New Thomas Land Ride 2023

[DanBoi]

I have been down the Drayton Manor and seen this sign at the Thomas Land construction site. I know it is the vikings sign as it says at the top but for sure they cannot use a "Contact Zamperla" sign on a site that Zamperla is not working on? I believe it will be zamperla and most of Thomas Land is zamperla... What do you think?

 

[Paul]

reusing last years sign, haha

 

[WK4]

Been posted elsewhere, but Aerial Amusements have taken some drone photos of the new ride clearing.

Hoping it could be a junior log flume similar to the one at Thomas Land in Japan.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1624791677792575491

 

[Immelmanloop]

Well there is a very prominent circualar cutout of what was previously pavement, so I wonder what will become of that.

 

[RustyShackleford]

 

[Charliie]

I love that the wave on the signage boards is an unofficial confirmation that it will be a water ride

 

[RustyShackleford]

You can keep your drones...sometimes you just need boots on the ground!!!

Note the waves and the use of term "splash". Pretty big hints.

 

[Charliie]

yes! To be honest this was needed for the Thomas land rides, there’s only so much you can do with flat rides. I will have one very excited 6 year old.

 

[Themeparksandy1981]

I thought I take a good close up of them boarding.

The 3 waves and the 2 port holes is the most interesting part


They added a waterproof liner. I also asked staff when will this open and it’s supposed to be all ready for the 1st April.
Notice the new door ways at the back of the train building

 

[WK4]

Hope its not a Zamperla Kiddie Flume and something a bit bigger like the one in Japan or the kids flume at Chessington.

 

[WK4]

Looks like we have a few more clues regarding the ride as the waves and portholes match the submarine from this episode. Looks likely it will be some sort of flume whislt sat in submarine type boats.

 

[Immelmanloop]

I still can't get over the fact that the new Thomas looks like it was designed by somebody who has never seen a locomotive in their lives.

 

[Themeparksandy1981]

I really hope it isn’t this

KIDDIE FLUME | Minimum Height 90 cm unaccompanied

The Kiddie Flume is the ideal water ride for any kiddie area, loved by children for its chute ramp.Highlights:An entertaining boating ride activity with a chute ramp, delivering fun for the entire family Each boat features two seats, for an instant capacity of 12 riders Suitable for both indoor...

www.zamperla.com

Would easily fit in that area and add a theming element in the middle and around the sides. I asked staff and it’s supposed to open on the 1st April which is 37 days away.
Ground flatting has continued since my last update with a big delivery of pipes which I’m sure will connect underground to the water supply and the pumps.

 

[Charliie]

I can’t get over the new look , I get things have to change but this much ? I am excited to see how they theme this ride.

 

[Themeparksandy1981]

The problem is with Thomas land been 15 years old. Them kids have all growth up and most have moved on from theme parks. My daughter is 11 this year but she one goes on the rides cause of my 3 year old son and the limited ride offerings over the Autumn and Winter months.
It’s a wise move to keep up with the latest Thomas as that’s what the current under 5’s are watching and base it off the current Thomas will hopefully make the looping group to renew the IP in 2028.

 

[RustyShackleford]

I really hope it isn't that either. I am hopeful it isn't though, I don't see how that ride would make "a splash"

 

[Elise]

I'm thinking that it might be something more like the River Rafts ride at Chessington, small log flume with an actual splash at the end.
Fun bonus fact, I'm fairly sure the one at Chessington is the same one they had at the Weymouth Sea life adventure park for a season or two (Was very short lived there - it went through a crocodile enclosure which was unique. That enclosure now houses fairy penguins!)

 

[WK4]

It's definitely the same one as Weymouth. When they moved it over and called it River Rafts I assumed they would be getting new boats, but no, kept the crocodiles which doesn't fit the theme at all.

Back to the Thomas Land flume, I'm hoping its something similar to that rather than the Zamperla mini. I'd guess we may see new models of a few characters dotted around it from the new series too. It would be odd to see the different styles, but I guess that's what Thomas is now, so should be reflected somewhere in the park.

 

[remlap]

The Zamperla mini seems too 'babyish' even for Thomas Land. It's going to have a very limited audience as once they figure out you don't get wet they'll be bored.

 

[RustyShackleford]

Yeah, if you want a water ride where you dont get wet then they can go on the rapids.