May 11, 201510 yr comment_208970 What a loverly video, Absolutely can't wait until this park reopens, this all sounds very exciting stuff and for me at the moment is probably the most exciting thing happening in the UK theme park industry (prior to thorpe' dark ride & SW8). Definitely hope to get down there this year at somepoint
May 11, 201510 yr comment_208973 As long as it goes smoothly, I'd say that the reopening of this park will be the best thing to have happened to the UK theme park industry in a long time. Seriously hope it goes well for them and I hope to visit soon!
May 12, 201510 yr comment_209030 'Marina and the Diamonds' will be there for the opening of the park! Cant get a link as I am on mobile, but have a look on Twitter ... Edit... https://mobile.twitter.com/MarinasDiamonds/status/598224171651432449/photo/1
June 7, 201510 yr comment_210745 Dreamland have announced the Scenic will not open with the rest of the park later this month, as the trains are not ready. I'm really a big fan of the project, but this is a bit disastrous. I can't see many people bothering without it, so the park will sit there losing money and gaining a bad reputation. Would be much better of delaying the whole thing until it's ready. Hopefully it won't be for too long, but rather ominously they haven't given a likely opening date yet.
June 16, 201510 yr comment_211397 So Dreamland have acquired a Reverchon Crazy Mouse. Not really a heritage ride, but I think that it is a good decision in the short term, however in the long term I would like to see Southport's wooden Wild Mouse (which I believe they have in storage), the Water Chute (which I think they have blueprints for) and The Whip from BPB built. I appreciate that it doesn't all happen in a day and hopefully they'll manage this in the long run, I fully support this park and aim to visit once they become more established, and once the Scenic Railway is open!
June 16, 201510 yr comment_211399 I'm secretly hoping they can acquire a looping star, I know many may not consider it heritage, but it was the first coaster I went on that tipped me upside down in 1982/3, right after my first ride experience on the scenic railway, so to me, it's a heritage ride too.
June 16, 201510 yr comment_211400 I'm going to be honest, it wouldn't surprise me if dreamland doesn't last a year. I don't see what has changed since it closed, and they are way behind/over budget. Found this article interesting http://greentargett.com/2015/06/13/dreamland-somnabulance/. Hopefully this will be far from the truth when it opens, whilst the article seems to be a it on the negative side of over budgeting, unsatisfactory parties etc. the park definitely has its large share of supporters as there's already 50k likes on the park's Facebook and the opening night has now also sold out (source Dreamland FB). Many prominent Themeparks have had bad starts in the past. Disneyland's opening was a disaster, Universal didn't get near as many guests as they first expected and DLP or as it was called then, Euro Disney was a complete failure. I know this is a bit different but this park should hopefully be a success. On another note, wild mouse should be a good addition even if it's very mediocre. Any news on when the scenic will open btw?
June 17, 201510 yr comment_211427 So Dreamland have acquired a Reverchon Crazy Mouse. Not really a heritage ride, but I think that it is a good decision in the short term, however in the long term I would like to see Southport's wooden Wild Mouse (which I believe they have in storage), the Water Chute (which I think they have blueprints for) and The Whip from BPB built. I appreciate that it doesn't all happen in a day and hopefully they'll manage this in the long run, I fully support this park and aim to visit once they become more established, and once the Scenic Railway is open! The Wild Mouse has been scrapped and will only be used in the upcycling project. Blackpools Whip is being considered for Phase 2.
June 17, 201510 yr comment_211451 The Wild Mouse has been scrapped and will only be used in the upcycling project. Blackpools Whip is being considered for Phase 2. Oh Any particular reason for this? They should sell it on to somewhere else though, it would be great to have another wooden wild mouse in operation.
June 17, 201510 yr comment_211452 They should sell it on to somewhere else though, it would be great to have another wooden wild mouse in operation. It's not made of wood. I see the opening night tickets have sold out, so at least part of that doom-mongering is not true! The place will fail though, until they get the scenic going. I just hope the cost of being open without it is not too high and doesn't go on too long.
