Drayton Manor Park

[Matt N]

I think presentation and theming are two different things here.

In my personal view, Vikings is nicely presented, and perfectly functional, but not very heavily themed. As others have said, it’s predominantly painted wood and some planting. Painted wood and planting look perfectly nice, don’t get me wrong, but I would not refer to them as heavy theming.

Gold Rush is maybe a little stronger on the theming front, with some nice little details and a nice queue and station. They did reasonably well with it theming-wise, in my view. But even still, Frontier Falls beyond Gold Rush feels a little bit incomplete and is mostly, once again, painted wood. I think that project had a bit of Thirteen syndrome in that the main ride itself was finished off nicely, but they lacked the budget to do the wider area retheme much justice.

Adventure Cove doesn’t have an awful lot beyond a jazzy colour scheme either.

When you look at the level of detail and theming in areas like Tornado Springs or even Lost Kingdom down at Paultons, I don’t think Vikings, Adventure Cove or Frontier Falls quite compare. Don’t get me wrong, I think they’re nicely presented and look functional, but I wouldn’t call them heavily themed in quite the same sense.

 

[Hid]

I think presentation and theming are two different things here.

In my personal view, Vikings is nicely presented, and perfectly functional, but not very heavily themed. As others have said, it’s predominantly painted wood and some planting. Painted wood and planting look perfectly nice, don’t get me wrong, but I would not refer to them as heavy theming.

Gold Rush is maybe a little stronger on the theming front, with some nice little details and a nice queue and station. They did reasonably well with it theming-wise, in my view. But even still, Frontier Falls beyond Gold Rush feels a little bit incomplete and is mostly, once again, painted wood. I think that project had a bit of Thirteen syndrome in that the main ride itself was finished off nicely, but they lacked the budget to do the wider area retheme much justice.

Adventure Cove doesn’t have an awful lot beyond a jazzy colour scheme either.

When you look at the level of detail and theming in areas like Tornado Springs or even Lost Kingdom down at Paultons, I don’t think Vikings, Adventure Cove or Frontier Falls quite compare. Don’t get me wrong, I think they’re nicely presented and look functional, but I wouldn’t call them heavily themed in quite the same sense.

Adventure Cove I think has the most physical theming props with a lot of it coming from old Fisherman's Wharf, Rapids has a lot around it. Surf Boards Everywhere and StormForce 10 has the best queue line

 

[DistortAMG]

Adventure Cove I think has the most physical theming props with a lot of it coming from old Fisherman's Wharf,

I rest my case. Right there, you've agreed with the point I was trying to get across.

 

[Matt N]

Adventure Cove I think has the most physical theming props with a lot of it coming from old Fisherman's Wharf, Rapids has a lot around it. Surf Boards Everywhere and StormForce 10 has the best queue line

But a lot of that came from the old theming, did it not? Stormforce 10’s theming was all original from 1999, as I understand it, and a lot of the buildings and such around the rapids existed prior to the retheme, as well.

The bulk of the Adventure Cove retheme consisted of repaints of the buildings and such, with very little actual theming being added. If you look at what Looping Group themselves actually did, they didn’t do an awful lot.

 

[GooseOnTheLoose]

If you look at what Looping Group themselves actually did, they didn’t do an awful lot.

Except from the addition of discarded crisp packets and drinks bottles, bringing this full circle.

 

[Haz]

theming around look at Gold Rush

You mean the theming they robbed from Shockwave and Splash Canyon?, I find it hilarious that they have to take from the better themed rides to get theming for the new ones.

 

[Matt N]

Thinking about it, Vikings and Adventure Cove could probably be best described as “stylised”, to use everyone’s favourite buzzword from the Hyperia construction period.

Yes, Vikings in particular has a Viking theme. But with the way it’s been executed, I’d argue that it’s more of a Viking style. To ask myself a couple of questions; does the area have much in the way of storytelling? Does the area have much in the way of physical theming elements? I’d argue the answer to both of those questions is no, so I’d almost argue that it’s a nicely executed Viking style as opposed to a heavy Viking theme.

