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Drayton Manor Discussion Thread


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^ Then people will ask for a ban on rapid rides. That is how the GP views things. Or they will ask for full OTSR's along with feet locking deices and barbed wire over the top of the rafts to prevent people being able to or wanting to stand up.

 

It was a joke by the way, not serious.

 

If you have to explain something is a joke, you're doing it wrong.

 

I was being really serious when I suggested putting barbed wire around the perimeter of the rafts. (By the way, that was sarcastic).

 

Well, thats the problem with posting a lot of dumb sh!t. When you try to make a funny/sarcastic post people assume you are still just posting dumb sh!t.

 

This is the issue, but I am trying to not post dumb sh!t, and inject some humor into some posts and do some trip reports, but people still do not like it when I make a joke, yet when you make a joke or criticize someone like you have the authority of a page admin, everyone laughs.

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The main point in this news story is that the family 'plan' to sue the park, until the results of the investigation are released there wouldn't be any action taken against the park, and if it is confirmed that she stood up during the ride against safety warnings and doubt there would be much of a case to answer.

 

I think the most that will happen against the park is that they have to revise the riding policy for the ride, e.g. riders under the age of XX must be accompanied by an adult, instead of just riders between 90cm and 110cm must be accompanied.

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You used to be able to ride the flume at Chessington at 0.9m, however, I think after people standing up (or other reasons known to the park) they raised the height restriction to 1.2m. Good to remove queues, bad because it was a great ride for families.

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You used to be able to ride the flume at Chessington at 0.9m, however, I think after people standing up (or other reasons known to the park) they raised the height restriction to 1.2m. Good to remove queues, bad because it was a great ride for families.

 

They stated that the manufacturer, I believe Mack made them change the height restriction. Not really sure why as nobody really stands up on log flumes.

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The main point in this news story is that the family 'plan' to sue the park, until the results of the investigation are released there wouldn't be any action taken against the park, and if it is confirmed that she stood up during the ride against safety warnings and doubt there would be much of a case to answer

Yep, it always pays to read articles in the trashy tabloids like the Daily Mail not just the headline (or better still, just not read the Daily Mail at all); the headline is always clickbait and suggests something as fact, then you read the story and it's full of vagarities like 'could...', 'may...', 'a source said...', but of course people nowadays have such short attention spans they just share the story without reading it, get all morally outraged, then we end up with things like Brexit.

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  • 1 year later...

"Theme park bosses could face a corporate manslaughter charge over the death of an 11-year-old who fell out of a water ride during a school trip. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said they received a file from Staffordshire Police last month. Prosecutors will now decide if any criminal charges are to be brought over Evha's death."

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-45161739

 

It will be interesting to read how this pans out. Nothing I've read so far has indicated that the park have been in anyway negligent, but clearly we only have heard what has been reported on in the press, whereas the investigations have only just finished.

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  • 1 year later...

Drayton Manor has filed a notice of intent that it will enter administration. In the UK this is when a company becomes insolvent and is essentially taken over by accountants who will try and either sell the park as an ongoing concern or wind it down meaning job losses and the sale of assets to try and recover money for creditors.

 

Mellors Group (who own Fantasy Island, and are an entertainments company who tour many fair rides in the UK) were rumoured to be taking over 'Drayton Manor Operations Ltd' which might suggest a pre-packaged administration, or possibly a straight-forward sale that fell through (hence administration).

 

This was a lovely park punching above its weight for many years, but has been in a spiral of decline with rides like Pirates Adventure, G Force and the Rapids all closing for various reasons, and long term closures of other major attractions.

 

My feeling is the park will be saved. If Mellors take over, expect to see temporary fair rides parachuted in because that's their business model.

 

Article: https://riderater.co.uk/8332/drayton-manor-going-into-administration/

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Drayton Manor has been purchased out of administration by The Looping Group.

 

The Looping Group owns 15 European parks, including 2 others in the UK: West Midlands Safari Park and Pleasurewood Hills

 

The Bryan family will be kept on as part of the management team

 

https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/almost-600-jobs-saved-looping-18707961

 

Almost 600 jobs saved as Looping Group buys Drayton Manor Park

By Laura Watson 14:36, 3 AUG 2020 Updated15:03, 3 AUG 2020

 

Drayton Manor Park has been sold to Looping Group

 

A family-run theme park which attracts more than one million visitors a year has been sold out of administration to a group which owns a West Midlands rival.

 

Representatives from PwC were appointed as administrators of Tamworth-based Drayton Manor Park Limited - along with its catering and hotel businesses - earlier today.

 

Now it has been revealed that the resort has been sold to Looping Group.

 

The buy-out will see the resort's 599 employees transfer across to the new business while all trading aspects of the group will remain in operation as usual, and existing bookings will be honoured.

