Paultons Park: General Discussion

[Benjsh]

I reckon the 2027 (expected) water coaster will be the "bigger" coaster, I'm sure I heard somewhere that it could be taller than Drakon,

Yeah the water coaster. I was under the impression by 'no more room left' the poster was thinking more longer term and past the 2027 project.

Water coasters are solid attractions but not massively thrilling really. I think the GP will see Drakon as the more thrilling ride of the two. Inversions and a vertical lift are quite intimidating to the younger guests Id say.

 

[owenstreet7]

Just thinking, once Valguard is open and the accommodation is in place there are very few places left on the park for a larger coaster in the future.

---

There does seem to be one space left I'm thinking that would be for what I'd say would be Paultons' equivalent to The Ride to Happiness. This doesn't mean an Xtreme Spinner but could be anything.

It's the site that covers Raging River, Seal Falls, Digger Ride, The Unthemed Play Areas and the grassy patch behind Seal Falls/Digger Ride that Valgard didn't use.

I'd say this could fit a long ride or even two coasters/a full area.

The other area for redevelopment would be the unthemed area near to Critter Creek although I'd say the other site stands out for something substantial in the future.

 

[Bowser]

I reckon the 2027 (expected) water coaster will be the "bigger" coaster, I'm sure I heard somewhere that it could be taller than Drakon,

I still think the opposite will be true. Drakon and Valgard in general are surely the “bigger” investment for Paultons. It’s been quoted as costing £12m.

History doesn’t suggest the park would build equally big projects in consecutive years.

Also don’t Mack water coasters typically have a 1.2m height restriction? Adding yet another expensive ride not aimed at their core demographic would be unlikely imo.

 

[owenstreet7]

I still think the opposite will be true. Drakon and Valgard in general are surely the “bigger” investment for Paultons. It’s been quoted as costing £12m.

History doesn’t suggest the park would build equally big projects in consecutive years.

Also don’t Mack water coasters typically have a 1.2m height restriction? Adding yet another expensive ride not aimed at their core demographic would be unlikely imo.

Mack Water Coasters typically have a 1.1m height requirement which would fit the space for a major water ride at the park. The exception seems to be Poseidon at Europa Park which is a 1.2m.

Rapids tend to have the same height requirement these days and log flumes can vary from 0.9m to 1.2m (rarely even 1.3m and 1.4m).

The Mack Rocking Boats seem to be a new thing so Futuroscope is 1.05m and Dollywoods will be 39 inches (99cm) which could be a plausible addition.

The one model that does stand out to me is a Mack SuperSplash which has a 1m height requirement. Plopsaland's is 96cm.

It does seem to be suggested 2027 could be bigger than the main area and Drakon itself so I'm guessing we'll wait and see what they cook up.

 

[Dave]

Just thinking, once Valguard is open and the accommodation is in place there are very few places left on the park for a larger coaster in the future.

---

To be fair if they are creative they can keep building (look at Phantasia), the issue will be the more creative you get the more expensive it gets.

 

[Benjsh]

I think a major spruce up or complete re-theme of Critter Creek will be their next major project in 4 to 5 years time. Once they've done that.....its pretty much the perfect family park then.

 

[Quantum]

There does seem to be one space left I'm thinking that would be for what I'd say would be Paultons' equivalent to The Ride to Happiness. This doesn't mean an Xtreme Spinner but could be anything.

It's the site that covers Raging River, Seal Falls, Digger Ride, The Unthemed Play Areas and the grassy patch behind Seal Falls/Digger Ride that Valgard didn't use.

I'd say this could fit a long ride or even two coasters/a full area.

The other area for redevelopment would be the unthemed area near to Critter Creek although I'd say the other site stands out for something substantial in the future.

This is pretty much my thinking, theonly real option for a large coaster the area between the old Log Flume and the bottom half of Drakon. Even including the teacups area in a Critter creek re theme that will still be a relatively small area.

The only other spot is between the car park and Tornado springs but that space looks more suited to some sort of dark ride rather than a coaster.

 

[MaxPower]

The element that goes over Cobra is quite neat but everything else about the layout is very 'meh'. The theming and surrounding area looks brilliant though.

Not really into these long hanging elements that RMC seem to have cursed all these other manufacturers with, so that has no appeal for me.

 

[Skyscraper]

The park have uploaded a full testing video!


From: https://youtu.be/bideCoSj_Mk?si=wVxdXWSrtCa2mJ1B

 

[Bert2theSpark]

That area genuinely looks like something straight out of Planet Coaster, it’s adorable!

 

[Benzin]

Gotta love the continued hyperbole of a comment stating "it might be the best ride in Paultons history".

 

[Mi-Nigle]

While I don't agree with hype like "best coaster in the UK wow!" etc... I do think in the context of Paultons' line-up it's an excellent addition and will be one of the most stand-out attractions at the park.

