A new Drayton Manor 2022 attraction is looking to be heading to the park as a teaser was released on social media today.
Combining fire, fog, norse ruin numbers and a wooden V logo one would think that it was Blackpool Pleasure Beach who had posted this trailer as it has serious Valhalla vibes!
The norse ruins spell out ‘2022’ and with fire embers crackling on top of smoke effects and earth behind it one can only imagine what’s on its way.
From a wooden climbing frame to a complete viking refurb of the Pirate Adventure dark ride, it really could be anything.
With Pandemonium leaving the park this year could we see a new Viking themed flat ride?
Could we see a new Viking themed area to compete with new for 2021 Adventure Cove?
Speculation is rife already and the teaser doesn’t really give too much away other than the basic theming of what this new addition could be.
S&S Worldwide have been heavily linked with Drayton Manor over the last few months in regards to bringing a coaster to the park but once again it’s Chinese whispers with not much in the way of concrete evidence.
With the Looping Group focusing their attention on revamping how the park looks and rejuvenating old rides such as the rapids I’d certainly lean more towards a flat/s or old ride resurrection over a major coaster investment.
If there is a coaster heading to the park expect a small family coaster over anything huge as it’ll be a quick installation in comparison.
A coaster will be heading to Drayton Manor in the future, that’s an absolute certainty but in 2022? We shall see.
Realistically, No I don’t think so as this teaser certainly fits in line with a new themed area over a specific ride similar to the Adventure Cove tease.
As far as a new coaster goes, I think 2023 will be the year Drayton gets a new coaster. The Looping Group are taking it steady for the first 2 years by improving and adding in smart investments with a coaster being the cherry on the cake in 2023.
The Looping Group won’t want to dive head first in with an investment as heavy as a coaster just yet, they need to draw visitors to the park but they’re usually very cautious in how this is achieved.
Jumping head first in with a major investment is a big gamble and at this moment in time just doesn’t seem feasible for them to do so.
If anything I’d re-theme an old coaster (such as Buffalo) just to keep things moving in terms of guiding the park into a brighter future focusing on themed lands which seems to be the focus moving forward now.
The fact that the teaser says 2022 also suggests that it will indeed be opened in 2022 or coming in 2022 and there’s just no way it could be a coaster without eagle-eyed Drayton Manor fans spotting foundations or similar at the park over the last few months of the season.
Whatever this may be, I’m certainly looking forward to the announcement.
I’m still yet to go on the Adventure Cove Rapids so another attraction for me to hop on whilst I’m there (come on Flat ride / Pirates refurb) would be much welcomed.
What do you think the new Drayton Manor 2022 attraction could be?
The Rumour Mill…
If rumours are anything to go by, a few months ago a new viking themed land was doing the rounds that would take place in the triangular land where Vertigo used to be.
Viking Village would consist of three flat rides and a family-thrill coaster (could be added in the 2023 season) and a new sit-in food outlet would also be constructed.
The Buffalo Coaster would also be getting a re-theme to fit in with the area.
With the new teaser resembling not only viking themes with norse numbers but showing a huge V (the name or theme of the rumoured coaster) it seems as though this particular whisper has some weight to it.
There was always heavy rumours of a Zamperla Disk’o coming to the park at the same time as the WaveSwinger now in Adventure Cove.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this was one of the flat rides in the new area along with maybe one or two more Zamperla rides due to the previous owners of Drayton having an agreement in place with Zamperla before the takeover which I’m sure The Looping Group would have carried over after their acquisition.
This rumour also has weight to it for that very reason.
Either-way it’s exciting times for Drayton Manor and we can’t wait to see if the rumoured land comes to fruition.