 

Mike Denny, joint administrator and PwC director, said: "The Group had been facing exceptionally challenging trading conditions. In February, Storm Dennis forced the park to close unexpectedly, whilst its planned reopening in March was delayed due to Covid-19.

 

"These factors combined exacerbated cash flow pressures on the Group.

 

"We are delighted to have helped secure a sale which preserves 599 jobs and ensures the survival of a much loved leisure attraction that is steeped in history and heritage.

 

"The purchasers will be working with the existing management team to continue to grow and develop the business, we wish them every future success."

Related Articles

 

Drayton Manor Park boasts more than 100 rides and attractions - including Europe's only Thomas Land - as well as a 15-acre zoo and four-star hotel.

 

The deal will see the theme park and zoo operate under the company name of Drayton Manor Resort Ltd while the Bryan family, who have owned and run the resort since it first opened to the public in 1950, remain a key part of the management structure with William Bryan retaining his role as managing director.

 

Looping Parks is a European group of regional leisure parks which boasts 15 parks across the UK, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Spain and Portugal.

 

In the UK, it currently owns West Midlands Safari Park in Bewdley and Pleasurewood Hills in Suffolk.

 

Laurent Bruloy, CEO of the Looping Group, said: "We are thrilled and proud to welcome Drayton Manor Park and its talented team to our group.

 

"I would like to commend the Bryan family who has, over three generations, been developing the park and made it one of the most beautiful references of our industry in the UK. We are deeply respectful about all that has been achieved by the teams.

 

"We aim to continue the story and support Drayton Manor’s development with the same entrepreneurial DNA and values that we share whilst keeping the strong local anchorage of the resort.

 

"Our aim is to provide visitors with an unforgettable, fun and entertaining family day out. The park’s offering is the perfect fit with us, with its extensive range of award-winning rides and attractions including Europe’s first and only Thomas Land."

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  • 1 year later...

Drayton Manor has announced that they will be adding a new Vikings-inspired area this year with a new Disk'o Coaster, the UK's first Zamperla Nebulaz ride and more!

6230702e49e3c.thumb.png.90cd42bc9e1bf43195e2f0eb461b74a0.png

https://www.draytonmanor.co.uk/vikings

DMR_Vikings_First_Reveal_Image_Web.thumb.jpeg.6ec02b95171ffd4162aa11d2d77a737d.jpeg

 

Vikings. A whole new land of discovery. Opens Spring 2022.

Vikings will propel guests into the centre of the action with exhilarating rides inspired by ancient gods and legends, and unforgettable experiences designed to transport adventurers of all ages back to a bygone era.


THOR

Introducing the eagerly awaited Disk'O Coaster. Thor is a new vibrantly coloured family thrill ride, named after the infamous god of thunder. It will send those brave enough to board spinning in a giant wheel across a coaster track for the ultimate weightless sensation.


LOKI

Introducing the UK’s first Zamperla Nebulaz. Loki is a family thrill ride with eight gondolas and four arms rotating in a fast-intermeshing orbit. Inspired by the malevolent god of mischief, Loki will send passengers soaring to new heights, offering a truly hypnotic experience from both the sky and ground. 


SLEIPNIR

The new Sleipnir attraction will take mini explorers on an exciting journey through a training school, where the legend of the ancient Viking mythical horse will teach them how to become a powerful god.


JORMUNGANDR

For younger thrill seekers looking to brave their first mini coaster, Jormungandr is the family-favourite Buffalo Coaster re-imagined. Taking guests onboard an epic voyage through Vikings, with incredible views of the theme park and its nearby lake. 


WALHALLA

After a long day of voyaging, guests can refuel at the new Walhalla restaurant. Inspired by the historic heaven that warriors were said to visit after battle, Walhalla features traditional wooden benches surrounding a sizzling BBQ pit. Perfect for feasting in true Viking style!

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VIKINGS THEMED HOTEL ROOMS

For anyone wishing to extend the fun overnight, guests can enjoy one of 10 brand-new Vikings-themed rooms at our onsite 4-star hotel. Featuring Nordic-inspired furnishings and traditional wooden panelling embellished with shields and paintings of distant Viking voyages, guests will be immersed in the mythical surroundings of legends for the evening, before waking up to feast like a Viking again and refuel for another day of fun and adventure in the theme park.  

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^ Probably, there are actually quite a few of them already in the UK at smaller parks that have been a hit.

 

Pleasurewood Hills has one:

image.thumb.png.2f7a1d25f817ffa67ca56bdb31cc1771.png

 

 

And so does Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach:

image.png.57fa590340dfb0fb0594ed74c11cfeaa.png

 

And Paulton's Park in their Peppa Pig area, which I believe was also brought across to the Florida park:

image.thumb.png.3319513b328a6f53c3da859236822aef.png

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^ They're all over Scandinavian parks, too. Seen and been on a few, on my TPR Tours. 😊

Future VIKING stuff looks great for Drayton Manor.  And yay for keeping Buffalo Coaster!

