Paultons Park: General Discussion

[JamesA]

I can only talk anecdotally of course, but being from down south I can say 15 or 20 years ago non-enthusiast friends and colleagues would always be visiting and just knew of the park and major rides. Now it is much rarer, especially with my younger colleagues who seemingly haven't grown up with visiting through this extended rough patch. I'd estimate very very few would have heard of Wickerman or know where or what it is, where as a few years after they opened you'd have been hard pushed to find anyone who hadn't heard of (and probably ridden) Nemesis, Oblivion or Air.

You can bet that nearly every single one knows where Peppa Pig land is!! Certainly more than are aware of Cebeebies Land existing.

This is exactly my experience living in the south too.

15+ years ago, I would always hear people talk about going to Towers. This is despite it being a 5/6 hour drive away. Now, I rarely hear it. In fact, out of all my friends/family, I know only one person who's been in the last few years.

But with Peppa Pig World, virtually everyone with young children has been there. They all call it Peppa Pig World too – not Paultons Park!

 

[Quantum]

I think they need a big signature coaster they can market outside of Peppa Pig. Storm chaser was good but I remember the area being more of a thing rather than the ride.

I'm hoping to get back to Paultons in 2026 but it's a long way for me so will have to combine it with a holiday

 

[rob666]

This is exactly my experience living in the south too.

15+ years ago, I would always hear people talk about going to Towers. This is despite it being a 5/6 hour drive away. Now, I rarely hear it. In fact, out of all my friends/family, I know only one person who's been in the last few years.

But with Peppa Pig World, virtually everyone with young children has been there. They all call it Peppa Pig World too – not Paultons Park!

Theme parks as a thing have gone out of fashion in this country in recent times, Paultons is a special case because it caters for the little ones.

 

[Dave]

I can only talk anecdotally of course, but being from down south I can say 15 or 20 years ago non-enthusiast friends and colleagues would always be visiting and just knew of the park and major rides. Now it is much rarer, especially with my younger colleagues who seemingly haven't grown up with visiting through this extended rough patch. I'd estimate very very few would have heard of Wickerman or know where or what it is, where as a few years after they opened you'd have been hard pushed to find anyone who hadn't heard of (and probably ridden) Nemesis, Oblivion or Air.

You can bet that nearly every single one knows where Peppa Pig land is!! Certainly more than are aware of Cebeebies Land existing.

absolutely get the point but the grating south east accent is more common that the northern accent in towers this season.

But as I say I agree with your sentiment and think things are heading the way you suggest, just not yet there.

 

[Bowser]

This is exactly my experience living in the south too.

15+ years ago, I would always hear people talk about going to Towers. This is despite it being a 5/6 hour drive away. Now, I rarely hear it. In fact, out of all my friends/family, I know only one person who's been in the last few years.

But with Peppa Pig World, virtually everyone with young children has been there. They all call it Peppa Pig World too – not Paultons Park!

Very much my experience on all fronts too. Of course i'm much older now but really the only difference should be we're the parents taking the children rather than the ones being taken in the past.

Though i do think part of that is the prevalence of cheap flights. That just wasn't a thing in the past so people were more likely to have domestic holidays, especially for weekend affairs. Whereas now you can visit the likes of Efteling, Disneyland or Europa often for less than it would cost to visit Alton Towers.

And yes, everyone calls it Peppa Pig World!

I think they need a big signature coaster they can market outside of Peppa Pig. Storm chaser was good but I remember the area being more of a thing rather than the ride.

I'm hoping to get back to Paultons in 2026 but it's a long way for me so will have to combine it with a holiday

Definitely agree with this. I've said before how getting the equivalent of Ride To Happiness could both put them on the map and eliminate their reputation of a children's park as it has for Plopsaland. It's definitely an investment worth making imo and based on some of the comments they've made they do seem aware of that too. Gives me hope we could see something special in 2026.

 

[TBoy535]

I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves abit here. Don’t get me wrong, I think everything the park at the moment is doing is great. There’s no denying that however, however if your 18-40 there still not enough to get you there!

I’m still not traveling down the buy ticket I’m sorry you can’t compare or put it in the same bracket as Alton, its a great family park but we also have quite a few of them! It’s still a very small and predominantly kiddie family park? No one in my age bracket has ever heard of the place apart from enthusiast and I’d argue there are actually less thrill rides as Drayton Manor.

