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Lightwater Valley

If Ultimate opens this year I'll go for presumably one last ride. But if it doesn't...

Would've gone last year if they hadn't closed it as well. Didn't know about the Raptor Attack height limit increase though. Lot of problems even beyond the money side of things.

Unfortunately unless a Tory donor owns a park it's unlikely they'd get any money from the government. Unless they suggest using the canteen to make PPE?
 
Statement is provided in full below for Accesibility reasons.

No mention of the Ultimate is sad.
In 2021 Lightwater Valley is set to adapt its offer to visitors. The Park has plans to broaden its appeal for younger families, and as a result a series of new rides, attractions and experiences will be designed specifically for the under 10s.

“We believe this new approach is best suited for the majority of our audience and will offer something new and exciting for young families across the region,” said Park Manager Colin Bowes.

As a result of this re-focusing, a number of the rides which are only suitable for older visitors will be replaced. These include Apollo, Raptor Attack, Eagle’s Claw, Black Pearl and River Rapids.

“We understand the retirement of several of our older rides will be disappointing to some of our thrill seeking visitors, however we believe strongly that by re-calibrating the visitor experience to more fully encompass younger children and families we will be able to offer an exciting, new series of fun adventures and entertainments,” he added.

The Park is investing in exciting new rides and attractions including an all NEW Safari Zone, which will include rides such as Monkey Drop, Convoy Trucks, Elephant Flight and a the Savannah Express, which will allow families to spot the life-sized creatures hidden in the wilderness. Other new additions to the park include Kangaroo Jump and the Hot Air Balloons!

Also new to the Park’s offering in 2021 is Treetop Trails - formerly Treetop Nets. This loved attraction sees families swinging through the trees like Tarzan – and will now be included as part of the admission price.

As well as these new rides, many of the park’s young family favourites will be remaining including Little Dipper and the Lady Bird rollercoaster, Splash Falls and many more. Plus, indoor and outdoor play areas and special events and entertainment once restrictions allow.
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Here is the statement from American Adventure in 2005. Deja vu anyone?

NEW SUPRISES AND OLD FAVOURITES
IT’S A WILD DAY OUT FOR ALL THE FAMILY

There’s been so much going on at the American Adventure this year. The park is undergoing a major facelift over the next two years as we invest in rides and attractions specifically for the family and younger children.

Whilst you may find less white knuckle thrills this season, there’s heaps more fun and adventure for kids aged 4-14 (and grown ups too!) as favourites like the Runnaway Train, JCB World and Buffalo Stampede are joined by fab new family rides. Blast off with Rascal Rocket, bounce aboard the Bronco Buggies and look out for more exciting attractions throughout 2005.

From the wild frontier of the old West to the final frontier of space, we can promise you an American Adventure that will keep you smiling all day long.

Ride the railroad, cruise on the lake on our Mississippi paddleboats or chat to a chipmunk in the Adventure Farm. Eat, drink, relax… all in beautiful surroundings, and remember to keep an eye open for Rocky Racoon and Miss Huggy Bear.

Drop in at one of our cafés, restaurants or snack stall for a tasty treat and don’t forget to take home a souvenir from our wide selection of shops.”
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According to a Facebook message someone was sent by LWV, the Ultimate will “stay at the park, but will not be operating in 2021”.


In the short term, the future certainly doesn’t look that great for Lightwater Valley, I’ll admit. Removing a large number of their largest rides at once is a clear sign that they’re really struggling, in my opinion.


However, I don’t think I’m quite ready to call this the certain death knell for the park just yet, particularly in the longer term. They are still installing attractions, so these removals could have just been to raise some capital for whatever new things they’re building this year. I know that the new additions are substantially smaller in scale than the rides they’re “replacing”, they still cost money to build, and I can’t imagine the rides being removed were worth too much, having operated for pretty long periods of time in many cases.


If they survive, and their transition to under-10s works well, I could possibly see them downscaling to become something similar to Sundown Adventureland in the long term, in a very best case scenario. While I admit that in the long term, the park closing is probably the more likely option based on the park’s well-known struggles over the last few years, I’m not sure I’m ready to 100% declare the place a goner just yet.
 
I know this is a long shot given the effects of Covid, but considering Ultimate will be closed this year, could they re-track it to make it smoother and thus more family-friendly?

The removal I really can't get my head around is the rapids. That's a family ride, so money must definitely be involved somwhere.
 
No money, so no, and it needs the speed to get round the track.
Ultimate is dead.
Ladybird is now the headline coaster.
 
Can’t see them lasting as just a family park, the only thing that was keeping the place going in my opinion was rides like The Ultimate and Raptor Attack but once you take them both out then the park is just bare bones. Let’s be honest unless you live nearby you ain’t going to make a special trip when you have more established and easier to access parks like Gullivers who are aiming for the exact target market. I’ll give it another season then it will probably be over for the park with what ever rides possibly going to Flambards.
 
skyscraper said:
I know this is a long shot given the effects of Covid, but considering Ultimate will be closed this year, could they re-track it to make it smoother and thus more family-friendly?

The removal I really can't get my head around is the rapids. that's a family ride, so money must definitely be involved somwhere
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1. Rapids are quite expensive to run
2. Drayton Manor accident happened and many are concerned about the safety of rapids rides in general, I would not be surprised if more parks remove their rapids over the next few years.
 
Will these new attractions being added be anything other than the cheapest, off-the-shelf Zamperla/SBF level kids rides with the standard, factory theme?

With these changes, it's safe to say I never have any intention of visiting. I guess that's the idea, though.
 
This is what the park's social team had to say with regards to the Ultimate [not my screenshot]

145382105_207823417728744_6345387898077526352_o.jpg
 
AstroDan said:
Will these new attractions being added be anything other than the cheapest, off-the-shelf Zamperla/SBF level kids rides with the standard, factory theme?

With these changes, it's safe to say I never have any intention of visiting. I guess that's the idea, though.
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Some of the new rides are talked about in this video, and your thinking looks to unfortunately be correct.

skyscraper said:
Shaun Sanbrooke has done an analysis video on all the removed rides and also talks about some of the incoming kids rides. Have to say that I agree with his thoughts on this.

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I am aware Shawn has done some analysis, and ultimately if that is the case then these are literally the most basic, default set cheap rides the park could get hold of. Obviously Shawn isn't quite so blunt in his video, but let's not beat around the bush here.

Not convinced anything will be "quality".

Jesus. To think I thought the place was dreadful a few years ago when I went after the accident on the spinning coaster. Now it's demonstrably worse again. What a shame.
 
With the rapids, they may also have been spooked by the incident on the similar ride at WMSP last year (Birmingham Mail article)

I think it was pretty clear from the start that the only reason Ultimate wasn't included on the list of rides being removed was that it would be way too much hassle to get rid of, rather than the park having any plans on running it. Another of the UK's top coasters closes unannounced, my UK top 10 list is probably weaker now than it was 10 years ago.
 
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