• ℹ️ Heads up...

    This is a popular topic that is fast moving Guest - before posting, please ensure that you check out the first post in the topic for a quick reminder of guidelines, and importantly a summary of the known facts and information so far. Thanks.

Drayton Manor Park

Winter wonderland and many other fairs charge a lot more for battered fun fair amusement rides.

However it would still make more sense to me anyway to buy a day pass in comparison and enjoy unlimited rides all day. Maybe good for old people who just want to go on the dogems with their grandkids? Completely stereotyping here.
 
Alphe86 said:
At £10 a ride…
Click to expand...
But there you go you see.
I am one of the old gits who now has no choice but to ride less, it is better than filling dippy's wife's car with puke for several hours.
So this would save me at least a tenner.
Old git but not a grandparent by choice thank you.
This offer is targeted at me and my like...nephews and nieces, now great ones, all being taken out and treated in the holidays intergenerationally, just like we used to at the Beach.
I have no grandkids, and at the Beach, no dodgems either.

Ten out of ten Drayton.
 
I see this as an interesting test in the current economic climate as to if they can make more money overall from wristbands and ppr. I like the idea and don't agree annual passholders like myself are disadvantaged by it. Nice excuse to bring parents with me for zoo and maybe they will do odd ride or get something to eat.
 
Aren't they only doing this because of the bad reaction to the April Fool's post, though? It definitely feels that way.

I wouldn't travel nearly 2 hrs and not want to ride at least 7/8 of the bigger rides so it doesn't even save me any money anyway. For locals who might want to nip in for a hour or two I suppose it could be quite nice.
 
I think it was always part of the plan- they are doing lots of stuff to celebrate the 75th Birthday and this is how it used to be- although was a small entrance change rather than being free and then you got a wristband or tickets.

I remember going loads in the late 80’s and 90’s as kids with our parents and they wouldn’t go on the rides so worked great, we never went to Alton towers as a family due to having to pay one price. I remember grand parents coming as well when was young again they wouldn’t go on rides.

I doubt it’s a test and they will retain their current pay one price structure but great PR activity anyway.
 
DistortAMG said:
You still dont seem to have grasped the issue. It is irrelevant if I visit or not, the pass that has been purchased, has still had its value lowered after the fact. It doesn't matter if I like it, dont like it. Vist on the days or dont visit. The pass's value has dropped.

Thats quite a cheeky move by the park, if it was any other industry, you could have trading standards on their case.
Click to expand...
How on earth are you working out that the value of the annual pass has dropped? Drayton do not offer split entrance fees. Ie. There isn’t an entrance fee and then a ride fee. Pay a flat fee, get in to the park and on all the rides. Annual pass equates to visiting as many times as you like (pass dependant) for its duration, including access to all the rides. This promotional weekend is purely providing access to the park. If you want to ride the rides, you pay. If you have an annual pass. You don’t. You can’t equate free entry for one weekend as a devaluing of the annual pass. I’d see your point if Drayton charged, say £5.00 to get in, plus a ride access charge. If they did, you’d effectively lose £10.00 of value in your pass if you visited on both days of the promotional weekend. But they don’t, so you aren’t. And you’re still getting your car parking benefit (pass dependent) and the on park retail and F&B discounts.

It’s promotional, clever, and a way of getting people in to the park who otherwise wouldn’t come. It ties in to the old model with a nice nostalgic nod to the past. It’s clever, creative and importantly, if you really feel like you’ve had the value of your annual pass nullified and denigrated, it’s only a single weekend. I’m sure the feelings of frustration will pass.
 
Last edited:
Johnny_5 said:
How on earth are you working out that the value of the annual pass has dropped? Drayton do not offer split entrance fees. Ie. There isn’t an entrance fee and then a ride fee. Pay a flat fee, get in to the park and on all the rides. Annual pass equates to visiting as many times as you like (pass dependant) for its duration, including access to all the rides. This promotional weekend is purely providing access to the park. If you want to ride the rides, you pay. If you have an annual pass. You don’t. You can’t equate free entry for one weekend as a devaluing of the annual pass. I’d see your point if Drayton charged, say £5.00 to get in, plus a ride access charge. If they did, you’d effectively lose £10.00 of value in your pass if you visited on both days of the promotional weekend. But they don’t, so you aren’t. And you’re still getting your car parking benefit (pass dependent) and the on park retail and F&B discounts.

It’s promotional, clever, and a way of getting people in to the park who otherwise wouldn’t come. It ties in to the old model with a nice nostalgic nod to the past. It’s clever, creative and importantly, if you really feel like you’ve had the value of your annual pass nullified and denigrated, it’s only a single weekend. I’m sure the feelings of frustration will pass.
Click to expand...

After reading everyone's points of views and opinions, im doing a total u turn. Its not such a bad thing after all.

Everyone has put across some very valid and good points to be fair. I can't really argue with them.
 
I have a feeling this was never the 'plan'. I think their April fool went down so badly they had to backtrack and come up with a 'it isn't an April fool...' and this is how they've got round it. Place will most likely be heaving but the rides will be quiet.

Still, at least they'll get their car parking money 😀
 
I know a fair few people who are going who wouldn't have otherwise. So Drayton will get parking money and u suspect they will buy £20 worth of tickets plus some food so while not whatnthey would make from a family of 4 it's more then the 0 they would of made by friend's not going at all which would of been the plan before
 
I hope they've capped the attendance numbers or it's going to be chaos. I'm sure the park will make plenty on concessions regardless of who rides what.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top