Paultons Park: General Discussion

[jon81uk]

I believe the natural history museum had some excellent dinosaurs but they may have been temporary.

The Roaring T-Rex at the Natural History Museum is permanent and been there at least 20-30 years, its a similar amount of movement to Paultons new one, but a bit jerky because of its age.

Another interesting off season video from the park showing all the cleaning and maintenance they do over winter. Also contains a preview of the new soundtrack for the Lost Kingdom area. Impressive they manage to do all this, alongside ride maintenance in a five week window between New Year and February half term.




From: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8ocUb_CfWk

Just got to watching the video, as discussed I think many of the other UK parks do jetwash and paint in the closed season, but the sheer amount that Lawrence implied is done every single year is quite high I think. He said Peppa Pig World gets painted every January, does AT do CBeebies with the same frequency? Also little things like removing the ride rules signage and painting the whole ride op kiosk before putting the sign up, instead of just painting round it.

 

[Bowser]

Just got to watching the video, as discussed I think many of the other UK parks do jetwash and paint in the closed season, but the sheer amount that Lawrence implied is done every single year is quite high I think. He said Peppa Pig World gets painted every January, does AT do CBeebies with the same frequency? Also little things like removing the ride rules signage and painting the whole ride op kiosk before putting the sign up, instead of just painting round it.

That's always going to be the difference between parks whose owners have pride in them (Paulton's, Efteling, Europa being some top examples) with a priority of customer experience and those who... don't.

I'm sure there are plenty of staff at Merlin's parks who very much care for them but that passion has to come down from the top to make a meaningful difference in presentation. As long as they remain not under independent ownership that will likely never be the case and even when anyone attempts to facilitate change it will only be temporary.

 

[DiogoJ42]

The Spirit of London has a plethora of animatronics. Nothing outstanding but arguably similar quality to our T Rex friend.

It's been a while since I rode SoL, but based on that last time, I'd be surprised if a single one of those Wardley Original(tm) animatronics still works. Might as well just be regular waxworks.

 

[Matthethemeparkfan]

Anyone visiting Paultons this weekend?

Just wondering how it's all looking for the start of 2026?

Can't wait to visit later in the year.

 

[Skyscraper]

With the park now open to the public for the 2026 season, UK Theme Parks has filmed a Valgaurd update;


From: https://youtu.be/iAeuI0Xl84s?si=1C5PopFMJplwbbPd


A few notable points:

- Entrance stairs and walkway now in for Drakon
- More Vild Swing testing
- More ground pins in place for the 2027 attraction, possibly all of them

 

[East Coast Mariner]

A few notable points:

- Entrance stairs and walkway now in for Drakon
- More Vild Swing testing
- More ground pins in place for the 2027 attraction, possibly all of them

I don't really know what I'm looking at when it comes to construction, but it's definitely giving me a coaster-y vibe, rather than a pure water ride vibe.

Also, assuming the ride will open in May 2027, it seems quite early for most types of ride to begin building them 15 months before. Very interesting...

 

[jon81uk]

Also, assuming the ride will open in May 2027, it seems quite early for most types of ride to begin building them 15 months before. Very interesting...

Not really, lots of coasters start early, Universal Orlando was actively building the new Fast & Furious coaster in late 2025 and that will open summer 2027, so a good 18 months ahead.
Also it makes a lot of sense to get the footers in when the whole area is new, rather than having to work round more fencing, planting and other stuff later this year.

 

[Skyscraper]

I don't really know what I'm looking at when it comes to construction, but it's definitely giving me a coaster-y vibe, rather than a pure water ride vibe.

Also, assuming the ride will open in May 2027, it seems quite early for most types of ride to begin building them 15 months before. Very interesting...

As we saw with Drakon, Paulton's like to begin construction early in order to leave more time for theming and landscaping. It's the Paulton's way!

 

[pluk]

That swing looks so good, every demographic is going to want to ride it. I'm certain its not going to cope, hope they've left room for another one!

 

[Skyscraper]

That swing looks so good, every demographic is going to want to ride it. I'm certain its not going to cope, hope they've left room for another one!

Yeah that's my only concern, I assume the larger version wasn't a thing at the time of planning.

 

[Skyscraper]

Double post (naughty me)

Vild Swing testing footage!


From: https://youtu.be/Ft2RKgMa2Yc?si=m7-as4sj34M7pui6


It really does look super fun!

