It’s the end of one of the UK’s best thrill flat rides. Although nobody has officially said to the public from the park it seems a source at the park confirmed it to a few members who attended the opening day of their new area; Viking (ps check it out it looks fab). But back to the topic of this blog post, Apocalypse is leaving the park at the end of this season so we have heard… here are my thoughts on the situation.
It feels pointless to even pretend to act surprised by the news. I guess it felt almost unavoidable given the pattern of the prior few years & the heightened toll of those thrill rides across the park. It was always bound to come this day. The park has made it exceptionally apparent that they are targeting the family-thrill market which therefore goes hand in hand with that influx of changes & retirements.
For me as well as many OG Drayton Manor visitors & fans this news feels sad. I grew up visiting this park & it’s all we’ve ever known is Apocalypse. Watching Drayton Manor shift their entire park & audience is a moment which will always feel ambiguous due to the sentimental significance & only that justification. I do think their actions are on the best path to suit them & their long term purpose. From a business point of view, emotional virtue doesn’t come into the picture understandably as the park would never be able to move forward if it did.
Recent years have only seen a large rise in investment from one brand new area to another. We are yet to visit this year but certainly have it on our list to do. But it looks remarkable from what we have seen. So, losing Apocalypse & Pandemonium both of which are extremely near to one another just feels like another future development is in the works. This time I feel we can expect something a lot larger possibly on the scale of a rollercoaster. As for what they could be, who knows?
That boost & push towards the more family-thrill does leave me apprehensive about the remainder of thrill rides such as Shockwave & Air Race. I think we’re safe for a few years with both.
Whatever comes next for the park I hope it’s an accomplishment for them. It’s a park so dear to me that all I want is to see them reach new heights as much as some judgments are sad as it’s a little bit of childhood slowly slipping away. Their business staying afloat & steady is key. So, the investment so far has been tremendous to see after a prolonged period of little to no investment. A massive well done to the team for pulling off two very great new areas!
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What’s your thoughts on the matter?
Thanks for reading & I can’t wait to hear your opinions.