But ..... honestly ..... Walhalla?

UK032_BlackpoolValhalla.jpg.22ebfae0a8929d321a06cc8dc0034a23.jpg

Valhalla not amused by this. That name sound like Looney Tunes thing. Not good, Wabbit.

TPR 2006 Tour - UK - Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Also sound like "Walla Walla" Onion from Wash. state.

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Djurs Sommerland had one ~ TPR 2014 Scandi Tour.

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9 hours ago, Nrthwnd said:

But ..... honestly ..... Walhalla?

Valhalla not amused by this. That name sound like Looney Tunes thing. Not good, Wabbit.

My middle school was close to a discovered Anglo-Saxon village so we used to have field trips and themed days around Anglo-Saxon stuff but essentially it's the German version of the word from Old Norse since all of these rides are named from Norse mythology. I honestly can't remember too much of it since Anglo-Saxon history/historians/a very picky history teacher have a lot of definitions for what is Viking or Norsemen and differences including mythology. Most of us were more interested in just hiding out in and pretending to watch the movie they projected in the visitors center nearby.

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Drayton Manor has unveiled their new brand identity to reflect the resort's future plans and family focus. 

280542102_379831057512020_1977095494935710619_n.thumb.jpeg.7ca31413fa9ade329a50d8507c9dd18e.jpeg

https://www.draytonmanor.co.uk/news-detail/drayton-manor-unveils-new-brand-identity

With new Managing Director, Victoria Lynn, at the helm, Drayton Manor Resort has unveiled a new look for its much-loved brand, with a vibrant transformation that reflects ambitious future plans and a new era for the family destination.

Bringing together its shared vision to be the place for fun and excitement through immersive experiences that can be enjoyed by all, the resort has revealed a brand-new logo alongside reimagined values that demonstrate the evolution of the resort and its offering.

The new logo mirrors the resort’s commitment to bring everyone together for unforgettable experiences that start and end with fun, while remaining true to the company’s original colours, but at the same time adding the extra ingredient of being ‘perfectly imperfect’ to convey movement and motion.

Its reimagined values demonstrate the culture and redefined purpose of the brand, and include the importance of being warm-hearted, inclusive, and authentic in approach, while ensuring a vibrant and energetic environment where everyone can connect and thrive.

Sustainability and conservation efforts are also intrinsic to the values, and the resort has pledged to respect the natural environment, consciously working towards reducing waste, increasing energy efficiency, protecting green spaces, and promoting animal conservation.

The resort, which attracts 1 million visitors each year and is home to over 100 rides and attractions, Europe’s only Thomas Land, a 15-acre conservation zoo and four-star hotel, is fast-expanding its offering with the opening of its highly anticipated Vikings-themed area set for this Spring.

With new rides and attractions that will appeal to family thrill seekers of all ages, alongside themed rooms at the Drayton Manor Hotel, Vikings has sent the UK into a flurry of excitement since its announcement and follows the success of the nautical-themed zone, Adventure Cove, which opened last summer.

The new logo and brand values signal a marked change in direction for the future of the resort, as it continues to expand its offering to cater to the family thrill market and provide unforgettable immersive experiences for guests of all ages.

The resort was formerly family-run and managed over a 70-year period until it was purchased by the Looping Group in 2020, a European company operating 16 leisure parks across the UK, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, and Portugal.

New Managing Director, Victoria Lynn, who joined the team in April with over 22 years’ industry experience spanning world class attractions within the UAE, will be instrumental in delivering Looping Group’s vision for the future of the resort, as it continues to reinvest in improving its offering, affirming its position as one of the leading leisure destinations in the UK.

Victoria said: “The future of Drayton Manor Resort is certainly bright, and I am delighted to be joining such an incredibly talented team at a pivotal time of growth and positive change for the brand, while ensuring they continue to feel inspired and motivated to deliver the best possible experiences for guests. 

“The relaunch of the brand has been in the works for a long time, and so much thought, care and meticulous planning has gone into creating our new logo and values, which really bring to life who we are and why we exist, alongside solidifying our core principles and attitudes towards the care of our guests, and the sustainability of our business operations.

“It also frames the future direction of the resort perfectly, with a shift in focus over the coming years to capture a more diverse family thrill audience, with new rides, attractions and immersive experiences that cater to guests of all ages. 

“I look forward to working closely with the team to continue driving growth and development of an already exceptional family destination, with a shared vision of creating unforgettable memories to be shared and relived.”

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