Most people from the south in the age bracket are not gonna travel all the way down to Paultons Park for what it offers, even with its future plans we know off I still don’t think it’s enough to travel down to, southerns will just go to Chessington, Legoland, or even at a push Drayton, if there after the family thrill?

I also do not like the name Paultons Park as it sounds like a British holiday center where you stay in a caravan and clean your grans arse.

 

[Bowser]

Most people from the south in the age bracket are not gonna travel all the way down to Paultons Park for what it offers

I think you’re underestimating both the power of the Peppa Pig IP and how many people in that age bracket will visit theme parks with families. I’d imagine beyond the age of 20 people visiting theme parks in general without children is a downward trend and probably rather sharp one at that.

I also do not like the name Paultons Park as it sounds like a British holiday center where you stay in a caravan and clean your grans arse.

 

[owenstreet7]

I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves abit here. Don’t get me wrong, I think everything the park at the moment is doing is great. There’s no denying that however, however if your 18-40 there still not enough to get you there!

I’m still not traveling down the buy ticket I’m sorry you can’t compare or put it in the same bracket as Alton, its a great family park but we also have quite a few of them! It’s still a very small and predominantly kiddie family park? No one in my age bracket has ever heard of the place apart from enthusiast and I’d argue there are actually less thrill rides as Drayton Manor.

Most people from the south in the age bracket are not gonna travel all the way down to Paultons Park for what it offers, even with its future plans we know off I still don’t think it’s enough to travel down to, southerns will just go to Chessington, Legoland, or even at a push Drayton, if there after the family thrill?

I'd say that for Family Thrill, Paultons Park certainly has more than Legoland and similar to Drayton Manor and Chessington.

2025 will have larger gaps in the family thrill line up because Raging River, Go Karts and Dragon have all been removed with no immediate replacements. I know if we're technical, Splash Lagoon is a replacement for Raging River but likely was one of the replacements.

I do agree that there does need to be a lot more rides that families can ride together which Drayton Manor does well. Rides such as Gold Rush, Sheriff's Showdown, Loki, Haunting, Flying Dutchman, Blasting Barrels etc.

Drayton admittedly is weaker with the gap between Accelerator and Wave for coasters. Chessington is weaker with in between rides as well with 7 being classed as "Family Adventurers" and Paultons Park is very good for younger families but is building it's offering for broader families and older audiences.

Legoland has a weaker line up for older audiences and I'd say people will outgrow Legoland quicker than Paultons.

I’d imagine beyond the age of 20 people visiting theme parks in general without children is a downward trend and probably rather sharp one at that.

Spot on! I'd say that beyond the age of 25/30, the majority of visitors who visit without children tend to be part of the enthusiast community. I do admit, that is a rather growing community and there's people I've reconnected with that I never realised they've got into the hobby too.

A good example which point to that is that on Tinder or Bumble, there is no option to select "Theme Parks" or "Rollercoasters" as an interest which is a pain when my personality is basically theme parks I thought theme parks are quite a general interest rather than a niche one like trains for example.

 

[TBoy535]

Not sure that people over the age of 20 attending themeparks is declining to be honest? When you have parks like Thorpe Park and Six flags are booming and not with family’s?

Enthusiast route for this park and understandably so because all there recently theming is of a high quality. But I’m not sure thats enough or a marketing tool for people to travel for over a certain age bracket. The new shooter ride in development will also be of high standard but it’s aimed again and very specific and younger Market? So I’m sorry I stand by most people I know have been to Alton, Thorpe, Drayton Etc. But have never heard of Paultons Park?

For people who live near the area or that side of the map or who come for Peppa Pig I understand and it’s a lovey park, but it’s not an all round park to travel for older kids in a family and isn’t anywhere near the level of Alton Towers and that’s just my opinion.

Alton Towers has it flaws and under fire a lot recently, but it still has world class rides to travel for, High thrill rides, unique rides and not copy and paste off the shelf rides like Paultons. Immersive lands that are completely hidden from another and yes we’re all aware some need work but still.

I keep hearing Towers doesn’t have enough for families, but Paultons doesn’t have a Sea life, rapids, battle galleons, Hex, curse family dark ride and dark ride for kids “gangster granny” along side rides high thrill?