June 17, 201510 yr comment_211454 It's not made of wood. Really? It looks wooden: https://youtu.be/Q__J6u6ADxc
June 17, 201510 yr comment_211466 The former owners scrapped parts of the wooden wild mouse making it unusable. In order to make it economically viable and sustainable the park is no longer purely heritage based. It is designed to be a reflection of rides from every decade from the 1920s to now hence why we are seeing many 80s/90s rides pop up. Hardly ideal but at the end of the day they need to draw in the numbers to keep the place going and restoring old heritage rides does not come cheap at all. Something I don't think alot of non enthusiasts realise and appreciate. BPB Whip ride will come at a later date along with the Corbiere Wheel. If it doesn't deterorate on Ramsgate docks first.
June 17, 201510 yr comment_211470 Really? It looks wooden: https://youtu.be/Q__J6u6ADxc Yes, that one looks wooden. But the one they have is... This is what was being spoken about.
June 18, 201510 yr comment_211472 Yes, that one looks wooden. But the one they have is... This is what was being spoken about. No no, I said that it would be good to have Southport's Wild Mouse back in the long run, but that the steel mouse is good as a short term investment. Then Pete_A replied saying that they had scrapped the project, so I said that they should sell it to a park that would actually use it, as it would be nice to have another wooden Wild Mouse in operation.
June 18, 201510 yr comment_211473 Poor King Soloman's, it always felt less death-defying than Wild Mouse... Shame that it's too dead to bring back, unless they pull a Knobels and just build it from stratch...
June 18, 201510 yr comment_211477 Just for info, the Scenic Railway restoration / rebuild will cost at least £2.64million There will be a modern "Twist" as well as Flamingolands old Wave Swinger. The astroglide they have is reportedly from Paultons Park.
June 18, 201510 yr comment_211479 According to a post on Coasterforce much of the Wooden Wild Mouse (King Solomons ) would need to be rebuilt from scratch. Restoration sure doesn't come cheap these days.
June 18, 201510 yr comment_211480 Wild Mouse: Purchased by the Trust from Pleasureland, Southport and was located at Dreamland now relocated to the Port of Ramsgate. This ride was determined to be utilised for upcycling/engagement Circular Water Chute: Acquired by the trust from Ocean Beach, Rhyl and located at the Port of Ramsgate. Ride not complete with only the cars salvaged for refurbishment. Not within current park plan
June 18, 201510 yr comment_211488 No no, I said that it would be good to have Southport's Wild Mouse back in the long run, but that the steel mouse is good as a short term investment. Then Pete_A replied saying that they had scrapped the project, so I said that they should sell it to a park that would actually use it, as it would be nice to have another wooden Wild Mouse in operation. Ah, missed that bit. I thought King Solomans was long dead and that seems to be the case. This new wild mouse is something I suppose but they'e stepped quite a long way from what I consider heritage with a few bits now, I think they need to be careful not to dilute the vision too much and become just another indistinct seaside fairground.
June 18, 201510 yr comment_211503 Well its opening tomorrow and I live in Margate, I can safely say that seeing the site today it does not look ready, there are still diggers everywhere and trucks full of equipment, an electrician I know who is working there highly doubts it'll be ready for tomorrow, already the scenic railways won't be open because of a delay in completion of the trains and judging by the progress of the site there will be a few more non openers for tomorrow
June 19, 201510 yr comment_211515 Thirteen was still having fresh tarmac/fencing laid on the day of opening... It's not really that out there, especially given all the delays in this project...
June 19, 201510 yr comment_211554 Shame a few of the rides couldn't open on time. I know they have brought in temporary replacements for a few such as the Helter Skelter, Twister, Chair swing and Teacups though I know many people were looking forward to the Caterpillar attraction which judging by news reports, was not ready. Regardless, the place still looks like a fantastic start and the general consensus seems to be positive which is good. I myself will be coming back when all the rides including the Scenic are in full swing.
June 19, 201510 yr comment_211555 I myself will be coming back when all the rides including the Scenic are in full swing. Says half the population of the southeast of England! I really hope it isn't too long, it will kill them otherwise.
June 20, 201510 yr comment_211605 Why are they opening now without the Scenic Railway? Surely that's the biggest draw they've got going and to have it closed doesn't seem like the right move..
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