upto you if you go or not main big rides are open now other than few
2026: General Discussion
- Thread starter DraytonEnthusiast
- Start date
may 1st its 4pm may 2nd its 9pm
Great, thank you
stormforce 10 is now back open
For anyone planning on going for the first time this year, my wife is there today. Annual passes won't scan on the system, a friend can't renew the passes online and there is a 45 minute queue to the annual pass office and it has kids manning it and are clueless. Our annual passes run out in September and the kids on the gates say they have run out. Funny though that they have let us prebook admission. 25% of the park rides are closed.
However on a positive, guest services were helpful to them. A complaint turned into a two ride fast pass and free ice creams. Opening near fully at christmas and yet another change has turned into a fiasco which clearly will have a long term impact with loss of guests in the future. Apparently guest services are inundated with complaints about the ride offering and annual passes not working. I suspect a lot of people are gaining admission without paying or renewing annuals passes as you can not review without contacting the park.
I was planning to go this weekend. I will give it a miss I think until they sort the issues out and actually start operating like a normal theme park!
However on a positive, guest services were helpful to them. A complaint turned into a two ride fast pass and free ice creams. Opening near fully at christmas and yet another change has turned into a fiasco which clearly will have a long term impact with loss of guests in the future. Apparently guest services are inundated with complaints about the ride offering and annual passes not working. I suspect a lot of people are gaining admission without paying or renewing annuals passes as you can not review without contacting the park.
I was planning to go this weekend. I will give it a miss I think until they sort the issues out and actually start operating like a normal theme park!
Elise
Administrator
The constant changing of the annual pass systems has been nothing short of trouble. We've managed a prebook for next weekend which hopefully will work as expected.
We're seeing a lot of issues / queries but at the moment a lack of clarity on how to solve them. I do feel bad for the Guest services & Annual Pass teams who likely haven't been trained enough / prepared enough for the system - so if the system isnt operating as expected, thats even harder on them
As a Customer Services staff member myself , I know their struggle </3
We're seeing a lot of issues / queries but at the moment a lack of clarity on how to solve them. I do feel bad for the Guest services & Annual Pass teams who likely haven't been trained enough / prepared enough for the system - so if the system isnt operating as expected, thats even harder on them
As a Customer Services staff member myself , I know their struggle </3
Obviously I'm not there, but from what my wife has said Guest services have been really good. Pass office need training and maybe someone from guest services to be there making sure that the issues are resolved.The constant changing of the annual pass systems has been nothing short of trouble. We've managed a prebook for next weekend which hopefully will work as expected.
We're seeing a lot of issues / queries but at the moment a lack of clarity on how to solve them. I do feel bad for the Guest services & Annual Pass teams who likely haven't been trained enough / prepared enough for the system - so if the system isnt operating as expected, thats even harder on them
As a Customer Services staff member myself , I know their struggle </3
Clearly the new system has not been tested and maybe they need to look at bringing in a system with an app as the last couple of years the park has deteriated and therefore someone needs to take action. I doubt we will renew our passes in the autumn if the deteriation continues. Training and staffing across the park is a major issue. If you look at the website, it looks as though there are no events after the May day holiday. I suspect this is having an impact on sales as many people like me book things in advance. None of this creates a good impression. I know its not just the Manor that is having the issue as the Merlin and others have had issues.
The annual pass seems to be losing a lot of benefits also making me think, it will be better to look at other options.
Good morning All, i have seen some people posting online Drayton only now allow +1 with the ride access is this true never know with people posting things is it just for clicks. If true that's really sad as I often take my 2 children on my own 1 is 5 and thats who the access is for and my other daughter is only 2 years old so will struggle to visit now
This is true, I wrote this on the wrong page from the weekend;
A heads up today for anyone with an Access Card. They are currently running a 1-1 ratio due to complaints to Nimbus regarding how busy queues have been etc.
I’m not sure if it’s as a result of more people with Access Cards, such as the current Merlin problem, or an increase in Fast Pass sales. There was defiantly more people in the access/fast pass queues than I’ve ever seen today, but not sure how related that is to the run Drayton Manor event.
Something to keep an eye on if you’re visiting with 2 kids for example.
I've since emailed guest services as my daughter has +1 carer, so I'm hoping she can have a carer and her brother on rides. I've also asked them about parents bringing multiple kids on their own, so will pass on their response.
A heads up today for anyone with an Access Card. They are currently running a 1-1 ratio due to complaints to Nimbus regarding how busy queues have been etc.
I’m not sure if it’s as a result of more people with Access Cards, such as the current Merlin problem, or an increase in Fast Pass sales. There was defiantly more people in the access/fast pass queues than I’ve ever seen today, but not sure how related that is to the run Drayton Manor event.
Something to keep an eye on if you’re visiting with 2 kids for example.
I've since emailed guest services as my daughter has +1 carer, so I'm hoping she can have a carer and her brother on rides. I've also asked them about parents bringing multiple kids on their own, so will pass on their response.
It’s a tough 1 as It means my daughter can’t go on with my son as the carer has to be over 16 years old
Do you have the +1 carer symbol on your sons/daughters card?
I was under the impression that you would get a carer and a guest if that was the case, so 2 extras in total, but that may not be the case. Could be a shot in the foot by Drayton as they made a big song and dance about not changing anything like Merlin tried to do.
I've had this debate before on other forums, and unfortunately there is no right or wrong answer, but I think it makes more sense if over 16s only get a +1 and then under 16s +2 or 3 to keep younger families together. I get they don't want 4 adults all queuing on one pass. but they have to make changes for certain visitors or it simply doesn't work.
I got this but can't attend. Doesn't appeal in any case