Drayton Manor Park gears up for 2017 season with new ride

A Staffordshire theme park is making final preparations for the launch of its new season, aided by the opening of a new attraction.

Drayton Manor Park opens its 2017 season on Thursday (March 30), with the launch of its new ride, James and the Red Balloon, following in April.

The new ride (see a time lapse video here) marks the further expansion of the theme park, which owes much of its success to its popular Thomas Land attraction, which is where the new ride is based.

Based on the beloved Thomas and Friends character, the ride features James and his cheeky antics with a hot air balloon. Families will be able to sit in their own ‘balloon’ and enjoy extensive views of the park and its attractions.

William Bryan, managing director at Drayton Manor Park, said: “We’re all really looking forward to welcoming our visitors for the new season and unveiling this fantastic addition to Thomas Land.

“As a family, we’re committed to ensuring each season is bigger and better than ever before and we hope James and the Red Balloon will thrill both the young and the young at heart.

“Our staff have been working so hard to ensure the season starts successfully.”

Away from the family favourites in Thomas Land, the park also features white knuckle rides like Apocalypse and G-Force, plus gentler classics like the Buffalo Coaster and the Flying Dutchman.

The 15-acre park also includes a zoo, which this year features new animals including a Red Panda, Sulawesi Crested Macaques, Bearded Lizards, Golden Headed Lion Tamarins and some Dik Dik antelopes.

To sustain the business, the park also has its own four-star hotel, which has 150 bedrooms, including executive rooms, presidential suites and 15 Thomas & Friends-themed family bedrooms.

The 2017 season runs until October 26, with the annual Fireworks Spectacular weekend taking place between Friday 27 and Sunday October 29.

The park’s Magical Christmas event will be on selected dates from November 18 to December 31.