• 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.

Paultons Park: General Discussion

TBoy535 said:
To be fair the smiler and saw are still classed as
the most not worthy today amongst most non-enthusiasts and seem to get referenced the most.

I think if you was debating going to Paultons park for the first time as another alternative. But had concerns of it being more for little ones, you would google the rides or go on the website. See images of a eurofighter, spinner, gyro swing etc. Im sure would influence your decision as a ( non enthusiasts) Would just look at the pictures?

Main issue in my opinion is that if they do want to broaden there appeal to new customers who live far away, they need to almost not push Peppa pig world as much? As it’s all over the website, bright pink and baby fonts which would just discourage anyone over the age of 16+ in my opinion, if didn’t do their research properly.
Click to expand...
Interestingly, I actually noticed their large annual pass advert on the exit to the park seems to focus on their bigger rides. Peppa is present but it could suggest they are shifting their focus ever so slightly
 
golgactic said:
Not sure if people reported the accommodation part of the presentation.
Click to expand...
I'm keeping well away from that this time around.
golgactic said:
From what I saw yesterday I’m not concerned by capacity. The operations were great on pretty much everything
Click to expand...
Actually, I am. The operations yesterday actually weren't great. The park was busy and yes the queues were rarely reported as more than 15 mins, but the actual loading of people onto rides and dispatching them were poor.

Paulton's can get away with it for a few reasons. Their ride offering is vast, with the knock on effect of dispersing crowds effectively throughout the park. The splash pad, in the centre of the park, yesterday was doing a lot of heavy lifting. The park also doesn't attract anywhere near as many visitors as the Merlin parks in this country.

The park has a lot going for it, and you do find yourself in a queue for around a maximum of 15 to 20 mins, but it's not because the operations are great. It's availability and a numbers game.
 
GooseOnTheLoose said:
I'm keeping well away from that this time around.

Actually, I am. The operations yesterday actually weren't great. The park was busy and yes the queues were rarely reported as more than 15 mins, but the actual loading of people onto rides and dispatching them were poor.

Paulton's can get away with it for a few reasons. Their ride offering is vast, with the knock on effect of dispersing crowds effectively throughout the park. The splash pad, in the centre of the park, yesterday was doing a lot of heavy lifting. The park also doesn't attract anywhere near as many visitors as the Merlin parks in this country.

The park has a lot going for it, and you do find yourself in a queue for around a maximum of 15 to 20 mins, but it's not because the operations are great. It's availability and a numbers game.
Click to expand...
I think if the Merlin parks had great availability the queues times would be far more reasonable as well as all trains on Max Capacity.

I think Merlin Parks ops are faster than Paultons particularly Alton Th13teen, Wickerman, The Smiler move fast
 
Having read through the numerous pages on this thread this weekend I think most people are making good and valid points.

I think there’s allowed to be disappointment, given that new coasters opening is generally a rarity and so we always want and expect something super exciting, and this model is anything but.

But I still expect it to be excellently themed, and the area as a whole looks like it’ll be class, so I think it’ll still work out perfectly fine for the park. And there are definetly advantages to growing organically with an arguably cheaper coaster and area, to increase visitor numbers, revenue etc and continue to invest, rather than go all out on an incredible coaster which they could be repaying for longer, delaying future investment and potentially becoming a white elephant.

Overall opinion is neither positive nor negative at the moment.
 
In the name of research I have just ridden Rage again. I believe it’s very close to the layout we will be getting with Paultons Eurofighter?

It was… ok! I think I know the layout well enough to brace in anticipation so no head banging. Still more of an endurance test than actual fun and I was very grateful Bowser Jr only wanted one lap this time.

I think the restraints are easily the worst factor rather than any other aspect of the ride. Bulky OTSR on a new coaster in 2026 are almost inexcusable.
 
Now I’ve had some time to digest i still think these are excellent additions as an overall package.

The quality and implementation of the theming, if inline with Tornado Springs and Ghostly Manor will be excellent and far more enjoyable than Merlin’s recent similar offerings (Jumanji) I’d much prefer this approach then a seemingly half arsed, I’m considered additions found elsewhere.

The cheaper ride hardware will allow them to spend more on theming, we forget this is a provincial park, punching well above its financial clout.

If this is also supported by a similar excellent f&b offer they could be on to a real winner.
 
Bowser said:
In the name of research I have just ridden Rage again. I believe it’s very close to the layout we will be getting with Paultons Eurofighter?

It was… ok! I think I know the layout well enough to brace in anticipation so no head banging. Still more of an endurance test than actual fun and I was very grateful Bowser Jr only wanted one lap this time.

I think the restraints are easily the worst factor rather than any other aspect of the ride. Bulky OTSR on a new coaster in 2026 are almost inexcusable.
Click to expand...
Do new Gerstlauers do new OSTRs I think newer ones are less bulky. Rage and Saw the Ride are older rides now.
 
Ash said:
Now I’ve had some time to digest i still think these are excellent additions as an overall package.

The quality and implementation of the theming, if inline with Tornado Springs and Ghostly Manor will be excellent and far more enjoyable than Merlin’s recent similar offerings (Jumanji) I’d much prefer this approach then a seemingly half arsed, I’m considered additions found elsewhere.

The cheaper ride hardware will allow them to spend more on theming, we forget this is a provincial park, punching well above its financial clout.

If this is also supported by a similar excellent f&b offer they could be on to a real winner.
Click to expand...

I agree with Jumanji (I have no issue with the IP but some of the implementation was naff). But Curse, Reborn (some don’t like the change but you can’t argue the theme was implemented to a standard) and Toxicator suggest Merlin have noted the competition. Also the Mine Craft ride looks like it will be done fairly well.

Unlike some I wasn’t expecting anything ground breaking and I don’t have any great attachment to the park (it’s massively over rated in my opinion, though I respect what they do). But a Eurofighter is the bottom tier of the portfolio of a lower mid-tier manufacturer, feel like they could have done better with something else from the Gerst portfolio.

I expect the theming will be decent.
 
Choosing to be optimistic on this one. There are examples of smoother Eurofarters out there. After seeing once again just how well maintained Cobra was behind closed doors yesterday, I am convinced that Paultons won't allow their Eurofarter to fall into the same levels of depraved discomfort as Thorpe seem to with Sore: The Ride.

Theming wise, Valgard looks like it could be another European class themed area, leading the way for the rest of the UK parks once again. We noticed Mack-esque ground pins around the former go carts site yesterday. In my mind, I can see the 2027 water attraction being a Mack water coaster.
 
Dave said:
To be fair they are all mostly Eurofarters….
Click to expand...
Mostly, yes. But with that said, I think if we consider just how seriously Paultons take their maintenance and guest experience, I really do think (and hope) this one has a stronger chance of being one of the (fewer) not-quite-as-uncomfortable ones.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ash
The Big Mack said:
Mostly, yes. But with that said, I think if we consider just how seriously Paultons take their maintenance and guest experience, I really do think (and hope) this one has a stronger chance of being one of the (fewer) not-so-uncomfortable ones.
Click to expand...

I doubt it will be painful as it won’t be designed to be balls to the wall thrill, but it will likely be a bit 🤷‍♂️
 
I reckon that Paultons might give Gerstlauer more time/budget to *hopefully* yield a slightly less janky coaster. I could be wrong, but let's remember that Tivoli Friheden isn't quite in the same league of park that Paultons is. Their janky Eurofarter replaced something lethally janky.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top