Drayton Manor Park

[Matt N]

On an unrelated note, does anyone know anything more about that S&S concept that was rumoured for the park in 2018, but was cancelled?

 

[Sauron97]

On an unrelated note, does anyone know anything more about that S&S concept that was rumoured for the park in 2018, but was cancelled?

The only info publicly available was from the S&S portfolio a year or so ago.

I am interested to know if anybody thinks Pirate Adventure has a future at Drayton Manor. I have a really split opinion on it - I would love to see it reopen as a dark ride once again, but it would also be great to see another type of major attraction open over this and Excalibur's site.

What is the reason that they closed the ride and what do you think the future is for it?

The whole ride was sadly falling apart. There are many posts in this thread that explain what happened. Water pump that kept the boats moving was failing, animatronics weren't replaced, and it's all really down to a fire back in 05/06 ish, after which they mostly gave up on maintenance. The ride has gone through a real journey since George Bryan opened it back in 1990, and was a key point of Drayton Manor becoming a major theme park, but alas I think its days are over now.
I agree with your point about a new major attraction over PA and Excalibur. I've been thinking about it and an indoor family thrill roller coaster would seem to be the most viable replacement. Anything outside would cause noise problems for the nearby residents, it is a huge space though and hopefully Drayton could get back to working alongside Space Leisure to give it a nice medieval dungeon theme.

 

[Rob]

On an unrelated note, does anyone know anything more about that S&S concept that was rumoured for the park in 2018, but was cancelled?

It wasn't going in to Thomas Land so no doubt park bosses figured they could not possibly do such a thing!

In all seriousness, it probably cost too much for them and S&S have hardly been a reputable manufacturer of late.

 

[Brad97]

I would love to see one of those new Vekoma launch coasters at Drayton. I think it would suit the park very well, they are also quite affordable with Lech Coaster only costing about £5 million I believe.

 

[Benjsh]

They definitely need to invest in one no later than 2020. The park is crying out for a new coaster.

It's great that they are constantly upgrading their attractions but people will only go back so many times when there's nothing new.

They need to capitalise on the shambles that is Towers and get some disgruntled fans on board. A shiny new coaster always helps. New Vekoma coasters are a great shout and would be unique too for the country.

 

[Rick]

They definitely need to invest in one no later than 2020. The park is crying out for a new coaster.

They will build one eventually but their demographic is so heavily focussed on Thomas Land, they'll likely continue to chase that market and only complement their selection of thrill rides by exception.

 

[Benjsh]

They will build one eventually but their demographic is so heavily focussed on Thomas Land, they'll likely continue to chase that market and only complement their selection of thrill rides by exception.

I don't see much else they can do to TL. It really is an impressive area but apart from the odd flat replacement and spruce up I don't see them investing big again in that area.

A family thrill coaster, a really good one, would do wonders for them. At the end of the day boys and girls who enjoy TL often have brothers and sisters who are a bit older too.

I think chasing the high end thrill market would be a mistake I agree but there is an in-between.

 

[Benzin]

The need to catch that same market as Thomas Land as they grow up though; which I guess was the idea behind Cartoon Network coming in...

Bit like Paultons building Lost Kingdom as the Peppa Pig fans grow out of it...

 

[Matt N]

I reckon Drayton could build a Gerstlauer family launch coaster, sort of like FireChaser Express at Dollywood. It would give them a ride that everyone of all ages should enjoy; paired with a good theme, I reckon they would have a winner on their hands.

 

[Bert2theSpark]

Wasn't there a person who said two years back that at some enthusiast event (The one run by Andy Hine) at Drayton Manor where Bryan Colin said there were two coasters planned in the next five years, One S&S model for 2018 (Which was later leaked by S&S but then cancelled for unknown reasons) and a woodie had been designed but that was five years down the line.

Also I remember that the five year plan was submitted (but then retracted) which stated all of Drayton's developments, it was mostly hotel stuff and Thomas Land expansion(s) and then the area between Buffalo and Vertigo was marked for a theme park expansion so if I put 2 + 2 together this could be the site for the woodie.

You've also got to factor in that Drayton has been doing up the area of the park from the 4D Cinema to Apocalypse with: Ben 10 being rethemed; 4D Cinema new show; Pandemonium refurbishment; Ferris Wheel and Chair Lift removal; Apocalypse Tower 5 reopened and refrubishment; Flying Dutchman refurbishment; Fish and Chip shop opened and Buffalo refurbishment.

So if I do my maths correctly and assuming the woodie hasn't been cancelled it could open in 2021.*
*Please note that this is speculation and should not be considered fact what so ever!

 

[Matt N]

Wasn't there a person who said two years back that at some enthusiast event (The one run by Andy Hine) at Drayton Manor where Bryan Colin said there were two coasters planned in the next five years, One S&S model for 2018 (Which was later leaked by S&S but then cancelled for unknown reasons) and a woodie had been designed but that was five years down the line.