Spinball wizard, The wicker man & Thirteen are all unique and worthy family rollercoasters to travel for. Tornado springs off the shelf coaster isn’t? Again I want this park to do well and I want and I hope they keep up with the investments and expanding but like I said, let’s not get ahead of ourselves because of our recent anger towards AT at the minute. It’s still Miles ahead in terms of what it offers and as a resort with a waterpark for family’s.

 

[Mhoowee]

I keep hearing Towers doesn’t have enough for families, but Paultons doesn’t have a Sea life, rapids, battle galleons, Hex, curse family dark ride and dark ride for kids “gangster granny” along side rides high thrill?

Paultons has a peppa pig area. And it has lost kingdom which is a step up from that then you have tornado springs which again is a step up. With the current investments that are happening at the park the future is quite bright. And ultimately Paultons will always be a transition park where you can build up to a thrill level. This truly makes Paultons different from other parks and I expect some sort of thrill attraction to be coming within the next 3 years.

 

[owenstreet7]

With Towers, it has a very limited selection of middle ground or family thrill rides that Drayton Manor does well at. Apart from Cbeebies Land and David Walliams, you're quite limited if you're under 1.1m.

Chessington has a few more middle ground rides such as Seastorm but it's more focused on the larger family thrill rides (1.2m plus) and the smaller children's rides.

Paultons Park, I'd say it has more for the 1m plus group in comparison to Towers although it does need rides that the whole family can ride together such as Seastorm.

 

[Bowser]

Not sure that people over the age of 20 attending themeparks is declining to be honest? When you have parks like Thorpe Park and Six flags are booming and not with family’s?

I didn't say declining. I said "downward trend" as in the active numbers will skew in that direction. Basically the older you get, the less likely you are to visit a theme park until you have children or younger relatives to attend with. Parks like Thorpe Park are still full of families, just those with older children plus groups of teenagers/very young adults. They're aren't places where you typically see groups of people in their 30s and upwards.

Certainly agree the enthusiast market is growing, that of course applies to all parks.

So I’m sorry I stand by most people I know have been to Alton, Thorpe, Drayton Etc. But have never heard of Paultons Park?

This may well be true but it's the ultimate anecdotal evidence so what does it mean? I live in the South and i'm extremely confident that if i surveyed 100 people i know, vastly more would have heard of Paultons (albeit as Peppa Pig World).... it's advertised on the radio regularly in the summer btw... and very few if any would have heard of Drayton Manor. Again, that's a combination of anecdotes and geography.

it’s not an all round park to travel for older kids in a family and isn’t anywhere near the level of Alton Towers and that’s just my opinion.

I don't think anyone is arguing that it currently is on the first part. The second part, in some ways it's better, in others it is worse, depends what your priorities are.

 

[KolonelKlink]

A very strange turn of thought the last couple of pages on here - as if Peppa Pig World is some kind of noose around the neck of Paultons, pulling it down. Worth remembering the management hold it solely responsible for quickly doubling visitor numbers from 500k to more than a million and - importantly - without that success, fewer of the other elaborate investments we’ve seen in recent years would have been made.

It doesn’t matter if a large section of the population only think of Paultons as PPW - it’s still a hugely successful, influential and appealing IP that draws large crowds and will continue to do so for some time to come. They're essentially banking families’ loyalty with that IP while each year offering more exciting rides so children grow with the park - a model that’s clearly working for them.

What Paultons absolutely doesn’t need is some kind of monster coaster - *that* would confuse the brand, not their current strategy of slowly stepping up the thrills.

 

[Bowser]

What Paultons absolutely doesn’t need is some kind of monster coaster - *that* would confuse the brand, not their current strategy of slowly stepping up the thrills.

I don't know about "monster" but i do think an important coaster could be a difference maker. A ride like Nemesis, PMBO, Hyperia or even Vampire is often what defines a park for a generation.

Certainly wouldn't veer above 1.2m but in this era anything is possible within that restriction anyway. What they don't need imo is something like Gold Rush, that whilst supposedly a fine ride ultimately hasn't made a mark in the industry.

I don't know what that ride is though. A RMC or a launched flying coaster would be two possible rollercoasters that would turn heads in the UK... i think whatever the type it needs to be a very good rollercoaster without obvious complaints (too short etc) because that word of mouth via social media is more important and powerful than ever. The amount of times you see Ride To Happiness that way is ridiculous and a launched ride would be both something missing in the park and the best way to work round and height restrictions.

