Drayton Manor Park

I'm not an expert, but those markings look like a Banksy.

I had a email from Drayton Manor:
At Drayton Manor we really value our Annual Passholders thoughts and opinions, so would like to invite you to a 1-hour focus group regarding the Drayton Manor brand on the 3rd December 2021 between 10:00am and 11:00am at Drayton Manor Park.

During this session, we would like to explore what you currently think i.e. what things spring to mind when you hear the name or see the logo. We want to understand if there are positive or negative associations. We would also like to understand your thoughts about the future too. There is no right or wrong answers we are just looking for our customers views during these sessions.

You will be in a group of no more than 10 people and we will ensure we are covid compliant from start to finish. The session will be facilitated by an external agency so you will be free to talk freely and confidentially.

As a thank you, We would like to offer you to invite 4 others (friends or family) free entry to Drayton Manor Park’s Magical Christmas on the day you do the focus group (3rd December only).

Your family/friends are welcome to start their day while you are in the focus group and you can join them afterwards. Please can you respond to this email if you are interested, and we will be in touch to confirm the details. We are having to operate on a first come first served basis so please respond before 1st December by emailing [email protected] if this is something you would like to do.

It’s a shame I got no floating days left to book the day off work as I would have gone.

For anyone that is going to the above maybe it’s worth mentioning the following to the group;

Don’t concentrate on JUST family’s! The park has and had some pretty decent thrill rides! Don’t let this be the end of it! Your going to cut out a fairly large percentage of visitors!

There’s much more than just Thomas & Friends! You don’t have to add to it every year! I think the area is pretty well established now so a investment every 2-3 years is acceptable.

And finally for the love of god, listen to your fan base, enthusiasts and day guests. EVERYONE wants Pirate Adventure back! If Europa Park can do it after how many years so can you.

Excalibur said:

And finally for the love of god, listen to your fan base, enthusiasts and day guests. EVERYONE wants Pirate Adventure back! If Europa Park can do it after how many years so can you.

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Same can be said for Duel, with half wanting a major refurbishment or it Returing to The HH, but merlin only replies with 'UV, Gun, brake down time'

I remember riding Pirate Adventure when I was around 6, was absolutely terrified of it, but loved it at the same time. I'd love to see a modernized version of it return to Drayton Manor, and I think many others do as well. The park desperately needs a new Dark Ride, with only Sheriff Showdown and the Haunting. I have faith with the Looping Group though, they're bringing the park great investment.

Edit: Oops, sorry for sending it twice guys!! The first one didn't make much sense.

Edit 2: Cheers for resolving it !!

Trooper Looper said:

Same can be said for Duel, with half wanting a major refurbishment or it Returing to The HH, but merlin only replies with 'UV, Gun, brake down time'

I remember riding Pirate Adventure when I was around 6, was absolutely terrified of it, but loved it at the same time. I'd love to see a modernized version of it return to Drayton Manor, and I think man others do as well. The park desperately needs a new Dark Ride, with only Sheriff Showdown and the Haunting. I have faith with the Looping Group though, they're bringing the park great investment.



Edit: Oops, sorry for sending it twice guys!! The first one didn't make much sense.

Edit 2: Cheers for resolving it !!

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@Trooper Looper I think that Pirate Adventure may return next year. Not only is the physical ride still in the building but a limited number of scenes are also intact.

Round and round in circles.
Pirate Adventure died, in a slow and lingering way, a decade ago.
The pumps were shot, the animatronics no longer work, the concrete was crumbling in places, and the ride looked derelict and rotting... a decade ago.
There is more chance of a cross valley woodie being built and Mandy bringing her beaver back to the Beach, than Pirates coming back to the park next year.

I don't think it'll happen, but it's a nice thought.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Pirates Adventure will not be coming back. It was too far gone and realistically, it would make more sense for the park to build a new dark ride from scratch.
That doesn't meant they can't use the building or parts of scenes left over but I doubt the latter.

JAperson said:

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Pirates Adventure will not be coming back. It was too far gone and realistically, it would make more sense for the park to build a new dark ride from scratch.
That doesn't meant they can't use the building or parts of scenes left over but I doubt the latter.

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It'll probably be the same situation like when around the world in 80 days was turned into Toyland Tours, same ride system, new theme.

rob666 said:

......Mandy bringing her beaver back to the Beach, than Pirates coming back to the park next year.

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Now THAT'S a water ride

Excalibur said:

And finally for the love of god, listen to your fan base, enthusiasts and day guests. EVERYONE wants Pirate Adventure back! If Europa Park can do it after how many years so can you.

