• 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.

American Adventure Park

Weird request but does anyone have any pictures other than from google of inside Pioneer Playland as I would of expected there to be loads but I cant find many.
Also any pictures near the end of the park with fruit machines taking up most of one half of the inside?
 
Spark said:
Weird request but does anyone have any pictures other than from google of inside Pioneer Playland as I would of expected there to be loads but I cant find many.
Also any pictures near the end of the park with fruit machines taking up most of one half of the inside?
Click to expand...
I think the sort of photography people took in Pioneer Playland (i.e. of their young children playing) is less likely to end up uploaded publicly than photos/videos of the rides and shows.

Worth remembering that it was only around for 5 years or so and still in the era people would typically take very few shots, making a single roll of film last for several days out.

I remember the place looking pretty bleak in later years when the remainder of Pioneer Playland was removed and an arcade shoved in, and the generic soft play area they put in later on didn't do much to improve things either. Probably not the sort of thing I'd have used up one of my limited memory card spaces for (not that I have any clue where any of my photography from that era is nowadays, if it still exists).
 
I know just seems a shame we have so many pictures of the entire park but this area which holds fond memories less so.
 
133222391_1391628681168396_3986651624292395309_o.jpg


Runaway Train for sale here - https://www.interlink-lg.com/used-rides/runaway-train/
 
Pleasure Beach Valhalla said:
You planning on buying it @Rick ? I think Drayton may have a go at getting it or maybe Lightwater Valley or Oakwood, one of those parks!
Click to expand...
I am not sure 'er indoors would approve, already too much "roller coaster rubbish" in the garden.

I don't think any of those parks are in the market for it, but suspect it will likely end up at another park, when sold, rather than back on the road.
 
It had shown up at Goose Fair after being converted to a traveling coaster, but after that I think it went out to another Mellors venture in Dubai. A quick Google search seems to suggest that their involvement ended in 2017, but I’m unsure if it’s been elsewhere since then (assuming Mellors kept hold of the ride).
 
It could be a decent fit for the Pirate Adventure building at Drayton. A nice (not so little) indoor coaster which could either be themed to Thomas Land or something completely different. It could be a addition to Drayton. I don't think the Buffalo has got many seasons left after riding it in the summer.
 
Ian said:
It had shown up at Goose Fair after being converted to a traveling coaster, but after that I think it went out to another Mellors venture in Dubai. A quick Google search seems to suggest that their involvement ended in 2017, but I’m unsure if it’s been elsewhere since then (assuming Mellors kept hold of the ride).
Click to expand...
It also went to a few 'Funderworld' pay-once funfairs they ran around the same time.

I saw it reported that it had been to Dubai but I haven't seen photos of it there... not in a long while anyway. It could have been several years since it last ran at this point. Euro-Star proves that is not necessarily terminal though.

Either way, it's a fabulous little ride and I hope it does resurface.

siralgenon said:
I don't think the Buffalo has got many seasons left after riding it in the summer.
Click to expand...
I visited Drayton for the first time last year and was shocked at the extent to which their Buffalo was struggling - it was also running several cars short, I'm not sure if it was a temporary thing and perhaps a contributing factor?

American Adventure splashed out on a full refurb of their Buffalo in 2005, and it looked and ran great for a couple of seasons. It'd be nice to see it in action again when I have an excuse to go to Twin Lakes.
 
Rick said:
Hard not to be nostalgic, really. Great days.

If you like this sort of stuff, you might like what I have put together at themepark.org.uk
Click to expand...

Magical!!

I have a lot of print items that I secured from the closure auction that aren’t displayed anywhere. I should perhaps consider offering them somewhere like this!
 
Sazzle said:
Magical!!

I have a lot of print items that I secured from the closure auction that aren’t displayed anywhere. I should perhaps consider offering them somewhere like this!
Click to expand...
I recall we were in a bidding war on a couple! Would be delighted to host anything.
 
I really miss the American Adventure. Growing up before the internet this place was more advertised on tv and our schools were always given vouchers for cheap entry so growing up I only knew about Drayton Manor and this park. It was way ahead of Both parks with its live stunt shows in the town and on the lake with the dancing girls In the bar.
It really started going down hill when they had to move the main entrance and the last major ride that was added was the motion master.
Not a lot left of the site but think I can see the old layout of the rapids in this video
 
Sazzle said:
Magical!!

I have a lot of print items that I secured from the closure auction that aren’t displayed anywhere. I should perhaps consider offering them somewhere like this!
Click to expand...

If you could sort something that would be great :) :) :)

Themeparksandy1981 said:
I really miss the American Adventure. Growing up before the internet this place was more advertised on tv and our schools were always given vouchers for cheap entry so growing up I only knew about Drayton Manor and this park. It was way ahead of Both parks with its live stunt shows in the town and on the lake with the dancing girls In the bar.
It really started going down hill when they had to move the main entrance and the last major ride that was added was the motion master.
Not a lot left of the site but think I can see the old layout of the rapids in this video
Click to expand...


Wow its changed a lot. Interesting it looks like they have dugout parts of the old rapids
 
Given the rapids were very hastily infilled with gravel after the park closed I’m guessing they’re digging it all out now to actually removed the concrete troughs properly ready for new construction. Can’t really lay foundations for new buildings in a rapids channel!

I was up at Shipley over Christmas and went for a stroll around the park and Shipley Hall area. Surprising how much bigger it all seems to look compared to when the park was there. You don’t realise quite how much disused space there was really, especially behind Twin Looper and the Skycoaster where the stadium and admin office were.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top