Drayton Manor Park

[DistortAMG]

A few more from the archives photos of Drayton Manor Park....
Hard to tell if this first photo is from the main lake, or the Excalibur lake. The whole site was overgrown around this time, so difficult to say.



Next one....




Next one...



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Photos from the Express and Star.

 

[DistortAMG]

Part 2 - can only attach 10 images.

This photo was taken from where Apocalypse stood.



Next three captions are from the Splash Canyon photos posted earlier...

 

[Themeparksandy1981]

I so remember playing on that metal climbing frame in the 90’s.
Does anyone remember the themed zoo playground where the equipment was themed to animals?

 

[DistortAMG]

I remember playing on it in the 90's yes. I think most of the juicy photos are in the posts above, I'll see if there are any more worth sharing.

 

[Themeparksandy1981]

Found a video of Shockwave testing and how good did the rapids look in its early years.

From: https://youtu.be/ZDJj5TY4Nms

 

[Rick]

Great video. Suspect that was shot Spring 1994 though ?

 

[DistortAMG]

Great video. Suspect that was shot Spring 1994 though ?

Great video indeed, yeah Spring 1994, Shockwave had not gone vertical by spring 1993.

While I do enjoy the mine town theme, I do not think the dull colour scheme aged well.

 

[BigShadowtinytree]

I have the most vague memories of the zoo playground. The slide was a giraffe or similar?

I miss the yellow shockwave trains. They’re a core memory for me, as when ever someone mentions Shockwave my brain defaults to remembering a yellow train despite it not being that colour for years. Has it always been a coaster that slams you into the break run as it does now? Seems like it from the video although maybe a bit less violently, it might depend on how much weight is on the train I guess.

It’s kind of mad seeing the old rapids boats, the sides on them seem so low compared to what I’m used to seeing on rapids rides now.

 

[QTXAdsy]

Imagine if DM announce a single rail coaster and it ends up being one of these. To be fair they do look quite fun little rides


From: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVqarsdymm4

Looks like a ride built for the Diddy men, only the Ken Dodd fans will get the joke! But yeah, looks like a fun kiddy dueling coaster that could fit almost on any park in this country. I could honestly see Lightwater getting it if their family friendly direction works out, but Drayton getting this wouldn't be all that bad.

 

[Skyscraper]

Looks like a ride built for the Diddy men, only the Ken Dodd fans will get the joke! But yeah, looks like a fun kiddy dueling coaster that could fit almost on any park in this country. I could honestly see Lightwater getting it if their family friendly direction works out, but Drayton getting this wouldn't be all that bad.

That's a kids coaster though, so it's kind of out of the question as the park have specifically stated that it will be family-thrill.

 

[John_P]

Looks like a ride built for the Diddy men, only the Ken Dodd fans will get the joke! But yeah, looks like a fun kiddy dueling coaster that could fit almost on any park in this country. I could honestly see Lightwater getting it if their family friendly direction works out, but Drayton getting this wouldn't be all that bad.

They look a perfect way to wind down after a day working in the jam buttie mines of Knotty Ash.

 

[Ciaran]

Has it always been a coaster that slams you into the break run as it does now? Seems like it from the video although maybe a bit less violently, it might depend on how much weight is on the train I guess.

Seems like it yeah. Although back then it continued slowly into the station instead of coming to a complete stop, which would have softened the force significantly.

 

[Themeparksandy1981]

So Shawn put on Twitter to confirm that Thomas land is also getting a new attraction for 2023. That’s the longest that area has gone without adding a new attraction.

From: https://twitter.com/ThemeParkWW/status/1615316796588052487?s=20&t=sihfsE1Q8K_mk7bT7plsCg
I wonder if that will open in March or ready for the Easter holidays?

 

[Alex_szoboszlai]

So Shawn put on Twitter to confirm that Thomas land is also getting a new attraction for 2023. That’s the longest that area has gone without adding a new attraction.

From: https://twitter.com/ThemeParkWW/status/1615316796588052487?s=20&t=sihfsE1Q8K_mk7bT7plsCg
I wonder if that will open in March or ready for the Easter holidays?

Website says main season starts March 16th , although the Twitter account said April 1st . Maybe an April fools joke?

 

[Themeparksandy1981]

looking back at this video

From: https://youtu.be/JejNg7vEXCY

That was in the area that’s behind the Sodor construction gates and been in the farm area it rarely gets a big queue so they could be moving it back to Thomas land to go with the new ride for the season.
That will free up a lot of land for a zoo expansion if they also remove the building around it.

 

[Themeparksandy1981]

Sorry for the double post but Drayton Manor are looking for a Head of Park Operations.

https://jobs.blooloop.com/jobs/187359746-head-of-park-operations-at-drayton-manor-resort

 

[Themeparkplanet]

looking back at this video

From: https://youtu.be/JejNg7vEXCY

That was in the area that’s behind the Sodor construction gates and been in the farm area it rarely gets a big queue so they could be moving it back to Thomas land to go with the new ride for the season.
That will free up a lot of land for a zoo expansion if they also remove the building around it.

two rides has been in that spot terrence before it got moved to the zoo and Blue Mountain Engines 2012-2015 when the expansion opened got moved there

 

[Themeparksandy1981]

I noticed on the website that the Adventure Cove rides ain’t opening to April.

Theme Park | Rides

Discover all you need to know about our Drayton Manor Theme Park rides, from our rollercoaster rides and water rides to our gentle rides for children.

www.draytonmanor.co.uk

 

[JAperson]

I noticed on the website that the Adventure Cove rides ain’t opening to April.

Theme Park | Rides

Discover all you need to know about our Drayton Manor Theme Park rides, from our rollercoaster rides and water rides to our gentle rides for children.

www.draytonmanor.co.uk

That's interesting, I'd understand why the rapids might not be open until later but I'm unsure why maelstrom and air race can't be open? Unless they've had maintenance issues? I'd definitely understand that being the case with Shockwave.

 

[Themeparksandy1981]

I wonder if it’s to do with this new rumoured train on Shockwave or finishing off the Adventure cove theming on all attractions. Also with no Apocalypse that means no ride over 1.2m height requirement is open to April.