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Drayton Manor Park

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AT86 said:
I’m still none the wiser.
Click to expand...
The Haunting, a Vekoma madhouse at Drayton, has been rumoured this year to be getting a refresh, or a refurb. The tweet appears to be Drayton either confirming it, or playing with its thoosie followers.

Also the 4D cinema has closed, it's now the Drayton Theatre. The Haunting is next door to it. To give additional context to my post.
 
The mug wasn’t meant to be in the shot when they filmed it.
For the Halloween event

THE HAUNTING: RECLAIMED​

The Institute Of Metaphysical Research has long since concluded its investigation into the Drayton Green Vicarage, after the team mysteriously disappeared in 1996 with no trace. Until tonight…

I wonder if they got Doctor X back.
 
The ride was closed for a couple of weeks earlier this month and where only just a new smoke machine that was installed in the main pre show room under the flooring nothing was changed except the crypt at the end of the ride didn’t open as that could have been updated for the event with a new video in the trailer and a new projector on the painting unless they got the vampire behind the painting working again.
 
Themeparksandy1981 said:
The ride was closed for a couple of weeks earlier this month and where only just a new smoke machine that was installed in the main pre show room under the flooring nothing was changed except the crypt at the end of the ride didn’t open as that could have been updated for the event with a new video in the trailer and a new projector on the painting unless they got the vampire behind the painting working again.
Click to expand...
Got told on the attraction source event bts that the vampire had been stolen in one of the prior refurbishments so that would be impossible, I do think the old video will be played in the trailer though.
 
Haz said:
Got told on the attraction source event bts that the vampire had been stolen in one of the prior refurbishments so that would be impossible, I do think the old video will be played in the trailer though.
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Oh that’s interesting as I was told it was still behind the picture and they just turned off the light that comes on behind the picture.
I hope they have a new projector video in the library room and don’t turn on the light above u so we won’t see their lifeless bodies of the original team and have actors as zombies dressed in the team uniforms. Then have a jump scare with actors coming into the mad house and we have to escape.
 
Just got back from Drayton Manor today, didn't do the scare areas apart from the Haunting.

Shockwave broke down and didn't reopen, which was a bit of a shame, weather stared of alright, but was horrendous at the last few hours, drenching it, but thankfully today there was a saving grace, The Haunting!!! Incoming review! Will put spoiler tag below!

The Outdoor area:

There's new signage for the event while coexisting with the original signs! Off to a good start already :)

20231027_172911.jpg
20231027_172919.jpg

They've added a smoke machine in the R.I.P.A Hut. Looks great! Today also marks the surprising but welcoming return of the original 1996 Organ music that used to play outside!! It sets a great mood before getting collected by the attendant! Great way to hype you up!

The Preshow:

At first, I was quite disappointed seeing all the R.I.P.A Signage on the walls, screens, and Audio still playing, practically nothing changed, but when the show began I was not expecting what they did! It starts with Doctor Ghostman about to introduce itself, but static and interference stops the footage. Seconds later, The Institute of Metaphysical Research logo replaces Doctor Ghostman! This also marks the return of the one and only, Doctor X!! They've brought back the original preshow! After the original preshow ends, you can hear the OG Standard interface audio and a snippet of the original Vicars voice!! What an improvement over Doctor Ghostman!!

The Cellar:

No much has changed for the cellar apart from the audio. They brought back the original music for that as well. The lights unfortunately don't flicker :/. Doctor Ghostman's voice is no longer present, and the original screaming effect is also back! Still a good improvement!

The Library:

At first, everything was pretty much the same, until I noticed the absence of that bright light that used to reside near the chair, and the IMR Logo on one of the boxes! The show starts, no annoying light ruining the scene anymore and instead goes dead silent! The Lady of the House still resides there and its pretty much the same. The show ends, but one of the lights in the ceiling beams down on the box with the IMR logo, and the Vicars voice comes back, along with the original Library music, telling guests they can not turn back and must go on, before giving out a sinister cackle! A neat change, plus, no Doctor Ghostman either! Looking great so far!

Last but not least, the Chapel:

At first, it was just like it's same old self with same standard audio, but when the lights flicker out, the original Chapel chanting and Chior starts playing before the room is illuminated with the UV lights! The Vicars voice returns telling is there is no escape before cackling once again! The chior continues and the vicar laughs a couple of more times, synced with the projection of the ghost on the walls.

The IMR warns us that they're trying to get us out and warn us to prepare for a Plasma Wave sequence! Before that though... The coffin opens... and Agatha finally pops out at the quickest I've ever seen! After nearly a year? They've fixed it!! The plasma wave begins, and the Vicar gives out a shriek while the strobes are going off. The lights go out, and the IMR tells us to leave and thanks us for helping! It's all original audio too I think!! The lights return on, and the exit now plays the Outdoor organ music with the Vicar laughing in the background!!