In terms of future investments though, I don't think that Paultons should go any further in thrill level by investing in bigger and better from this moment on. I think it's excellent that younger guests brave enough to ride something more intimidating now have Drakon to cut their teeth on, but I see it as a "final boss" before they graduate to other parks with a more thrilling offering.

Paultons’ position as a family park works brilliantly, and I think future investments should stick to that philosophy. Drakon feels right at the upper edge of what fits that identity but works well as a window to what else is out there.

(As a side-note and slight reservation, after seeing the testing I can't help but feel that the beyond-vertical drop is a little too scary. I know they're framing Drakon as Paultons' first upside-down ride, which is great and the right move, but the drop is what 8-year-old me would have been terrified of)

 

[Hid]

While I don't agree with hype like "best coaster in the UK wow!" etc... I do think in the context of Paultons' line-up it's an excellent addition and will be one of the most stand-out attractions at the park.

In terms of future investments though, I don't think that Paultons should go any further in thrill level by investing in bigger and better from this moment on. I think it's excellent that younger guests brave enough to ride something more intimidating now have Drakon to cut their teeth on, but I see it as a "final boss" before they graduate to other parks with a more thrilling offering.

Paultons’ position as a family park works brilliantly, and I think future investments should stick to that philosophy. Drakon feels right at the upper edge of what fits that identity but works well as a window to what else is out there.

(As a side-note and slight reservation, after seeing the testing I can't help but feel that the beyond-vertical drop is a little too scary. I know they're framing Drakon as Paultons' first upside-down ride, which is great and the right move, but the drop is what 8-year-old me would have been terrified of)

Think the ride limit should be something like Fønix should be the limit of thrill coasters

 

[owenstreet7]

While I don't agree with hype like "best coaster in the UK wow!" etc... I do think in the context of Paultons' line-up it's an excellent addition and will be one of the most stand-out attractions at the park.

In terms of future investments though, I don't think that Paultons should go any further in thrill level by investing in bigger and better from this moment on. I think it's excellent that younger guests brave enough to ride something more intimidating now have Drakon to cut their teeth on, but I see it as a "final boss" before they graduate to other parks with a more thrilling offering.

Paultons’ position as a family park works brilliantly, and I think future investments should stick to that philosophy. Drakon feels right at the upper edge of what fits that identity but works well as a window to what else is out there.

(As a side-note and slight reservation, after seeing the testing I can't help but feel that the beyond-vertical drop is a little too scary. I know they're framing Drakon as Paultons' first upside-down ride, which is great and the right move, but the drop is what 8-year-old me would have been terrified of)

I'd say in the context of Paultons and other parks that are in the similar bubble to Paultons like Plopsaland, Efteling and Toverland, I'm not sure that Drakon is their ceiling. I think there will be something to step up to afterwards like Baron 1898, Fenix or Ride to Happiness.

It has been said by the park that they will be broadening the target market and that the park will be different in a few years time. The aim is that the park will be growing up with the target market and become multi generational so they take their kids there as parents and not want the visitors to outgrow the park.

This doesn't mean they will divert from the family park and that they will throw in a 150ft rollercoaster but I'm sure that family-thrill rides and multi-generational family rides will form a key part of the park's strategy moving forwards.

I personally see Drakon as the starting point towards thrill, serving a similar spot to Python or Anubis rather than the final boss.

 

[Mi-Nigle]

I'd say in the context of Paultons and other parks that are in the similar bubble to Paultons like Plopsaland, Efteling and Toverland, I'm not sure that Drakon is their ceiling. I think there will be something to step up to afterwards like Baron 1898, Fenix or Ride to Happiness.

It has been said by the park that they will be broadening the target market and that the park will be different in a few years time. The aim is that the park will be growing up with the target market and become multi generational so they take their kids there as parents and not want the visitors to outgrow the park.

This doesn't mean they will divert from the family park and that they will throw in a 150ft rollercoaster but I'm sure that family-thrill rides and multi-generational family rides will form a key part of the park's strategy moving forwards.

I personally see Drakon as the starting point towards thrill, serving a similar spot to Python or Anubis rather than the final boss.

I suppose my post probably stems from my own personal view of what counts as family-thrill versus thrill, and what I felt Paultons’ target market was after visiting.

Being an enthusiast now, I don't see rides like Fønix and Baron 1898 as intimidating. But putting myself in the shoes of my 8 year old self, if I'd have seen those rides towering over the landscape (much like Oblivion and Corkscrew at the time) I'd have been in awe... but I definitely wouldn’t have joined the queues! Maybe I was a wuss, but Drakon already overlaps into that category for me, which is why I feel it’s about as far as they should go.

I didn't know that they're planning to broaden their target market, but I can't say I fully agree with their reasoning. I get the idea of not wanting their visitors to outgrow the park, but there will always be younger guests to replace them. I’m not convinced that affects whether people come back later with their own children, although Drakon probably does extend the age range a bit.

If anything, I’d probably argue the opposite. One of the things I liked most about Paultons was how clearly it leaned into being a family park. If it gradually shifted towards attracting more teen and young adult groups and leaning further into thrill rides, it would start to lose some of that identity and feel a bit less appealing in that context.

