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Dreamland Margate: General Discussion
- Thread starter Sam
- Start date
Danny
TS Contributor
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
Went back today and invested in the annual membership. Oddly I was informed their cards aren't ready, so have to make do with a plain paper incarnation until the membership cards are ready?
The charm is still there, something that seems unlikely to leave the park at all. The numerous additions since really add to the atmosphere and variety in attraction line up, and it was great to finally experience some of the offerings that weren't available on open day.
Best of all is the entertainment. It's so simple, cheap and yet it manages to put the big UK players efforts to shame. After exiting the Ferris Wheel, we observed someone dressed as a carrot jumping onto the ride, pursued by someone dressed as an angry rabbit determined to catch its lunch. An utterly ludicrous concept that had nearby guests stop to observe.
Not long after exiting the Counter Culture Caterpillar, we observed two beings dressed as... seagulls. Seagulls. By the seaside. 'Attacking' people, especially if they had food. What an utterly hilarious yet well executed concept, even if the costumes clearly didn't have mountains of cash ploughed into them.
The entertainment at the park seems to be very spontaneous and temporary, making the routines of some of the big UK players look tired and repetitive. It goes to show that quirky entertainment that captivates guests is possible within our parks on a shoestring budget.
It's great to be able to visit the park every month or so as there's always going to be significant changes on each visit, something to look forward to and keeps the park fresh and fun.
The charm is still there, something that seems unlikely to leave the park at all. The numerous additions since really add to the atmosphere and variety in attraction line up, and it was great to finally experience some of the offerings that weren't available on open day.
Best of all is the entertainment. It's so simple, cheap and yet it manages to put the big UK players efforts to shame. After exiting the Ferris Wheel, we observed someone dressed as a carrot jumping onto the ride, pursued by someone dressed as an angry rabbit determined to catch its lunch. An utterly ludicrous concept that had nearby guests stop to observe.
Not long after exiting the Counter Culture Caterpillar, we observed two beings dressed as... seagulls. Seagulls. By the seaside. 'Attacking' people, especially if they had food. What an utterly hilarious yet well executed concept, even if the costumes clearly didn't have mountains of cash ploughed into them.
The entertainment at the park seems to be very spontaneous and temporary, making the routines of some of the big UK players look tired and repetitive. It goes to show that quirky entertainment that captivates guests is possible within our parks on a shoestring budget.
It's great to be able to visit the park every month or so as there's always going to be significant changes on each visit, something to look forward to and keeps the park fresh and fun.
Kimberley
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Wodan
Thought I would post a quick Screamland update 
Firstly I want to show my appreciation for the posters they had commissioned by local artist Dean Samed, they look fab!
Secondly, a few photos have been posted on their Facebook event page to show the progress being made with the scare mazes. I'll put this as a spoiler just in case anyone is planning on attending
Must say, I think the mazes look great :') Dreamland have said that 3 of them will be wheelchair friendly which is nice to know They are promoting the event having 'more than 60 actors', which makes me wonder how many will be roaming in the park..
They have also announced that there will be live bands and entertainments performing during the evenings, and lastly the extra addition of Horrify Me, an opportunity for a horror makeover and photo shoot!
Online tickets are priced at £24.99 now that the early bird offer has finished, which gives you entry to the park and 1 go in each of their 4 mazes. Everyone will have their own opinion in terms of affordability, but given entry is usually £15 for the park in advance, I don't think that £10 for 4 mazes is too bad.
Sadly I haven't been able to find anymore info about when the Scenic will be opening
Firstly I want to show my appreciation for the posters they had commissioned by local artist Dean Samed, they look fab!
Secondly, a few photos have been posted on their Facebook event page to show the progress being made with the scare mazes. I'll put this as a spoiler just in case anyone is planning on attending
This is Festino's Forgotten Funhouse, which is being held in a circus big top
Secondly we have Dead and Breakfast!