 

[Hid]

Double post (naughty me)

Vild Swing testing footage!


From: https://youtu.be/Ft2RKgMa2Yc?si=m7-as4sj34M7pui6


It really does look super fun!

Looks great only thing wished they added some water fountain pools either side to add more to the ride.

Always think any water makes rides look better.

 

[Benzin]

That swing looks so good, every demographic is going to want to ride it. I'm certain its not going to cope, hope they've left room for another one!

1m restriction based on Plopsa's too.

Might be one of those that kids might think they want to go on then change their mind when getting on.

 

[siralgenon]

1m restriction based on Plopsa's too.

Might be one of those that kids might think they want to go on then change their mind when getting on.

To be honest it's surprised me how much it flips you about, it looks a lot better than in initially thought!

 

[DiogoJ42]

Wait, so it's a non-inverting top spin? Since when did Paulton's aspire to be Chessington?

 

[Alfredo]

Is the new lost kingdom soundtrack imascore

 

[The_bup]

Double post (naughty me)

Vild Swing testing footage!


From: https://youtu.be/Ft2RKgMa2Yc?si=m7-as4sj34M7pui6


It really does look super fun!

Looks…


about as fast as it should be going.

 

[Matthethemeparkfan]

So we know that Valgard opens this year (2026), with a Valgard expansion opening 2027....

But realistically what do we think would come next in 2028 and 2029?

The accomodation project seems like it will be a slow burner, and I would guess maybe 2030 or even 2031 for that. That's just my guess.

But that leaves 2028 and 2029 completely unknown?!

Could we see a Peppa Pig expansion or a Critter Creek re-theme, or something happening to the old log flume space?

What does everyone think?

 

[Quantum]

So we know that Valgard opens this year (2026), with a Valgard expansion opening 2027....

But realistically what do we think would come next in 2028 and 2029?

The accomodation project seems like it will be a slow burner, and I would guess maybe 2030 or even 2031 for that. That's just my guess.

But that leaves 2028 and 2029 completely unknown?!

Could we see a Peppa Pig expansion or a Critter Creek re-theme, or something happening to the old log flume space?

What does everyone think?

They may decide to rest a bit after such a large outlay and with accommodation on the horizon. I could see them adding a new flat ride somewhere but outside of that I wouldn't expect much until after the lodges are up and running.

I think after that they will look at the critter creek & adjacent Teacups area

 

[MrTowers]

So we know that Valgard opens this year (2026), with a Valgard expansion opening 2027....

But realistically what do we think would come next in 2028 and 2029?

The accomodation project seems like it will be a slow burner, and I would guess maybe 2030 or even 2031 for that. That's just my guess.

But that leaves 2028 and 2029 completely unknown?!

Could we see a Peppa Pig expansion or a Critter Creek re-theme, or something happening to the old log flume space?

What does everyone think?

I think we are going to see:

2027 Valgard Expansion open and closure and removal of Edge. Work begins on accommodation.
2028 Work continues on accommodation and general tidy up of the park. Possible additional surface car park added to cope with extra visitors.
2029 Accommodation opens. Work begins on new attraction to replace the flume as well as seal falls and digger ride. Not sure if this will align to valgard, lost kingdom, water kingdom or something completely new. This might be a good space for a second thrill coaster to compliment Drakon.
2030 New attraction opens. Plans for on site hotel announced
2031 Hotel construction begins
2032 Plans for Critter Creek replacement announced
2033 Hotel opens and work on Critter Creek replacement begins
2034 New Critter Creek opens

Things not considered but could happen:

Addition to peppa pig world, not sure there is anymore space here unless the animal enclosures are removed (meerkats and penguins) A Daddy Pig coaster would be good though with no height requirement as a first coaster.
Extra entertainment with additional stage or indoor space
Additional dark rides

I think a lot will depend on how Valgard performs and steer them either towards the thrill market or decide that staying with the young family market is safer. They don't have the deepest pockets to really go after the thrill market so unless Valgard has the same impact Peppa Pig world had I can't see them throwing everything at it.

They are also in a position where space for new attractions is starting to become a problem and they will have 38 rides when valgard fully opens which is significantly more than the 28 Alton Towers has. This suggests they would likely be looking to replace rather than keep adding additional attractions, but then again Paultons is ran very different to merlin parks so going beyond 40 might not be a concern for them, running costs will be mounting up though.