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Pirates Adventure Rumour

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tim

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We got stuck on a ride for a while this evening and got talking with one of the staff members and I brought up about wishing Pirates Adventures would reopen.

They said that it's definitely in the pipeline most probably for next year. But didn't know if it would be the same concept or completely remained.

Here's hoping!

Definitely the most confident I've ever seen anyone be about it though!
 
Personally I think the manor has a difficult decision to make. Everyone wants the original ride back and the reality is that many props no longer there. So I think a new experience is required.

Personally I would like to see a reimagining of the ride which respects the original ride. Preferably without reliance on monitors as has been preferred by parks in recent years. Would love to see the area around the second lake revitalised.
 
Pete999films said:
Personally I think the manor has a difficult decision to make. Everyone wants the original ride back and the reality is that many props no longer there. So I think a new experience is required.

Personally I would like to see a reimagining of the ride which respects the original ride. Preferably without reliance on monitors as has been preferred by parks in recent years. Would love to see the area around the second lake revitalised.
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I'm probably wrong but have the rocks/stones in the second lake had so painting done to them? Seem to be more colours on them?

Might just be my imagination but I thought they were mostly just grey before
 
tim said:
We got stuck on a ride for a while this evening and got talking with one of the staff members and I brought up about wishing Pirates Adventures would reopen.

They said that it's definitely in the pipeline most probably for next year. But didn't know if it would be the same concept or completely remained.

Here's hoping!

Definitely the most confident I've ever seen anyone be about it though!
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tim I believe this information to be fact rather than a runmour. Over the past few months a lot of activity has been occurring in and around the Pirate Adventure building. This includes the sighting of Mack Rides Boxes outside the building. Furthermore there’s been what appears to be refurbishment work being carried out on the ride system. I wouldn’t be surprised if by September Drayt Manor officially announce that Pirate Adventure is returning next year.
 
There is stuff going on in that building. Before they even think of theming the ride they got to get the ride system working and upgraded. Then they will have to install docks so the boats can be kept in place if they have to empty the attraction.
With the pirate theme In place for the building and area it would cost millions more if they wanted to change the theme of the area with the Dodgems, Jolly Buccaneer and the Bounty already themed and the arcade wouldn’t need to much of a re-theme and the restaurant next door.
 
Charliie said:
Has anyone seen any photos about the Mack ride box’s ? I don’t understand where this rumour has come from ?
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Not sure on the boxes but Sean from lift hills and thills was informed by staff that the boats that was by the hotel were taken off site to be repaired and painted. Staff have also confirmed to me as well that is is true. I not seen theses boxes but they could be round the back of the building.
 
Personally I hope Pirates Adventure does comeback I never did it and entire generation that has never done it, I have become a little obsessed with it over the past year, its the perfect ride for Drayton's new target audience its all weather fun providing its not a soaker like StormForce 10, its indoors, a long ride. and family friendly. It really is what Drayton needs at the moment a long dark ride.

Its not impossible if the building needs work and the ride system it could feasibly comeback they did with Splash Canyon. I saw some Boxes and a pallet of wheels at the back of the Dodgems main gate. the façade does need some work new plaster and painting up require as well as trimming of the ivy.
 
The building was repaired and made water tight again during the closed season 22/23.
It was used in 2023 to build the scenes for the Submarine ride in Thomas land.
 
Joe said:
I hope so to a high capacity Boat ride would really help spread the queues out. Especially if its well themed could be a top 5 UK Dark Ride if they wanted it to
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I agree, could be an amazing indoor attraction once again, Looping have invested loads already, which is awesome and theyve themed the areas really well too, so heres hoping they take the plunge and redo it all out, would love to take my mum and kiddo on there!
 
How would Pirates Adventure rank in terms of other UK Dark Rides today with the likes of Curse at Alton Manor, Ghostly Manor, Valhalla and Hex. Because back in the day it had to compete with the likes of Toyland Tours, Professor Burps Bubbleworks, Tommy Tinkaboo Sweet Adventure and Seaquarium
 
Joe said:
How would Pirates Adventure rank in terms of other UK Dark Rides today with the likes of Curse at Alton Manor, Ghostly Manor, Valhalla and Hex. Because back in the day it had to compete with the likes of Toyland Tours, Professor Burps Bubbleworks, Tommy Tinkaboo Sweet Adventure and Seaquarium
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It was without a doubt the largest dark ride in the country, massive scenes and large spaces.

It would compete well, although in its original form, slightly dated.

As much as I want to see it return, it needs to be different and more up to date, to cater for the ever evolving tastes of a modern audience.

