OK so we are fully in the miserable closed season and as I go insane trying to keep myself occupied to February, I decided to wonder what I would like the parks I've been to, to add. The ones I've been to so far are Pleasure Beach, Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Fantasy Island, Drayton Manor and Flamingo Land. But who doesn't love a top 10? That's why I'm throwing Chessington, Paultons Park, Oakwood and Pleasurewood Hills into the mix and trying to plug gaps these parks have from what I can see. I know some of these predictions are outlandish and a couple of parks are already getting new rides but that won't stop me speculating.
Pleasure Beach- RMC Raptor
These look like so much fun and a great marketing opportunity for the first single rail in Europe. I think it would add on what Icon did and give the park a big 5 coasters and really put the park on a map of essential parks across the world. It can be stylised like Icon and be put around the Hub, getting rid of some of the preexisting buildings to make sure its got clearance. I believe this would be a crowd pleaser and talk of lots of families across the country. Do it Blackpool, I dare you. 😜
Alton Towers- Mack Xtreme Spinning Coaster
This just makes too much sense to me, must be pretty easy to get a record of some kind for this ride with it being a rare model at this moment in time and would be an incredible ride without a doubt. Towers has some world class coasters but it has been nearly 10 years since their last thrill coaster and surely its time for another one at this point? Easily themed as well (Probably to a beyblade that turns evil and wants to destroy humanity).
Thorpe Park- GCI Hybrid
I really thought this might be the new coaster but I still think it would be a great fit for the park. They lack airtime more than anything else and also have nothing even remotely wooden. I think an RMC if it ever was a possibility, is now long gone, however the hybrid dream can surely not end. Thorpe will make some weird theme for it than results in the millionth different themed area for just one ride but you know, at least it would be a good ride and have theming. Trust me guys, GCI 26 is happening.
Flamingo Land- Gravity Group Woodie
Similarly to Thorpe, Flamingo Land has no wooden coaster or any air time in reality thus I have come to the profound realisation that with a more modest budget than the former park, a wooden coaster of sorts would be great here. A small, punchy one with plenty of ejector would be incredible and serve a much needed gap in the park, perhaps with it eventually opening the 10 inversion coaster too, the park would compete to be one of the best in the country for coasters.
Drayton Manor- B&M Floorless
I have to be honest, I had no idea what to put here as Drayton isn't really about the coasters at this point but here we are. I just picked a model I would like to see in the UK and stuck with it. It seems like a pipe dream but that's basically what this list is and why not go all out on occasion. With the recent investments pointing the right way, I think they should go all out and build a statement ride in the UK, a must ride, a conversation starter. Can't blame a guy for dreaming. 😏
Fantasy Island- Intamin Mega Coaster
Once again a park that lacks air time and I didn't fancy a wooden coaster here for whatever reason other than the sake of being a bit different. This is a seriously underrated park and one I loved being in and wish had a bit more time in all honesty. I think
they've got a decent couple of thrill coasters but they are lacking an air time machine and this had me thinking of Kondaa at Walibi Belgium and how good that would be in this country. Perhaps there's some recency bias behind this one but it would add to the skyline and you'd be able to take in the views of the coast too. It might be out of budget but I think it would be a great fit.
Chessington WOA- Intamin Wooden Prefabricated Track
So the first of the parks I've not visited and a very outlandish call but a small scale ride such as Balder at Liseberg would be perfect, especially with a new wing coaster coming, this park would be the perfect spot for a new woodie in the UK. Air time and more air time with a jungle theme, weaving between trees and props would be so good and some sort of dark ride section too wouldn't be half bad. This is up there as an unrealistic shout but I thought it was worth a mention at least.
Paultons Park- RMC Family Hybrid
A park that caters towards families in its entirety and does it very well with good theming mixed in too. This is a park on the up and seems to keep improving and I look forward to seeing what they add in the coming years. One thing that would be universally adored by enthusiasts and the general public alike would be this family model by RMC, fits the vibe at Paultons and also will offer some thrills while also being able to be themed very well along with that. A new area with a dark ride and a water ride and a flat ride along with it and they've got one of the most complete ride offerings in the country and will compete with Chessington for the southern family market.
Oakwood- S&S Free Spin
This park, similarly to Drayton Manor, has not got much in the coaster lineup so plugging a gap is tricky but I ignored plenty of other options and just picked a model I'd like to see pop up somewhere closer to home, these models just look like a bit of fun, perhaps it would draw in crowds to Wales. It would be unique, small footprint and pretty popular among park goers. This seems possible to me and would be flipping great to have, even if it is a difficult park to get to.
Pleasurewood Hills- Mack Wilde Maus
OK, a rather anticlimactic end to the list, a small scale coaster compared to the rest but one that fits the park. Something absolutely mental like Wilde Maus XXL would be so good and chaotic. I doubt it will bring droves of people into the park but it would be popular for those who visit the park. These coasters don't really need theming and are fun for the family so would be a great addition at such a park, would boost on the list of parks I need to visit in this country for sure.
There we are, 10 coasters for 10 parks and lets be honest, this is very unrealistic. However, if by some miracle this would happen then I'm sure the UK would be one of the best countries in the world for coasters, competing with Germany. I suppose the dream is to see parks stay open and keep investing in various ways to keep things fresh and keep our collective hobby going. I could probably write about 100 coaster models I'd like to see pop up but that would take too long I'm afraid. Will any of these happen? Maybe, so lets see and embrace the speculation.
As always, thanks for reading and let me know what you want to see come to the UK and where.
Take care and see you in the next post!
Tom ✌
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