And lastly there is The Final Cut
Secondly we have Dead and Breakfast!
And lastly there is The Final Cut
Must say, I think the mazes look great :') Dreamland have said that 3 of them will be wheelchair friendly which is nice to know
They are promoting the event having 'more than 60 actors', which makes me wonder how many will be roaming in the park.. They have also announced that there will be live bands and entertainments performing during the evenings, and lastly the extra addition of Horrify Me, an opportunity for a horror makeover and photo shoot!
Online tickets are priced at £24.99 now that the early bird offer has finished, which gives you entry to the park and 1 go in each of their 4 mazes. Everyone will have their own opinion in terms of affordability, but given entry is usually £15 for the park in advance, I don't think that £10 for 4 mazes is too bad.
Sadly I haven't been able to find anymore info about when the Scenic will be opening
Kimberley
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Wodan
Another quick update
A few more photos of Festino's Forgotten Funhouse have been posted on their Facebook event page, for which I will put in a spoiler again
What they're really emphasising is how big this scare maze will be, I am very excited to see the final product
In other news, Ride Rater have posted some great photos of the Scenic testing
No further news from Dreamland as to what the opening date will be, but with Screamland starting in a couple of weeks I'm sure they will want it open for then!
A few more photos of Festino's Forgotten Funhouse have been posted on their Facebook event page, for which I will put in a spoiler again
What they're really emphasising is how big this scare maze will be, I am very excited to see the final product
In other news, Ride Rater have posted some great photos of the Scenic testing
No further news from Dreamland as to what the opening date will be, but with Screamland starting in a couple of weeks I'm sure they will want it open for then!
Kimberley
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Wodan
I believe the braking system was designed by Fairfield Control Systems, having found a document the other day which explained how it worked. However, upon trying to find it again now, they have taken it offline which is frustrating - I will post it here if it's re-uploaded
As outlined in the briefing note for the Scenic Railway, due to modern health and safety standards the coaster unfortunately was not allowed to rely solely on the brakeman to keep it on the tracks. This meant that it had to be fitted with a magnetic braking system as a secondary override to prevent the trains going too fast around corners. So if I have understood this correctly, the brakeman still has control for the braking, but the magnets are there just in case not enough braking is applied..
It's a long document, but if you want to have a read you can find it here on page 23
As outlined in the briefing note for the Scenic Railway, due to modern health and safety standards the coaster unfortunately was not allowed to rely solely on the brakeman to keep it on the tracks. This meant that it had to be fitted with a magnetic braking system as a secondary override to prevent the trains going too fast around corners. So if I have understood this correctly, the brakeman still has control for the braking, but the magnets are there just in case not enough braking is applied..
It's a long document, but if you want to have a read you can find it here on page 23
Last edited:
John
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
Drawing the boundary between a modification and a new coaster is tricky. RCDB gives an opening date for BPB's Big Dipper in 1923, but the ride that stands there now has a totally different layout. The 'new' Scenic is far less different to the original than Big Dipper is to the ride built in 1923.
Kimberley
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Wodan
Taken from the document:
The Dreamland team clearly would have wished to have the Scenic without the system, but sadly The Health and Safety Executive have the final decision at the end of day! Whilst it may be slightly disappointing, looking at the bigger picture, it's a huge achievement to have it operating again when many of us doubted its future, and I can't wait to ride it once again
Historic England said:
The Dreamland team clearly would have wished to have the Scenic without the system, but sadly The Health and Safety Executive have the final decision at the end of day! Whilst it may be slightly disappointing, looking at the bigger picture, it's a huge achievement to have it operating again when many of us doubted its future, and I can't wait to ride it once again
Danny
TS Contributor
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
I suspect the Scenic would also be able to run as built had it not been decimated in the fire and had continued to operate during that period. It's obvious they've done everything they can to make it resemble and feel like its original incarnation, but we all know that H&S like to piss on our parade.