All in all, a fantastic improvement to what was there a mere couple of weeks back!! Still not perfect, but that's the best experience on The Haunting I've ever had. They even put some IMR logos in the old gift shop, which was a nice touch. I could tell people in my group really loved it when they were leaving!

I hear that the other mazes had very mixed reviews though, but The Hauntings had mostly extremely good reviews from most people in my group! Well done Drayton Manor, you've given this classic exactly what it deserves!!! Now, let's hope these changes are permanent lol!
[/SPOILER)
 
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GooseOnTheLoose said:
Do we know if the changes to the 4D Cinema are just for Halloween or permeant?
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I did hear the 3rd year deal for the Thomas 4D movie has come to an end.
At Christmas it’s showing Rory’s Christmas show and when the park reopen in Feb they could be bringing back the Dinosaur event which also hosted the raptor training show.

It’s not been a great evening for the park with the heavy rain and many guests complaining that the Haunting queue been between 60-90 mins.
Castle of Shadows been 60 min + wait and the train been that far behind schedule guests had no clue how long the queue was and many missed the fireworks.
The park has apologised and any paid attractions guests didn’t manage to go on can get their money back.
 
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Trooper Looper said:
Just got back from Drayton Manor today, didn't do the scare areas apart from the Haunting.

Shockwave broke down and didn't reopen, which was a bit of a shame, weather stared of alright, but was horrendous at the last few hours, drenching it, but thankfully today there was a saving grace, The Haunting!!! Incoming review! Will put spoiler tag below!

The Outdoor area:

There's new signage for the event while coexisting with the original signs! Off to a good start already :)

20231027_172911.jpg
20231027_172919.jpg

They've added a smoke machine in the R.I.P.A Hut. Looks great! Today also marks the surprising but welcoming return of the original 1996 Organ music that used to play outside!! It sets a great mood before getting collected by the attendant! Great way to hype you up!

The Preshow:

At first, I was quite disappointed seeing all the R.I.P.A Signage on the walls, screens, and Audio still playing, practically nothing changed, but when the show began I was not expecting what they did! It starts with Doctor Ghostman about to introduce itself, but static and interference stops the footage. Seconds later, The Institute of Metaphysical Research logo replaces Doctor Ghostman! This also marks the return of the one and only, Doctor X!! They've brought back the original preshow! After the original preshow ends, you can hear the OG Standard interface audio and a snippet of the original Vicars voice!! What an improvement over Doctor Ghostman!!

The Cellar:

No much has changed for the cellar apart from the audio. They brought back the original music for that as well. The lights unfortunately don't flicker :/. Doctor Ghostman's voice is no longer present, and the original screaming effect is also back! Still a good improvement!

The Library:

At first, everything was pretty much the same, until I noticed the absence of that bright light that used to reside near the chair, and the IMR Logo on one of the boxes! The show starts, no annoying light ruining the scene anymore and instead goes dead silent! The Lady of the House still resides there and its pretty much the same. The show ends, but one of the lights in the ceiling beams down on the box with the IMR logo, and the Vicars voice comes back, along with the original Library music, telling guests they can not turn back and must go on, before giving out a sinister cackle! A neat change, plus, no Doctor Ghostman either! Looking great so far!

Last but not least, the Chapel:

At first, it was just like it's same old self with same standard audio, but when the lights flicker out, the original Chapel chanting and Chior starts playing before the room is illuminated with the UV lights! The Vicars voice returns telling is there is no escape before cackling once again! The chior continues and the vicar laughs a couple of more times, synced with the projection of the ghost on the walls.

The IMR warns us that they're trying to get us out and warn us to prepare for a Plasma Wave sequence! Before that though... The coffin opens... and Agatha finally pops out at the quickest I've ever seen! After nearly a year? They've fixed it!! The plasma wave begins, and the Vicar gives out a shriek while the strobes are going off. The lights go out, and the IMR tells us to leave and thanks us for helping! It's all original audio too I think!! The lights return on, and the exit now plays the Outdoor organ music with the Vicar laughing in the background!!

All in all, a fantastic improvement to what was there a mere couple of weeks back!! Still not perfect, but that's the best experience on The Haunting I've ever had. They even put some IMR logos in the old gift shop, which was a nice touch. I could tell people in my group really loved it when they were leaving!

I hear that the other mazes had very mixed reviews though, but The Hauntings had mostly extremely good reviews from most people in my group! Well done Drayton Manor, you've given this classic exactly what it deserves!!! Now, let's hope these changes are permanent lol!
[/SPOILER)
Click to expand...
guessing it was before 5pm when they add actors
 
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