Click to expand...

Europa Park had the resources and drive to do it. Drayton does not. The two parks could not be further apart on the spectrum when it comes to something like this. Not to mention Europa had very little to work with after the fire; it was very much a case of starting from afresh which in some instances would be much easier. I think Drayton are focusing on getting new, reliable flat rides in for the time being before tackling a project like that.

I suspect they are looking to add two flat rides to cater for each of the family and thrill markets next year, and perhaps a simple but small tracked ride; all outside of Thomas Land.

rob666 said:

Round and round in circles.
Pirate Adventure died, in a slow and lingering way, a decade ago.
The pumps were shot, the animatronics no longer work, the concrete was crumbling in places, and the ride looked derelict and rotting... a decade ago.
There is more chance of a cross valley woodie being built and Mandy bringing her beaver back to the Beach, than Pirates coming back to the park next year.

Click to expand...

Trooper Looper said:

I don't think it'll happen, but it's a nice thought.

Click to expand...

JAperson said:

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Pirates Adventure will not be coming back. It was too far gone and realistically, it would make more sense for the park to build a new dark ride from scratch.
That doesn't meant they can't use the building or parts of scenes left over but I doubt the latter.

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Danny said:

Europa Park had the resources and drive to do it. Drayton does not. The two parks could not be further apart on the spectrum when it comes to something like this. Not to mention Europa had very little to work with after the fire; it was very much a case of starting from afresh which in some instances would be much easier. I think Drayton are focusing on getting new, reliable flat rides in for the time being before tackling a project like that.

I suspect they are looking to add two flat rides to cater for each of the family and thrill markets next year, and perhaps a simple but small tracked ride; all outside of Thomas Land.

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I’m not saying it’s confirmed BUT look at Pleasurewood Hills what looping group also own.

There was a coaster for the chopping block and pretty much confirmed it was going, and then the tables turned, they refurbed it and it still stands today, admittedly not the best theme but it still lives on.

My point still stands everything is there it just needs some TLC. The park was happy to pump large amounts of cash into the rapids after being closed what 2-3 years and I know PA has been closed longer, and props and whatever else has been sold but it’s not like they can’t invest in new sets and have MACK come out and service the transit system.

Excalibur said:

but it’s not like they can’t invest in new sets and have MACK come out and service the transit system.

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That's the problem; the ride system and trough would need a LOT of work to make it useable, which would obviously be very expensive. Hopefully they will use the building itself in the future for something else, but I'm almost certain that it won't be for another water ride.

Same circles, and only nine hours later.
The rapids were not broken/clapped out, the pumps were still functional, and were only out of action for three years. It was simple and economic to bring them back into use.
So they did.
PA was broken and clapped out a decade ago. It is neither simple or economic to repair.
So they won't as the money can be spent more effectively on other attractions.
It may be every Drayton Manor geeks favourite wet dream to bring them back, but geeks count for nothing in the real business world...we are tolerated as eccentrics, nothing more.
The ride is dead.
Shame.
Time to move on.

I won't rule out a new pirate boat ride coming back. But its likely to be an all-new ride from the ground up.

Which would also probably be much cheaper overall as well.

Also the Rapids were only closed due to the death. Rather than because they were falling apart.

They HAD to pump money into them due to the HSE ruling if they wanted to reopen then. Its not the same.

I think @rob666 has summed it up perfectly. Pirates Adventure is gone and will not be coming back.
Of course they may well reuse the building possibility for something pirate themed but it will not be the same or even similar ride.

The Rapids wouldn’t have been cheap when you think all the wood was replaced on the lift hill and on the turntable. It was also a new system up in a new part of the station with CCTV and speakers put all around the course, New boats and the new effects if they were willing to spend that money on the rapids you can’t rule out them using the pirate adventure again with a new story line and H&S put in place. You only have to read the comments on social media how much the ride is missed.

Themeparksandy1981 said:

The Rapids wouldn’t have been cheap when you think all the wood was replaced on the lift hill and on the turntable. It was also a new system up in a new part of the station with CCTV and speakers put all around the course, New boats and the new effects if they were willing to spend that money on the rapids you can’t rule out them using the pirate adventure again with a new story line and H&S put in place. You only have to read the comments on social media how much the ride is missed.

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As has been said already, PA will not be coming back as the ride system is beyond repair. The rapids incident had nothing to do with the ride itself (apart from the lack of CCTV), and just needed safety improvements to reopen.