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Drayton Manor Park
TedShatner10
TS Member
It's a large deeply themed family coaster more along the lines of Paultons' FotP, Storm Chaser, and Velociraptor, its more direct competitor, not the 6th tallest roller coaster in Europe, Thorpe Park's Hyperia (it aims at immersion and relatively toned down thrills; a more "budget" Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure).
Matt N
TS Member
For another Alton Towers comparison, how would you say it compared to Thirteen? That’s a similar style of Intamin coaster with various different “tricks” up its sleeves, so I’d be interested to know how Gold Rush compares to Thirteen.
TedShatner10
TS Member
Thirteen seems similar to Gold Rush (but the latter's theming is lighter in tone).
Tim
TS Member
Does anyone else find it odd that it runs one way in the morning and the other in the afternoon, when it could just alternate between the two all the time?
Kind of feels like the randomisation selling point is wasted when many guests might only ride it once and never realise there's a second mode? But if you saw it running both ways while queueing you'd realise something is odd.
Kind of feels like the randomisation selling point is wasted when many guests might only ride it once and never realise there's a second mode? But if you saw it running both ways while queueing you'd realise something is odd.
BarryZola
TS Member
Probably on a similar level. I probably prefer Thirteen though to be honest as you get to get out into the trees and you have the good first drop.
tayspru
TS Member
Waited approx 20 minutes each time at various points through the day, that’s from the start of the final covered area. They aren’t quite getting the trains out yet, we waited on the brake run every time
RustyShackleford
TS Member
I don't.
When you have been so heavily invested in something for so long when it ends its often best to turn around, close the door behind you and don't look back.
Themeparksandy1981
TS Member
I think with Accelerator they just had ordered to much brown paint and just painted the outside and the middle section of the queue.
I think it will all be stripped out as I guess in the main room of the queue line behind them fake gas tanks is the old Ben 10 figures.
I think it will all be stripped out as I guess in the main room of the queue line behind them fake gas tanks is the old Ben 10 figures.
Skyscraper
TS Member
That was mode 2, apparently mode 1 is more intense.
Themeparksandy1981
TS Member
I went for 2 hours today with my daughter and managed to get on it 3 times.
Cycle 1 once that was at 3:25
Cycle 2 twice 4:55
Cycle 1 was ok it felt slow going over the top. I wonder if they should launch it up there. But I loved the launch backwards out of the shed.
Cycle 2 OMG that was excellent how quick it went down the lift hill then launching forward out of the shed but like cycle 1 wish it launched up the lift hill.
The coaster felt like it was worth the queue time and been on 2 trains 1st time was 30 mins, 2nd 15 mins and 3rd got to stay on as only 6 were left to ride the coaster in the queue line.
Comparing it to 13 if you take out the drop I thought gold rush was better.
Pics from today
They started to install the final section of the station theming
The biggest let down of the area was the toilet block. They spent all that money on theming the building and adding a new roof but spend next to nothing inside with just vinyls added to the toilet doors and some themed wood around the sink area
Cycle 1 once that was at 3:25
Cycle 2 twice 4:55
Cycle 1 was ok it felt slow going over the top. I wonder if they should launch it up there. But I loved the launch backwards out of the shed.
Cycle 2 OMG that was excellent how quick it went down the lift hill then launching forward out of the shed but like cycle 1 wish it launched up the lift hill.
The coaster felt like it was worth the queue time and been on 2 trains 1st time was 30 mins, 2nd 15 mins and 3rd got to stay on as only 6 were left to ride the coaster in the queue line.
Comparing it to 13 if you take out the drop I thought gold rush was better.
Pics from today
They started to install the final section of the station theming
The biggest let down of the area was the toilet block. They spent all that money on theming the building and adding a new roof but spend next to nothing inside with just vinyls added to the toilet doors and some themed wood around the sink area
KolonelKlink
TS Member
This is so bad I laughed out loud.The biggest let down of the area was the toilet block.
Excalibur
TS Member
I’m not one to bash Drayton Manor as I absolutely loved the place in the 90a and 00s however I do feel enthusiasts are giving Drayton in its current form too much praise.
Yes, they’ve had good investment in not denying that, however let’s look at the Vikings land.. it’s literally just colourful wood everywhere and practically nothing else. The way enthusiasts bang on about how well themed Vikings is.. where? I literally don’t see it.
Now, they have tried with this new area and I can see that, however I agree it is half arssed approach. A couple of barrels chucked here and there. Reused Shockwave theming, I mean surely if you’re building a brand new coaster you’d go all out? I do think some of there “theming” standards are questionable. And someone mentioned it earlier about comparing it the Paultons - they’re still blowing the family market out the water and the level of theming is phenomenal.
I’m beginning to get a bad feeling about what they’re going to do with Pirate Cove and more essentially Pirates Adventure.
Even Thomas land, the new logflume looks like it’s been shoehorned in and is completely a different aesthetic and brand to the current Thomas faces. Why are these two clashing?
I’m very critical of Drayton because I do genuinely care for the park, it’s just disappointing seeing some of the results installed. I expected much more and left feeling deflated.
Yes, they’ve had good investment in not denying that, however let’s look at the Vikings land.. it’s literally just colourful wood everywhere and practically nothing else. The way enthusiasts bang on about how well themed Vikings is.. where? I literally don’t see it.
Now, they have tried with this new area and I can see that, however I agree it is half arssed approach. A couple of barrels chucked here and there. Reused Shockwave theming, I mean surely if you’re building a brand new coaster you’d go all out? I do think some of there “theming” standards are questionable. And someone mentioned it earlier about comparing it the Paultons - they’re still blowing the family market out the water and the level of theming is phenomenal.
I’m beginning to get a bad feeling about what they’re going to do with Pirate Cove and more essentially Pirates Adventure.
Even Thomas land, the new logflume looks like it’s been shoehorned in and is completely a different aesthetic and brand to the current Thomas faces. Why are these two clashing?
I’m very critical of Drayton because I do genuinely care for the park, it’s just disappointing seeing some of the results installed. I expected much more and left feeling deflated.
You have a bad feeling about what they will do with Pirate Adventure...
After a couple of decades of absolutely nothing, I have a good feeling they are finally going to do something.
Big, repeated investments, but criticism, deflation and disappointment with the results.
I wonder sometimes why they bother.
After a couple of decades of absolutely nothing, I have a good feeling they are finally going to do something.
Big, repeated investments, but criticism, deflation and disappointment with the results.
I wonder sometimes why they bother.