There is a consistent visual motif of wood and Viking patterns throughout the area, and the area is nicely landscaped. As stylisation goes, I’d argue it’s well executed and nicely finished off. But beyond Viking ride names and some painted wood, I’d argue there’s not really a huge attempt at heavy theming or storytelling.

 

[Poisson]

I doubt Gold Rush is going back to 2 trains anytime soon as 1 of the vehicles from train 1 is currently not present.

 

[Bert2theSpark]

The park has always had themed rides, some really well-themed at that, but always lacked any sort of cohesion with the exception of Thomas Land.

Adventure Cove and the shift began under the tail end of the Bryan family, and continued when Loopings took over. I’ve not been since 2019 but from what I’ve seen, it’s all pretty much new paint jobs, relocating existing props and the occasional buy from an online shop. The areas are coherent, but aren’t super immersive similar to older areas at Towers like Dark Forest, X-Sector or World of David Walliams.

The days of Space Leisure, Farmer and Rex Studios have also passed and they did some really good theming on the likes of Excalibur, Haunting, Thomas and Stormforce. This is what’s no longer at Drayton, there’s no attention to detail and fibreglass shells instead of blank walls. They need more scenic set pieces that aren’t just photo opportunities, not everything has to be super immersive across the park but if they occasionally went that little bit further, it would add so much more to the park.

I think the park also lacks some level of kinetics aside from the rides, stuff like turbines on a motor in the Western area (hell, turbines is how they could connect Accelerator to it), fog effects in the Vikings area, or even interactive ship wheels for children to have a go on across Adventure Cove.

If they want to keep going down the cliché themed areas, I think the dinosaur area at the back of the zoo needs a massive overhaul and could drive a lot more visitation to that part of the park without needing any rides. I loved the dinosaur area at West Midlands Safari Park, there’s some really nice landscaping, excellent animatronics and little gags such as silly safety signage about not riding the dinosaurs. Maybe with an Excalibur Lake Café too, imagine the views around the back, opening the lake for later expansion.

 

[Ted]

I went on Saturday for the first time since 2015 and it was comfortably one of those "friends made the day great" kind of trip

Gold Rush I think is a very good family cred. The layout is very fun and a cool idea overall. The Wave transformation is definitely an upgrade too regarding the track and train, it's smooth and allows a great "first looping coaster" for the higher end of the target demographic

Other than that...the park just doesn't feel well loved to me. The state of the lake was unacceptable for any park, the abandoned Excalibur buildings and general area were an eyesore, a lot of the new theming looks so plain at best and while I didn't see it in person as I left the park early, the fireworks show was a genuine embarrassment when I saw videos of it

Like others, I went into the Pizza and Pasta place. I had a pepperoni pizza which was okay, but the service and wait times were shocking and by the words of some others on here, I was one of the lucky ones!

The only part of the park that felt even remotely cared about by management was Thomas Land. I still think that place is great and although it's difficult to say if its better than Cbeebies or Peppa, Thomas in general has a generational appeal unlike those which I think tops it for me

Some of the staff were helpful and kind, but otherwise I didn't have any more real positives. The drop off point for cabs is located miles away with no signage from any sensible place and I spent so long trying to find it I missed my train back from Tamworth

Not in a rush to visit again any time soon...

 

[Themeparksandy1981]

The event on Saturday was the best the park put on since the Halloween Event of 2023 with live entertainment everywhere. The local wrestling was very entertaining and there was 2 tribute acts and dancing girls as well as Rory and Thomas land entertainment. The Wraps in chicken diner are very tasteful and filling.

As for the Ride area’s Frontier Falls is good theming and wood goes well with the theming. Hopefully it will be finished off as Accelerator and the Flying Dutchman really lets the area down. I think it’s not fully finished as there’s pictures in the museum showing off future plans


I think the 2017 rumours of the pirate adventure been turned into a Thomas land ride for its 10th birthday in 2018 were true as they were gonna move the shop into the middle of Thomas land


I agree about Vikings now the Buffalo coaster train is the best it’s been since opening for theming but not painting the track really lets the ride down.
The horse ride looks so borings but Loki and Thor as a ride as well themed.
Adventure Cove I like how think it’s continuing been improved every closed season. Just wish they themed the Train station to suit.