Obviously Paultons have their demographic data and will be making informed decisions so essentially my opinion means very little in the grand scheme of things. But from my experience visiting, the park never felt like it was missing thrill rides. It felt like a place with a strong, curated identity.

I personally see Plopsaland, Efteling and Toverland in the Alton Towers bubble, which in this context I'd define as parks that teens and adults would happily visit for the day without children (thoosies excluded!). Once you start getting groups of young adults roaming around, that very tight “family park” identity starts to blur into a more all-rounder theme park.

 

[owenstreet7]

I suppose my post probably stems from my own personal view of what counts as family-thrill versus thrill, and what I felt Paultons’ target market was after visiting.

Being an enthusiast now, I don't see rides like Fønix and Baron 1898 as intimidating. But putting myself in the shoes of my 8 year old self, if I'd have seen those rides towering over the landscape (much like Oblivion and Corkscrew at the time) I'd have been in awe... but I definitely wouldn’t have joined the queues! Maybe I was a wuss, but Drakon already overlaps into that category for me, which is why I feel it’s about as far as they should go.

I didn't know that they're planning to broaden their target market, but I can't say I fully agree with their reasoning. I get the idea of not wanting their visitors to outgrow the park, but there will always be younger guests to replace them. I’m not convinced that affects whether people come back later with their own children, although Drakon probably does extend the age range a bit.

If anything, I’d probably argue the opposite. One of the things I liked most about Paultons was how clearly it leaned into being a family park. If it gradually shifted towards attracting more teen and young adult groups and leaning further into thrill rides, it would start to lose some of that identity and feel a bit less appealing in that context.

Obviously Paultons have their demographic data and will be making informed decisions so essentially my opinion means very little in the grand scheme of things. But from my experience visiting, the park never felt like it was missing thrill rides. It felt like a place with a strong, curated identity.

I personally see Plopsaland, Efteling and Toverland in the Alton Towers bubble, which in this context I'd define as parks that teens and adults would happily visit for the day without children (thoosies excluded!). Once you start getting groups of young adults roaming around, that very tight “family park” identity starts to blur into a more all-rounder theme park.

I would personally say that Paultons is already going into the all rounder market with Tornado Springs and Valgard. Especially considering that Cyclonator definitely is a thrill ride and Drakon is going to add to that.

I'd actually consider Plopsaland as very much an overseas Paultons, it has RTH and Anubis (basically equivalent to Drakon) but everything else very much for the families. The feel of the park definitely is for families and most of the young adults and teenagers are very much on Ride to Happiness. It felt very much like a family park unless you're in the Ride to Happiness area which was very isolated from the rest of the park.

I'm very much confident that the owners are taking inspiration from Plopsaland in particular for the move towards more thrills.

 

[Skyscraper]

I would personally say that Paultons is already going into the all rounder market with Tornado Springs and Valgard. Especially considering that Cyclonator definitely is a thrill ride and Drakon is going to add to that.

I'd actually consider Plopsaland as very much an overseas Paultons, it has RTH and Anubis (basically equivalent to Drakon) but everything else very much for the families. The feel of the park definitely is for families and most of the young adults and teenagers are very much on Ride to Happiness. It felt very much like a family park unless you're in the Ride to Happiness area which was very isolated from the rest of the park.

I'm very much confident that the owners are taking inspiration from Plopsaland in particular for the move towards more thrills.

Yeah Cyclonator was Paulton's first foray into the thrill market, and was intended to test the water and see if their target audience liked a more thrilling attraction. It certainly paved the way for Drakon.

 

[jon81uk]

If anything, I’d probably argue the opposite. One of the things I liked most about Paultons was how clearly it leaned into being a family park. If it gradually shifted towards attracting more teen and young adult groups and leaning further into thrill rides, it would start to lose some of that identity and feel a bit less appealing in that context.

I think you can aim for families with children under 15 years old and still be a family park. I don't think they need or intend to go after teenagers visiting without parents or young adults. But its to ensure that a family of say ages 8, 6 and 3 can keep visiting and keep all family members interested as they move into being 13, 11 and 8. Rather than it not really feeling like there is anything for the older kids while the younger ones have plenty.

 

[owenstreet7]

I think you can aim for families with children under 15 years old and still be a family park. I don't think they need or intend to go after teenagers visiting without parents or young adults. But its to ensure that a family of say ages 8, 6 and 3 can keep visiting and keep all family members interested as they move into being 13, 11 and 8. Rather than it not really feeling like there is anything for the older kids while the younger ones have plenty.

That is very true although even if it's not the primary aim, they could appeal to the teens and young adult market anyway through their offering.

I'd say that it could be an attractive alternative to Alton Towers or Thorpe Park if done right.

I know we've had the debate before about whether Paultons will be what topples Alton Towers off it's perch with the view that it won't due to the geography although the potential is absolutely huge for it to do so.