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Paultons Park: General Discussion

Are we sure that the 2027 attraction is going to be a water coaster? I hope it is, as that would be great for them as a park and unique to the UK, but all the rumours about the 2026 coaster were wrong so I’m wary this may also be.

Half expecting for it to just be some sort of log flume now!

My thoughts on the Eurofighter remain the same. I really do not think it’s a great model to act as a coaster that will introduce many people to the world of bigger more thrilling coasters. Every chance it could put people off them if it rides as some Gerst’s do!
 
Construction prices have gone up. Paulton’s said last night their energy bill more than tripled. Staffing costs have gone up. It’s no wonder that they have taken a lower risk option.

Though it’s not what I want or what I think would be the best for the park, you can clearly see the logic and honesty behind their decisions which I respect.

From what I saw yesterday I’m not concerned by capacity. The operations were great on pretty much everything and the length will allow them to send out trains without buying too many trains (another cost consideration).

Not sure if people reported the accommodation part of the presentation. Looking at 90 Scandinavian-style cabins or such, potentially including treehouses and underground options with a 2030+ timeframe. Plans still vague.
 
I don’t agree with the opinions that this is a “low risk option” from their side as well. In fact - knowing Gerstlauer’s massively varying quality I would say this is incredibly high risk!

A modern Vekoma looper would be a low risk option - they’ve been making them for ten years now, they’re near universally acclaimed, they’re reliable as anything and they won’t break the bank. Mack - yes they’re a little more expensive but the BigDipper model has had plenty of successful installations now and to my knowledge don’t have the reliability issues of, say, Hyperia.

I can understand not getting an Intamin option if this is their reasoning but Gerst ain’t it either.
 
The Devil is in the details - Gerstlauer were also the ones who built the popular Cobra family coaster and they're also doing a Nemesis Reborn style dramatic revamp of it (while also having the Drakon dramatically loop right through it) so they know the Cobra (their creation), plus their Eurofighter model is still one of the better comparatively low budget, decades established options (and is fairly compact too; just a mild shame Paultons didn't have the budget to have Drakon be the same model as Helios).

And so Paultons will get a toned down, ironed out version of SAW the Ride from Thorpe Park (but with immersive somewhat dark Viking theming reminiscent of Alton Towers' Wickerman for both the Drakon and the Cobra "reborn" as the Raven).
 
The park said last night they have to cater for the 99%, not just the 1% who are theme park enthusiasts. The general public won’t have the impression that a Euro-Fighter is rough, in fact they likely won’t even know the manufacturer or model names. They’ll just see a big, inverted ride and think it’s great.

I also agree with their statement that the general public perceive OTSRs to be more ‘secure’ than lap bars. Ignoring the fact it’s not true, it’s the way it’s perceived and if that is the difference between guests choosing to ride or not, I think it’s a good decision.
 
Benjsh said:
You can't have ridden too many coasters then.
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Online coaster connoisseurs like to dunk on 2000s style Eurofighters, but SAW the Ride still makes Merlin's shareholders rich all these years later and the Smiler is was destined to be almost as infamous as Nemesis (even without the unfortunate accident), so Drakon is still enough to scratch that thrill ride itch for the generally family focused Paultons Park and will hopefully be a spring board or experiment for Paulton's more ambitious future coasters (even if it becomes as rough as rusty nails in six years time).
 
TedShatner10 said:
the Nemesis
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Go Away GIF


😜
 
Ciaran said:
The park said last night they have to cater for the 99%, not just the 1% who are theme park enthusiasts. The general public won’t have the impression that a Euro-Fighter is rough, in fact they likely won’t even know the manufacturer or model names. They’ll just see a big, inverted ride and think it’s great.
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I think this hits the nail on the head. I'm a bit disappointed but it isn't for me... its for my kids and my 8 year old will see it ad a huge step up.

I've seen people moan that there are already eurofighters in the UK. I cant see too many of the paultons clientele caring about that, or ever having been to either Southend or thorpe.
 
I visited Paultons for the first time yesterday, and while I’m generally not the target market for the park, there was still plenty to fill a day as a group with out children.

Initially we headed to Ghostly Manor. It’s fantastically presented from the exterior, but things do take a dip once you’re through the front doors.

I love the “VIBES” which goes a long way in helping to overlook some of the drawbacks, but it doesn’t mean that the flaws aren’t there. The unthemed roof is an absolute sin that persists throughout the whole attraction, and should be rectified as soon as possible. The nature of the ride system means that some blank walls are a necessary evil, but that isn’t as easy to fix.