Also I remember that the five year plan was submitted (but then retracted) which stated all of Drayton's developments, it was mostly hotel stuff and Thomas Land expansion(s) and then the area between Buffalo and Vertigo was marked for a theme park expansion so if I put 2 + 2 together this could be the site for the woodie.

You've also got to factor in that Drayton has been doing up the area of the park from the 4D Cinema to Apocalypse with: Ben 10 being rethemed; 4D Cinema new show; Pandemonium refurbishment; Ferris Wheel and Chair Lift removal; Apocalypse Tower 5 reopened and refrubishment; Flying Dutchman refurbishment; Fish and Chip shop opened and Buffalo refurbishment.

So if I do my maths correctly and assuming the woodie hasn't been cancelled it could open in 2021.*
*Please note that this is speculation and should not be considered fact what so ever!

Ooh! If this did happen, do we reckon they would go with GCI, GG or RMC? Or even Intamin if they are still willing to build prefabs? I reckon a GCI would be a good fit, as Wicker Man is fabulous. However, GG have been building some excellent-looking family woodies that smaller parks seem to be swallowing up, so maybe Drayton would follow that trend? This would also follow their present target market. They could also go with RMC if they wanted something big that would make an impact. RMC make rides of varying sizes, from smaller attractions like Twisted Cyclone/Storm Chaser to huge beasts like Lightning Rod/Steel Vengeance. An RMC would also be a very unique attraction for the UK.

I personally reckon that they would go for the GG, as they seem to rather like appealing to families at present. Also, a GG wouldn't be too expensive. Neither would GCI, I suppose.

 

[FreakOut]

With regards to Pirate Adventure...

When I worked there it failed it’s H&S audit so was promptly closed and never reopened. To bring it up to legal standards it’s been quoted in millions. So I guess it’s either a new attraction or bringing that up to standard.

There were a few roumers of unfortunately turning it into a Thomas boat ride.

 

[CSLKenny]

I'm fairly certain the park manager has said multiple times Pirates Adventure will never reopen. However no word on how it will or how they hope to replace it. Considering the issues are with the ride system I can't see why one day (other than money of course) they couldn't gut the building and reuse it for a new indoor attraction.

The 2018 S&S coaster was cancelled as they simply no longer could afford given their financial difficulties, especially after last year's accident, and the plummeting exchange rate of the pound after the Brexit vote (costs increased by 20%).
Hopefully though if the 2018 season is good they will eventually invest in a new coaster.

 

[Sauron97]

They've got plenty of space to expand Thomas Land, especially after the lower entrance car park was built on. New gen Vekomas give a hell of a lot for their prices, and Drayton believe it or not was the site where new gen Vekomas debuted. Rick is absolutely right though, they have no incentive to change their investment direction at the present time given Thomas expansions have given them annual profits of over a million in the past, and can be easily operated off season.
There are a number of key things Drayton have got to focus on when they are ready:
-New Car park
-Hamilton suite and Upper Entrance redevelopment
-New Penguin enclosure
-Big wheel site replaced with either a flat or a picnic area. Before Ben 10, there was actually a Pandemonium themed entertainment area which can be seen on the Space Leisure gallery. Credit for this photo goes to Space Leisure.

So something like this themed to either Apocalypse or Pandemonium (or both) would suffice.
-When the time does eventually come, a new ride in the smaller lake and Pirate Adventure area. As I said, indoor family thrill coaster would be most suitable given the past complaints over Cyclone and Pandemonium and the large space.
-Buffalo coaster, as dear as the ride is to the park and Bryan family, and even dearer recently due to the excellent work by Severn Lamb (if anyone remembers the old Rio Grande railway on the park, these guys helped design the locos for this), this ride will most likely be the site for major park expansion in the future
-Reopening the 50s diner would be pretty important as that building has been empty for a couple of years now
-Once the investigation is concluded, bringing Splash Canyon back to what it was in 1993/4 is another key priority from them. People seem to forget that it was a fantastically themed ride in its heyday. It had numerous water and smoke effects throughout, and had some animatronics in the pumping station segment too. Ride operators used to be able to control the pipe at the end to give you a right soaking!
-Also the Shockwave queueline and timber station are rather unpopularly received so redeveloping this is also something to think about. The old Wild West action park where Klondike and Black revolver existed is no more, so something to fit in with G-force and Air Race, like an airport building or ATC would be perfect. I would bet that Shockwaves reviews would improve if this happened as the bad perception of it often comes off the building and feel of the ride area, it's not even that rough .
-Boundaries for themed areas. This has been attempted a little with the Canyon Arcade building, and with the Air race and G force area.
-And finally, hopefully they can build that waterpark in the far future. It never came to anything in the 10 year strategy but it isn't off the table.

