Drayton Manor is preparing to install a new “family thrill” rollercoaster in 2024, the park’s new managing director has said.
Victoria Lynn said that the ride’s location would include the site of the former Apocalypse drop tower, which was removed last year.
Speaking to the Birmingham Mail, Ms Lynn said: “One of the key things we want to say is that in 2024 there will be a new family thrill coaster coming.
“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.”
The last major rollercoaster installed at Drayton Manor was the G Force ride in 2005, but it was removed in 2018.
‘Already broken ground’
Ms Lynn said that 2023 would feature more modest investments at Drayton Manor, but there was a desire to speak of future investment plans to assure the public.
She added that the Tamworth theme park had “already broken ground” on the new rollercoaster, as land was already being cleared around the removed Apocalypse.
“There are naturally some legacy rides we have had to remove to build better ones for the future,” Ms Lynn said.
“[Apocalypse] was such a key ride and it is not to say that in the future we would not have a ride similar to that.
“People are not going to be disappointed once they see what is going in its place but naturally, there was a little bit of disappointment from our fans.”
The Shockwave stand-up ride is currently the only thrill rollercoaster at Drayton Manor, where it was installed in 1994.