The gameplay is good, although the outside guns don’t seem to calibrate well if you’re aiming the further sides of the screens. That being said, I briefly held the highest score ever ! The ride experience is longer than expected, and the queue moved quickly (25 minutes from the main gates - a full queue)

As for the rest of the park, the Dinosaurs Alive Encounter was a worthwhile visit, and the theming in the new areas really is excellent. Tornado Springs is easily the most “complete” area of any park in the U.K. with something for everyone

The new area looks perfect for the park and the public will love it. I’d like to see a good indoor outdoor flume for 2027 and trust Paultons to continue to build on their amazing success

Now close down Ghostly Manor for a week and sort out the ceilings please !
 
Hid said:
I have been on over 740 coasters thank you.

Sorry for saying what I did I should not of called people spoiled that was an error on my part. Everyone is entitled to an opinion.
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Of course. It was only a tongue in cheek comment.

I don't agree though. When I rode Speed it was like a shopping trolley on 3 wheels. Wasn't smooth whatsoever.

Saw the Ride isn't either. It's a horrid coaster.
 
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TedShatner10 said:
Online coaster connoisseurs like to dunk on 2000s style Eurofighters, but SAW the Ride still makes Merlin's shareholders rich all these years later and the Smiler is was destined to be almost as infamous as Nemesis (even without the unfortunate accident), so Drakon is still enough to scratch that thrill ride itch for the generally family focused Paultons Park and will hopefully be a spring board or experiment for Paulton's more ambitious future coasters (even if it becomes as rough as rusty nails in six years time).
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Smiler isn't a Euro Fighter.

Also the last 2 to 3 elements are brutally rough in the wrong seats. Front row isn't too bad but any other I find those last few elements quite painful these days.

Nemmy is still the best coaster on the park by a long way in my humble opinion. I think I prefer Wickerman too over Smiler.
 
Seems a bit of a shame that the opening of Ghostly Manor, which surely is the marketing point of the fans day, is a bit drowned out by all the talk of next year. I wonder if they'll rethink the release of information in future investment years?

It's hard to tell scale, and it is only concept art, but does the building look bigger than it needs to be? Are we going to start with a little dark ride section?

1000018240.jpg
 
I don’t know. Perhaps I’m being overly picky and looking at it through an overly “enthusiast” lens, and will see the rationale behind this choice once it’s up and running, but I’m struggling to see how this is the ideal choice for Paultons’ budget, calibre and audience at present.

Maybe I am being unfair on them. But when the range of options for accessible, low budget thrill coasters have increased so much in recent years, and Paultons has built such savvy, high-quality installations for the last decade (a trend which Ghostly Manor sounds as though it continues), this does feel out of step, and I’m struggling to see the rationale behind it.

It would be fun to see a dark ride section, though!
 
Quantum said:
The water coaster will likely be more of an expensive outlay especially if is a Mac product. It may explain why they went for a Euro fighter. I don't think this will be the last 'thrill' coaster Paultons build though.
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Did I miss something regarding the 2027 addition? It keeps being stated as water coaster, but I've not seen anything from the park conforming this. On top of that the press releases don't even mention it is a ride, let alone a coaster, calling it a 'water based attraction' which could be anything. Fountain show anyone?!

I'm also mindful that with their previous investments that have been multi year the second year has been a much smaller investment. As much as I'd love water coaster or Chiapas clone I'd be wary of getting too excited just yet.
 
I can understand why they went with Gerst, with the required reconfiguration of Cobra, and the fact they are almost certainly cheaper than some, but Gerst have other models that are far better than the Eurofighter.

Also I don’t buy the families think OTSR are safer. Plenty of the same target audience ride Hyperia and Icon and those are lap bars.
 
To be fair the smiler and saw are still classed as
the most not worthy today amongst most non-enthusiasts and seem to get referenced the most.

I think if you was debating going to Paultons park for the first time as another alternative. But had concerns of it being more for little ones, you would google the rides or go on the website. See images of a eurofighter, spinner, gyro swing etc. Im sure would influence your decision as a ( non enthusiasts) Would just look at the pictures?

Main issue in my opinion is that if they do want to broaden there appeal to new customers who live far away, they need to almost not push Peppa pig world as much? As it’s all over the website, bright pink and baby fonts which would just discourage anyone over the age of 16+ in my opinion, if didn’t do their research properly.
 
pluk said:
Did I miss something regarding the 2027 addition? It keeps being stated as water coaster, but I've not seen anything from the park conforming this. On top of that the press releases don't even mention it is a ride, let alone a coaster, calling it a 'water based attraction' which could be anything. Fountain show anyone?!

I'm also mindful that with their previous investments that have been multi year the second year has been a much smaller investment. As much as I'd love water coaster or Chiapas clone I'd be wary of getting too excited just yet.
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That was a bit of a miss type from me, I'm still of the option it's could be a rocking boat ride from Mac but I could also be totally wrong as well
 
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