 

[venny]

I think DM sometimes get an easy ride. The number of rides they have mothballed or shut without replacement is considerable. Other rides they just close for a season (without even bothering to come up with some nonsense TLC story). Investments outside Thomas Land are minimal. They have not had a thrill ride of any real note since G Force. Out of their two major coasters, one has been closed since the start of the season, the other only runs one train. The parts of the park outside Thomas Land can often just feel like an afterthought.

I get they may not have the financial heft of a Merlin to make major investments on an annual basis, but poor operations and rides that are just shut, is not excusable.

 

[Sauron97]

Well, last season the park wasn't ready to open in March/April, but I'd hardly say they got an easy ride for it. Nonetheless, this wasn't on and they knew it, which they openly advertised on their websites and even offered a lower gate price because of it.
I think you are too hard on the park, myself. As you admitted in your second paragraph, they don't have the finances to make huge investments every year. Thus, their focus at the moment has to be writing off their debts from the hotel, keeping Thomas land open as much as possible as it's a great source of revenue, even during the off season, and ensuring the rides in the wider park get their much needed overhauls. The sprucing up of the wider park has only got larger in very recent times. New Thrill ride in 2014. Haunting was the first to get upgraded in 2016, Next was Stormforce 10 and Pandemonium, now Golden Nuggets, G-force and partially Apocalypse. This is alongside new additions to the zoo like the Tamarin Trail, a new Splash Canyon themed arcade, and a complete retheme to Ben 10.
They will expand the park eventually and add major attractions too, but at least let them spruce up the rest of the park first.

 

[Skyscraper]

And they have re-themed the Golden Nugget Wild West Shoot Out this year!

 

[Sauron97]

Exactly @skyscraper. I'm the last person to look at things from a lovey dovey, rose tinted glasses, everything is fine point of view, I think this country in general is a complete and utter mess and is on rapid decline, let alone our theme park industry, and I've been honest about Merlin too, but I appreciate a park with management that care about guest experience, and I think with this in consideration Drayton has a bright future. But haters gonna hate I guess.

 

[venny]

Well, last season the park wasn't ready to open in March/April, but I'd hardly say they got an easy ride for it. Nonetheless, this wasn't on and they knew it, which they openly advertised on their websites and even offered a lower gate price because of it.
I think you are too hard on the park, myself. As you admitted in your second paragraph, they don't have the finances to make huge investments every year. Thus, their focus at the moment has to be writing off their debts from the hotel, keeping Thomas land open as much as possible as it's a great source of revenue, even during the off season, and ensuring the rides in the wider park get their much needed overhauls. The sprucing up of the wider park has only got larger in very recent times. New Thrill ride in 2014. Haunting was the first to get upgraded in 2016, Next was Stormforce 10 and Pandemonium, now Golden Nuggets, G-force and partially Apocalypse. This is alongside new additions to the zoo like the Tamarin Trail, a new Splash Canyon themed arcade, and a complete retheme to Ben 10.
They will expand the park eventually and add major attractions too, but at least let them spruce up the rest of the park first.

I think this is a perfect example of the easy ride I mentioned. I can’t agree with the stance that we should wait until they’ve spruced up the rest of the park until they add a major attraction. A lot of the attractions which they have ‘upgraded’ or spruced up have actually just been fixed or cleaned up, which should be happening as part of regular park operations. The criticism of Alton’s TLC programme has in large part been based on why they let the park get into such a state in the first place. DM’s ‘upgrades’ in quite a few cases have been undertaken in very similar circumstances.

AT have been criticised for one train operation on Nemesis. DM runs Shockwave on one train regularly, and they haven’t even have an excuse that they’re waiting for a part to arrive.

G Force isn’t just on reduced capacity because they’re waiting for a part, but it’s completely shut. Not that they could reduce it from its one train operation anyway.

Fair play Golden Nuggets has had a refurb, but that’s at the same time as the park has removed at least two other attractions without replacement. The net effect is that the park has less attractions than it had. Even looking on the bright side, they are treading water this season, and that’s a kind interpretation.

The reopening of Stormforce and the fifth side of Apocalypse have in some parts been greeted with a puzzling lauding of praise. In fact, they should have been open last season.

Again, don’t get me wrong, I think there are some people who clearly care at Drayton. Some of their decisions and actions don’t quite appear to demonstrate the same disdain for their guests which some other parks seem to. I also really want them to do well.

My point is that, whilst there are some clear issues with Drayton’s operations and a distinct lack of investment in major rides, some people just seem to sort of accept it on the basis that they’re a family park and don’t have massive budgets.

If I was paying for entry with magic beans, this might be alright, but unfortunately I have to pay with the same hard cash I hand over to Merlin or Paultons or Blackpool. So I judge them relative to that same standard. I’m not sure that some others do.

Personal opinion though.

 

[Benjsh]

I can't see and the family visiting again any time soon. My lad is now a bit bored of kiddie rides and there's just not enough there to warrant the trip and money.

They should carry on with the family focus for sure but they need some more family thrill rides. A GG woody would be awesome.