The article has changed and now states the big project is for 2024An interesting news piece has gone live on blooloop focussing on Drayton Manor's place within the Looping Group, with a brief mention of a new entrance and three new rides for this season. There's also a mention of a "very big project for 2023".
Well worth a read: https://blooloop.com/theme-park/in-depth/looping-group-drayton-manor/
- News all the latest
- Theme Park explore the park
- Resort tour the resort
- Future looking forward
- History looking back
- Community and meetups
-
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. - Thread starter Matty
- Start date
- Favourite Ride
- Ride To Happiness
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
- Favourite Ride
- Nemesis
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Drayton Manor Park
I’m not surprised to be honest. If the big project is a coaster, which everybody wants, then we probably would have seen some sort of work commence by now. A lot of work will be required for a new coaster to be installed at Drayton. I also think Looping deserve a year off from large investments, since they have released 2 new areas in 2 years.
There isn’t many places where a new coaster could go either. The most likely places will be the Apocalypse, Pandemonium and Test Track site, or the Pirate Adventure site. I personally think the first option is more likely, I would much prefer this too.
No matter which option it may be though, there is still a huge amount of work to be done before a coaster can even be constructed. Apocalypse, Test Track and Pandemonium’s remains needs to be removed, as well as anything else in the area. The whole site will need to be flattened and substantial foundations work will be required. The same goes for if the PA site is chosen, maybe even more work.
There isn’t many places where a new coaster could go either. The most likely places will be the Apocalypse, Pandemonium and Test Track site, or the Pirate Adventure site. I personally think the first option is more likely, I would much prefer this too.
No matter which option it may be though, there is still a huge amount of work to be done before a coaster can even be constructed. Apocalypse, Test Track and Pandemonium’s remains needs to be removed, as well as anything else in the area. The whole site will need to be flattened and substantial foundations work will be required. The same goes for if the PA site is chosen, maybe even more work.
It’s an up-charge car attraction, similar to Terence’s Driving School.Keep seeing people refer to Test Track but I don’t know of a ride at DM with that name?
Shaggy_Dog_
TS Member
I was just watching the TPWW construction update video again. It looks like construction of the area is coming along nicely but there is clearly still some work to do in order to have the area ready. How realistic is the opening date of the area as being “Spring 2022”, or does it seem likely to be pushed back to the summer?
Themeparkplanet
TS Member
it was a kids car thing where the ferris wheel use to beKeep seeing people refer to Test Track but I don’t know of a ride at DM with that name?
Benjsh
TS Member
I was just watching the TPWW construction update video again. It looks like construction of the area is coming along nicely but there is clearly still some work to do in order to have the area ready. How realistic is the opening date of the area as being “Spring 2022”, or does it seem likely to be pushed back to the summer?
Summer officially starts June 21st. Plenty of time I reckon. May bank holiday weekend (Queen Jubilee) I reckon it will open,
Mr Pedantic here again...
June 21st is midsummer day, with the sun at it's peak, so six weeks before that should technically be the start of summer, roughly the second week in May.
The weather men say June, July and August are the summer months, but they are usually wrong anyway.
June 21st is midsummer day, with the sun at it's peak, so six weeks before that should technically be the start of summer, roughly the second week in May.
The weather men say June, July and August are the summer months, but they are usually wrong anyway.
Themeparksandy1981
TS Member
Maybe they will add some new attractions in Thomas land for 2023 as its 5 years since that area had any new attractions (maybe that tea cup ride that was supposed to go in 2020) and start on the Zoo improvements
BigShadowtinytree
TS Member
The zoo definitely needs work. Hope that’s in the pipeline.
Excalibur
TS Member
I'm still quite sad that they aren't going to attempt to theme the ends of the Disco Coaster. Unless this is going to be addressed at a later stage and the aim at the moment is just to get the ride open.
Be interesting to see what actual maintenance has gone on the Buffalo to considering now that ride was meant to be removed how many times!
Be interesting to see what actual maintenance has gone on the Buffalo to considering now that ride was meant to be removed how many times!
Themeparksandy1981
TS Member
Well as the track and supports were fully repainted during the 2019/20 closed season there was no point doing it again. I see the photo booth still there so they must be thinking of adding photos on the ride. Other than a new entrance, new station building and a re-themed train it will ride just the same.I'm still quite sad that they aren't going to attempt to theme the ends of the Disco Coaster. Unless this is going to be addressed at a later stage and the aim at the moment is just to get the ride open.
Be interesting to see what actual maintenance has gone on the Buffalo to considering now that ride was meant to be removed how many times!
Giving themselves another year does seem to be sensible. A couple of years has made a big difference. Two years ago, we were looking at a park that had removed Splash Canyon, G Force, the cable car, the big wheel, Pirate Adventure and Excalibur. Now we’re looking at a park that’s added two new areas and four new rides. Based on the artist’s impression, it’s a shame there isn’t a bigger theming piece in the Viking Area, but there’s certainly a lot for the marketing department to work with, and it feels like a full park again.
Themeparksandy1981
TS Member
Went to Drayton Manor this afternoon. All the attractions have now been installed with theming all going in as well. By Thor was 1 of the Excalibur boats



I noticed more markings on the ground round the back of the toilet block at the top of the park and it went round the back of the function rooms so this project looks like it gonna be big


Like many parks ride availability and breakdowns wasn’t good but at least some was listed on the website like Air race

The Dodgems wasn’t open and only 1 sit down on Apocalypse was open



Even Stormforce 10 was having major problems with it having breakdowns all day.
The cafe next to the 4D cinema had a extension

And Adventure Cove had new fences and speakers have been added around the queue lines of the other rides. Shame the big water feature at the end of the rapids was off.



I noticed more markings on the ground round the back of the toilet block at the top of the park and it went round the back of the function rooms so this project looks like it gonna be big


Like many parks ride availability and breakdowns wasn’t good but at least some was listed on the website like Air race

The Dodgems wasn’t open and only 1 sit down on Apocalypse was open



Even Stormforce 10 was having major problems with it having breakdowns all day.
The cafe next to the 4D cinema had a extension

And Adventure Cove had new fences and speakers have been added around the queue lines of the other rides. Shame the big water feature at the end of the rapids was off.
What’s new?Even Stormforce 10 was having major problems with it having breakdowns all day.
Sam
TS Member
Drayton should not get anything experimental or even a relatively new model for their coaster (so no Junior RMC). They are a park who have been unusually unlucky in the past in getting experimental rides that turned out to be duffers (Shockwave, G-Force, and a fair few of their other rides). They should get something tried-and-tested, because it would be incredibly unfortunate if they ended up with yet another turkey.
Was it very foggy when you went?Went to Drayton Manor this afternoon. All the attractions have now been installed with theming all going in as well. By Thor was 1 of the Excalibur boats
I think that's a matter of opinion, while shockwave isn't amazing I've always found it somewhat enjoyable.to be duffers (Shockwave
Skyscraper
TS Member
I per

I agree. I personally quite like Shockwave and have found it smooth, although I've only ever done the front row.I think that's a matter of opinion, while shockwave isn't amazing I've always found it somewhat enjoyable.