Obviously, alot of the ride was scrapped, so it won't be returning in it's original form. Look over at Europa Park for inspiration, they manged to rebuild their Pirate ride, making it much more up to date, while still being respectful of the old ride. They did it very well, so it can be done, when done correctly.
 
Dan_R said:
It was without a doubt the largest dark ride in the country, massive scenes and large spaces.

It would compete well, although in its original form, slightly dated.

As much as I want to see it return, it needs to be different and more up to date, to cater for the ever evolving tastes of a modern audience.

Obviously, alot of the ride was scrapped, so it won't be returning in it's original form. Look over at Europa Park for inspiration, they manged to rebuild their Pirate ride, making it much more up to date, while still being respectful of the old ride. They did it very well, so it can be done, when done correctly.
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While you say that (I also adore Piraten En Batavia, currently my favourite Dark ride), I've seen a lot of Europa Fans online react less positive to it. Many don't like the forced in story and the new music, but everyone seems to agree that the effects and set pieces are fantastic! Though after listening to the original Piraten En Batavia music... yeah, I can see why a lot of Europa Fans prefer it over the current one.

What I'd personally love to see Happen to Pirate Adventure is to reimagine the original scenes, bring back some old fan favourite bits like the lady with the broom, and remove the ripoff Pirates of the Caribbean scenes like the goat with the keys. So, keep the strongest aspects of the original and remove the weakest parts. So, learn what Fans loved of the new Piraten En Batavia, and learn from it's mistakes too. That's just in an ideal world though.
 
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What you got to remember from the entrance to the loading platform is nearly all intact. Not sure how bad the walls are as the signage that was sold at the auction was fitted to the walls by strong glue and it took them ages to remove.
The pirate adventure cost the park 3 million back in 1990 but as it was drained the lift hill, drop and the channels could be fine so may only need new motors for the chains and new pumps as they were on there last legs back in 2014/15 so really just the inside and outside of the building will just need theming and if the looping group can give a budget of 5-7 million for the ride and area it will complete the park.
 
We would love to see Pirate Adventure return, there has always been a rumour circling around it ever since the doors closed. However at the moment, rumours are stronger than ever and we know that it has been an area of interest for the parks next major development as its quite a standout building with not a lot going on... It's also the next ideal area for major redevelopment if you ask me (in the sense that we have had Adventure Cove, Vikings and Frontier Falls, its only natural that this former area is next for attention)

I feel that this year, would be the year to make an announcement, given the special celebrations, however I would say this may not be a quick project.. It will need to be done properly with the right attention on it. (I don't want to see it rushed if it happens, or 99% screens!)
 
Elise said:
We would love to see Pirate Adventure return, there has always been a rumour circling around it ever since the doors closed. However at the moment, rumours are stronger than ever and we know that it has been an area of interest for the parks next major development as its quite a standout building with not a lot going on... It's also the next ideal area for major redevelopment if you ask me (in the sense that we have had Adventure Cove, Vikings and Frontier Falls, its only natural that this former area is next for attention)

I feel that this year, would be the year to make an announcement, given the special celebrations, however I would say this may not be a quick project.. It will need to be done properly with the right attention on it. (I don't want to see it rushed if it happens, or 99% screens!)
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Same don't want to see it rushed but remember the ride system has foundation's already and the queue line and exit still intact plus Curse was changed within 7 months so can be quality and done quickly
 
I vaguely remember reading somewhere that there was a £5 million budget for the first 5 years dropping to £3 million after that. I am wondering whether the park has modified that as a rolling budget so as to work on an average budget and to the end of 2024 would be £19 million. That is largely in line with this year.

There has been a reasonable spend so in 2025 on infrastructure improvements and largely cosmetic improvements, with some zoo work, I wonder if we could be looking at £2 million this year.

If you go back to the 5 year plan, there was a replacement ride planned for 2024 which hasn't materialised which |I wondered if that was the dodgems, so maybe a new set of dodgems for 2026 and light retheme of the pirate cove area with Pirate Adventure getting the work needed for 2027 and therefore a budget ignoring anything elsewhere for the pirate cove of £3 million from 2025, then £6 million covering the 2026 and 2027, with realistic spend in line with Themeparksandy suggestion of £4-7 million capital spend allowing for spend elsewhere.

This will finish the park. I saw a video where Victoria suggested the lakeside area as a possible ride which be an extension to the pirate cove with a small roller coaster which will mean that all areas would have a roller coaster.

I hope Elise is right and they take their time and get it right without screens.
 
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