Portsmouth, Hayling Island & Littlehampton - 24th March

Coaster Police · Portsmouth, Hayling Island & Littlehampton - 24th March

Our second outing of the new coaster season was Bank Holiday Monday 24th March 2008.

This time we thought we'd take a nice trundle along the south coast to ride the re-located Super Dragon coaster (formally at Drayton Manor), and the new Caterpillar Coaster at Harbour Park, Littlehampton.

Although with the weather cold, iffy, snowing and generally unpleasant round most of the UK, we seemed to be OK today, so set off for a 11am start at Clarence Pier in Portsmouth. My nephew Alex had never been on the Skyways coaster at the pier, and given thats it's reasonably close to Hayling Island, we thought we'd pop along so he can ride it. As before, very good smooth Z40 coaster, running nice and fast even if the wind was cold coming off the Solent!

Next it was along to Hayling Island. Even though Hayling is reasonably close to Portsmouth (a few miles as the bird flies), it's a 13.7 mile drive round the water. We got there about 11.45. First ride was obviously the relocated Super Dragon (opened Friday 21/03). Still looking good, I don't think much painting has been done, but it's in good condition. The Drayton Manor name is still on the tunnel cover, so it's clear it has literally been moved and constructed with very little work done. All the same, 3rd coaster for Hayling Island. A great addition to the park Smile

Next we went on the Klondike Goldmine for old times sakes, and then the Woody's coaster. All been done before but Alex had never ridden them, so we came along for the laugh. The Klondike doesn't seem to have got any smoother with age and is still quite a rough ride, but it's a good old thing and we love it. Will Hayling Island take the Shockwave when Drayton are finished with it??

Finally, onto Harbour Park - Littlehampton 30 miles down the road. The new Caterpillar Coaster opened on Sunday 23rd March, and it's brand new so SCRATCH!! It's one of the slower type Caterpillars with the long suspended slow bit in the middle at the top, not the quicker one with the drop that whips the back car round quickly.

Finally, the drive back home to Bournemouth along the coast again with our mission accomplished. Or was it.... ?

BONUS!! B. Cole's fun fair is in Bournemouth this week, and they have a coaster. It's called the Crazy Roller and a traveling coaster owned by Gary Penfold. We've been on this a few years ago at Dorset Steam fair, but didn't take much notice of travelling coasters back then, so needed to get all the info for the Coaster-Count website. We did a couple of laps, took some pics of it, and left as it was starting to rain. It's a very rough little coaster, chunky built steel and very basic. In fact, the operator advised me that it's up for sale !! A bargain at 25k (includes lorry thats it's built on). We considered buying it and taking it to camp oakwood, but decided against it, so you'll have to go find it yourselves if you want the bruises Smile

So there we go, all in all, a good day. 1 brand new coaster, 1 relocated coaster, and 1 coaster we have finally identified and had added to the coaster-count website (with pics).

Pics on website from this trip at:- http://mdw.fotopic.net/c1480766.html

marshall hill · super dragon

With regard your comment that little work has been done super dragon. Id just like to state the following was done once it had left dmp.. All ride frames sanded and repainted , track sanded and repainted , cars dismanteled to every nut and bolt and anything worn replaced also all wheels brand new. The only job left is fence to be sanded and rapainted and new lights to be added. Need i go on ! !

marshall hill

Hayling wont be having shockwave ,but another dmp ride will arrive in 2009

stealth fan

Bunnie

Does that mean Drayton will then be having a new ride in 2009?

My betting is on the sombreros or the flying dutchman to go to Hayling, could however be completely wrong.

Potentially the buffalo? I'm not sure now as it has been a while since I have been to Hayling to say what space there is. In fact it has been too long since I have been on Klondike, may have to schedule a trip down...also pop in at Paultons

Sorry, thinking out loud and rambling.

nemesis scribe

smiler

Myself and Jess has just got back from the park and what a great day it was. Started off at Harbour park yep to get the tick in. Hayling island was very quite due to the poor weather but the rides were great. Tornado 2 was flying with a bunch of screaming girls on to was funny. The dragon coaster does look great its all new looking the tracks and post make it look all new. Its a great coaster for the park even my car parked right outside it Â Very Happy

. Great to see this park changing etc. Also there I saw the frog hopper there by the arcarde entrance but no carrage on it, Was that a old ride or is that a drayton manor ride ? Pics online tomos

marshall hill

Yes the frog hopper is the one from dmp . It will open for first time this weekend . Two other ex dmp rides remain in storage for further possabile use but will prob be sold at end of season along with at least one large ride which will make way for a new attraction in 2009.

bluea61

One large ride going? I'd guess at the Breakdance. These things seem to be disappearing from every where at the moment. Such a cool ride as well.

Thinking about the one coming in, who knows (Well obviously Marshall!). Its impressive the change thats happening at Hayling new rides are appearing all the time. Are you sure you couldn't get Shockwave?!

smiler

Wouldnt be the log flume as that takes a lot of room and a nice size coaster would go there.

stealth fan

Big Stevie B

They could have it run threw a few of the locals gardens, out along the beach, over the sea front and stuff.

Hayling Manor rules!

smiler

Pics of both park Hayling island and Harbour park on now on my main site and other site to. Enjoy Very Happy

Big Stevie B

It would be awesome if the Flying Jumbos and my favorite elephant, Chloe turned up at Funland. I really miss that ride from Drayton.

If we all started a campaign, maybe we could get Thomas Land moved to Funland as well. Draytons top coaster ever! Just don`t tell them, so they can move it to Hayling Laughing

.

The relationship between Drayton and Funland is great. We get the new rides, without losing our old favorites. Works well for both and us.
I hope they don`t lose Breakdance. I was a regular at the London Troccadero for that and the Pepsi Max Drop. Love the fact that they are still in the south.

Coaster Police

bluea61

We went over to Hayling last night to catch the 6-9 ride session they do on a friday. £7 for a wristband which is a bargain really if you want to ride everything.

It was so warm yesterday we rode the log flume which gets you very wet for its size. Also did all the usuals, the Klondike which was running well, tried out the Super Dragon since its move, spun Hayleys brother Dan Style on the Cauldron Pots! He looked a little worse for wear after that one.

Most of the staff were very friendly; we thought Woody's was closed but a guy came passed and said he would get someone to run it for us. And when he came over said sorry for the wait.

The Tornado was running well as usual, and is a fantastic ride. Very fast as usual and some great spinning action! The only complaint I would say was that the guy operating it wasn't very friendly. But its a small grumble.

marshall hill

ive had a word with the tornado operator this morning ! ! glad you found rest of staff helpfull and frendly .