Drayton Manor Park

[Hid]

1 train? Appalling

To be fair if one train is sent for repairs and the other is still operational would you rather it remain closed or reopen with 1 train.

I assume one has been sent to intamin to figure out the valleying issue

 

[Jb85]

To be fair if one train is sent for repairs and the other is still operational would you rather it remain closed or reopen with 1 train.

I assume one has been sent to intamin to figure out the valleying issue

Doubt that very much - if they haven’t fixed the issues I couldn’t see it opening

 

[Poisson]

Also you don't just send a train away unless it is something big that needs doing. It's a logistical headache. Much easier to get people to a coaster than a coaster to people.

 

[Themeparksandy1981]

The fault may have not been with the launch but with the train. It may have been the same train that was causing the problems.

As for the future of the park if anyone had watched the video of the 75th anniversary in the falls theatre Victoria Lynn said there will be a new 5 year plan announced later this year.
I do think it will be:
2026 Pirate adventure replacement with a new pirate area which will include the Bounty and the arcade with maybe the Carousel been moved to the adventure cove area.
Also the Haunting been 30 years old it supposed to be getting a new trailer built as the current 1 is all rusty underneath.

2027 with the new zoo law that was announced yesterday https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq548lq8jldo.amp I do see major investment into the zoo. Finish off the Frontier falls area with the Junior boomerang coaster finished off, the restaurant/saloon opens and a new 4D movie.

2028 New area at the farm end of the zoo to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Thomas land with continued work on the zoo. Last year of operation of the powered coaster.

2029 construction starts on the new Vikings land coaster and 1 or 2 more flat rides on the unused area in Vikings.

2030 new coaster and flat rides open as part of the parks 80th anniversary and the 10th anniversary of the looping group running the park.

 

[GooseOnTheLoose]

2027 ... Finish off the Frontier falls area with the Junior boomerang coaster finished off, the restaurant/saloon opens and a new 4D movie

You've changed your tune since Wednesday.

Accelerator it’s had the outside done this year so they could do it inside next closed season.

With work likely starting at 8am, and pubs opening around 12pm, I can understand why you'd need to budget at least two years for the modest changes so close to Birmingham.

1 train? Appalling

From a forthcoming park statement: "Gold Rush running with a single train brings it in line with standard operational procedures at the rest of the park. This allows Drayton Manor Park and Zoo to deliver a consistent experience throughout all of its attractions. It delivers brand cohesion across the resort, ensuring that the expectation of single train operations, for staff and visitors, are met."

 

[Quantum]

It's interesting to see how the next five years will shape up at Drayton.

I think 2026-27 we will get something replacing pirate adventure and a retheme of that area. The Excalibur site could be used for something as well.

I could see another coaster at Drayton towards the end of the decade in 28-29. Could replace Jormungander as it rather decrepit.

I think they will also get a new shot/ drop tower.

New restaurant in Frontier Falls is a no brainer

Not sure what will happen with the zoo tbh

 

[Matt N]

I might have said it before, but I’d love to see a GCI at Drayton, similar to those installed by the Looping Group at Isla Magica and Mer de Sable.

I think a woodie would be a brilliant fit!

 

[owenstreet7]

I might have said it before, but I’d love to see a GCI at Drayton, similar to those installed by the Looping Group at Isla Magica and Mer de Sable.

I think a woodie would be a brilliant fit!

I totally agree, Drayton really needs a coaster on the scale of Wickerman, Thirteen, Spinball etc. and a woodie will fit this like a glove.

We also need a few more modern woodies in this country as well.

 

[Hid]

I might have said it before, but I’d love to see a GCI at Drayton, similar to those installed by the Looping Group at Isla Magica and Mer de Sable.

I think a woodie would be a brilliant fit!

That's the risk with a GCI too close to Towers would argue Gravity Group would be better

 

[GooseOnTheLoose]

That's the risk with a GCI too close to Towers would argue Gravity Group would be better

We'll just ignore that both parks have a Vekoma Mad House, an Intamin Rapids ride and an Intamin Lift and Launch Coaster. Only a GCI would be too close.

 

[Matt N]

That's the risk with a GCI too close to Towers would argue Gravity Group would be better

If you’re building a woodie, I’d argue that manufacturer isn’t something that the average guest is likely to notice. I don’t see why a Gravity Group would be any more marketable than a GCI; at the family ride level of woodie Drayton Manor would likely build, I don’t see that it makes much difference.

There is a lack of modern woodies in this country, particularly with the recent closure of Megafobia, and given that Looping Group have already forged a relationship with GCI at their parks in France and Spain, one does seem like a logical choice for Drayton to me!

 

[owenstreet7]

If you’re building a woodie, I’d argue that manufacturer isn’t something that the average guest is likely to notice. I don’t see why a Gravity Group would be any more marketable than a GCI; at the family ride level of woodie Drayton Manor would likely build, I don’t see that it makes much difference.

There is a lack of modern woodies in this country, particularly with the recent closure of Megafobia, and given that Looping Group have already forged a relationship with GCI at their parks in France and Spain, one does seem like a logical choice for Drayton to me!

I would agree and say that most people wouldn't notice the difference between manufacturers in the same way as us enthusiasts. I'd say that the average guest may not pick out the difference between Infusion and Nemesis or Vampire and Flight of the Pterosaur other than noticeable differences.

I saw on RCDB that the one in Spain is going to be a fully Titan Track one which would be a hybrid. I heard Gravity Group do similar with some of the family woodies as well.

I'd say that it could easily be distinguishable from Wickerman anyway, an out and back layout like the ones Looping are doing would be very different from Wickerman I'd say. - I believe that's more of a Twister layout.

 

[JAperson]

I think Drayton might have problems with building a woodie due to noise concerns, it might be possible but I wouldn't say its the most marketable thing. There next coaster should be something really easy to market.

 

[Alphe86]

Gold Rush down again. They had issues getting it to launch so they reset it and got it back. Then evacuated and as yet hasn’t opened again (1hr)
There’s no staff or engineers on site currently

 

[TBoy535]

The Zoo just needs to go in my opinion no one goes to Drayton for the zoo. Maybe just keep the reptile center but major upgrades or a small aquarium?
Its there only main area of expansion and could be easily themed to a Jungle style themed land with rides and attractions. The restaurant is already themed and the landscaping with all the foliage and river that runs through would be a great fit.

Zoos must be so costly for themeparks staffing, feeding, cleaning, medical treatments etc.
I’d rather the animals go elsewhere with larger enclosures and better facilities, all the staff and costs saved could fund an entire new area!

 

[Quantum]

I think Drayton might have problems with building a woodie due to noise concerns, it might be possible but I wouldn't say its the most marketable thing. There next coaster should be something really easy to market.

This is true though if its near the Vikings area they may get away with it as it's furthest away from the houses. No chance they could build it in the zoo area.