Fans excited as UK theme park announces brand new wild west land will open this month
A POPULAR UK theme park is opening a brand new wild west-themed land this month.
Theme parks across the country are preparing to open their doors again, having been closed for the winter.
And plenty of exciting changes are expected at a lot of them ahead of the new season.
One place where several changes are expected is Drayton Manor Park, with the new American-themed land due to open before the end of the month.
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In a teaser video, two cowboys were seen eyeing one another up menacingly, before a caption revealed that the new land would be opening to the public from March 24.
Information about what fans can expect from the new area remains sparse, but they’ll find out soon enough, with just two weeks remaining before it’s open.
Photos have shown more of the work currently being done to make the area fit the wild west theme.
They include food outlet Fun Foods being decorated with new cladding, while other shops nearby have also been given a lick of paint to resemble a cowboy town.
According to theme park fan site Attraction Source, rollercoaster Accelerator is set to be part of the new land and will also receive a makeover.
The coaster begins with a drop before zooming around the track at high speeds before doing the whole thing again backwards.
Reports claim that the new land will also be home to several other attractions, including favourites like the Drunken Barrels, which will be given a new name.
The ride is similar to the teacup ride at Disneyland, with guests spun around in giant barrels.
The area also looks set to be the site of a new rollercoaster that is set to open later on this year.
The new family lift and launch coaster will open later in 2024 as part of a multi million-pound investment plan at the park.
Managing director Victoria Lynn said that she wants it to be seen as one of the best rides in the country.
She told the Birmingham Mail last year: “One of the key things we want to say is that in 2024 there will be a new family thrill coaster coming.
Theme Park Tips
- Go to the back of the theme park first. Rides at the front will have the longest queues as soon as it opens.
- Go on water rides in the middle of the day in the summer – this will cool you off when the sun is at its hottest.
- Download the park’s app to track which rides have the shortest queues.
- Visit on your birthday, as some parks give out “birthday badges” that can get you freebies.
- If it rains, contact the park. Depending on how much it rained, you may get a free ticket to return.
“This is going to be one of the best coasters in the UK in my opinion. I think it is important to say we are still doing family thrill and not just kid rides.”
Fans were excited about the prospect of the new wild west land and commented on the videos that were shared to social media.
One wrote: “Loving the look already, we can’t wait to see it.”
Another said: “Love it. Ready for a cowboy adventure.”
A third simply added: “Yee haw!”
It’s not the only new attraction opening at Drayton Manor this year either.
The Wave
Another video released by the park earlier this month showed changes that have been made to rollercoaster Shockwave, which will be reopening as The Wave this year.
Before it closed, the ride had been the only stand-up rollercoaster in the country, with riders on their feet instead of sat down as they wizzed around the track.
Now it has been re-imagined with a brand-new sit-down train suitable for smaller riders.
Meanwhile, these five new rides are opening in the UK this year.
And this top European theme park is getting a brand new ride as well.