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Lightwater Valley

They always used to run two trains during school trips season and school holidays.

My last visit was in 2015 though, sounds like a lot has changed. Back then, enthusiasts had nothing but praise for the park.
Then they cut the ride line up.
Then they cut the pub in the wood.
Then they cut the dodgems.
Then they fibbed about the lodges.
Then they cut the signature ride.
Going down slow.
 
Then they cut the ride line up.
Then they cut the pub in the wood.
Then they cut the dodgems.
Then they fibbed about the lodges.
Then they cut the signature ride.
Going down slow.
You'd be surprised to see the state of it. Massive hole left by the Lightwater Wheel, no more Twister, Eagles Claw and the Ultimate and Raptor Attack when they're open are literally the only draw now!
 
I’ve not visited the park for several years, mainly because there’s been nothing much to draw me there when far superior competition exists.

Since my last visit in 2015, I know that the park has been having problems, but my word, I didn’t know the extent of just how much has changed.

In the 5 years since I last visited, we’ve seen:

- The big wheel removed and not replaced
- Skate Karts removed and not replaced
- The entire left hand side of the park closed off for a holiday village which never happened
- Twister removed?? Or SBNO? Please can someone fill me in on this one?
- The Ultimate closed for no justifiable reason, I’m sceptical if it will reopen next year
- Ditto for Apollo
- Raptor Attack closed firmer social distancing which is kind of understandable but given how much else is closed around the park, it’s a further potential nail in the park’s coffin.

Have I missed anything? Probably.

What’s going on? How can things have got to this level? Like I said in an earlier post, back in 2011-2013, things seemed really positive at the park and like everything was looking up for them. Things have now nose dived.

I could say the same about Drayton Manor, but that’s for another topic.
 
I’ve not visited the park for several years, mainly because there’s been nothing much to draw me there when far superior competition exists.

Since my last visit in 2015, I know that the park has been having problems, but my word, I didn’t know the extent of just how much has changed.

In the 5 years since I last visited, we’ve seen:

- The big wheel removed and not replaced
- Skate Karts removed and not replaced
- The entire left hand side of the park closed off for a holiday village which never happened
- Twister removed?? Or SBNO? Please can someone fill me in on this one?
- The Ultimate closed for no justifiable reason, I’m sceptical if it will reopen next year
- Ditto for Apollo
- Raptor Attack closed firmer social distancing which is kind of understandable but given how much else is closed around the park, it’s a further potential nail in the park’s coffin.

Have I missed anything? Probably.

What’s going on? How can things have got to this level? Like I said in an earlier post, back in 2011-2013, things seemed really positive at the park and like everything was looking up for them. Things have now nose dived.

I could say the same about Drayton Manor, but that’s for another topic.
Twister has been removed and replace with some second hand dodgems and it's Ultimate, Raptor Attack and Apollo were closed for the rest of the season so they could focus more on families set to reopen in 2021. You're right about the other things though.
 
I really don’t think it will open next year and the longer they leave it shut, the less likely it will ever be able to get back into an operational state.

It’s been a maintenance headache (I assume) for years and the limited offering in 2020 was the perfect excuse for them not to run it. The weight issues could easily have been addressed by using dummies filled with sand as we’ve seen on Thirteen, thereby allowing for social distancing, they just chose not to.

I hope it does reopen but I’m not feeling at all optimistic.
 
I really don’t think it will open next year and the longer they leave it shut, the less likely it will ever be able to get back into an operational state.

It’s been a maintenance headache (I assume) for years and the limited offering in 2020 was the perfect excuse for them not to run it. The weight issues could easily have been addressed by using dummies filled with sand as we’ve seen on Thirteen, thereby allowing for social distancing, they just chose not to.

I hope it does reopen but I’m not feeling at all optimistic.
Yh but other rides round the country like Drenched also could have operated with dummies that would get soaked ever 10 minutes yet Oakwood didn't decide to either so LV aren't the only ones though Alton proved it can be done!
 
Yh but other rides round the country like Drenched also could have operated with dummies that would get soaked ever 10 minutes yet Oakwood didn't decide to either so LV aren't the only ones though Alton proved it can be done!
I'm not sure we can use Oakwood as an example of a successfully operating park, by all accounts they are as stuffed as Lightwater.
 
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