• 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.

Lightwater Valley

According to funfairsthemeparks on CoasterForce, Eagle’s Claw has now been removed from Lightwater Valley’s website, indicating the removal of the last thrill ride the park had left prior to 2025: https://coasterforce.com/forums/threads/lightwater-valley-future.40176/page-12#post-1182723

There is also a Zamperla Rockin’ Tug on its way in from Funland Hayling Island.

If true, that is the park well and truly fully transitioned to targeting under-10s, I guess. It seems to have gone modestly well for them so far; with time, I could see them maybe morphing into something akin to Sundown Adventureland in Nottinghamshire.
 
Matt N said:
According to funfairsthemeparks on CoasterForce, Eagle’s Claw has now been removed from Lightwater Valley’s website, indicating the removal of the last thrill ride the park had left prior to 2025: https://coasterforce.com/forums/threads/lightwater-valley-future.40176/page-12#post-1182723

There is also a Zamperla Rockin’ Tug on its way in from Funland Hayling Island.

If true, that is the park well and truly fully transitioned to targeting under-10s, I guess. It seems to have gone modestly well for them so far; with time, I could see them maybe morphing into something akin to Sundown Adventureland in Nottinghamshire.
Click to expand...
No chance they'd do anything as well themed or coherent.
 
Matt N said:
According to funfairsthemeparks on CoasterForce, Eagle’s Claw has now been removed from Lightwater Valley’s website, indicating the removal of the last thrill ride the park had left prior to 2025: https://coasterforce.com/forums/threads/lightwater-valley-future.40176/page-12#post-1182723

There is also a Zamperla Rockin’ Tug on its way in from Funland Hayling Island.

If true, that is the park well and truly fully transitioned to targeting under-10s, I guess. It seems to have gone modestly well for them so far; with time, I could see them maybe morphing into something akin to Sundown Adventureland in Nottinghamshire.
Click to expand...
Not surprised about this 😱 Eagle's Claw definitely stands out and a Rockin Tug is perfect for what Lightwater Valley are aiming for right now.

Quantum said:
And the Camelot death spiral continues....

Just shut the place down and put it out of its misery. Under 10s can have a far better time at Drayton Manor, even Flamingo Land has more going for it than Light water Valley.

I have kids under 10 and they would be bored out of Thier minds here
Click to expand...
I definitely think there is a disconnect between what a park should be aiming for with under 10s and what's being executed

I'm pretty sure there's 8-10 year olds would be happy riding Hyperia.

I think they should either consider scaling back the rides, closing the park or just start developing the park towards a wider audience.

I do wonder if the Flambards rides may make their way to Lightwater Valley. Not Skyforce but maybe some of the more family friendly additions 🤔
 
owenstreet7 said:
Not surprised about this 😱 Eagle's Claw definitely stands out and a Rockin Tug is perfect for what Lightwater Valley are aiming for right now.


I definitely think there is a disconnect between what a park should be aiming for with under 10s and what's being executed

I'm pretty sure there's 8-10 year olds would be happy riding Hyperia.

I think they should either consider scaling back the rides, closing the park or just start developing the park towards a wider audience.

I do wonder if the Flambards rides may make their way to Lightwater Valley. Not Skyforce but maybe some of the more family friendly additions 🤔
Click to expand...
Oh 100%, my 6 year old rides Wickerman and my 8 year old went on Hyperia, they would be sooo bored at Lightwater now. The park may say they are aiming for under 10s but the ride selection is closer to under 6s.
 
Benzin said:
I mean even with a 2 year old it's not really been on the radar. Just looking and it's not worth it until she hits a metre, and even the the chairswings are min 1.3m!

She was spoilt by the ride options at Efteling.
Click to expand...
Even in the UK we have Drayton, Paultons and Chessington that all offer far more over a broader age range. Unless you are local why would anyone make a trip here when there are far better options home & abroad.
 
Quantum said:
...Unless you are local ...
Click to expand...
precisely the point.
The park failed as a thrill park on a regional scale, it seems to be doing better as a local kids park with "meet up" camping field for local groups.
The transformation is now complete, and the park is still very popular with local primary schools and families with young kids.
But no longer worth anything for thoosies.
It has gone full circle in my lifetime...been there from the strawberry farm and piggery.
The lake was the strawberry drought reservoir, the pigs provided the strawberry food.
They added a small kids fair, train ride, boats and shops.

Back to what it once was.
Bring back the strawberries.
 
I think that’s why this is doing well and American Adventure didn’t after they removed the thrill rides as they only got 1 park for completion but American Adventure had 3-4 theme parks within 20-30 mile that offered better rides.
 
My main worry for LWV is that they've pigeon holed themselves into a pretty specific target market in the middle of nowhere without anything to be a 'big draw'. The fact they're not catering for families with children of different ages means they're cutting out lots of prospective customers.

Plus now they've got rid of their 'thrill' rides it's no longer attractive for school trips which can be a real money maker.
 
Last edited:
Fuct said:
My main worry for LWV is that they've pigeon holed themselves into a pretty specific target market in the middle of nowhere without anything to be a 'big draw'. The fact they're not catering for families with children of different ages means they're cutting out lots of prospective customers.

Plus now they've got rid of their 'thrill' rides it's no longer attractive for school trips which can be a real money maker.
Click to expand...
I would've thought Brighton Pier Group would've aimed to reverse the changes Livingston Leisure did or at the very least appeal better to a wider audience.

I'm amazed that the move of cutting virtually all of their thrill rides would be successful.
 
tayspru said:
Can Towers buy eagles claw and put it in The Blade pit please ?
Click to expand...
I do love the idea of a Gyro Swing style ride on the site of Blade however I don't think it'll be Eagle's Claw.

I think this will go to somewhere who'd be looking at a secondhand ride to buy, overseas most likely.

If in the UK, it could be a good ride for Oakwood to pick up 🤔
 
I get a feeling Brighton Pier Group are asset stripping Lightwater Valley after some of the changes they’ve made over the past few years (removing treetop nets etc)

I can see this season being a failure tbh after the removal of Eagles Claw & The Rocket.
 
funfairsthemeparks5 said:
I get a feeling Brighton Pier Group are asset stripping Lightwater Valley after some of the changes they’ve made over the past few years (removing treetop nets etc)

I can see this season being a failure tbh after the removal of Eagles Claw & The Rocket.
Click to expand...
Somehow I'm amazed Brighton Pier Group appear to be continuing the damage that Livingston Leisure done to the park.

Especially as Brighton Pier seems to have more thrilling rides.

I wonder if Eagle's Claw has been sold, getting scrapped or moving over to Brighton Pier instead 🤔
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top