster than an intense flat.

I also found Velociraptor makes me intensely Ill.

That being said, family thrill coaster all the way. Something with launches, twists and turns, airtime and perhaps one inversion would be something completely new for the UK, let alone the family market. I think it might be a good kick for a park that have played quite conservatively.
 
Dave said:
So this is either Gerst/ Maurer or it’s an Intamin family coaster or hot racer…..
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Thinking about it, a Gerstlauer Eurofighter (or Infinity) would be perfect for Paultons Park as the first thrill coaster they install.

It's compact, thrilling, has inversions, can be a cloned layout and can be shorter than 25m.

I'm betting that it is an Intamin however a Eurofighter would fit Paultons like a glove.

To be honest, I'm surprised a Eurofighter like Rock Bottom Plunge in Nickelodeon Universe Mall of America wasn't installed years ago.
 
owenstreet7 said:
Thinking about it, a Gerstlauer Eurofighter (or Infinity) would be perfect for Paultons Park as the first thrill coaster they install.

It's compact, thrilling, has inversions, can be a cloned layout and can be shorter than 25m.

I'm betting that it is an Intamin however a Eurofighter would fit Paultons like a glove.

To be honest, I'm surprised a Eurofighter like Rock Bottom Plunge in Nickelodeon Universe Mall of America wasn't installed years ago.
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Aren’t Eurofighters notoriously rough? Certainly the 3 I’ve ridden have been. That doesn’t seem like Paultons vibe.
 
Bowser said:
Aren’t Eurofighters notoriously rough? Certainly the 3 I’ve ridden have been. That doesn’t seem like Paultons vibe.
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Saw is incredibly rough however Rage is nowhere near as bad.

I wonder if there may be smoother Eurofighters that aged well, possibly over in Europe or the US as the ones in the UK do seem to age terribly for some reason.
 
Dave said:
The Merlin ones are rough, but to be fair although not smooth, many others are perfectly rideable.
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I really like Saw the Ride has some good moments and excellent theming.

Most Eurofighters are on the headbanging side I much prefer the infinity coasters that have outstanding launches
 
The 1 thing that let Paulton’s down is the price of the tickets.
Based on the 24th May if both my kids were under 1m and been free I will have to pay £90 and there isn’t many rides outside of Peppa pig world for the under 1m tall range.
Now if I wanted to go with my 2 kids it would would cost me £180 and I think that’s the main reason why rides outside of Peppa pig are 15 mins or less on average.

Now that price based on the same date at other parks and 4 guests
Drayton Manor £110
Blackpool £135
Chessington £136
Alton Towers £148
Legoland £196.00

Even when you add on the parking for all 5 only Legoland is more expensive than Paulton’s and this is the reason unless they reduce the price to be in line with the 4 other parks they won’t get older families going to the park.
 
MaxPower said:
From the sounds of it you get better value for money at Paultons though compared to the other parks.

I know if I had kids, I'd rather pay the premium and have a better day out getting on more rides than stand in hour long queues all day.
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With Paultons, the aim is more for a premium day out without fast track or 90+ minute queues that are the norm at Merlin parks.

This is similar to Europa Park, Efteling or the Disney parks where it seems to be more of a premium product. I'd say Universal will be quite similar in that aspect as well.

Themeparksandy1981 said:
The 1 thing that let Paulton’s down is the price of the tickets.
Based on the 24th May if both my kids were under 1m and been free I will have to pay £90 and there isn’t many rides outside of Peppa pig world for the under 1m tall range.
Now if I wanted to go with my 2 kids it would would cost me £180 and I think that’s the main reason why rides outside of Peppa pig are 15 mins or less on average.

Now that price based on the same date at other parks and 4 guests
Drayton Manor £110
Blackpool £135
Chessington £136
Alton Towers £148
Legoland £196.00

Even when you add on the parking for all 5 only Legoland is more expensive than Paulton’s and this is the reason unless they reduce the price to be in line with the 4 other parks they won’t get older families going to the park.
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With this being day entry, if parking (£12) is added this would be £160 for Alton Towers or £208 for Legoland.