 

[owenstreet7]

It doesn’t matter if a large section of the population only think of Paultons as PPW - it’s still a hugely successful, influential and appealing IP that draws large crowds and will continue to do so for some time to come. They're essentially banking families’ loyalty with that IP while each year offering more exciting rides so children grow with the park - a model that’s clearly working for them.

What Paultons absolutely doesn’t need is some kind of monster coaster - *that* would confuse the brand, not their current strategy of slowly stepping up the thrills.

It does seem to be the plan of Paultons to follow the steps of Efteling, Toverland, Plopsaland and Chessington with the next investment.

It does seem to be hinted that the next coaster is set to be the park's equivalent to Mandrill Mayhem or Anubis. It could very well be a defining coaster in the park's future.

It has also mentioned on the forums that the park have acknowledged at the SuperFans event that it will be a very different place over the next few years with hints they're going towards a more thrilling but still all ages direction.

I have said that they could take advantage of the growing audience to do a marketing campaign promoting the thrills so it can keep audiences coming to the park.

I find the Towers vs Paultons debate interesting as at the moment, it seems to be in very different places however there's the potential for the tables to really turn in a decade's time.

 

[Matt N]

A very strange turn of thought the last couple of pages on here - as if Peppa Pig World is some kind of noose around the neck of Paultons, pulling it down. Worth remembering the management hold it solely responsible for quickly doubling visitor numbers from 500k to more than a million and - importantly - without that success, fewer of the other elaborate investments we’ve seen in recent years would have been made.

It doesn’t matter if a large section of the population only think of Paultons as PPW - it’s still a hugely successful, influential and appealing IP that draws large crowds and will continue to do so for some time to come. They're essentially banking families’ loyalty with that IP while each year offering more exciting rides so children grow with the park - a model that’s clearly working for them.

What Paultons absolutely doesn’t need is some kind of monster coaster - *that* would confuse the brand, not their current strategy of slowly stepping up the thrills.

I don’t deny that Peppa was very successful and almost certainly the catalyst for the other investments in the 2010s, but I think it can work both ways and be somewhat of a double edged sword. For all the people Peppa Pig attracted, there will be others who conflate Paultons with Peppa Pig and assume that it’s too young for them, and as the park grows and aims to become more of an all-rounder, that perception may prove a limiting factor.

For them to be a true all-rounder, I think they do need to go slightly more thrilling and attention-grabbing to maybe defy the image that the park is only Peppa Pig and pull in a more universal audience. The park seems like they’re trying hard to defy this image, and I’m sure they will in the years to come, but I don’t think they’re quite there yet.

I’m not by any means saying they need a monster thrill coaster, but I think something a little bit bigger and more attention-grabbing than anything they currently have would not go amiss.

 

[Poisson]

Vekoma STC and a GCI or RMC would be the next 2 coaster investments if I was involved. Makes the obvious step up from the SFC to the STC, and the woodie or hybrid adds a different type of ride to the park. Vekoma Mine Train if woodie would be too noisy.

 

[Shaggy_Dog_]

Vekoma STC and a GCI or RMC would be the next 2 coaster investments if I was involved. Makes the obvious step up from the SFC to the STC, and the woodie or hybrid adds a different type of ride to the park. Vekoma Mine Train if woodie would be too noisy.

A Vekoma STC would be way too similar superficially to their existing Vekoma SFC. Of course we know that they are different coasters but to the public they’d just think it was just the same thing but it goes upside down a couple of times.

The park will likely go and get something very different to their existing coasters. I wouldn’t be shocked if they got one of the new Intamin Family LSM coasters (or a Gertslauer Family LSM like Walibi Belgium’s upcoming 2025 coaster Speed Boat), but a GCI woodie or an RMC would both be an excellent choice.

 

[Matt N]

In an ideal world, I'd have a GCI woodie down as a brilliant fit for Paultons' next coaster, personally.

They're brilliant rides and comfortably more thrilling than anything Paultons currently has while also not being too much of a drastic departure and still being suitable for heights of 1.2m or lower!

I also think something like an Intamin Hot Racer would be a nice fit.

 

[Quantum]

I'd love a Vekoma Space Warp or Intamin Hot Racer. Either would take the park up a level without being too extreme. A woodie would be great but they may have planning issues with noise etc.