I'm also thinking that if a fast track package is added which at a Merlin park seems to be upsold. I'd say it just about equals or is more expensive than Paultons Park with no paid fast track products available.

I don't expect Paultons to do Fast Track in the future maybe apart from the signature coaster in 2026 and that would be a Europa Park style virtual queue if anything.

Paultons Park is known for limiting capacity so the park isn't overcrowded which in comparison to a Merlin park, you're guaranteed a better day out with multiple rides rather than spending the day in 90+ minute queues.

If the park focus more on rides the whole family and thrill rides rather than children's rides which they're reasonably well catered for, I'd say the park would have a recipe for success long term.
 
I agree and I did a 2 night stay 2 night stay last year and we had an excellent weekend which cost us £585.02.
That not bad but do think with petrol roughly £30 return then you got food and drink in the park £40-£50
Then you got to eat on the way home £30. You’re looking at a day out there £260-£280.
All 3 visits to the park have been all short stay breaks in 2014,2021 and 2024 and plan to stay next in 2027.
 
MaxPower said:
From the sounds of it you get better value for money at Paultons though compared to the other parks.

I know if I had kids, I'd rather pay the premium and have a better day out getting on more rides than stand in hour long queues all day.
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This is my thinking; I am very happy to pay a little bit more, knowing I can chill, relax (or chill and relax as much as you can with young kids!) and take my time around the park, not have to rush to get everything done, and knowing most rides will be open all day. There's no "crap, vampire is open now, let's rush over there" at Paultons.

With the Merlin parks, I feel like I have to have a plan the day, rush between rides, worry about rides going down, queue for ages etc. Much nicer atmosphere at Paultons as well, so yeah, I'm always happy to pay a premium for a better day out.
 
Paultons is also near some very affluent areas so higher prices are not unreasonable for the area. I've been three times and it's been great, it's not a park I can visit often but you know you will get a great day out even if the price is premium
 
I know being a bit of a Paulton's 'stan' probably reduces the validity of any opinion I have on the park 😂😅 but I'm so glad they're unapologetic about their price point. Whilst our favourite rides are at other parks, we always have the best overall day out at Paultons, it's not even close! It feels way better value for money than its competitors and as a parent of children with additional needs, it's the most relaxed and calm day out for us, I can be present & soak up the day without the headless chickenery other parks create. It's been a real pleasure to watch them grow over the years, whilst they aren't known for thrill, the potential for their future is huge & exciting! (Can't wait for next month)

It is a premium product, which can be seen/experienced throughout its offering and the price point does mean it's more like a once a year treat for a lot of families, rather than repeat visits but it'll be one of your best days out for sure!
 
BooMT said:
I know being a bit of a Paulton's 'stan' probably reduces the validity of any opinion I have on the park 😂😅 but I'm so glad they're unapologetic about their price point. Whilst our favourite rides are at other parks, we always have the best overall day out at Paultons, it's not even close! It feels way better value for money than its competitors and as a parent of children with additional needs, it's the most relaxed and calm day out for us, I can be present & soak up the day without the headless chickenery other parks create. It's been a real pleasure to watch them grow over the years, whilst they aren't known for thrill, the potential for their future is huge & exciting! (Can't wait for next month)

It is a premium product, which can be seen/experienced throughout its offering and the price point does mean it's more like a once a year treat for a lot of families, rather than repeat visits but it'll be one of your best days out for sure!
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Yep, nailed how I feel. I have no issue paying to near guarantee a great day. The same with our recent visit to DLP. I’d have an annual pass if we lived closer. You get to enjoy the day rather than stress with apps and lack of seating.

I tend to view the Merlin parks very differently due to MAP. They’re somewhere to go for a few hours and if it doesn’t work out we’ll go again another time but I accept it’s often a gamble as to what will be working, how awful the queues will be and how poor the food will be.

Not to say we generally don’t have a good time but a large part of that is down to experience. Coincidentally my friend was at LEGOLAND the same day as me and had a terrible time. I had to tell them how to approach the park. That’s not how a visit should be and it’s not how it is at the parks I love most, of which Paultons is one of. Military planning should not be a requirement of visiting.
 
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